09.09.18 - Small Group Discussion

Esther - From Orphan to Queen 

Main Point: Use your privilege like Jesus used his.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• Do you think of yourself as privileged? Why or why not?
   
• What keeps us from seeing our privilege?
   
• Do you believe that privilege and providence go hand in hand? Why or why not?
   
• What can be difficult about the mindset that privilege and providence go hand in hand?

Read: Esther 2:17, Philippians 2:3-8

• Was Jesus privileged? How did Jesus use his privilege?
   
• What is your first reaction to someone telling you that you’re privileged?
   
• How are you privileged? What will you do with your privilege?
   
• How can the passage in Philippians help us with how we interact with other people?
   
• Does the Church use its privilege properly? Why or why not? How can the Church improve?

Prayer: Pray for the humility to that our privilege does not make us better, and courage to use our privilege like Jesus used his.

09.02.18 - Small Group Discussion

To Seek and Save / Empowered to Serve

Main Point: We are empowered by God to serve and to seek the Lost.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• Have you ever been lost? What was it like?
   
• What would you do to find someone you love who is lost?

Read: Luke 19:6-10, Acts 1:8

• What keeps us from going after the lost?
   
• Why does fear get in the way?
   
• Are our fears worth the consequences of not acting? Why or why not?
   
• Do you feel empowered by the Holy Spirit? Why or why not?
   
• Who do you have in your life that you can be showing Christ to? Who are you praying for right now?
   
• Who can you invite to church on Sunday?

Prayer: Pray that you see the opportunities that God puts before you and that you have the courage to act when they come.

08.26.18 - Small Group Discussion

Healing Journey Ministry - Do Good!

Main Point: It’s about we, not me.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• In our culture, what gives a person value?
   
• In our faith, what gives a person value?
   
• How have others either helped you feel valued, or have made you feel less valuable?

Read: Ephesians 5:22-6:10.

• How can we help restore someone caught in a sin, and how do we avoid being tempted in the process?
   
• How can we find the balance between what is a burden (something we are to help others with) and what is a load (our personal responsibility)?
   
• What does it look like to take pride in yourself without comparing yourself to others, as it says to do in verse 4?
   
• Have you seen or experienced examples of the law of the harvest (“reap what you sow”)?
• How can we keep from growing weary when doing good?
   
• What good are you doing for your neighborhood? What good are you doing for your fellow Christians?

Prayer: Pray for opportunities to come alongside others to help with their burdens.

08.19.19 - Small Group Discussion

Ephesians - Defense against Disunity

Main Point: You are not alone. You are all one.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• How do you get pumped up or excited about something?
   
• What is something you have prepared for? What was involved in preparing?
   
• Once we’ve prepared for something, what prevents us from acting?

Read: Ephesians 6:10-24.

• What is the significance of the ‘you’ pronouns being plural instead of singular? Why?
   
• People are not the enemy. Why do we lose sight of who the real enemy is?
   
• With armor on, we are told to stand, not attack. How is this significant?
   
• Paul is a great example for us to look up to. Does the fact that even he asked for prayer help you be open to asking for prayer and help? Why or why not?
   
• Share a time that someone came alongside you and helped you during a difficult time.
   
• When you feel disconnected from someone, what do you do in order to reconnect?
   
• What can you do to feel more connected to the church?

Prayer: Pray for one another.

08.12.18 - Small Group Discussion

Ephesians - Elevating Others

Main Point: The willingness to ask and the humility to act.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• What are some of your family’s house rules?
   
• Were there any family rules from when you were a kid that you were adamant that you would either keep or never do?

Read: Ephesians 5:21-28, 5:33-6:9.

• What is the difference to you between surrender and submit?
   
• Wives are called to submit, and husbands are called to love. Is there a difference in the instructions they are given? Why or why not?
   
• Do you think these instructions should be different in our modern culture? Why or why not?
   
• For children living at home, how you do submit to your parents? For parents, how do you submit to your children?
   
• In regards to slave and master, in what area do you struggle to see the person behind the role and not dehumanize them?
   
• We are all called to submit to one another, regardless of relationship. Who do you need to get better at submitting to?
   
• What will it take to incorporate the house rule of “the willingness to ask and the humility to act?”

Prayer: Pray for humility in order to properly submit to others.

08.05.18 - Small Group Discussion

Ephesians - Children in the Light

Main Point: Jesus’s family is different.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• Have you ever been compared to one of your parents? Was it a positive or negative thing? Why?
   
• Has your identity (whether as a student, parent, employee, etc.) dictated your actions? How so?

Read: Ephesians 5:1-21.

• How do you learn to imitate someone?
   
• Why is thankfulness an important replacement for “obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking?”
   
• How or why are immoral, impure, and greedy people idolaters?
   
• Paul writes that we were once darkness. What is significance of us being darkness, as opposed to just being in the darkness?
   
• How can we expose the darkness?
   
• What are some of the differences you see in how Christians live in comparison to non-Christians?
   
• What steps can you put in place to be more like Jesus this week?
   
• Everyone, regardless of ethnicity, gender, financial standing, has the same number of hours in a day. How will you use your next 24 hours to imitate God?

Prayer: Pray that you will reflect God’s light bright and proud.

07.29.18 - Small Group Discussions

Ephesians - Children of the Light

Main Point: Like dark and light, Christian and non-Christian are binary states.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• What do you see as the biggest difference between Christians and non-Christians in regards to how they live?
   
• What does becoming a Christian mean to you?

Read: Ephesians 4:17-32.

• How can you “put off your old self” and “put on your new self?”
   
• Why must we speak truthfully?
   
• What are your ways of dealing with not sinning when angry? How do you handle not letting “the sun go down while you are still angry?”
   
• Verse 28 addresses working and not stealing. Does this verse address how we are supposed to handle people in need, such as beggars on the street corner? Why or why not?
   
• How would you define “unwholesome talk” (Is it specific words, attitudes, intentions, etc.)?
   
• What does it mean to “grieve the Holy Spirit?”
   
• Is there a limit to who we are called to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to?
   
• If you are a Christian, do you feel like there is a difference to who you were before and after becoming a Christian? Why or why not?

Prayer: Pray that we will live as Christians, not as non-believers.

07.22.18 - Small Group Discussion

Ephesians - One Body

Main Point: Humility plus maturity equals unity.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• What is your church background?
   
• Where/how have you seen humility and/or maturity be used to help bring about unity?
   
• Have you been involved in a church division? Was it ever resolved? If so, how was it resolved? If not, what could be done still today to help resolve it?

Read: Ephesians 4:1-16.

• What does it mean to you to live a life worthy of what you’ve been called to? Is it scary? Why or why not? How can you do it?
   
• In practical terms, how can we show humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love?
   
• Do Christians tend to live united or divided? Why?
   
• What gifts do you think God has given you for His glory? How do you use them?
   
• How are you promoting unity in the church (or how can you promote unity in the church)?
   
• What does unity mean to you?
   
• What does the phrase, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, love” mean to you?

Prayer: Pray for humility, maturity, and unity.

07.15.18 - Small Group Discussion

Ephesians - Love’s Dimensions

Main Point: If you want a guaranteed “yes,” pray like Paul did.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• How often do you pray?
   
• Do you have someone in your life that you would consider a person of prayer? Do you fill that role in someone else’s life?

Read: Ephesians 3:1, 14-21.

• Verses 14-15 references every family deriving its name from God. This continues Paul’s previous writing about all of us being connected. How do you think things would be different if we truly viewed everyone as coming from the same source?
   
• Have you ever prayed for strength from the Holy Spirit? What happened?
   
• What does it mean to you to be rooted and established in love?
   
• Do you feel loved by God? Why or why not?
   
• How can we “know a love that surpasses knowledge?”
   
• Since Christians will be known by their love, do people know that you’re a Christian?
   
• Why is it significant that God works in us and through us to accomplish His goals?

Prayer: Pray Ephesians 3:16-19.

07.08.18 - Small Group Discussions

Ephesians - For the Sake of the Gospel

Main Point: What will you give up for the sake the Gospel?

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• Have you ever been the steward of something? What was it like?
   
• What does your prayer life look like? What things distract you while you pray?
   
• How do you approach conversations about God with others?

Read: Ephesians 3:1-13.

• Do you see the opportunity to share the Gospel as a good or exciting thing? Why or why not?
   
• What are you doing to be a good steward of the Gospel?
   
• Paul gave up everything for the Gospel. What are you willing to give up?
   
• When your faith requires sacrifice, do you find yourself whining or grumbling about it, or do you gladly accept the cost?
   
• Penn Jillette says we must truly hate someone in order to refuse to share the Gospel with them just to avoid a bit of social awkwardness. Do you agree with this? Why or why not?
   
• In what areas of your life do you have people you can share the Gospel with? What are you doing to share with them?

Prayer: Pray for the courage to share the Gospel and be willing to give up whatever is required.

07.01.18 - Small Group Discussion

Ephesians - Reconciled by Blood

Main Point: The blood of Jesus is the adhesive the holds the Church together.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• Describe yourself.
   
• Was “Christian” one of your descriptors? How far down the list was it?
   
• What are some identities that we place before our identities as Christians? Why do we do this?

Read: Ephesians 2:1-11-22.

• Maybe you don’t identify with the divide between Gentile and Jew, but chances are you still have a divide somewhere. What causes that divide, even when they’re fellow Christians?
   
• Share a time when you have felt unity with other Christians.
   
• Jesus made one humanity and wanted peace. He gave us a new citizenship. What citizenship do you identify most with? What citizenship do you allow to most dictate your actions?
   
• Since we are citizens of God’s kingdom, do national borders matter? Why or why not?
   
• Do you allow family into your home or kick them out? Why?
   
• How will you promote peace and unity?

Prayer: Pray for peace and unity.

06.24.18 Small Group Discussion

Ephesians - Saved by Grace

Main Point: Grace Saves, not works.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• When have you been shown grace?
   
• Is it harder for you to give or receive grace? Why?
  
  Read: Ephesians 2:1-10.
•  The first verses speak to us all being dead in our sin. Do you struggle with remembering where you started when you look at others who are not yet Christ-followers? Why or why not?
   
• What is the difference between a Christ-follower and someone who does not follow Christ?
   
• Jesus redeemed us before we decided to follow Him. Does this order of events match what we expect of people coming to church? Why or why not? (In other words, do we expect them to live like they’re saved before they’ve decided to follow Jesus?)
   
• What does it mean to you that you were dead and are made alive through Christ?
   
• Do you struggle with the fact that grace is what saves you, instead of works? Why or why not?
   
• We are called to do good works. What does that mean?

Prayer: Pray that you see people through the lens of grace.

06.17.18 - Small Group Discussion

Ephesians - The Power Within You

Main Point: In Christ, we have been chosen.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• What is something you tried to help your parent do when you were a child?
   
• Why do we struggle to believe that God’s power is available to us?

Read: Ephesians 1:15-23.

• What do you think the reputation of SLCC is? Why?
   
• How often do you pray for wisdom and revelation compared to other things? Why do you think your prayers are the way they are?
   
• What does hope mean to you? Do you live as one who has hope? Why or why not?
   
• Have you had something you were/are excited to inherit? How does it make you feel that the Church, and therefore you, are God’s inheritance?
   
• What is your favorite example of God’s power?
   
• What is the hope that you get from Jesus being seated above all earthly powers and domains?
   
• Why do we struggle to hold on to that hope when hardships come our way?
   
• How can you live in a way that shows you believe that God’s power is available to you?

Prayer: Pray that you will open yourself up to God’s power.

06.10.18 - Small Group Discussion

Ephesians - God’s Holy Children

Main Point: In Christ, we have been chosen.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• What is your typical response to things that confuse you (such as, do you try to understand? Get frustrated? Etc.)
   
• Share something that previously confused you but makes sense to you now. How did you come to understand it?
   
• What is something in the Bible that confuses you?

Read: Ephesians 1:1-14.

• What does it mean to you to be chosen and adopted by God?
   
• Paul writes that all things are to be brought into unity in Jesus. How does this impact how we interact with every single person we meet regardless of who they are?
   
• When we believe, we are marked with the Holy Spirit, meaning new and old Christians both have the same Holy Spirit. What does this mean for each Christian’s ability to understand God and speak about spiritual things?
   
• Why is it important that God predestined that all who follow Jesus are adopted into His family, as opposed to God predestining who it is that is adopted?

Prayer: Thank God for His willingness to adopt us into His family.

06.03.18 - Small Group Discussion

MEYOUSEX - Married Sex

• This has been a thought-provoking series. What have been some of the concepts that have been the most challenging?

• The main idea behind this series is that our individual actions have an impact on the entire church. Why does that concept run so counter to our thinking? 

Read: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

• Paul wrote, “You are not your own.” Whose are you? What is the implication of that shift in belonging?
   
• What does glorifying God in your body look like, in practical terms.

Read: 1 Corinthians 7:1-9

• What are some of the obstacles that couples face in making themselves sexually available to one another?
   
• If you are married, what are the challenges you face, personally, in yielding authority over your body to your spouse?
   
• How can couples work together to embody the idea: “It’s not about me; it’s not about you, it’s about us.”?
   
• Paul writes that he wishes everyone were as he is – unmarried. Why do you think he makes that statement?
   
• What are some of the benefits of being unmarried? How can individuals who remain single embrace the idea: “It’s not about me; it’s not about you, it’s about us.”?

Prayer: Pray for one another! Pray for married couples to glorify God in their marriage. Pray for unmarried adults to glorify God in their singleness.

05.27.18 - Small Group Discussion

MEYOUSEX - Temple Purity

Main Point: The only sexual choice for Christians is to honor God with their bodies.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• What are some of the laws we break “because it isn’t hurting anybody?”
   
• What is something our culture allows or encourages that you struggle with because it doesn’t fit with a Christian faith? In other words, what is a guilty pleasure that you know as a Christian you should not be a part of?

Read: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20.

• What rights do you cling to that as a Christian you should not?
   
• Does Paul’s point of being united as one impact how you view sex and things such as porn? Why or why not?
   
• Paul then says that we are likewise united with God in spirit. What does this mean to you?
• What do you think of when you think of a temple?
   
• How does the fact that we were bought with a price and are not our own impact how you live and treat yourself and others?
   
• How can you honor God with your body?

Prayer: Pray that you will see yourself and others as Children of God and as current or future temples of the Holy Spirit. Pray that your actions will be impacted as a result.

05.20.18 - Small Group Discussion

MEYOUSEX - A Floodlight, not a spotlight

Main Point: Our job is to love people; the Holy Spirit’s job is to change people.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• What communities have you been a part of? What were the benefits of being part of that community?
   
• What are the responsibilities of a member of a community?
   
• Do you feel like the Church is a community? Why or why not?

Read: 1 Corinthians 6:1-10.

• Paul mentions lawsuits are something that reflects poorly on the Church. What are some other things that can occur within the Church that reflect poorly on the whole community?
   
• Sexual sins are listed equally among many other sins. Why do you think there is typically a more negative attitude towards sexual sins?
   
• How do you do at recognizing that temptation is not sin?
   
• We have all sinned. People will often ignore or downplay their own faults while hi-lighting the sins of others. Why do we do this?
   
• What is the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian?
   
• Our job is to love people. The Holy Spirit’s job is to change people. How are you at keeping those job descriptions straight and sticking to the loving and not the judging?

Prayer: Pray that you will love all people, and leave any judgment to the Holy Spirit.

05.13.18 - Small Group Discussion

MEYOUSEX - Me, Us, and Y’all

Main Point: The Church must stop expecting outsiders to act like insiders while insiders act like outsiders.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• What family traditions do you have? As you grew up, were there traditions that were hard to let go of or change?
   
• In what ways do we struggle to leave our old lives and follow Jesus?
   
• How has the Church struggled in pointing at outsiders and telling them to change while not living that way ourselves?

Read: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

• Why does Paul say to excommunicate the man (meaning kick him out) from church?
   
• Have you seen one person, or a small group of people, whose actions have had a great impact on a whole church? Why is it that one person’s actions can affect so many?
   
• What is the draw to become a Christian when Christians look just like the world, or in comes cases, worse than the world?
   
• Paul says to judge those within the Church, not those who are outside of it. How has the Church done at this? How have you done at this?
   
• How can we show acceptance of people without giving approval to their actions?

Prayer: Pray that you can see people in God’s image.

05.06.18 - Small Group Discussion

MEYOUSEX - God made sex (too)

Main Point: Sex is not just physical; it’s spiritual. It either reflects God’s image, or it corrupts it.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• In what areas of your life do you compartmentalize things? What are the dangers of doing so?
   
• As a whole, how has the Church compartmentalized itself? Do you see the Church being involved, or should it be involved, in all facets of life? Why or why not?
   
• Did you grow up in a household where sex was something you could talk about, or was it more of a secret topic?

Read: Genesis 1:26-27, 2:18-24.

• What does it mean to you to be made in the image of God?
   
• Adam knew it was not good for him to be alone, because he saw the pairings of all the animals. What do you think is the benefit to Adam having realized that before he had Eve, as opposed to Adam and Eve being made at the same time?
   
• What is the significance of a man leaving his father and mother to be with his wife in regard to how we approach our family relationships?
   
• How can we make progress in seeing all people as being made in the image of God?

Prayer: Pray that you can see people in God’s image.

04.29.18 - Small Group Discussion

Fierce - The Wise Woman of Tekoa

Main Point: Hope.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• How do you define hope?
   
• When is a time in your life that hope has been an integral part?
   
• Have you been part of a group giving hope to others? What was that like?
   
• How does a lack of hope impact people?

Read: 2 Samuel 14:1-13.

• Was it right for Joab to use the woman to get David to see things in a different light? Why or why not?
   
• David is quicker to provide forgiveness to the woman’s son who he does not know than he is to give forgiveness to his son Absalom. Why do you think this was? Are you similar to David in this regard?

Read: 2 Samuel 14:14.

• What is the perception of death in this verse?
   
• What is the hope in this verse?
   
• How does this hope impact how we live?
   
• Why do we hesitate, or fail, to share this hope?
   
• Is it harder for you to share the hope of Christ with people close to you or slightly less close? Why?

Prayer: Pray to be filled with hope and open to opportunities to share it.