Better Together Week 1 - Worship

Announcements -

• We need help for tent setup on Saturday at 7:30am (Breakfast provided!)

• Sunday 22nd - FREE FAMILY FUN DAY

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 5.15.22

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

What is the weirdest food you have ever eaten?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

Psalm 100

1  Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2  Serve the Lord with gladness!
    Come into his presence with singing!

3  Know that the Lord, he is God!
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4  Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5  For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations.       

Worship connects people with God -

• How has worship and singing praises connected you with God?

• What is your favorite worship song and why?

Worship is a tool in spiritual warfare -

• Have you ever noticed that worshiping can change your perspective on a situation?

• How can filling your home and vehicle with worship music help you overcome sin?

Worshipping together is heaven on Earth -

• Have you ever had the opportunity to worship with thousands of people? What did you notice?

• Do you think that atmosphere of worship could happen at Life Fellowship every Sunday? What would that look like?

• How can we pray for you?

This is the place

OPTIONAL INTRO QUESTION

What do you love most about your mom?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

“And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed.” - Genesis‬ ‭2:8‬

• Where has God planted you? Where has God given you unique influence?

Where would you like to be planted? What influence would you like to have?

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” - Genesis‬ ‭2:15‬

What has God called you to do? What do you see as your unique gifting?

What is one thing Jesus calls all of his disciples to do? How can we do that thing better?

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”‭‭ - John‬ ‭14:3‬

What does it mean to you that Jesus is preparing a place for you in heaven? How does that impact the way you’re living now?

How can we pray for you?

We are his people

Announcements -

• Updated Sunday service time - 10:00am!
  We’re better together!

• Friday and Saturday Laser tag - Check LF social media for details

Psalms 100:3 "Know that the Lord. He is God: It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture."

- What does it mean to be the “sheep of His pasture?”

I. His People are One

Psalm 133:1 (NIV) "How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!"

Ephesians 4:4 (NKJV) There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling.

- How can we do a better job of being unified?

- What is the “one hope” that is referred to in Ephesians 4?

I. His People are To Be Relevant

Matthew 10:16 (NKJV) "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless' as doves.

- Why is important to be wise as Christians today?

- How can we be both wise and innocent?

IN. His People are To Be Relational

2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV) "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

- What is one way you’ve shown God’s power in your life through being vulnerable and honest?

- How can we pray for you?

Timing is the Father's Business

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Announcements -

• Meals on Wheels for month of April - sign up at connection center!

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 4.10.22

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

What movie do you think everyone should watch?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

- Acts 2:6-11  

• v6 - What are you asking God for during this season of your life?

• v7 - Why shouldn’t we try to figure out specifically when Jesus is coming back according to verse 7? What should we be doing instead?

• v8 - What does the Holy Spirit empower us to do according to verse 8? Would you say you are empowered by the Holy Spirit? Why or why not?

• v11 - Often as Christians we’re caught “staring at heaven” instead of doing what we were put on earth to do. How can we do a better job of ministering to those around us instead of just being content with our own salvation?

• How can we pray for you?

Easter Sunday / Uncharted

Announcements -

• Meals on Wheels for month of April - sign up at connection center!

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 4.10.22

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

Do peeps taste good?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

Hebrews 11:8 (NKJV) “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

Mark 10:32 (ESV) “And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him (crucifixion).”         

• Following God into uncharted territory requires faith. What is something God is calling you to do that requires faith?

• Why were the disciples amazed and afraid when following Jesus? Have you ever been both amazed and afraid when following God?

Romans 4:24-25 (ESV) “It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”

• What does Jesus raising from the dead mean to you? If He didn't rise from the dead what would that mean?

• If Jesus actually rose from the dead shouldn't we tell more people about this miracle?! What keeps you from sharing the gospel with people?

• If righteousness is counted to us who have faith in Jesus, then we no longer have to fight to earn God's forgiveness we just have to confess our sins and believe in Him. Have you had to confess anything to God this week? What was that experience like?

• How can we pray for you?

Palm Sunday

Announcements -

• Meals on Wheels for month of April - sign up at connection center!

• EASTER IS THIS WEEK! Invite your friends and family to church on Sunday!

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 4.10.22

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

What is your favorite candy?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4 And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. 5 And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”

- Mark 11:1-10

• The disciples were asked to do something unusual. How difficult is it to trust Jesus when you don’t have all of the details?

• What is the significance of a donkey? Why didn’t Jesus ride in on a horse instead?
  (hint Zechariah 9:9)

• What does the word Hosanna mean? Why is this significant?

• As people were laying down their cloaks and palm branches at the feet of Jesus, we also are asked to lay things down at Jesus feet. What are some preferences or habits that you have had to change in order to honor Jesus with your life?

• Jesus riding into Jerusalem as the King was offensive to the political and religious leaders. When you made Jesus the King of your life did that decision offend some? Have you had the opportunity to reconcile those relationships?

• How can we pray for you?

4.3.22

Announcements -

• Meals on Wheels for month of April - sign up at connection center!

• Easter Prizes needed by April 10th

• April 10th one service only at 10:30. Fellowship with refreshments from 2-4. (Feel free to bring a card for pastor Ric and Christy)

• Honduras Mission Trip - July 23-30th

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 4.3.22

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

What’s your favorite thing to do in OKC?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

- Matthew 16:13-16

• What’s the difference between Jesus being a good teacher and Jesus being the Christ? Why is this difference important?

• During a time of pastoral transition why is it important to focus on Jesus being our ultimate leader?

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

- John 13:34-35

• How do people know if we are disciples of Jesus? What does this practically look like?

• How have you seen this love modeled by someone in your life?

• How can we put this love into practice this week?

12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

- 1 John 4:12

• Have you “seen God” in the way someone else showed you love? Describe that experience.

• How can we pray for you?

3.27.22

Announcements -

• Meals on Wheels for month of April - sign up at connection center!

• Easter Prizes needed by April 10th

• April 10th one service only at 10:30. Fellowship with refreshments from 2-4. (Feel free to bring a card for pastor Ric and Christy)

• Honduras Mission Trip - July 23-30th

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 3.27.22

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

What were you good at in high school?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

- Hebrews 12:1-2

• As we’re “running the race” together as Christians, how do we stay unified?

• In a relay race the most critical time is the time of transition. How do we ensure we are in sync and reaching the next generation in our community?

• Jesus endured the cross because He had His eyes on the joy set before Him. What do we need to fix our eyes on in order to endure the difficult times in life?

• What are some “weights” and sin that you need to cast off in order to run the race well?

• Who is someone you are trying to “hand the baton” by sharing your faith with them?

• How can we pray for you?

3.20.22

Announcements -

• March 27th - Throwback Sunday - 10:30 service only!

• Meals on Wheels for month of April - sign up at connection center!

• Honduras Mission Trip - July 23-30th

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 3.20.22

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

What is your favorite college basketball team?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

- 1 Corinthians 13:9-12

• Have you ever heard from God? Explain as if you're explaining to someone who has never heard from Him.

• When we hear from God sometimes we filter it through our own humanity and it becomes distorted. What are some ways we can confirm that the word is actually from God? (hint - scripture, prayer, wise counsel)

28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

- 1 Corinthians 14:28-33

• How do we confirm the word of God spoken through other people?

• If everything seems chaotic and confusing then it's obviously not from God. How can we return our focus to the God of peace when the world seems crazy?

• How can we pray for you?

3.6.22

Announcements -

• Honduras Mission Trip - July 23-30th

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 3.6.22

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

What is your most used emoji?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

‭‭- Matthew ‭24:10-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

• v10 - Jesus warns us that during the end times many will fall away from the faith. What can we do to make sure we keep our faith and continue to love one another?

• v11 - How do we avoid following false prophets?

• v12 - The more our sin increases the less love we have. How do we avoid sin in our lives?

• v13 - How can we support one another so that we endure to the end?

• v14 - What is our responsibility in proclaiming the gospel throughout the whole world?

• How can we pray for you?