Posted on

God’s Story – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea: Every moment of time has told and is telling God’s story.  The whole Bible is His story and every one of us was always planned to be a part of it.

Discussion Starter: If you could visit any time and place in history when and where would you go?

Introduction: This week, Pastor Chris takes us through most of recorded, Biblical history to illuminate how God has revealed himself and compels us to step into God’s plan for us.

Encounter God

Primary Scriptures: 2 Timothy 2:15, Galatians 4:4, Romans 6:23, Romans 10: 9-10

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think is one of the most fascinating stories in the Bible?  What does it tell you about God?
  2. Pastor Chris mentioned that after the book of Malachi, God was silent for 400 years, and he pointed out that we should not mistake God’s silence as inactivity.  Is there an area in your life where you are waiting to hear from God?  If so, how can you be encouraged to know that His silence doesn’t mean He isn’t doing anything?
  3. Read Galatians 4:4 This verse shows us a glimpse into God’s plans and timing.  Discuss some of the obstacles to waiting on God’s timing and plans.
  4. Pastor Chris said that Jesus’ birth and humble beginning was not poverty, but prophecy.  The circumstances of Jesus’ birth were part of God’s plans from the beginning.  Discuss how God can and is working in your current circumstances.   Meditate on Romans 8:26-29.

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Romans 10:10 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Embrace Others

Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into twos or threes for this section.

Getting to know each other:  Discuss how you see your part in God’s story.  Encourage someone in the group as to what you see as their part in His story.

Getting to know Him:  What do you think is one of the most interesting stories from the Bible and how does it reveal God’s character?  If you’re not sure of one, what do you think is one of the most interesting of God’s attributes? For example, 3 of God’s attributes are that He is infinite, transcendent, and personal.

Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise:  The Christmas season always provides many opportunities to serve at Faith Promise.  Visit the Information area at your campus if you aren’t sure of the opportunities.

Engaging in Community:  This time of year there are also many opportunities in the community.  Don’t forget about the group that we partnered with over the summer, Serve Day.  Click here for some of their great ideas on how to engage your community.

Engaging the World:  Visit the Missions Spot at your campus to get information on our international missionaries and find out how you can partner with them in their efforts abroad.  Also consider sending them an encouraging Christmas card.

Expand God’s Kingdom

This season is one where many are naturally more drawn to the church.  Find someone who needs help with their next step. Talk to a stranger in the lobby  and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and your conversations, seeking to encourage and grow them.

Posted on

Heart for the Harvest Week 3 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea: To extend and expand requires us to be all in!

Discussion Starter: What would happen if you couldn’t use your cell phone for an entire day?

Introduction: This week, we saw three pictures of generosity; Hannah, the widow of Zarephath, and the widow’s mite.  In these pictures, one gave her first, another her last, and another her all.  What God really wants to know is if we are willing to give our all in worship of Him.

Watch this short video with your group.

Encounter God

Primary Scriptures: 2 Chronicles 6:12-15, 2 Chronicles 7:1-5

Discussion Questions:

  1. If you fasted during this Heart for the Harvest, how did it impact your walk with God?  If you did not fast, consider fasting in the future.
  2. What is one area where you put God first?  What is one area where you don’t currently put Him first, but know you need to?
  3. Has there been a time when you gave God the last of something when you weren’t sure if there would be more?
  4. What’s your next step to a deeper level of commitment to God?
  5. This week drew to a close Heart for the Harvest 2019, what can you do to start preparing for 2020?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Mark 12:43 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Embrace Others

Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into twos or threes here.

Getting to know each other:  Read Proverbs 16:3  How can you encourage each other this week to commit to God’s plans?

Getting to know Him:  God’s heart is one that delights in opportunities to bless us and opportunities for us to bless others.  How can your group prepare to receive blessings and be available to bless others?

Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise:  What gift has God given you that you can use to serve at Faith Promise?

Engaging in Community: Does your group have plans to serve somewhere in your community before the end of the year?  If not, consider serving at All Is Bright.

Engaging the World: Moving into the Christmas season, there are many opportunities to help with the God’s global work.  Consider how your group can be a part of that work.

Expand God’s Kingdom

Expanding God’s Kingdom by pouring into the discipleship journey of others requires commitment and preparation.  How can you prepare to help someone grow in their discipleship?

Posted on

This week’s Bonus Feature – Back to the Future

Encounter God

Primary Scriptures: Philippians 3:13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Deuteronomy 8:2, Hebrews 8:12, Romans 5:3-5

Discussion Questions:

  1. What did God do to pull you through a dark time?
  2. Look at a past mistake or two, and think of them not as something to change or regret, but as something God can use to show His glory. How does your perspective change when focused on glorifying God?
  3. How can we focus on the present, not necessarily forgetting the past, but using its potential to follow the filling? 
  4. God reminds the Israelites of their past for the sake of instruction. Remembering who God is will be our best way not only to regard our past, but also to define our present, and to guide our future. What can you do this week to glorify God?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Romans 5:3-5 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Embrace Others

Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into twos or threes for this part.

Past mistakes often require forgiveness of yourself or others. Share who you need to forgive this week? How can you show yourself grace, as God does?

Engage the World Around Us

Creating Back to the Movies and these Bonus Features involved hundreds of Promisors, from writing and producing, leading in worship, planning the decorations, constructing the props, popcorn makers and servers, and the weekend team of parking, ushers, greeters, and fpKids area.

Faith Promise could not be the movement of God it is without people like you, serving in a capacity that best suits the gifts and talents God gave you.

Where are you serving? Have you been through Next Steps?

Expand God’s Kingdom

We have four more weeks of Back to the Movies. Who are you inviting to the weekends and to your group? This is the perfect opportunity to invite your friends, co-workers, and neighbors who don’t normally go to church. Have a movie night and invite people to watch the movies for the series, then invite them to connect faith and film and maybe find the real love of Jesus for the first time!

September 7-8 Ghostbusters
September 14-15 The Princess Bride
September 21-22 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
September 28-29 E.T. (Shhh – this is a secret!)

Posted on

Mind Monsters Week 3 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea: The Mind Monsters of emotion have moved from under our beds to inside our heads.

Discussion Starter: Have you known anyone to have some deep-seated fear, a fear that paralyzed them or prevented them from doing something?  Have you experienced any of these: fear of heights, speaking in public, tight spaces, spiders, snakes, etc.?

Introduction: There is more than one type of fear and the Bible has a lot to say about fear. This week we will look at how fear impacts us and how we can handle fears more productively, as well as supporting others as they work through some of their personal fears. Wouldn’t it be nice if this mind monster lost some (or all!) its control in our lives?

Encounter God

Primary Scriptures:  

2 Timothy 1:7, 1 John 4:18, Hebrews 2:14, Matthew 6:25-34

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do the passages in 1 John and Hebrews point to as the source of our fear?
  2. What does the passage in 2 Timothy say that God gives us?
  3. In this series, Pastor talked about parking our minds on the thoughts found on the “P48 Train.”  What similar thoughts/actions are we reminded of in 2 Timothy that God gives us to overcome Mind Monsters?
  4. How does the passage from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 6:25-34 tell us to behave?
  5. What are some action items or thoughts we can take this week to help us with our fears?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Matthew 6:25 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Embrace Others

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

Getting to know you: As you go through the week and encounter the Mind Monster of fear, consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:25-34 then reach out to your group and share ways you are encouraged.

Getting to know them: As a group, search for other scriptures on prayers to help arm you and your loved ones against the fear Mind Monster.

Getting to know Him: Commit in your groups to reading/memorizing one or two of the scriptures you found and praying for your group during your quiet time.

Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise:  Groups can be very intimidating to many.  Pray for all the new groups starting and for the Promisers who have yet to sign up.  Pray that they find their group and that the Mind Monster of fear doesn’t get in the way.

Engaging in Community: Pay attention this week as you are at work or with family and notice how fear is impacting the lives of those around you.  Things you may not have noticed before will be more evident. Share some of what you are learning, Jesus’ love, and your relationship with Him, and how this helps overcome fears.

Engaging the World: This time of year, students are heading back to school, teachers are meeting their new pupils, and we are approaching fall. Let’s say special prayers for those leaders in schools and all the students, because we know there are a lot of emotions including fear during this time.

Expand God’s Kingdom

One of the biggest obstacles for people taking their next step in becoming a leader is fear.  Who is someone who you know is afraid of moving forward and stepping up to their next level of leadership?  Reach out to them this week, and help them take their next step.

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

We Put God First – Discussion Guide

Main Idea: 
Growing as a disciple is a complete surrender of every area of your life to Jesus.

Discussion Starter: 
What is the first thing you do when you wake up every morning?

Introduction: 
When asked the greatest commandment, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:4-5: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” We are to put every part of our lives under God’s control. God is willing to provide for our needs if we trust Him completely with all that we have. Beginning with salvation and throughout the rest of our lives, we have opportunities to let God solve our problems. When we depend on Him, we learn that He is there every time.

Encounter God

Primary Scriptures: Matthew 6:25-33, Malachi 3:10-11

Discussion Questions:

  1. Read Matthew 6:25-33. What do you worry about? What does Jesus promise to those who put God first?
  2. Read Malachi 3:10-11. Why were folks instructed to bring the whole tithe?  Who was the food for? How were the generous to be rewarded?
  3. In verse 11, what were these farmers promised? How has God both provided what you need and protected what you already have?

Discovery Bible Method:

For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Matthew 6:25-33 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 are some fears you have about putting God first and giving generously? Pray Philippians 4:6-7 over each other.

Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise: Pastor shared four levels of giving ranging from beginner to lavish giver. No matter where you are on the generosity journey, can you take the next step?

Engaging in Community: Did your group participate in Serve Day 2019? How did it go? Did you make any connections to people or ministries you could serve on a regular basis?

Engaging the World: Faith Promise missionaries put God first by serving in locations far from home. Pray for the missionaries supported by your campus.

Expand God’s Kingdom

What did you learn today that you can share with someone outside Faith Promise?

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

Come Here Often? Week 3 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea: How present are you really when you are with God?

Discussion Starter: Can you think of a place or an event where you observed people all around but felt like no one was really there?  Maybe a class in school where everyone was daydreaming, napping or chit chatting instead of paying attention to the instructor?  A meeting at work where everyone was on their phone instead of taking part of the meeting?

Introduction: Are you living through the motions, just gleaning here and there, or are you really being transformed in your experiences at church and with God?  What instances in the Bible can you think of where God (via a prophet, disciple, or Jesus) discusses the maturation of our spiritual relationship and the importance of our church family during this process?

Encounter God

Primary Scriptures: Ezekiel 36:25-27, 1 Peter 2:2, Hebrews 5:12, 1 John 4:10-12

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does the passage from Ezekiel say that God is going to do for His people?
  2. How does this compare to experiences that Jesus talks about in the New Testament?
  3. Read 1 Peter 2:2 and Hebrews 5:12 What examples can you find of how we should be nourishing ourselves in the growth of our relationship with God? Put these verses into your own words.
  4. We learned last week that our church family is there to support us and help us grow (Hebrews 10:24-25). According to 1 John 4:10-12 what do we look like when we have a relationship with Christ?

Discovery Bible Method:

For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Ephesians 4:11-14 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Embrace Others

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

Getting to know you: In the transformation process that we see described in our primary scripture, where are you personally?  Is it possible that you can go back and forth between the stages?

Getting to know them: What other passages of Scripture describe where you are or where you feel like the group is as whole?  Think about both your current condition and also goals for the future.

Getting to know Him: Why do you think God so desires for us to be part of a church, a small group, or a body of Christian support? As a team commit to one another to pray Psalms 51:10 every day this week over each other and yourselves.

Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise: Have you signed up for our Serve day?

Engaging in Community: Who are the people at work or in your neighborhood who you believe could benefit from having a church family to support them in their growth?  Our community Serve Day is coming up in July.  Invite them to join your small group as you serve.

Engaging the World: Pray for the Christian church groups who are being massacred for their faith.  This is not generally covered by the news; however, we know more than 40 of our brothers and sisters were killed in late April over Easter in Nigeria and many of them were children.  In June, 95 were killed in Mali.

Expand God’s Kingdom

Our verses from 1 John give us the directive to expand God’s Kingdom by showing His love–the same love that we receive even when it isn’t deserved.  Who can you demonstrate this type of love to in your community?

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.