07.11.21 - Small Group Discussion

Face the Mirror - James 2:14-26

Faith without feet is incomplete. 

ICE BREAKER: When someone’s actions and words conflict, which do you trust, and why?

Read: James 2:14-26

• James positioned this section on faith and works just after a section on favoritism. Is there a connection? If so, what is it?

• How do you reconcile this passage with passages like Ephesians 2:8-9?

Read: Matthew 7:12-14

• Living out your faith in tangible ways costs something. What does it cost?

• Why are we often unwilling to pay the price to have deeds that match the faith we profess?

Read: Matthew 25:31-46

• According to Jesus, what is the difference between the “sheep” and the “goats”?

• What are some specific deeds that Jesus points out in this passage, and how do they validate one’s faith?

• Personally, how do you align with what Jesus taught in this passage? How does your small group align? Our church?

• What, if anything, do we need to do so our deeds match our professed faith?

Prayer: Ask God to give you opportunities to live out your faith in real, tangible ways in the coming days, spiritual eyes to see those opportunities, and the courage to act!

07.04.21 - Small Group Discussion

Face the Mirror - James 2:1-13

If you want to have favor with God, you can’t play favorites with people.

ICE BREAKER: Share with your group a time when you experienced favoritism.

Read: James 2:1-7

• What are some ways we are guilty of showing favoritism?

• How does favoritism contradict God’s character?

Read: James 2:8-9

• James calls “love your neighbor as yourself” the royal law. Another term for it is the “golden rule.” Why do you think this is such a highly valued practice in the Kingdom of God?

• How does practicing favoritism contradict the golden rule?

Read: James 2:10-11

• What are the implications of this break-one-you-break-them-all principle for Christians?

• What does this reveal about the seriousness with which God views favoritism?

Read: James 2:12-13 and Matthew 6:14-15

• Why are mercy and forgiveness such important practices for Christians?

Prayer: Pray James 2:8. Ask God to bring to mind specific individuals he wants you treat with the golden rule. If you already know who those people are, pray for them by name in your group.

06.27.21 - Small Group Discussion

Face the Mirror - James 1:19-27

Before you jump into ministry you need to look in the mirror.

ICE BREAKER: How often would you say you check your appearance in the mirror?

Read: James 1:26-27

• Why does James tie the words you say with the way you do ministry?

Read: James 1:19-20

• What is the difference between godly anger and human anger?

• What does James say should be the relationship between listening and talking? How does that lead to controlling anger?

Read: James 1:21

• What are some examples of “filth” that James refers to here?

Read: James 1:22-25

• Why are we so prone to listen to the word without actually doing what it says?

• What is the “payoff” for actually doing what the word says instead of merely hearing it and making no substantive change?

Prayer: Pray James 1:22. Ask God to help you do what the Word says!

06.20.21 - Small Group Discussion

Face the Mirror - James 1:13-18

Temptation is a process, not an event. 

• ICE BREAKER: What is a process you hate, that leads to an outcome you love?

Read: James 1:13-14

• Why are we so prone to blame others (even God!) for our sin, rather than taking responsibility for it?

• The devil is a master at customizing temptation. If you’re comfortable sharing, what is the custom temptation the devil knows you’re vulnerable to?

Read: James 1:15

• This sobering verse details the process of temptation and sin. What are your thoughts on the way James described it?

• That we so often give in to sin reveals we aren’t as concerned about the natural outcome of unchecked sin as we ought to be. Why is that?

• Frank talked about the importance of knowing when and where you’re most vulnerable to temptation. He shared an acronym – HALT (hungry, angry, lonely, tired) – that can help you know when you’re most susceptible. Do these resonate with you? Why? Are there others you’re aware of?

Read: Ecclesiastes 4:12

• Why is it so important to enlist others in your battle against temptation?

Read: Lamentations 3:22-23

• What promise does this verse hold for us when we’re given in to temptation?

Prayer: Pray James 1:17. Ask God to help you live with gratitude.

06.13.21 - Small Group Discussion

Face the Mirror - James 1:1-12

The difference between going through trials and growing through trials is perseverance.

• ICE BREAKER: Do you love the mirror or hate it? Why?

Read: James 1:1-4

• Share a time you endured a trial that, later on, you saw growth as a result.

• Why do you think maturity and completion are vital to faith and character?

Read: James 1:5-8

• Josh quoted Clinton Arnold on Sunday: “Wisdom is the ability to understand God’s ways and to live in light of His purpose and values.” What are your thoughts on that?

• What is an area in your life, right now, where you recognize the need for wisdom?

Read: James 1:9-11

• Do you consider yourself to be a “believer in humble circumstances” or one who is rich? Why?

Read: Hebrews 12:1-3

• How does Christ’s example of endurance encourage you to persevere?

Prayer: Pray that God will enable you to live out verse 12: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

06.06.21 - Small Group Discussion

Grad Sunday - Majority Wrong

The majority is usually wrong.

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” – Mark Twain

ICE BREAKER: What is a majority opinion you once held but no longer do? What caused you to change?

Read: Matthew 6:31-32

• What do you worry about?

• Why do you think Jesus so directly told his followers not to worry?

• There seems to be quite a gap between Jesus’ instruction not to worry and our actual practice of living worry free. Why is that? What is the solution?

Read: Matthew 6:33

• What does seeking God’s kingdom and his righteousness look like?

• There is a cost to putting Jesus first, above everything else. What might it cost you in your own lived experience?

• Here is the struggle we all face: who informs our values of right and wrong? Is it whatever the majority decides? Is it some “inner voice” that is different for every individual? Or is it an all-powerful, wise Creator whose instructions are communicated in Scripture? Why do we struggle with that so much?

Prayer: Ask God for the courage to swim against the tide and pursue Him whatever the cost.

05.30.21 - Small Group Discussion

Immerse: Kingdoms - Predictable Outcomes

God’s going to do what he says he’s going to do.

• Who is someone in your life who always follows through?

Read: 2 Kings 17:5-8

• How do you think God felt about sending his people into exile?

Read: Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 15, 49

• God spoke these words hundreds of years before the Kingdom of Israel fell. Why do you think the people ignored them?

• Walter spoke about how the Bible is not just a static book, but was composed over more than 1000 years, in at least three different languages, with multiple genres, by multiple different authors, and passed down orally from generation to generation. How does that affect your understanding of the Bible?

Read: 2 Kings 17:21-23

• This passage shows again that God is true to his word. In what area of your life do you struggle to believe that?

• God is true to his word and always follows through. Walter shared I Peter 3:12, John 16:33, Matthew 7:21, Philippians 2:10-11 as examples of things God has said that you can count on. What other statements or promises God made in Scripture can you think of?

Prayer: Take some time as a group to pray prayers of thanksgiving and praise to God because of his faithfulness.

05.23.21 - Small Group Discussion

Immerse: Kingdoms - Kings and Prophets

We all succeed someone. Leave it better than you found it.

• Ice breaker: What are some ways that people who came before you left it better than they found it?

Read: 1 Kings 16:29-33

• What can you learn from the example of King Omri?

Read: 1 Kings 22:41-50

• What can you learn from the example of King Jehoshaphat?

• Why do we sometimes not go as far as we ought in our quest to leave it better than we found it?

Read: 2 Kings 8:17-18 and 2 Corinthians 6:14-15

• How are the ways you can apply this command from 2 Corinthians?

• If we take Paul’s command to the Corinthians to heart, how will it affect our relationships?

Read: 2 Kings 11:21-12:3

• What can you learn from the example of King Joash?

• Who are the “Jehoiadas” in your life that you rely on to help you leave it better than you found it?

Prayer: Pray Hebrews 12:11-13. Ask God to give you the courage and resolve to make choices that will help you leave it better than you found it.

05.16.21 - Small Group Discussion

Immerse: Kingdoms - Mistrust and Disobedience

You turn away from God just a little, and soon you’re completely turned around.

• Ice breaker: Just how much trust is there in your group? Share a time when you made a small decision that led to walking away from God (or nearly so).

Read: Deuteronomy 17:14-17

• Why was God so explicit in his instructions for choosing a king?

• Why do you think God focused these commands on wealth, power and sex?

Skim through 1 Kings 10 as a group

• Share verses in this chapter that demonstrate Solomon ignored God’s commands in Deuteronomy 17.

• Speculate: how did Solomon justify making those choices?

• How are the ways Solomon justified his choices similar to how we justify our sin?

Read: Deuteronomy 17:18-20

• Why do you think God told Moses to give these explicit instructions?

• What is it about the king copying down God’s law and reading it daily that helped the king remain faithful?

• What lessons are there in these instructions for us?

• What decisions do you need to make to ensure you don’t follow the same path of disappointment and failure that Solomon did?

Prayer: Ask God to help you learn from the biblical examples we are studying in Immerse Kingdoms so you don’t repeat their failures.

05.09.21 - Small Group Discussion

Immerse: Kingdoms - Forgiven and Reconciled

God never writes “the end” on your story; only you can do that.

• Share a time when you thought you had messed up in a way that was irreversible and unredeemable. How did it all turn out?

Read: 2 Samuel 14:1-14

• What about this story conflicts with your sense of justice and fairness?

• What do you think should have happened to Absalom (keep in mind that Absalom was trying to right a wrong – see 2 Sam. 13).

Re-read: 2 Samuel 14:14

• What does this verse teach us about God’s nature?

• What does this verse teach us about the nature of time and opportunities?

• God never “writes us off.” What does that say about the way we should treat others?

Read: Ephesians 5:15-17

• What do these verses teach us in light of what you just read in 2 Samuel?

• What are some of the opportunities God puts in front of you that you should take advantage of?

Prayer: Ask God to give you a healthy perspective of your own mortality and the desire to make every opportunity He gives you count!

05.02.21 - Small Group Discussion

Immerse: Kingdoms - Stay Strong in Your Faith

God should be the hero of your story.

• Name a hero you looked up to when you were growing up.

• Share a time when you tried to assert control over a situation and it only made things worse.

Read: 1 Samuel 23:15-18

• What person had the most influence on your faith when you younger?

Read: 1 Samuel 21:12-13

• David failed to trust God in this situation, and took things into his own hands. In what places of your life do you struggle to trust what God is doing?

Read: 1 Samuel 28:8

• Saul rejected what God was doing and that led him to run further into sin. Share a time when you rejected or ran away from what God was doing in your life.

• 2 Samuel 11-12 contains the story of David and Bathsheba. David forgot what God has done and ignored what He was continuing to do. What do you do to remind yourself of what God has done for you?

Read 1 Samuel 23:15-18 (again!)

• Who is the Jonathan in your life?

• Whom do you need to be a Jonathan for?

Prayer: Ask God to surround you with people who will encourage your faith.

04.25.21 - Small Group Discussion

Immerse: Kingdoms - Obedience > Sacrifice

Selective obedience is just disobedience made to look respectable. 

• ICE BREAKER: What is an area where you struggle to maintain consistent obedience to what God wants in your life.

Read: 1 Samuel 15:1-9

• What did Saul’s actions reveal about his heart?

Read: 1 Samuel 15:10-13

• God already determined Saul’s fate, but Saul was oblivious. What is it that makes it so difficult for someone committing sin to see its corrosive effects?

Read: 1 Samuel 15:14-21

• When confronted, Saul deflected: “the army spared the best of the livestock.” How do we deflect responsibility for sin when we are confronted?

• Then Saul tried to redefine obedience: “But I did obey the Lord” (v. 20). How do we redefine sin to try and make it look like obedience?

Read: 1 Samuel 15:22-23

• Why do you think obedience is more important than sacrifice to God?

Read: 1 Samuel 15:24-31

• Even when he acknowledged his sin, Saul was more concerned about how the people viewed him than how God viewed him. Are we more concerned about our reputation with people than we are our reputation with God?

Prayer: Ask God to give you a heart for obeying Him.

04.18.21 - Small Group Discussion

Immerse: Kingdoms - Every Man for Himself

When you reject God’s authority it leads to chaos.

• ICE BREAKER: Share a time in your life when your plans fell through and you experienced chaos!

Read: Deuteronomy 11:26-28

• God was clear: His people would be blessed or cursed, depending on their obedience. With such clear expectations, why did they struggle to obey Him?

Read: Judges 21:25

• What similarities do you see in this verse and our culture?

Read: Judges 17:1-6

• In the space of five verses, seven of the ten commandments were broken. Which ones and how? (Hint: the ten commandments are in Exodus 20)

Read: Judges 17:7-13

• How is it that God’s people could have wandered so far away from Him that even His priest would join in idolatry?

• These stories demonstrate that Israel’s journey from faithfulness to unfaithfulness was progressively downward. How do we avoid doing that?

• The journey toward faithfulness or wickedness takes place one step at a time. What daily decisions can you make to be certain you go in the right direction?

Prayer: Ask God to help you recognize potential consequences before you take the actions that lead to them.

04.11.21 - Small Group Discussion

Immerse: Kingdoms - Choose This Day

Everyone worships something or someone. Choose well.

• “Every person’s checkbook is a theological document. It tells you who and what they worship.” – Billy Graham

• “So are your social media history and Google searches.” – Frank Weller 

• Time for some transparency.  Who or what do you worship?

Read: Deuteronomy 9:1-6

• Why did Moses instruct Joshua and the Israelites to destroy the Canaanites?

• Leviticus 18 lists the “detestable sins” of the Canaanites. God determined to destroy these nations because of their wickedness (Lev. 18:24-26). Are there parallels between our world and theirs? Is that troubling? Why or why not?

Read: Joshua 1:6-9

• God’s command to Joshua was challenging. It required three things: strength, courage and a commitment to God’s Word. Why are these so important?

• Verse 9 ends with a promise. How can we take strength from that promise?

Read: Joshua 24:14-15

• Frank said, “Everyone worships something or someone. We are incurably religious. We are wired for worship.” How have you seen that to be true?

• What is required for you to choose God above instead of worshipping something or someone else?

Prayer: Ask God to reveal the lesser gods in your life that compete for your worship, and give you the resolve necessary to reject them completely.

04.04.21 Small Group Discussion

168 Hours - Easter Sunday

Looking at Jesus and seeing Jesus is not the same thing. Faith sees Jesus. 

• What does it mean to truly see someone? (Like in the movie Avatar, or as in “seeing through someone.”

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:13-20 (The Message Translation)

• Why did Paul write so dramatically about the resurrection in this text?

• Respond to this: “If the resurrection is not true, the claims of Christ crumble. If the resurrection is true, then Jesus and his teaching cannot be ignored.”

Read: John 20:1-7

• Time to get real with your group. If your group raced to the tomb that first Easter who would get there first? Who would arrive last?

• Why do you think John was reluctant to enter the tomb when he arrived?

• What do you make of the way John described the burial garments that were left in the tomb?

Read: 1 Peter 1:3-5

• How does the resurrection give you hope?

• What did Peter mean when he wrote that our inheritance can never perish, spoil or fade?

Read: John 20:8-9

• “He saw and believed,” means to “look carefully, to observe and perceive.” What role does faith play in that kind of seeing is believing?

Prayer: Who do you know that needs to really see Jesus. Pray that God gives you opportunities to show Jesus to that person.

03.28.21 - Small Group Discussion

168 Hours - Palm Sunday

Jesus’ future isn’t affected by whether or not people believe. But yours and mine is. 

• What is your first memory of celebrating Palm Sunday?

Read: John 12:1-11

• The cast of characters in this story is remarkable. Lazarus, a former dead man is there. So are his sisters. Jesus and his disciples are at the banquet, including Judas who later betrayed Jesus. The neighbors came to gawk, along with leading priests whose motives were suspect. Imagine being present at this banquet. Where do you see yourself in the story? Why?

Read: John 12:12-19

• On Sunday Frank said, “Jesus was the King they needed just not the King they expected.” What does that mean?

• Has there been a time when Jesus was the Savior you needed even though he might not have been the sovereign you expected? How did you wrestle with that?

Read: John 12:37-43

• Despite all they saw – the miracles, the profound teaching, Jesus’ kindness – many did not believe in him. Why?

• Aside from unbelief, what is the result of loving human praise more than the praise of God?

Prayer: Ask God to strengthen your faith and ask him to give you a burden for people who don’t know Jesus. Eternity hangs in the balance.

03.21.21 Small Group Discussion

Elemental - Share

Lost people matter to God. 

• How is it you came to follow Jesus? Who was it that shared Christ with you?

Read: Luke 15:1-2

• What is it that “tax collectors and other notorious sinners” found so compelling and attractive about Jesus?

• Why is it that, while Jesus attracts sinners, so many churches seem to repel them?

Read: Luke 15:3-7

• What can we learn about reaching lost people from the way the shepherd in Jesus’ parable sought his lost lamb?

Read: Luke 15:11-32

• In the story of the lost son which brother do you most identify with, the prodigal or the elder brother?

• What do you find compelling about the father in the parable of the prodigal son? How does he remind you of our Heavenly Father?

Extended Prayer Time: Ask God to shape your heart so it beats for lost people. Take time to pray, by name, for friends, family, neighbors and others who you know are far from God.

03.14.21 - Small Group Discussion

Elemental - Serve

When you serve like Jesus, Jesus is who people see.

• How did you learn to serve others? Was it taught or caught? Who was instrumental in you learning to serve?

Read: Galatians 6:2-3

• Why is humility so important to being able to serve like Jesus?

• How does the kind of service described in this text differ from the selfie-service that is so prevalent in our culture?

Read: Galatians 6:4-6

• What does this text say about your work?

• What is the relationship between humility and responsibility in your service?

Read: Galatians 6:7-8

• Sin and selfishness go together. Service and selflessness go together. If you reap what you sow, as Paul wrote in this verse, how can you be sure you’re planting the right kind of seeds?

Read: Galatians 6:9-10

• A lot has been written about “compassion fatigue.” You can become weary in doing good. How can you avoid burning out like that?

• How can you look for opportunities to do good to everyone, especially to those in your faith family?

Prayer: Pray Galatians 6:9. Ask God to strengthen and encourage you so you won’t give up.

03.07.21 Small Group Discussion

Elemental - Study

Don’t just be a student of the Word; become an apprentice to the author. 

• Our church’s mission is to help people write the next chapter of their faith story by fostering environments where they can seek study and serve God. Which of these three comes more naturally to you? Which do you struggle with?

Read: 2 Timothy 2:2

• Who taught you about Jesus?

• Who are the “reliable people” you are teaching?

• What obstacles or challenges do you face in doing that?

Read: 2 Timothy 3:16

• If “all scripture is inspired by God” it affects how we approach scripture. What are some of those implications?

• What does the way we read our Bible (or don’t read it) say about what we actually believe concerning Paul’s claim of 2 Timothy 3:16?

• Frank said, “When it comes to reading your Bible, if you don’t read it, you’re no better off than the person who can’t read it.” Christians often struggle to develop consistent habits of Bible reading. Why?

Read: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

• As we read scripture it prepares us for service. What is an example of a way scripture reading has prepared you for doing good works?

• How can you go beyond being a student of the Word to becoming an apprentice of the Author?

Prayer: Pray Psalm 119:1-5-106. Ask God to help you to go beyond merely reading God’s Word to applying it.

02.28.21 - Small Group Discussion

Elemental - Seek

Seeking God is the means; finding God is the goal 

• Ice breaker: What is something you often lose that you waste time looking for?

Read: Isaiah 59:1-2

• Frank said that sin and shame can make God feel really distant. Why is that?

• Adam and Eve sin teaches us a bitter irony: sin and shame cause us to hide from God. Why are sin and shame related, and why is shame so powerful?

Read: 1 John 1:9.

• Why is seeking God critical to overcoming sin and shame’s power?

Read: Matthew 6:31-33

• Frank said that what we eat, what we drink and what we wear aren’t just distractions; they’re obsessions. What evidence do you see that supports that statement?

• What are the distractions that most often keep you from sensing God’s presence?

Read: Mark 6:31-32, 45-46.

• What are some concrete steps you can take to quiet the noise in your life so you can better connect with God?

Read: Hebrews 10:24-25

• What role does feeling disconnected from other people play in feeling connected to God?

• What are some ways you can encourage each other to seek God?

Prayer: Pray Jeremiah 29:13-14. Ask God to help you overcome sin and shame, distraction and disconnection so you can seek him with all your heart.