11.10.24 - Small Group Discussion

Royal Decisions

The decisions you make today can impact your forever.

  • How’s your reading been going? What’s been surprising or encouraging to you? (Leaders Note: We read II Samuel 17-I Kings 5 this week.)

  • Tell us about the best decision you ever made.

Read:  I Kings 12:1-5

  • If you had been Rehoboam, how would you have gone about making this decision?

Read:  I Kings 12:6-11

  • When you’re faced with a difficult choice, how do you know whose advice to take and whose you should ignore?

Read:   I Kings 12:12-17

  • Tell us about something you decided that blew up in your face. Why did that happen?

On Sunday, Walter shared that God speaks to us in a few different ways: through creation, through the Bible, through other people, through circumstances, and sometimes even directly and audibly.

  • Share an example from Scripture of God speaking in each of these ways.

  • What can you do to hear God’s wisdom concerning a decision you’re trying to figure out?

Pray: Share a decision you’re trying to make, and then as a group, pray for each other to hear God’s wisdom in the decision-making process.

11.03.24 - Small Group Lesson

Yes I Will

You can win everything in this life, and still lose it all. 

  • How’s your reading been going? What’s been surprising or encouraging to you? (Leaders Note: We read II Samuel 3-16 this week.)

  • Name someone successful whom you look up to. What makes them so in your eyes?

Read:  I Kings 3:1-5

  • If God gave you a chance like this, what would you ask him for?

  • Name some blessings God has already given you.

Read:  I Kings 3:6-15

  • Why do you think Solomon chose wisdom?

Read:   I Kings 11:9-11

  • Solomon – the wisest man who has ever lived – strayed far from God. What would you point to as the causes?

  • (Leaders Note: You can reference Deuteronomy 17:14-20, and I Kings 4-10 for specific examples)

  • What are you tempted to trust instead of God?

  • How does envy corrupt your heart?

Read:   Matthew 16:24-26

  • How can you actually live out these words of Jesus?

Pray: Break out into groups of two or three. Share something that draws your attention and devotion away from God, and then pray for one another.

10.27.24 - Small Group Discussion

Living Out God’s Heart

We can have a heart for God or a heart for ourselves. Our actions show where our heart is. 

  • How’s your reading been going? What’s been surprising or encouraging to you?
    (Leaders Note: We read 2 Samuel 3-16 this week.)

  • Share about a time when you did something you weren’t supposed do.  Did you get in trouble?

Read:  I Samuel 9 and 11/12

  • How does the way David acts in each story impact the others in the story?

  • Which story do you most resonate with?  Why?

  • Why do we struggle with selfishness so much?

Our actions from Sunday:

  1. Flee from sin and repent

  2. Put God first (get close)

  3. Find a Nathan

  4. Die to ourselves and live the Kingdom of God

  • Which of the first three would be most beneficial for you?  Why?

  • Which is the hardest for you? Why?

  • How are you going to take action this week with these steps?

Pray: Be honest and share with one another about where you need growth to write the next chapter of your faith story. Pray for one another.

10.20.24 - Small Group Discussion

Yes I Will Small Group Video

Yes I Will

Faith means submitting your will to the will of God. 

  • How’s your reading been going? What’s been surprising or encouraging to you? (Leaders Note: We read I Samuel 8-20 this week.)

  • Share a time when a human leader let you down.

Read:  I Samuel 24:1-4

  • What would you have done if you were David in this situation?

Read:  I Samuel 24:5-9

  • Why was David so conscience-stricken?

  •  Tell us about a time when you took matters into your own hand and tried to solve a problem, only for it to blow up on you.

  • Share a situation in which you’re tempted to do things your way, despite what God may say in the Bible or through the leading of his Holy Spirit.

Read:   I Samuel 24:12-15

  • Where do you need the LORD to step in and be your judge and advocate?

  • When have you chosen to submit your will to God’s will?

  • Where in your life do you need to submit your will to God’s will?

  • What steps will you take this week to do just that?

Pray: Break into groups of two or three and share where you feel God calling you to submit, and then pray about that with each other.

10.13.24 - Small Group Discussion

King of Myself

It doesn’t turn out well when you make yourself king.

  • How’s your reading been going? What’s been surprising or encouraging to you?
    (Leaders Note: We read I Samuel 1-7 this week.)

Read:  Matthew 20:25-27

  • Be honest: would you rather be served or serve? What makes you say that?

Read: I Samuel 15:10-11

  •  Share what you know about the story of Saul. Why was God so upset about Saul?

  • Share examples of when Saul did things his own way, instead of waiting on God’s timing and following his plan. (Leaders Note: you can find these in I Samuel 10-15.)

Read:  I Samuel 15:12-15

  • What are a couple indicators that Saul’s pride was out of control?

  • Where do you see pride taking hold in your own life?

Read: I Samuel 15:16-23

  • How can insecurity and false humility just be pride in disguise?

  • How does your pride get in the way of you submitting to King Jesus?

  • What is one area in which you need to obey God and submit to him?

Pray: For God to make you aware of the pride in your life, and for his Spirit to help you grow in obedience and humility.

10.06.24 - Small Group Discussion

Sovereign Small Group Video

Sovereign

God is the only sovereign. 

  • Tell us about your Bible reading this week. What surprised you? What challenged you?

  • Who is your favorite king or queen from history? Why?

Read:  I Samuel 2:1-5

  • Share a summary of the Hannah story. How was God at work in it?

Read: I Samuel 2:6-8

  • How have you personally witnessed the power of God?

Read: I Samuel 2:9-10

  • What’s your general mood been during this political season?

  • When have been tempted to give humans more influence or power in your life than they deserve?

  • In what ways do you see God working in world politics? In what ways do you wish his actions were more evident?

  • How can you be a person of peace in the run up to November’s election?

  • What do you need to do to remind yourself that God is the only sovereign?

Pray: Pray for one another and ask God to help you trust him and his power over the next couple months.

09.29.24 - Small Group Discussion

Finding Your Place

Outsiders come to belong among God’s people

  • Tell us about a time someone went out of their way to include you. What was that like? How’d it make you feel?

Read:  Ruth 1:1-5

  • Put yourself in Naomi’s shoes. What would you have felt in this moment?

Read: Ruth 1:6-15

  • Put yourself in Ruth’s shoes. What would you have felt if you were her?

Read: Ruth 1:16-18

  • What were the risks for Ruth in going with Naomi? In what was would she be considered an outsider? (Leaders Note: Read Deuteronomy 23:3-6 for context)

Read: Matthew 1:1-5

  • What is the significance of Ruth’s name being here in Jesus’ genealogy? In what ways should it have been an embarrassment?

  • Ruth found belonging among God’s people: what part did she play? What part did the Israelites around her play? What part did God play?

  • For people to belong at South Lansing Christian Church, what part do you need to play?

Pray: Pray for opportunities this week to help people belong at church. Pray for eyes to see those opportunities, and for the willingness to act!

09.22.24 - Small Group Discussion

The Price of Belonging

Belonging comes at a cost.

  • Have you ever belonged to a club or a team? What did it take to join and to be a member in good standing?

  • What stood out to you in your reading this week?

Read:  Judges 2:6-10

  • In your opinion, why would this happen? What could cause an entire generation to abandon God?

  • If you are a Christian, what does your responsibility to the next generation look like, and how are you living up to it?

Read: Judges 2:11-15

  • How would you have felt if you were an Israelite in these days?

  • What was God’s purpose in fighting against his own people?

Read: Judges 2:16-19

  • Explain how these verses demonstrate God’s grace.

  • How have you experienced God’s grace in your own life?

  • What cost was there for an Israelite to belong to the people of God? (Aka, what were God’s expectations?)

  • What cost is there for you to belong to the people of God? (Aka, what steps do you need to take to truly belong at South Lansing Christian Church?)

Pray: Pray for God to open your eyes to steps you need to take to belong, and to move your heart to willingly take those steps.

09.15.24 - Small Group Discussion

The Cost of Community

Community depends on loyalty and commitment.

  • Tell us about a place you know you belong. What makes you feel that way?

  • What’s stood out to you in your reading this week?

Read:  Joshua 24:1-13

  • God was the one bringing success in each of these episodes of Israelite history. In what episodes of your life have you seen God at work?

Read: Joshua 24:14-18

  • What does it mean to “fear the Lord”?

  • How loyal to God would you say you are? What makes you say that?

Read: Joshua 24:19-25

  • Tell us about a time you were called out for your behavior or thinking by a fellow believer.

  • Who is someone in the church that can hold your feet to the fire when it comes to faith?

  • How can you increase your commitment to God’s people, so that even when you’re facing correction or conflict, you’re willing to stay?

Pray: Pray for each other in groups of two – ask God to grow the other person’s loyalty to God and commitment to his church.

09.08.24 - Small Group Discussion

One for All

The actions of one affect the well-being of all. 

  • Share a time when someone else’s actions impacted you in a positive way.

Read:  Joshua 7:1-5

  • We’re reading Joshua-Kings this fall. What has surprised you about the story in Joshua thus far?

Read: Joshua 7:6-12

  • What do you think of God’s words here? How could he blame the entire nation for the sin of one man?

  • Can you point to an example of God working the same way today?

  • On the flip side, how have you seen God using the actions of one or two people to bless his entire church?

Read: Romans 5:17-19

  • Discuss the implications of this passage.

  • How hospitable do you feel our church is? What could make it better?

  • What do you yourself need to do to help SLCC become a place where people can belong?

Pray: Ask God to help you identify one thing you need to stop doing and one thing you need to start doing this week, so that our church can be a place of belonging.

08.25.24 - Small Group Discussion

Signs of Approval

Approval in God’s Kingdom is found only through Jesus. 

  • Tell us about something you assumed was common sense that didn’t turn out to be so common.

Read:   2 Timothy 4:3-4

  • In what ways have you assumed – consciously or subconsciously – that wealth or status were signs of God’s blessing?

  • Describe your method for studying Scripture. How would you find out what God thinks about a particular topic?

Read:  James 5:1-6

  • Sum up what James says to wealthy people here.

  • What’s the takeaway for us today?

Read:  1 Corinthians 1:26-31, I Timothy 6:9-10, Matthew 19:23-24, Matthew 20:26-27

  • Summarize what each passage says about wealth or status.

  • Share any other verses you know of that might add to the conversation.

  • What are the dangers of wealth and power for a follower of Jesus? What are the benefits?

  • What can you do this week to wisely steward what you’ve been given.

  • How can you resist envy of and/or favoritism toward those who have more than you?

Pray:  For wisdom to spot lies and for knowledge of how to carefully compare the to the truth of Scripture.

08.18.24 - Small Group Discussion

Matters of the Heart Small Group Video

Matters of the Heart

Faith looks forward.

  • Tell us about something you’re looking forward to.

Read:  Hebrews 11:1-3

  • Define “faith” in your own words.

  • How does faith include both belief and action?

Read: Hebrews 11:4-12

  • Have you ever believed the myth, “faith should make my life easier?”

  • What do the lives of the characters here in Hebrews 11 have to say to that?

Read: Hebrews 11:13-16

  • How does faith look forward? What does it look forward to?

Read: Philippians 3:12-14

  • What do you need to be able to press on in your faith?

Pray: Pair off and pray for one another – pray that they’ll have the perseverance to press on in their faith journey, and pray that they’ll have the wisdom to separate truth from myth.

08.04.24 - Small Group Discussion

Matters of the Heart SG Video

Matters of the Heart

Following your heart will trip you up. 

  • Tell us about a time your heart let you down.

  • What verses do you know that talk about the heart in the Bible?

Read:  Jeremiah 17:1-4

  • How would you describe God’s tone in these verses? Why is God speaking this way?

Read: Jeremiah 17:5-8

  • Contrast the fate of those who trust in their hearts verse those who trust in God in these verses.

  • How do you see this same thing playing out in our world today?

Read: Jeremiah 17:9

  • What is a situation you’re dealing with now in which you’re tempted to disregard God’s truth and instead follow your heart?

On Sunday, Walter share a list of verses to memorize. Read through these, and pick one to work on together as a group:

  • Psalm 119:11

  • Psalm 119:105

  • Proverbs 3:5-6

  • Proverbs 14:12

  • Jeremiah 17:9

  • Mark 7:20-23

  • Timothy 3-4

Pray: For you and your group members to have hearts that are responsive to God’s leading.

07.28.24 - Small Group Discussion

What a Myth SG Video

What a Myth

You need to know the truth to spot a lie.

  • Share a myth you believed as a kid.

Read:  2 Timothy 4:1-2

  • What do you know about the background of this verse? Who’s talking to whom? What’s the purpose of this letter?

Read: 2 Timothy 4:3-4

  • What are some myths people believe today in our country?

  • What are some myths people believe today in our church?

  • How many disagree that some of the things just mentioned are myths?!

On Sunday, Walter said, “you need to know the truth to spot a lie.”

  • Where do you go to find truth?

  • What gives you confidence in that source as truth?

Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and discuss its implications.

Read: 2 Timothy 4:5

  • Paul gives four directives in this verse. What are they, and how do they apply to you?

Pray: Ask God to help you see the truth clearly.

07.14.24 - Small Group Discussion

Freedom

God’s word is the best possible encouragement. 

  • What do you know about life after death? What questions do you have?

Read:  I Thessalonians 4:13-18

  • What were the Thessalonian Christian afraid of?

  • How do Paul’s words here address those fears?

Read: I Thessalonians 5:1-8

  • What is Paul telling us in this section?

  • How do Christians sometimes get this stuff mixed up?

Read: Galatians 5:9-11

  • What assurance should verse 10 give us?

  • Paul tells us to “encourage one another with these words” in 4:18, and again to “encourage one another” in 5:11.”

  • How can Scripture be more encouraging than our typical tragedy responses like “I’ll pray for you” or “everything happens for a reason.”

  • Share a scripture passage that has been encouraging to you in a difficult time.

Leaders: consider compiling a list of encouraging scriptures your people shared and then setting a memorization goal as a group.

Pray: Ask God to remind you of his words when you and those around you face trouble.

 

06.23.24 - Small Group Discussion

Freedom

Freedom calls us to look beyond ourselves. 

  • How’s your reading plan going? What’s been most surprising in what you’ve read so far?

Read:  Galatians 5:1

  • What were the Galatians in danger of becoming enslaved to?

  • What do Christians today risk becoming enslaved to?

Read: Galatians 5:13-15

  • In what ways can freedom cause division?

Read: Galatians 5:16-21

  • Where do you see yourself on this list?

Read: Galatians 5:22-26

  • What fruit have you noticed the Holy Spirit growing in you lately?

  • Which fruit do you want to see more of in your life?

Read: Galatians 6:1-2

  • How can you use your freedom to serve others this week?

Pray: Ask God to help you use your freedom for the good of others in his church.

06.16.24 - Small Group Discussion

Careful Pride

To overcome pride, we need to look beyond ourselves. 

  • What are you most proud of?

  • When has pride tripped you up?

Read:  I Corinthians 12:1-11

  • What would you say is your spiritual gift? How did you discover it?

  • How do you feel about that gifting?

Read: I Corinthians 12:12-25

  • How do you feel about your role in the church? Have you ever felt more important – or less important – because of it?

  • On Sunday, Walter talked about how “care” in v. 25 is stronger than it seems. It approaches worry in intensity. Unpack that a bit. What’s the difference between saying “I care about you,” and “I’m worried for you!”

Read: I Corinthians 12:27

  • Do you feel like an essential part of the body of Christ? What makes you feel that way?

  • What can you do to use your spiritual gifting and your role in the church to “care for one another?”

Pray: Pray for God to reveal specific ways to you in which you can build up the church with your gifts and abilities.

06.09.24 - Small Group Discussion

So Right It's Wrong SG Video

So Right It’s Wrong

There’s a way to be right and still be wrong.

  • Tell us about a time you thought you were right,but were very wrong.

Read:  Romans 14:1-4

  • What is the dispute mentioned in these verses? Who was right?

  • Share a time when you were technically or factually right, but used that “rightness” in a problematic way.

Read: Romans 14:5-9

  • What are the other two disputes mentioned in these two verses?

  • Tell us about a time you disagreed strongly with another believer. How’d you handle that?

Read: Romans 14:10-13

  • What does Paul say to do when you’re in a disagreement with another Christian? What do we need to remember?

Read: Romans 14:14-19

  • How can you aim for harmony in the church and to “build one another up”?

  • On Sunday Walter mentioned a slogan of our church: “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things love.” Unpack that a bit – what are the essentials of our faith? What are non-essentials? How does love apply here?

Pray: Ask God to help you be humble and loving in your disagreements with other Christians.

06.02.24 - Small Group Discussion

Who Are You Small Group Video

Who Are You?

To find out who we are, we need to look beyond ourselves. 

  • Tell us about your hobbies. What are they and why are you in to them?

  • How does what we do often end up defining us?

Read:  Romans 12:1-2

  • Dig into this word picture. How can you actually be a “living sacrifice?”

Read: Romans 12:3-5

  • Where is the “one another” in this passage?

  • Practically, what does it mean to “belong to one another?”

  • How does being part of Christ’s body/the church redefine how you see yourself?

Read: Romans 12:6-8

  • What has God blessed you with that you can use to build up the church?

Read: Romans 12:9-16

  • There are three more “one-another’s” in this section. Identify them and discuss what it looks like to live them out.

Pray: Pray for God to remind you that you’re part of something bigger than yourself, and to reveal ways for you to build up that body this week.

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