Posted on

Launchpad Week 2 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started 

Main Idea: A launch pad is the foundation for a successful liftoff and a stabilizing start for the mission.

Discussion Starter: At the beginning of each year, many of us set goals. Since we are almost half way through the year, are there any goals you set that you have already accomplished? Is there something you would like to accomplish before the end of the year?

Introduction: This week Michele walked us through the story of Ruth, showing us how families are the launch pad that ignites and transforms the next generation for a successful liftoff.

Encounter God

Primary Scripture: The Book of Ruth

Discussion Questions:
1. Deuteronomy 6:4-6 has become known as the Shema. In fact, in Hebrew, the first word of verse 4 is “shema,” literally translated in English to “listen”. However, Timothy Mackie points out that more accurately “in Hebrew, listening and doing are two sides of the same coin.” How can you more fully listen to God and do what He asks?

2. Michele said that Naomi thought the mission was scrubbed when she released her daughters-in-law. Has there been a time when you felt there was no hope? How did God bring you out of that? Or if you feel hopeless now, how can those around you help carry that burden and show you God’s hope and future for you?

3. How does your biological and church family act as a stabilizing launchpad for you?

4. Boaz called Naomi a “woman of noble character”. Read Proverbs 31:10-31. How can you move closer to the characteristics in this scripture? Or how can you support the women in your life to move closer to these characteristics?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Ruth 4 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Embrace Others

Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into dyads or triads for this section.
Discuss how God is at work in the ordinary and mundane details in our lives.

Engage the World Around Us

Naomi and Ruth were able to harvest because Boaz practiced grace extended to foreigners, orphans, and widows as outlined in Deuteronomy 24:19-22. God does not put caveats on whether someone from these 3 groups “deserves” grace and help. He does not say that we only offer help to foreigners if they have some sort of secular legal standing or pick a political side about the social benefits programs that orphans and widows receive.

Discuss how you can Embrace the world around you by making grace and love top priorities; at Faith Promise, in your community, and in the world at large.

Expand God’s Kingdom

Read Matthew 12:46-50. How can you help your brothers and sisters do the will of God?

Leader’s Notes

ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.

– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.

– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.

– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.

– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.

 

Posted on

Like a Boss Week 2 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea:
Living a life where you are the boss of your money so it is not the boss of you.

Discussion: How do you know when money has become the boss of someone?  Can you think of someone at work, in your life, your family, or your home who answers to money?

Introduction:  How many self-help books, courses, TV shows have you seen that want to help you find your way to financial freedom?  Why do you think we have such a hard time managing money as a society?  When you reflect on what culture says about money, goals, and priorities, it is no wonder that we are so confused on how to be good stewards of the gifts we are given.  So often, we look to the world for wisdom instead of the Bible.

Encounter God

Primary Scripture:  Acts 20:35, Haggai 1:5-6, Hebrews 13:5, and Hebrews 12:11, 1 Timothy 6:10, 2 Timothy 3:1-2

Discussion Questions:

“When anything in life is an absolute requirement for your happiness and self-worth, it is essentially an ‘idol,’ something you are actually worshiping…” Timothy Keller, Counterfeit Gods.

1. In the sermon, Pastor references The Day America Told the Truth.  Specifically, what individuals said they would do for 10 million dollars. What are the warnings we read in the book of Timothy regarding money? What measures can we take to prevent the idolization of money?

2. One call of action Pastor gives in order to live Like a Boss is to put someone or something ahead of you this week financially.  How can we live like a boss by putting someone or something ahead of ourselves financially?

3. In Haggai, the prophet is commenting on how the people are never satisfied.  How similar is our world today?!

4. What are some other directives to prevent money from being your boss? With any habit  we must unlearn and realize that we are prioritizing somethings in the wrong order.

5. Hebrews 12:11 gives us a solid reminder of what the reward is when we perform the uncomfortable task of change and discipline ourselves to follow God’s commands.  What are some good disciplines in your life that help you keep the prioritization of God and money in the right order?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Luke 15 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Embrace Others

Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into dyads or triads for this section.

What ways can you prioritize what you have above what you want?

Talk about ways you are going to live like a boss this week.

In your groups take a minute and pray, asking God to open your eyes and give you discernment when you are struggling with moments of incorrect prioritization.  Ask for directions on how He wants you to move forward with placing others before yourself.

Engaging the world

How can we take what we have discussed here today and engage with our family at FP?

What about in the community?  Are there ways we can start to change the culture of “me first?”

Expanding God’s Kingdom

How can we practice being disciple makers that use our new habits to help create disciples who are called to serve others?

Leader’s Notes

ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.

– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.

– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.

– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.

– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.

Posted on

Real People, Real Problems, Real Love Week 2 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea:
This weekend Pastor Chris challenged us to abide in the vine and remain wrapped up and wrapped in His love. He encouraged Promisors to consider how much God gave through His Son Jesus Christ with how much we are willing to give to others.

Discussion Starter:
Share a recent struggle you experienced and who God used to help you through it. Even knowing how important a role others play in our lives and how God can use them, why is it still so hard to become involved in the problems of people around us?

Introduction:
This week we will discuss how being real people, people of authentic faith, requires we step into the real problems of the world and the people all around us through the giving of ourselves through God’s sustaining power and grace.

Encounter God

Primary Scriptures:  John 15:1-17

Discussion Questions:
1. In verses 1-2, what is the difference between being a cut off vine and one which is being pruned? How does being cut off affect our desire and capacity to give?

2. In verse 5, Jesus tells us we are the branches and can bear much fruit by remaining in Him. How have you experienced this? Share this experience.

3. When Jesus tells us in verse 13 to lay down our lives for friends, what is He really saying? How can we sacrifice for people in our everyday lives?

4. Pastor Chris listed three expenses of loving people: time, tears, and trouble. Which of these is hardest for you? Why? How do you handle it?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read John 15:1-17 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore how to be authentic in our relationships and our faith.

Embrace Others

Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into dyads or triads during this time.

Getting together better:
In your dyad or triad commit to connect with each other this week through a common interest or shared hobby. Commit to pray for each other or with each other about a specific real problem this week.

Getting to know Him better together:
Use the above opportunity to challenge and encourage one another with what was discussed in group this week and share any stories of progress or “God at work” (perhaps look up other Scripture that tell us how to “remain” in Him).

 

Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise:
Choose a fpStaff member or fpVolunteer leader to encourage in their ministry as an act of service and thanks.

Engaging in Community:
Commit to connect and serve the community in solving a real problem (this does not have to be elaborate, choose something simple – i.e. buy the teachers at a local public school donuts for breakfast, etc.) this week or month.

Engaging the World:
Begin now to consider how you and your group, dyad, or triad will sponsor a Compassion International child (for more details, check out https://cts.compassion.com/events/807)

Expand God’s Kingdom

In your dyad or triad discuss the possibilities of leading or hosting your own Group. What are some obstacles in your path? Pray for God to remove those and begin to ask Him to show what is your next step towards making room for more people to find God’s real love through the loving community of an fpGroup.

Leader’s Notes

For the Discussion Starter, be careful that the discussion does not descend into gossip. We can share negative experiences and learn from them without sharing names.

Be familiar with John 15:1-17 or watch the message online again prior to group.

E-Groups
– Encounter Groups: the primary focus of Encounter Groups is the deeper study and application of God’s Word.

– Embrace Groups: the primary focus of Embrace Groups is making friends and being friends on a deeper level.

– Engage Groups: the primary focus of Engage Groups is serving the people of our area through our local partners and through God-directed opportunities.

– Expand Groups: the primary focus of Expand Groups is the development and multiplication of disciple-makers to lead more groups at Faith Promise.

Posted on

Merry Christmas!

christmas-1920-1080

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Faith Promise Family!

Due to the holiday, we will not post discussion questions this week or next week. Small groups will begin an alignment January 7-8 using Pastor’s new book Called Out. You can pick up your copy (FREE!) at each campus beginning December 17th-18th.

Posted on

All Is Bright Sign-ups

all-is-bright-wide

Christmas is quickly approaching. For most, it’s a time of joy, celebration, and wonder. It is a time to come together with family and friends to celebrate the birth of our savior with a spirit of peace and love. Join us as we celebrate with families in need and show them the love and generosity of Jesus. You may never know how your gift has impacted the lives of children and their families. Share the love and hope that Jesus brought with those that need it most. Stop by the tree in the lobby beginning, Nov. 11th & 12th, and choose your tag. The simple act of giving a gift can change the world of a child.

We also have the need for many volunteers to sign up to serve to pass out the tags from the trees, collect gifts as they are returned, and serve at the shopping events that will take place during the month of December.

Volunteer Opportunities:

The first week in November: to help put up the trees

November 11th/12th: Before/After/and During Services at all campus locations (Pass out tags)

November 19th/20th: Before/After/and During Services at all campus locations (Pass out tags/Collect returned gifts)

November 26th/November 27th: Before/After/and During Services at all campus locations (Pass out tags/Collect returned gifts)

December 3rd: Serve at Blount County Campus/North Knox Campus Shopping Event

December 10th: Serve at Pellissippi Campus Shopping Event

December 17th: Serve at Anderson County Campus/ Campbell County Campus Shopping Event

Pellissippi Campus Sign Up: Click Here

All other campuses: Sign up at the Missions Spot or email missions@faithpromise.org