2.25.24

DISCUSSION GUIDE /2.25.24

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

If you could go to Mars, would you? Why or why not?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Luke 14:7-11

  • Have you ever been in a situation where you were honored or asked to move? Share.

  • Who is the most humble person you know? Explain how they have impacted you.

  • Is it hard for you to be humble? Why or why not?

  • How did Jesus model humility for his followers?

  • How can we pray for you?

2.18.24

DISCUSSION GUIDE /2.18.24

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

Five things that make you happy?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem.And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Luke 13:22-30

  • Are you saved? Why or why not?

  • Are you more Christ-like or less Christ-like than you were a year ago? Why do you think this is?

  • What is the difference in being around Jesus and being with Jesus?

  • Why do you think only few people are saved when Jesus has made salvation available to everyone?

  • How can we do our part in sharing the gospel this week?

  • How can we pray for you?

2.11.24

DISCUSSION GUIDE /2.11.24

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

Which team are you / were you going for in the super bowl?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

18 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” 20 And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”

Luke 13:18-21

  • Think about your different roles (spouse, parent, employee, friend) Where has God planted you? Why do you think God has placed you here?

  • How have you grown since being planted? (spiritually, emotionally, morally, etc)

  • What do you hope you are becoming? What words would you like others to describe you as?

  • What is something you hope will be possible for the next generation as a result of your obedience to God?

  • What is an area in your life where you hope to see exponential growth?

  • What is an area of the church where you hope to see exponential growth?

  • How can we pray for you?

2.4.24

DISCUSSION GUIDE /2.4.24

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

Favorite valentine’s day gift?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

Luke 13:6-9

  • What are examples of “spiritual fruit”?

  • What is some spiritual fruit you have seen produced in your life or a loved one’s life?

  • Do we have an expectation to produce spiritual fruit as Christian? Why or why not?

  • As a church how do we make sure we are doing more than “using up the ground” and are sharing God’s love in our community?

  • At times we need to be pruned and fertilized in order to produce. What are some things you could cut out of your life, and what are some things you could add to your life in order to produce more spiritual fruit.

  • How can we pray for you?

1.28.24

DISCUSSION GUIDE /1.28.24

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

What is your dream car?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

47 And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

Luke 12:35-40, 47-48

  • Do you feel spiritually prepared for Jesus to return? Why or why not?

  • What are some ways that we can wait on (serve) the Lord and prepare for His return?

  • Do you feel like you are one that has been “given much” and therefore have much required of you? Explain. How does this impact your daily life?

  • Describe an ideal day of activities where you would feel at peace for Christ to return at any hour. What is preventing you from living like that every day?

  • How can we pray for you?

1.14.24

DISCUSSION GUIDE /1.14.24

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

Share one thing you're grateful for from the past year and one hope or goal you have for this new year.

LUKE 12:4-34

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

8 “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, 9 but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

  • Fear and Confession:

    • In Luke 12:4-7, Jesus speaks about not fearing those who can harm the body but fearing God. How can we overcome fear and openly confess our faith in various life situations?

  • Stewardship and Generosity:

    • The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21 highlights the dangers of greed. How can we practice good stewardship and cultivate a spirit of generosity in our lives, considering the possessions and resources we have?

  • Confidence in God's Knowledge:

    • In Luke 12:22-30, Jesus addresses worry about material needs. How can we build confidence in God's knowledge of our needs and trust in His provision, especially in times of uncertainty?

  • Trust in God's Provision:

    • In Luke 12:22-34, Jesus speaks about not worrying and trusting in God's provision. How can we apply this teaching to our lives today, especially in the midst of challenges and uncertainties?

  • Prioritizing the Kingdom:

    • Jesus emphasizes seeking God's kingdom first in Luke 12:31-34. How can we practically prioritize the kingdom of God in our daily lives and decisions? What might need to shift in our priorities?

  • How can we pray for you?

1.7.24

DISCUSSION GUIDE /1.7.24

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

Did you make any new year’s resolutions?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

Luke 10:25-37

  • Why is the lawyer asking “who is my neighbor”? What do you think he is hoping Jesus will say?

  • Why do you think the priest and the Levite passed by the man?

  • Do you think you' are ever too preoccupied with other things to make time for people in need? How can we change this as Christians?

  • The Samaritan not only cared for the man’s wounds but he provided for him until he recovered and he also returned to check on him. Why is a long term relationship better than simply handing someone money? What makes the long term relationship more of a challenge?

  • What are some ways we can “go and do likewise” and show others mercy this week?

  • How can we pray for you?