04.05.20 - Small Group Discussion

Immerse: Messiah - The Cross

You can’t be killed if you’re already dead.

Prayer: Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, grant, we pray, that we might be grounded and settled in your truth by the coming of your Holy Spirit into our hearts. What we do not know, reveal to us; what is lacking within us, make complete; that which we do know, confirm in us; and keep us blameless in your service through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

• What stood out to you this week?

• Was there anything confusing or troubling?

• Did anything make you think differently about God?

• How might this change the way we live?

Memorize: Matthew 16:24: Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

Leaders: For memorizing the verse, discuss with your group the idea of repeating the verse together and/or each taking turns repeating it. Feel free to work on memorizing at the beginning and end of your time together.

Read: Matthew 16:21-25

• How will you make the most out of Easter this year?

• Do you have an example of changing Jesus’ words to fit your understanding, instead of letting his words change your understanding?

• Peter meant well with his words, but Jesus pointed out his error in not seeing things through God’s perspective. Have you been in Peter’s position or been the recipient of words from someone acting like Peter?

• How can you see things through God’s perspective instead of a human perspective?

• What’s different for you when your response is, “I’m already dead?”

03.29.20 - Small Group Discussion

Immerse: Messiah - Good News

Mark wrote an introduction. We’re still writing the story.

Prayer: Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, grant, we pray, that we might be grounded and settled in your truth by the coming of your Holy Spirit into our hearts. What we do not know, reveal to us; what is lacking within us, make complete; that which we do know, confirm in us; and keep us blameless in your service through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

• What stood out to you this week?

• Was there anything confusing or troubling?

• Did anything make you think differently about God?

• How might this change the way we live?

Memorize: Mark 1:1:.This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.

Leaders: For memorizing the verse, discuss with your group the idea of repeating the verse together and/or each taking turns repeating it. Feel free to work on memorizing at the beginning and end of your time together.

Read: Mark 1:1, Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 9:16

• What good have you seen in the last few weeks?

• How is Jesus good news?

• In Romans, Paul writes that he’s not ashamed of the gospel. Have you ever been ashamed of the gospel? Why or why not?

• If the Church looks back at us in 100 years, what do you want them to say?

• How do you explain the gospel to someone?

03.22.20 - Small Group Discussion

Immerse: Messiah - Radical Change (3.22.20)

To change your surroundings, you have to choose your surroundings.

Prayer: Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, grant, we pray, that we might be grounded and settled in your truth by the coming of your Holy Spirit into our hearts. What we do not know, reveal to us; what is lacking within us, make complete; that which we do know, confirm in us; and keep us blameless in your service through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

• What stood out to you this week?

• Was there anything confusing or troubling?

• Did anything make you think differently about God?

• How might this change the way we live?

Memorize: Romans 12:2: Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Leaders: For memorizing the verse, discuss with your group the idea of repeating the verse together and/or each taking turns repeating it. Feel free to work on memorizing at the beginning and end of your time together.

Read: Romans 3:23, 6:23, 8:1, 38-39, and 12:1-2.

• What are some examples where you’ve been shaped, for good or bad, by the people or situations around you?

• Who or what do you surround yourself with when you need some encouragement or to escape the difficulties around us?

• How are you shaping the people around you, especially during this time of quarantine?

What does it mean to you be a living sacrifice, as mentioned in Romans 12:1?

03.15.20 - Freedom

Immerse: Messiah - Freedom

You have been freed. Now choose to follow.

Prayer: Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, grant, we pray, that we might be grounded and settled in your truth by the coming of your Holy Spirit into our hearts. What we do not know, reveal to us; what is lacking within us, make complete; that which we do know, confirm in us; and keep us blameless in your service through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

• What stood out to you this week?

• Was there anything confusing or troubling?

• Did anything make you think differently about God?

• How might this change the way we live?

Memorize: Romans 8:1 – So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Leaders: For memorizing the verse, discuss with your group the idea of repeating the verse together and/or each taking turns repeating it. Feel free to work on memorizing at the beginning and end of your time together.

Read: Romans 7:14-8:4.

• Where, or in what ways, do you feel tension between living in the Kingdom of God that has come, but still waiting for the fullness of the Kingdom to come?

• What is different between you as a follower of Christ and you as not a follower?

• Do you feel like you’ve been freed from your sinful nature? Why or why not?

• What does it mean to “choose to follow?”

• Where is your focus? Does that enable you to follow God?

03.08.20 - Small Group Discussion

Immerse: Messiah - God’s Solution to Racism

I have more in common with Christians who don’t share my racial identity than I do with non-Christians who do.

Prayer: Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, grant, we pray, that we might be grounded and settled in your truth by the coming of your Holy Spirit into our hearts. What we do not know, reveal to us; what is lacking within us, make complete; that which we do know, confirm in us; and keep us blameless in your service through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

• What stood out to you this week?

• Was there anything confusing or troubling?

• Did anything make you think differently about God?

• How might this change the way we live?

Memorize: Acts 17:26: From one man He created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.

Leaders: For memorizing the verse, discuss with your group the idea of repeating the verse together and/or each taking turns repeating it. Feel free to work on memorizing at the beginning and end of your time together.

Read: Acts 1:8, 6:1, 8:14, 25, 9:43, 10:34-36, 17:26.

• Why is racism an issue for the Church?

• What do you feel like is the base cause of racism? How can that be combatted?

• How does aligning under a larger cause help fight racism?

• What are you going to do this week to combat racism, whether that be in your life or the lives of others?

03.01.20 - Small Group Discussion

Immerse: Messiah - The Golden Rule 

The golden rule is about doing, not avoiding.

Prayer: Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, grant, we pray, that we might be grounded and settled in your truth by the coming of your Holy Spirit into our hearts. What we do not know, reveal to us; what is lacking within us, make complete; that which we do know, confirm in us; and keep us blameless in your service through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

• What stood out to you this week?

• Was there anything confusing or troubling?

• Did anything make you think differently about God?

• How might this change the way we live?

Memorize: Luke 6:31: Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

Leaders: For memorizing the verse, discuss with your group the idea of repeating the verse together and/or each taking turns repeating it. Feel free to work on memorizing at the beginning and end of your time together.

Read: Luke 6:27-36.

• What are the benefits to showing love to your enemies?

• Verse 35 says God is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. Do you feel this to be true? Why or why not?

• Practically speaking, what does living out the golden rule look like? What will you do this week to live it out?

02.16.20 - Small Group Discussion

Killing what’s Killing You - Critical Spirit

Until I find someone who is right 100% of the time, I need to assume I’m not, either.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?

• How do you respond to criticism? What works well for you? What works poorly?

• What is your typical approach to giving criticism?

• Does the way you give criticism change whether it is right or wrong to do so? Why or why not?

Read: John 10:10, Matthew 7:1-6.

• How can being critical keep you from living life to the fullest?

• Think about the last time you judged someone. What would it be like for you to be judged in that same way?

• What is the difference between the common saying that we shouldn’t judge people and what Jesus lays out for the correct approach regarding judging?

• What do you feel like Jesus means in verse 6?

• What role does humility play in criticism, both in how we give and receive it?

Prayer: Pray that you look carefully at yourself before judging someone else.

02.09.20 - Small Group Discussion

Killing what’s Killing You - Stress and Anxiety 

You can pray or you can stress. Only one leads to life.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?

• What stresses you out? Why?

• What do you do when your friends are stressed out? Have you ever tried doing that same thing for yourself?

Read: John 10:10, Philippians 4:4-9.

• How does stress keep you from living a full life?

• Do you believe that there are things that are too big or too small to pray to God about? Why or why not? Does your life reflect this belief?

• Do you feel like God is near when you’re stressed? Why or why not?

• How do we rejoice always? Are we supposed to rejoice when things are bad?

• What does showing gentleness have to do with not being stressed?

• How can focusing on whatever is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy help with stress?

• Have you ever had an amazing sense of peace in the midst of something stressful? What was it like? How did you have that sense of peace? How did people respond to it?

• Twice in the Philippians passage, we are told God will be near us or with us. What does that mean to you?

• How can you remind yourself to pray when you get stressed?

Prayer: Pray that you will stop stressing and start praying.

02.02.20 - Small Group Discussion

Killing what’s Killing You - Distractions

Stop focusing on what you’re distracted by, and start focusing on what you’re distracted from.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?

• What is easy for you to focus on? What is difficult for you to focus on? Why?

• What seems to distract you the most?

Read: John 10:10, Luke 10:38-42, Mark 14:35-36.

• How do distractions keep us from living the full life Jesus wants to give us?

• Where do you picture yourself in the story about Mary and Martha?

• Was what Martha doing important? Why or why not?

• What cultural customs keep you from focusing on what’s important?

• When you allow things like a notification on your phone to distract you, what is the message you’re sending to whatever you’re being distracted from?

• How do you feel when the roles are reversed and someone is distracted from you?

• What distractions do you allow to keep you from focusing on God?

• How can we focus on God?

Prayer: Pray for focus.

01.26.20 - Small Group Discussion

Killing what’s Killing You - Bitterness and Anger

Forgiven people should be forgiving people.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?

• When you’re angry, what do you do to deal with the anger?

• What does forgiveness mean to you?

Read: John 10:10, Ephesians 4:26-32, 1 Timothy 1:13-14, Luke 23:34.

• How can God give you life to the full?

• What makes anger righteous? How can righteous anger be dangerous?

• What do you think is the practical application for “do not let the sun go down on your anger?”

• Do the people involved in a situation affect how easy it is for you to forgive? Why or why not?

• What makes it easier or harder to forgive?

• How does forgiveness help with anger?

• What does forgiveness look like?

Prayer: Pray that you remember how much you’ve been forgiven when dealing with your anger.

01.19.20 - Small Group Discussion

Killing what’s Killing You - Guilt and Shame

My past will remind me; it will not define me.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?

• If someone asks you to describe yourself, what do you say?

• What lists do you find helpful? Why?

• What lists are unhelpful? Why?

Read: John 10:10, Titus 3:3-7.

• How did you feel about the writing exercise? What did you put on your list, if you feel comfortable sharing?

• What negatives in the Titus passage do you relate to?

• What would you put on a positive list for who you are after becoming a Christian?

• How can your past remind you without defining you?

• What does having the hope of eternal life do for how you live your life?

• If you’re a Christian, what do you feel like is/has been different in your life since making that choice?

Prayer: Pray that you see yourself the way God sees you.

01.12.20 - Small Group Discussion

Killing what’s Killing You - Comparison and Envy

You’ll never experience the life God intended if you’re trying to live someone else’s life.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?

• What did you get for Christmas? Did you do any comparing when other people opened their gifts?

Read: John 10:10, Proverbs 14:30, Exodus 20:17, Galatians 5:19-21.

• What does it mean to you to have “life to the full?”

• What imagery comes to mind when you read the Proverbs passage?

• How do you view the role the Ten Commandments play in your life?

• Why do you think envy is included in the list of sins in Galatians?

• What do you find yourself comparing about yourself most with others?

• Have you ever felt content? What was/is it like for you life, and what do you think created the feeling of contentment?

• How can you find contentment in the middle of the bad times in life?

• Can you help others find contentment? If yes, how? If no, why?

Prayer: Pray that God will help you want the life you have.

12.23.19 - Small Group Discussion

Rewriting Christmas - We Three Kings

The gift Christ wants is you.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?

• Have you ever re-gifted something? What was it?

• What is your favorite gift you have ever received? Why?

• What is your favorite gift you’ve ever given? Why?

Read: Matt. 2:1-12.

• Does it bother you that there may not have been three wise men? Why or why not?

• What would you see as the modern-day equivalent of the Magi visiting Herod to announce something?

• Why would the Magi care about a king being born far away from them? What can we learn from their decision?

• What do you feel is significant about non-Jewish people being among the first to be told of Jesus’ birth?

• What does it look like to gift yourself during the Christmas season and beyond?

Prayer: Pray that you give the gift of yourself this Christmas season.

12.15.19 - Small Group Discussion

Rewriting Christmas - The First Noel

Jesus was born to take away the sins of the world.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?

• Why are traditions important?

• When can they be harmful?

Read: Luke 2:8-20.

• Does it matter when Jesus was born? Why or why not?

• What, if anything, is the value to you in having Christmas in December? Why?

• The angels declared peace to the shepherds. Where could you use some more peace in your life?

• Who can you help experience some peace this holiday?

• The shepherds celebrated the good news and then they went back to their lives. How do you take the celebration of Jesus’s birth with you into your everyday life?

Prayer: Pray and tell God thank you for Jesus being born to take away our sins.

12.08.19 Small Group Discussion

Rewriting Christmas - Away in a Manger

God enters into the chaos of our everyday lives.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?

• What are the best and worst parts of the chaos that comes with Christmas? Why?

• If a painting were done like Peter Bruegel’s to show the birth of Jesus in our current day, what do you imagine it would look like?

Read: Luke 2:1-7.

• What do you do to keep your attention on Christ’s birth at Christmas?

• What was the biggest change presented in the message from your picture of the birth of Christ? How do you feel about it changing?

• What can we learn by looking at the hospitality in this passage that is given to Joseph and Mary?

• How does the chaos of Christmas hinder you spiritually?

• Do you feel like Christ enters the chaos of your life? Why or why not?

• Who do you know that has a really chaotic Christmas season? How can you help them?

Prayer: Pray that we don’t let the craziness of the holiday season distract us from its purpose.

12.01.19 - Small Group Discussions

Rewriting Christmas - Mary, did you know?

When God asks, a servant answers, “yes.”

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?

• What Christmas traditions do you have? Has anyone ever tried to change them? What was that like?

• Do you put up a nativity set in your house? What’s it like?

Read: Luke 1:26-38, Isaiah 7:14.

• How can having the details of Jesus’s birth incorrectly in our minds cause problems?

• What do you imagine being your first response if an angel were to appear before you, like Gabriel did with Mary?

• Are you a person that says “yes” to something before knowing all the details?

• What has God done through you when you’ve said yes? What have you said “no” to?

• Do you see yourself as a servant of God? Why or why not?

• Do you believe that nothing is impossible with God? Does the way you live reflect your answer? Why or why not?

Prayer: Pray for the courage to say yes when God asks something of you.

11.17.19 Small Group Discussion

Sinful Insights - The Story of David’s sin with Bathsheba

God uses the Broken.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?

• What’s your favorite over-the-top show? What do you like about it?

Read: 2 Samuel 11, 2 Samuel 12:1-14, 2 Samuel 12:15-25.

1st passage: When do you find yourself most susceptible to temptation? (hungry, tired, stressed, anxious, etc.)

• Obviously eating when you’re hungry or sleeping when you’re tired would help, but what else can you do to counteract that susceptibility?

• What are tangible ways you can keep yourself more focused on the things of God?

2nd passage: How do typically respond when someone confronts you?

• Should our response depend on the spirit that the person confronts you with? Why or why not?

• How can confrontation and rebuke be a blessing?

• Do you view it in that way? If not, what might that say about you?

3rd passage: As you read this section, do you find David’s reaction jarring?

• Do you tend to be someone who moves with the future or dwells in the past? Why?

• Do you think there is a time and a place for both?

• What does it mean to you that God can bring beauty out of brokenness?

• What does that even look like, tangibly?

Prayer: Pray for humility when confronted with your brokenness, and pray that you are loving to others in their brokenness.

11.10.19 - Small Group Discussion

Meeting Jesus - Blessing the Children

The least are made the greatest.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?

• Have you had a discussion, or been the subject of a discussion, where a child’s view was disregarded simply because it was coming from a child?

• For those who work in the service industry, how do you feel treated? For those that don’t, how do you see and treat those who are?

Read: Matthew 18:1-6, 19:13-14.

• What does it mean to you to have a child-like faith?

• Jesus’ stance is that it would be better for anyone who causes a believer to stumble to be dead. Is the heavy weight of that statement kept in your mind when you teach and/or learn alongside other believers? Why or why not?

• Why do you think the disciples were trying to keep the children from Jesus?

• Why would Jesus say the kingdom of God belongs to such as these (children)? What does that mean?

• How can you take a low position and raise others up?

• Who specifically will you interact with this week that holds a lowly position in our culture? How will you encourage them?

Prayer: Pray for faith like a child.

11.03.19 - Small Group Discussion

Meeting Jesus - A Gentile’s Faith

Jesus is for all people.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?

• Have you ever had a conversation go poorly because you can’t convey the tone correctly?

• What things are you possessive of? Why?

• Where do you see people being possessive when it comes to church, faith, etc.?

Read: Matthew 15:21-28.

• Can you think of a current-day parallel for the Canaanite woman? What would your response be to the person interrupting your time with Jesus?

• How do you respond when someone interrupts your downtime to ask something of you?

• When praying to God, do you try and explain a request, or do you just ask, “Lord, help me!”?

• Frank used the examples of Athens (philosophy), Rome (power), and Alexandria (learning) as significant places that Jesus did not go to. What would be the equivalent for today? What do you find significant about his choice of location?

• How do you imagine the conversation going between Jesus and the woman?

• What is the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian?

• Does being a Christian make us better than non-Christians? Why or why not?

• What is your response to the expectation that the best theology will be coming from South America and Asia in the coming decades?

• How can you live out the fact that Jesus is for all people?

Prayer: Pray that you realize you belong to Jesus, not the other way around.

10.27.19 - Small Group Discussion

Meeting Jesus - The Savior Servant

If you want to be like Jesus, you need to serve like Jesus.

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?

• What characteristics do you associate with leaders? What makes a good leader?

• What do you consider good service? How did you treat the last person who served you?

• What or who do you think of when you think of a servant?

Read: John 13:1-17.

• What does serving mean to you?

• How are love and service connected?

• How do you take Jesus’ words, “Unless I wash you, you have no part of me”?

• What gets in the way of serving?

• Are there right or wrong ways to serve? Why or why not?

• Jesus washed Judas’ feet. How does that inform how you are called to serve?

• How do you currently serve? How will you serve this week?

Prayer: Pray for the humility to serve.