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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.

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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.

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Merry Christmas!

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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.

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All Is Bright Sign-ups

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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

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The Tennessee God Sees – Week 1 – Discussion Questions

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MAIN POINT:

Making it to the mountaintop takes sacrifice and surrender, but it is the place that we will see God’s vast vision for Tennessee.

ICEBREAKER:

What is the highest point you have visited in this world? Do you know the altitude? What is the highest point in Tennessee?

INTRODUCTION:

This weekend, Pastor Chris began our Heart for the Harvest season by launching a new series called The Tennessee God Sees. Heart for the Harvest (H4H) is a special time each year when we prepare to give sacrificially to further the ministry of Faith Promise and ask God to use our church to make an eternal difference in the world. This offering is key in our effort to launch new campuses to see exponential growth and changed lives. We are asked to prayerfully consider giving above and beyond our regular tithes to the Harvest Offering weekend, Nov. 12-13, 2016.

Pastor discussed it being scary when we cannot see the top of the mountain to which God is calling us. We may stall out on the way up, but God has a vision, and it is vast and it is transformative. In the Bible, God used mountaintops or the highest point around (watchtowers) to reveal His vision to many- Moses, Elijah and Habakkuk. We can only see His vision from the top, but making it there takes full surrender and sacrifice. We are called to be a shining light to our community, and we cannot out-give God. He continues to deepen our faith by calling us to a new level of commitment. God will use the money from the H4H in a transformational ministry, one that reaches lost souls in this hurting and dying world. God can do the impossible (Ephesians 3:20), and He can open our eyes to see the TN He sees. We long for our hearts to be broken for what breaks His. We need to run to the top of the mountain to see His vision. But it doesn’t end there! We must run back down to the valley of the shadow of death and bring the hope to those who have no hope. The vision is already happening at FP, but there is so much more to do. In this time of fasting and prayer, may God draw you close as He makes clear to you your financial role in advancing His Kingdom.

ENCOUNTERING GOD THROUGH BIBLE STUDY:

Read Matthew 16:24-28.
1. What is meant by taking up your cross to follow Jesus?
2. Discuss what it means to lose your life to save it.
3. Is there an area in your life where you are devoting resources that God is showing you to give up so that He can be more greatly glorified? How will you ask Him in prayer to help simplify your life so that your focus and devotion can be more fully on Him?

Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-7.
4. In this passage, Paul discusses the sacrificial giving in the early church. These believers gave even though they themselves were poor. With what is God more concerned: the amount we give? Or how and why we give?
5. For what reasons do believers give to the church?

Read Habakkuk 1:1-4.
6. Do you ever feel like the prophet Habakkuk, crying out to the Lord in despair over the wickedness in society? Discuss some of the things that break your heart in this world today.
7. What can you take from Habakkuk and apply to your life?

Read Habakkuk 2:1.
8. Where did Habakkuk go to hear God’s response?
9. Where do you go first when you have questions? Do you go to a friend? Or do you go to God?
10. Discuss a time in your life where you were challenged as you waited for God’s response. What was accomplished during this time?

LEADER NOTES:

The highest point in TN is Clingman’s Dome- 6,643 ft.
1. Following Jesus requires a full commitment- even to the point of risking death and no turning back. It does not mean to carry a burden or problems. It means to identify with Christ in His rejection, shame, suffering.
2. As mentioned above, following Jesus requires a full commitment, meaning we pledge our whole existence to His service. When we concern ourselves with our own life/pain/suffering, we become inwardly focused and miss the full experience of serving Jesus. We miss the purpose of our life, which is to point others to Jesus! When we give our lives fully to Christ, we discover the real purpose of living.
3. Answers may vary.
4. How and why we give.
5. Dedication to Christ, compassion for people and the joy of giving.
6. Answers may vary.
7. Sometimes it seems like wickedness is prevailing in society. We must remember that that God is Sovereign. He is in control of the world despite the apparent triumph of evil. We know that He is at work in the world and in our lives, and one day evil will be completely destroyed. We as believers must realize that we can bring our questions to God. We can listen for answers and rejoice over His Sovereignty.
8. He expectantly went to the top of the city wall, the watchtower, to patiently wait and watch for God’s response.
9. Answers may vary.
10. Many struggle with patience as they wait on the Lord. But in this time where an answer does not seem clear, God is training us and transforming our hearts to trust him more fully. FAITH= Forsaking All I Trust Him. He is just and He knows all the details of our trials. He will work out His plans in His perfect timing.