01.31 Small Groups Discussion

The Core - Gathering

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• What is one of your favorite times to get together with others? Why is it important and what makes it special?
   
• If there is a cost to become part of a group, does that cost impact your commitment to that group? Why or why not?

Read Luke 4:16, Acts 20:7, and Hebrews 10:19-25

• Do you think it is important for believers to get together regularly? Why or why not?
   
• The Hebrews passage instructs us not to give up gathering together. Does that make missing church a sin? Why or why not?
   
• What are some reasons, or excuses, that you give when missing church?
   
• What are some of the benefits to getting together regularly with other believers?
   
• To you, what does it mean for believers to gather together?
   
• In The Core series, we looked at Praying, Fasting, Giving, and Gathering. Which of these do you feel like is your strongest, your weakest, and the most valuable to learn about during this series? Why?
   
• How can the Church come alongside you and assist in developing or strengthening these Core beliefs?

Prayer: Pray that you will be committed to gathering together.

01.24 Small Group Discussion

The Core - Giving

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


• Have you ever entrusted something to someone that they then mishandled? How did that make you feel?

Read Psalm 24:1, 50:7-15, Luke 16:1-2 and 10-13, and 1 Corinthians 16:1-2.

• If God owns everything, why should we give to God?
   
• In the Luke passage, the manager is called to account for how he’s handled things. Does the idea of being called to account by God for how you’ve managed His money concern you? Why or why not?
   
• Paul orders the Corinthians to set aside a portion of their income. Is this a command that you follow? Why or why not?
   
• Other than money, what are some things that you view as yours, when in reality you should view it as God’s and manage it accordingly?
   
• For you, what is the hardest blessing from God to manage properly?
   
• How can you take steps towards viewing everything rightly as God’s?

Prayer: Pray that you will let go of the belief that you own anything and realize that it all belongs to God.

01.17 Small Group Discussion

The Core - Fasting

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• When you feel overwhelmed, what do you do or where do you turn to re-center yourself?
   
• When you feel far from God, what do you do to draw closer?

Read Matthew 6:16-18, Zechariah 7:4-10, and Acts 13:1-3 and 14:23.

•  What does fasting mean to you?
   
• Does fasting always involve food? Why or why not?
   
• Have you ever fasted before? What was it like? If you haven’t fasted before, why haven’t you?
   
• When you fast, you refrain from something to make more time to seek God. What is something that regularly takes too much time away from you being able to seek God?
   
• When people fast, God acts. Does fasting guarantee God will answer your prayers in the way you want Him to? Why or why not?
   
• How will you fast this week?

Prayer: Pray for the dedication to fast to seek God more fully.

01.10 Small Group Discussion

The Core - Prayer

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• Have you ever had a situation where someone in authority over you leaves you without any directions? Is that beneficial? Why or why not?

Read Philippians 4:9, Colossians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 Timothy 2:8, and Ephesians 6:18-20.

• When you think of prayer, what comes to mind?
   
• What does peace mean to you?
   
• Is peace something you feel like you have in life or no? Why or why not?
   
• How often do you pray?
   
• What encourages you to pray and what keeps you from praying?
   
• When you pray, how often are you praying for yourself versus others? How often are you thanking God versus asking for things?
   
• How do you think the Church does at being prayerfully-lead?

Prayer: Pray that you would regularly talk to God to receive both His instruction and His peace.

01.03 Small Group Discussion

The Core - Jesus Is Lord

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

• What do you think of the statement, “What you believe should change how you behave, but how you behave always reveals what you believe?”

Read John 1:49, 6:69, 11:27, 20:18, 25, and 28, and John 21:7.

• Why do you think John shows a progression in the titles given to Jesus?

• The Romans said, “Caesar is Lord.” Christians should say, “Jesus is Lord.” Fill in the blank “____ is Lord” for what keeps you from keeping Jesus in His proper place.

• How have you done this week with the challenge of asking, “Does this please my Master?” when you make your choices?

Read Philippians 2:5-11.

• What can we learn from this passage in how to live out our lives?

• How do you feel you do in respect to living out “Jesus is Lord?”

• How do you feel the Church does living out “Jesus is Lord?” What does the Church do well? What can be improved?

• What are some dangers of extremism in behavior that can come from the living out “Jesus is Lord,” if any?

Prayer: Pray that you will focus on keeping “Jesus is Lord” at the Core of how you live.

12.20 Small Group Discussion

Good News - Peace for the Distressed

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• How did you do with the Isaiah reading plan throughout this series? What can be done to encourage you to have a daily reading time? If you have followed the reading plan, how can you be encouraged to continue with your own reading plan going forward?
   
• What does ‘peace’ mean to you?

Read Isaiah 52:7-10.

• How do you think the Israelites would have felt hearing these words?
   
• Share a time that you remember someone giving you good news.
   
• When was the last time you felt at peace?
   
• What keeps you from feeling peace?
   
• With whatever struggle you have in your life right now, if you were told, “This conflict will not last. Peace is coming.” How would you feel or respond?
   
• How can we provide peace in our own lives and in the lives of those around us?
   
• Does the Church do a good job of providing peace? Why or why not?

Reading Plan: Read Isaiah 61-66 this week.

Prayer: Pray that you can focus the peace that Christ brings and not get caught up in the hectic holiday celebrations.

12.13 Small Group Discussion

Good News - Justice for the Oppressed

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• How did you do with the Isaiah reading plan this past week? What can be done to encourage you to follow it, or if you have followed it, how can you be encouraged to continue?
   
• How do you define ‘justice’?

Read Isaiah 41:25-29 and Isaiah 42:1-4.

• In Isaiah 41, what is the significance of the fact that the messenger’s coming had not already been foretold?
   
• Does the description in Isaiah 42 match what you commonly picture when you think of someone delivering justice? Why or why not?

Read Micah 6:8.

• How do we act justly?
   
• How do we love mercy?
   
• How do we walk humbly with our God?
   
• Is it the church’s role to provide justice? Why or why not?
   
• How can we be a part of providing justice to the oppressed today?

Reading Plan: Read Isaiah 54-60 this week.

Prayer: Pray that you can focus on Christ and the good news that he brought this Christmas season.

12.06 Small Groups Discussion

Good News - Hope for the Hopeless

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• How did you do with the Isaiah reading plan this past week? What can be done to encourage you to follow it, or if you have followed it, how can you be encouraged to continue?
   
• How do you define ‘hope’?

Read Isaiah 40:1-5.

• How do you imagine the Israelites reacting to this passage?
   
• What would it be like for you to receive a message from God that your sins have been paid for, your hard times are at an end, and the path forward will be straight and level?

Read Isaiah 40:28-31.

• Have you ever had a time when you are just tired and you want to call it quits in some area of your life, or at least just take a break?
   
• Share a time in your life where these words can be, or have been, an encouragement to you.
   
• Do you see yourself as some who embodies hope? Why or why not?
   
• How does the church do at being a place of hope?
   
• How can these two passages be used to encourage and provide hope to such a dark world?

Reading Plan: Read Isaiah 47-53 this week.

Prayer: Pray that you can focus on Christ and the good news that he brought this Christmas season.

11.29 Small Group Discussion

Good News -Good News of Great Joy

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

• If you are told, “I have good news and bad news,” which do you prefer to hear first? Why?

• If you hear the words “good news,” what comes to mind?

Read Luke 2:1-20.

• Why do you think God chose shepherds to first share the good news with?

• What do you imagine the shepherds felt when the angels shared the good news?

• The shepherds returned from meeting Jesus and spread the good news. How do you do at spreading the good news? What excuses do you come up with to avoid spreading it?

• How often do you remember to praise and glorify God for things you have heard and seen?

• How can we share the good news with others?

• Does the church do a good job of representing the hope of the good news? Why or why not?

• Do you do a good job of representing the hope of the good news? Why or why not?

Reading Plan: Read Isaiah 40-46 this week.

Prayer: Pray that you can focus on Christ and the good news that he brought this Christmas season.

11.22 Small Group Discussion

The Two Adams -- The Second Adam

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• What similarities do you have to your parent(s)?

Read John 3:31-36, 1 Corinthians 15:45-49, and Philippians 3:20-21.

• In reading these passages and what Frank discussed in the message, are there any other instances of symmetry that you see in the First and Last Adams?
   
• The Corinthians passage discusses bearing both the image of Adam and the image of Christ. In what ways do we reflect both images?
   
• The Philippians passage discusses our citizenship being heavenly. How does that impact how we address and view earthly governments?
   
• Does the way you live reflect the image of the First Adam or the Last Adam? Why?
   
• Does the Church do a good job reflecting the image of the Last Adam? Why or why not?
   
• How can the Church be the image of Christ in our broken world?

Prayer: Pray that we can be Christ’s light in our dark world.

11.15 Small Group Discussion

The Two Adams -- The First Adam

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• Have you ever had something you created (child, class project, invention, etc.) not behave or function the way that you intended? How did you handle the dysfunction?

Read Genesis 3 and 5:3-5. Read also 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 and Romans 8:20-21.

• How do you imagine God felt about the world falling apart as described in these passages and how do you imagine He feels about the current state of the world?
   
• Was it mercy that God kicked Adam and Eve out of the Garden? Why or why not?
   
• When confronted with your brokenness, how do you typically respond? Why?
   
• With passages like Romans 8:20-21 that talk of creation being broken, does that impact how you respond to people asking “Why?” when horrible things like earthquakes happen? Why or why not?
   
• How can we approach others and help them confront their own brokenness?
   
• Do you feel that the Church has an appropriate amount of focus placed on mankind’s brokenness? Why or why not?

Prayer: Pray that we will recognize our brokenness points us to our need for a savior.

11.01 Small Group Discussion

Finding Your Way Back to God - Awakening to Life

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

• When you hear that someone has lived a full life, what comes to mind?

Read Luke 15:11-24 and John 10:10.

• How do you think the son felt during the celebrating of his return? Why?
   
• If the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, why is it still difficult sometimes to accept God’s offer of a full life?
   
• If you are a Christ-follower, how has God given you a full life?
   
• How can you show or tell others about the fullness of life that God provides?
   
• Does the Church reflect a people living full lives? Why or why not?
   
• Which of the awakenings (Longing, Regret, Help, Love, and Life) has been most impactful for you? Why?

Prayer: God, if you are real, make yourself real to me. Awaken in me the confidence that I can live a brand new life.

10.25 Small Group Discussion

Finding Your Way Back to God - Awakening to Love

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• What comes to mind when you think of being loved?
   
• Share a time that you felt loved.

Read Luke 15:11-24.

• What do you think was going through the son’s mind when his father greeted him?
   
• Can you have love without forgiveness? Why or why not?
   
• Can you have forgiveness without love? Why or why not?
   
• If you have ever had a time in your life where you were like the son coming home, please share it if you feel comfortable.
   
• If you are a Christ-follower, please share a time that you knew you are a loved child of God.
   
• Have you had instances in your life where you were in the father’s place? Did you handle those situations like the father? Why or why not?
   
• How can the Church be a representative of God’s love to the children coming home to God?

Prayer: God, if you are real, make yourself real to me. Awaken in me the awareness that I am your unconditionally loved child.

10.18 Small Group Discussion

Finding Your Way Back to God - Awakening to Help

• What's one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• When you think of someone asking for help, what comes to mind?
   
• What types of things do you remember asking for help with as a child?
   
• When you need help, who do you most often go to?

Read Luke 15:11-24

• What, if anything, do you think had to change for the son in order for him to go back to his father?
   
• How do you typically respond to others asking for your help?
   
• How does the church do at being a safe place to ask for help?
   
• What can the church do bette, or what is already being done that is particularly beneficial, for making it a safe place to ask for help?

Prayer: God, if you are real, make yourself real to me. Awaken in me the willingness to turn to you for help.

10.11 Small Group Discussion

Finding Your Way Back to God - Awakening to Regret

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• How would you describe ‘regret’?
   
• Share a time that you wish you could go back and change what happened, whether it was something you said or didn’t say, or something you did or didn’t do.

Read Luke 15:11-24.

• What do you feel lead the son to the realization that he should go back to his father?
   
• Even though the father took the son back, do you think there were still consequences to the son’s actions? Why or why not?
   
• What is the biggest obstacle for you in turning back towards God after going off on your own path for a time?
   
• Is it harder for you to ask for forgiveness when you’ve done something you regret or for you to forgive someone who asks you to forgive them? Why?
   
• Do you feel like there’s a limit to how many times you can come back to God? Why or why not?
   
• Do you feel like there’s anything you can do that is too much for you to come back to God? Why or why not?
   
• Have you found the Church to be a good place that encourages and welcomes people

Prayer: God, if you are real, make yourself real to me. Awaken me to the possibility that I can start over again.

10.04 Small Group Discussion

Finding Your Way Back to God - Awakening to Longing

• 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 two years ago? Do you still use it?
   
• What is something in your life that makes you feel fulfilled?

Read Luke 15:11-24.

• Notice that the younger son leaves in search of something after receiving great wealth. Have you had something disappoint you that you had expected to fulfill you?
   
• Share a time that you felt the most unfulfilled and a time that you felt the most fulfilled.
   
• What is the purpose of life?

Read Ephesians 2:8-10.

• How can we figure out the good works that God has laid out for us?
   
• What good works do you think God has laid out for you to do?
   
• What prevents you from accomplishing what God lays out for you?
   
• How can the Church help provide fulfillment and assist with accomplishing the work that God has planned for each of us?
   
• What does the Church do well and what does it do poorly for guiding towards fulfillment and accomplishing the work God has planned?

Prayer: Pray that God will make Himself real to you and that He will make you aware that He is what is missing from your life or that He is the one that provides fulfillment.

09.27 Small Group Discussion

Undrafted - Ordinary Men

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• Share a time when you felt like just an ordinary or uneducated person.

Read Acts 4:13.

• What do you think it was about Peter and John that made it clear to the Sanhedrin that they had been with Jesus?
   
• If you are a Christ follower, what characteristics or traits do you display that make it clear that you have been with Jesus?

Read Acts 4:18-20.

• Peter and John continue to show courage when they are sentenced by the Sanhedrin. What either enables you to be or keeps you from being courageous in your walk with God?
   
• In light of the disciples’ backgrounds (being unschooled and ordinary men), what excuses are left for us to use when we don’t speak out on behalf of Christ?
   
• Do you believe we can change the world like the disciples did? Why or why not?
   
• Is there something you need to leave behind in order to change the world?
   
• In order to start changing the world, what is something that you can do right now?

Prayer: Pray that we are courageous for Christ and that the world will know that He is with us.

9.20 Small Group Discussion

Undrafted  -  Elisha

• What’s one idea from the message that stood out to you? Why do you think it grabbed you?
   
• Who can you think of, whether in history or in your own life, that you consider to have finished well or failed in their final chapter? 
   
• What characteristics do you think contributed to their success or failure?

Read 1 Kings 19:19-21 and 2 King 2:1-14.**

• In the first passage, Elisha had Elijah’s mantle tossed on him, and in the second passage, Elisha received Elijah’s mantle as a sign of passing the baton. Would Elisha have received the mantle if he hadn’t followed Elijah to all the places in the second passage? Why or why not?
   
• Elisha was told multiple times that Elijah would be taken from him that day as he followed him, and scripture provides no evidence that Elisha tried to stop it from happening. How do you think seeing Elijah being taken into Heaven impacted Elisha’s journey going forward?
   
• What impact has someone had in your life by finishing the race well?
   
• What does obedience mean to you?
   
• How is obedience the path to finishing well?
   
• How can you blaze a path like Elijah for others to follow?
   
• How can we be like Elijah and follow the examples of those that have come before?

Prayer:  Pray for obedience to God’s will, no matter the cost.