Week of April 12 - Baptism

For week 2 of our Asking for a Friend series, we’re talking about baptism. The four questions about this topic that came in were:

• Is water baptism required for salvation?

• Must you be baptized to be saved?

• If our church believes salvation starts at baptism, then why do we sometimes have people wait or insist on talking/meeting with them to be baptized?

• Why was Jesus baptized?

To address these questions, we’re working through a few different texts: Acts 2:37-39, Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 6:1-2, Galatians 3:26-29, and Colossians 2:11-12. Feel free to lead your group through a discussion of all of these, or just highlight one or two. Alternatively, you could flip to the concordance in the back of most Bibles, and have your group look up every mention of “baptize” or “baptism,” and then talk about what you find.

Walter will be preaching about this all on Sunday, April 19. You’ll want to have your discussion on this topic between now and then!

Followup from Last Week

1. To kick off your group discussion, we recommend that you check in with your people about their previous “I will” statement. Start group time, before you read, with this question: “How did your ‘I will’ go this week?”

2. Secondly, it’s important that we are sharing God’s truth with those around us. Your second question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Read various Bible passages on baptism.

Before your group meets, text this passage to them and ask them to read it at least once.

Step 2: Read Through - When your group meets, read the text in at least two different translations.

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate the passage in their own words, as if they were telling the story to a friend. Make sure you choose different people each week!

Step 4: Reflect: Go around the group and ask each person to answer these two things.

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about human beings?

Step 5: Respond - Go around the group and ask each person to complete this statement, “Because of this passage, I will _____this week.”

Week of April 5 - Worldview

We’re starting our new series this week, entitled Asking for a Friend. We’re excited to work through all the questions that our church submitted! The question we’re dealing with this week is, “Don’t all religions lead to heaven?” Our texts are Acts 4:8-12 and John 14:6, but feel free to throw in some of your favorite passages about truth and the exclusivity of the gospel. As always, you’ll want to have your discussion leading up to Sunday, April 12, when Walter will be preaching on this topic in a sermon entitled, Is Jesus the only way?.

Followup from Last Week

1. To kick off your group discussion, we recommend that you check in with your people about their previous “I will” statement. Start group time, before you read, with this question: “How did your ‘I will’ go this week?”

2. Secondly, it’s important that we are sharing God’s truth with those around us. Your second question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Acts 4:8-12 & John 14:6.

Before your group meets, text this passage to them and ask them to read it at least once.

Step 2: Read Through - When your group meets, read the text in at least two different translations.

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate the passage in their own words, as if they were telling the story to a friend. Make sure you choose different people each week!

Step 4: Reflect: Go around the group and ask each person to answer these two things.

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about human beings?

Step 5: Respond - Go around the group and ask each person to complete this statement, “Because of this passage, I will _____this week.”

Week of March 29 - Matthew 28

Happy Easter Week Everyone! For our final sermon of the Jesus Speaks series, Walter will be preaching from the entire chapter of Matthew 28. This will happen on Easter Sunday, April 5, so you’ll want to have your group discussion on this passage before then.

Followup from Last Week

1. To kick off your group discussion, we recommend that you check in with your people about their previous “I will” statement. Start group time, before you read, with this question: “How did your ‘I will’ go this week?”

2. Secondly, it’s important that we are sharing God’s truth with those around us. Your second question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Matthew 28

Before your group meets, text this passage to them and ask them to read it at least once.

Step 2: Read Through - When your group meets, read the text in at least two different translations.

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate the passage in their own words, as if they were telling the story to a friend. Make sure you choose different people each week!

Step 4: Reflect: Go around the group and ask each person to answer these two things.

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about human beings?

Step 5: Respond - Go around the group and ask each person to complete this statement, “Because of this passage, I will _____this week.”

Week of March 22 - Matthew 21:1-17

As we near then end of our Jesus Speaks series, Walter will be preaching on Matthew 21:1-17. This sermon will happen on Sunday, March 29, so you’ll want to have your discussions on Matthew 21 in the week leading up to it.

Followup from Last Week

1. To kick off your group discussion, we recommend that you check in with your people about their previous “I will” statement. Start group time, before you read, with this question: “How did your ‘I will’ go this week?”

2. Secondly, it’s important that we are sharing God’s truth with those around us. Your second question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Matthew 21:1-17

Before your group meets, text this passage to them and ask them to read it at least once.

Step 2: Read Through - When your group meets, read the text in at least two different translations.

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate the passage in their own words, as if they were telling the story to a friend. Make sure you choose different people each week!

Step 4: Reflect: Go around the group and ask each person to answer these two things.

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about human beings?

Step 5: Respond - Go around the group and ask each person to complete this statement, “Because of this passage, I will _____this week.”

Week of March 15 - Matthew 19:16-30

On Sunday the 22nd of March, Wally and Hannah will be preaching on Matthew 19:16-30, and talking about Jesus’ interaction with a rich man. You’ll want to discuss this passage in the week leading up to that Sunday.

Followup from Last Week

1. To kick off your group discussion, we recommend that you check in with your people about their previous “I will” statement. Start group time, before you read, with this question: “How did your ‘I will’ go this week?”

2. Secondly, it’s important that we are sharing God’s truth with those around us. Your second question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Matthew 19:16-30

Before your group meets, text this passage to them and ask them to read it at least once.

Step 2: Read Through - When your group meets, read the text in at least two different translations.

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate the passage in their own words, as if they were telling the story to a friend. Make sure you choose different people each week!

Step 4: Reflect: Go around the group and ask each person to answer these two things.

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about human beings?

Step 5: Respond - Go around the group and ask each person to complete this statement, “Because of this passage, I will _____this week.”

Week of March 8 - Matthew 14:22-33

For Jesus Speaks Week 3, we’ll be reading Matthew 14:22-33 and talking about Peter walking on water. Walter will be preaching on this passage on the 15th, and we’ll learn that “Jesus is the best solution for a faith that’s sinking.” You’ll want to discuss Matthew 14 before that Sunday.

Followup from Last Week

1. To kick off your group discussion, we recommend that you check in with your people about their previous “I will” statement. Start group time, before you read, with this question: “How did your ‘I will’ go this week?”

2. Secondly, it’s important that we are sharing God’s truth with those around us. Your second question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Matthew 14:22-33

Before your group meets, text this passage to them and ask them to read it at least once.

Step 2: Read Through - When your group meets, read the text in at least two different translations.

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate the passage in their own words, as if they were telling the story to a friend. Make sure you choose different people each week!

Step 4: Reflect: Go around the group and ask each person to answer these two things.

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about human beings?

Step 5: Respond - Go around the group and ask each person to complete this statement, “Because of this passage, I will _____this week.”

Week of March 1 - Matthew 8:1-13

For Week 2 of our Easter series - Jesus Speaks - we’ll be working through Jesus’ interactions with a two outsiders. Their story is found in Matthew 8:1-13, and you’ll want to discuss this passage this week, leading up to Walter’s sermon on it on March 8th.

Followup from Last Week

1. To kick off your group discussion, we recommend that you check in with your people about their previous “I will” statement. Start group time, before you read, with this question: “How did your ‘I will’ go this week?”

2. Secondly, it’s important that we are sharing God’s truth with those around us. Your second question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Matthew 8:1-13

Before your group meets, text this passage to them and ask them to read it at least once.

Step 2: Read Through - When your group meets, read the text in at least two different translations.

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate the passage in their own words, as if they were telling the story to a friend. Make sure you choose different people each week!

Step 4: Reflect: Go around the group and ask each person to answer these two things.

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about human beings?

Step 5: Respond - Go around the group and ask each person to complete this statement, “Because of this passage, I will _____this week.”

Week of February 22 - Matthew 4:1-11

Wally’s kicking off a new series this Sunday, March 1st, which will lead us up to Easter. We will be following Jesus through his earthly ministry and through the cross, as recounted by Matthew. Our first sermon will be on Matthew 4:1-11. You’ll want to discuss this passage by March 1st.

Followup from Last Week

1. To kick off your group discussion, we recommend that you check in with your people about their previous “I will” statement. Start group time, before you read, with this question: “How did your ‘I will’ go this week?”

2. Secondly, it’s important that we are sharing God’s truth with those around us. Your second question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Matthew 4:1-11

Before your group meets, text this passage to them and ask them to read it at least once.

Step 2: Read Through - When your group meets, read the text in at least two different translations.

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate the passage in their own words, as if they were telling the story to a friend. Make sure you choose different people each week!

Step 4: Reflect: Go around the group and ask each person to answer these two things.

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about human beings?

Step 5: Respond - Go around the group and ask each person to complete this statement, “Because of this passage, I will _____this week.”

Week of February 15 - Acts 8:26-40

For the final week of this series, we’re discussing how Christians are ready for anything. Walter will be preaching on Acts 8:26-40. You’ll want to discuss that passage in the week leading up to Sunday, February 22nd.

Followup from Last Week

1. To kick off your group discussion, we recommend that you check in with your people about their previous “I will” statement. Start group time, before you read, with this question: “How did your ‘I will’ go this week?”

2. Secondly, it’s important that we are sharing God’s truth with those around us. Your second question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Acts 8:26-40

Before your group meets, text this passage to them and ask them to read it at least once.

Step 2: Read Through - When your group meets, read the text in at least two different translations.

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate the passage in their own words, as if they were telling the story to a friend. Make sure you choose different people each week!

Step 4: Reflect: Go around the group and ask each person to answer these two things.

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about human beings?

Step 5: Respond - Go around the group and ask each person to complete this statement, “Because of this passage, I will _____this week.”

Week of February 8 - Acts 18:1-3 & I Corinthians 9:19-23

For Week 3 of our series on evangelism, we’ll be talking about living out your faith. On February 15, Walter will be sharing from Acts 18:1-4 & I Corinthians 9:19-23. You’ll want to discuss these two passages in the week leading up to that Sunday.

Followup from Last Week

1. To kick off your group discussion, we recommend that you check in with your people about their previous “I will” statement. Start group time, before you read, with this question: “How did your ‘I will’ go this week?”

2. Secondly, it’s important that we are sharing God’s truth with those around us. Your second question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Acts 18:1-4 & I Corinthians 9:19-23

Before your group meets, text this passage to them and ask them to read it at least once.

Step 2: Read Through - When your group meets, read the text in at least two different translations.

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate the passage in their own words, as if they were telling the story to a friend. Make sure you choose different people each week!

Step 4: Reflect: Go around the group and ask each person to answer these two things.

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about human beings?

Step 5: Respond - Go around the group and ask each person to complete this statement, “Because of this passage, I will _____this week.”

Week of February 1 - Acts 2:14-41 & 3:15

For Week 2 of our series on evangelism, we’ll be talking about sharing your story and sharing God’s story. On February 8, Walter will be sharing from Acts 2:14-41 & 3:15. You’ll want to discuss these two passages in the week leading up to that Sunday.

Followup from Last Week

1. To kick off your group discussion, we recommend that you check in with your people about their previous “I will” statement. Start group time, before you read, with this question: “How did your ‘I will’ go this week?”

2. Secondly, it’s important that we are sharing God’s truth with those around us. Your second question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Acts 2:14-41 & 3:15

Before your group meets, text this passage to them and ask them to read it at least once.

Step 2: Read Through - When your group meets, read the text in at least two different translations.

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate the passage in their own words, as if they were telling the story to a friend. Make sure you choose different people each week!

Step 4: Reflect: Go around the group and ask each person to answer these two things.

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about human beings?

Step 5: Respond - Go around the group and ask each person to complete this statement, “Because of this passage, I will _____this week.”

Week of January 25 - Mark 1:14-20 & Matthew 28:18-20

For the month of February, we’re going through a series on evangelism and sharing the good news. On our first Sunday (February 1st), Walter will be preaching from Mark 1:14-20 and Matthew 28:18-20. He’ll be sharing that “all Christians should be preparing to make disciples.” You’ll want to discuss these two passages in the week leading up to that Sunday.

Followup from Last Week

1. To kick off your group discussion, we recommend that you check in with your people about their previous “I will” statement. Start group time, before you read, with this question: “How did your ‘I will’ go this week?”

2. Secondly, it’s important that we are sharing God’s truth with those around us. Your second question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Mark 1:14-20, Matthew 28:18-20.

Before your group meets, text this passage to them and ask them to read it at least once.

Step 2: Read Through - When your group meets, read the text in at least two different translations.

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate the passage in their own words, as if they were telling the story to a friend. Make sure you choose different people each week!

Step 4: Reflect: Go around the group and ask each person to answer these two things.

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about human beings?

Step 5: Respond - Go around the group and ask each person to complete this statement, “Because of this passage, I will _____this week.”

Week of January 18 - Matthew 5:38-47

For the final week of this series, we’re talking about mercy. Walter will preach from Matthew 5:38-47 on Sunday, January 25th. You’ll want to have your group discussion on this text by then.

Followup from Last Week

1. To kick off your group discussion, we recommend that you check in with your people about their previous “I will” statement. Start group time, before you read, with this question: “How did your ‘I will’ go this week?”

2. Secondly, it’s important that we are sharing God’s truth with those around us. Your second question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Matthew 5:38-47

Before your group meets, text this passage to them and ask them to read it at least once.

Step 2: Read Through - When your group meets, read the text in at least two different translations.

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate the passage in their own words, as if they were telling the story to a friend. Make sure you choose different people each week!

Step 4: Reflect: Go around the group and ask each person to answer these two things.

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about human beings?

Step 5: Respond - Go around the group and ask each person to complete this statement, “Because of this passage, I will _____this week.”

Week of January 11 - Matthew 5:33-37

This week in our Are We Still These People series, we’re talking about doing the right thing. Walter will preach from Matthew 5:33-37 on Sunday, January 18. You’ll want to have your group discussion on this text by then.

Followup from Last Week

1. To kick off your group discussion, we recommend that you check in with your people about their previous “I will” statement. Start group time, before you read, with this question: “How did your ‘I will’ go this week?”

2. Secondly, it’s important that we are sharing God’s truth with those around us. Your second question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Matthew 5:33-37

Before your group meets, text this passage to them and ask them to read it at least once.

Step 2: Read Through - When your group meets, read the text in at least two different translations.

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate the passage in their own words, as if they were telling the story to a friend. Make sure you choose different people each week!

Step 4: Reflect: Go around the group and ask each person to answer these two things.

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about human beings?

Step 5: Respond - Go around the group and ask each person to complete this statement, “Because of this passage, I will _____this week.”

Week of January 4 - Matthew 5:27-32

It’s Week 2 of our first series of the year, entitled Are We Still These People. It’s all about taking Jesus at his word, and living out his radical teachings from Matthew Chapter 5. This coming Sunday, January 11, Walter will be preaching out of Matthew 5:27-32. You’ll want to have your group discussion on this text by then.

Followup from Last Week

1. To kick off your group discussion, we recommend that you check in with your people about their previous “I will” statement. Start group time, before you read, with this question: “How did your ‘I will’ go this week?”

2. Secondly, it’s important that we are sharing God’s truth with those around us. Your second question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Matthew 5:27-32

Before your group meets, text this passage to them and ask them to read it at least once.

Step 2: Read Through - When your group meets, read the text in at least two different translations.

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate the passage in their own words, as if they were telling the story to a friend. Make sure you choose different people each week!

Step 4: Reflect: Go around the group and ask each person to answer these two things.

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about human beings?

Step 5: Respond - Go around the group and ask each person to complete this statement, “Because of this passage, I will _____this week.”

Week of December 28 - Matthew 5:17-26

We’re launching a new series with the New Year entitled Are We Still These People. It’s all about taking Jesus at his word, and living out his radical teachings from Matthew Chapter 5. Our first sermon will be on Sunday, January 4. Wally will be preaching, and he’ll be talking about conflict and resolution. You’ll want to have your discussion on Matthew 5:17-26 by then!

Followup from Last Week

1. To kick off your group discussion, we recommend that you check in with your people about their previous “I will” statement. Start group time, before you read, with this question: “How did your ‘I will’ go this week?”

2. Secondly, it’s important that we are sharing God’s truth with those around us. Your second question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Matthew 5:17-26

Before your group meets, text this passage to them and ask them to read it at least once.

Step 2: Read Through - When your group meets, read the text in at least two different translations.

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate the passage in their own words, as if they were telling the story to a friend. Make sure you choose different people each week!

Step 4: Reflect: Go around the group and ask each person to answer these two things.

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about human beings?

Step 5: Respond - Go around the group and ask each person to complete this statement, “Because of this passage, I will _____this week.”

Week of December 21 - Revelation 19

In this final week of Between the Advents., we’ll hear from Eric, as he preaches from Revelation 19. You’ll want to lead your group through a discussion of this chapter by Sunday, December 28.

Followup from Last Week

1. To kick off your group discussion, we recommend that you check in with your people about their previous “I will” statement. Start group time, before you read, with this question: “How did your ‘I will’ go this week?”

2. Secondly, it’s important that we are sharing God’s truth with those around us. Your second question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Revelation 19

Before your group meets, text this passage to them and ask them to read it at least once.

Step 2: Read Through - When your group meets, read the text in at least two different translations.

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate the passage in their own words, as if they were telling the story to a friend. Make sure you choose different people each week!

Step 4: Reflect: Go around the group and ask each person to answer these two things.

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about human beings?

Step 5: Respond - Go around the group and ask each person to complete this statement, “Because of this passage, I will _____this week.”

Week of December 14 - Revelation 12

For Week 3 of our Christmas series entitled Between the Advents., Walter will be preaching from Revelation 12. That means your group should have a discussion on this chapter by Sunday, December 21.

Followup from Last Week

1. To kick off your group discussion, we recommend that you check in with your people about their previous “I will” statement. Start group time, before you read, with this question: “How did your ‘I will’ go this week?”

2. Secondly, it’s important that we are sharing God’s truth with those around us. Your second question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Revelation 12

Before your group meets, text this passage to them and ask them to read it at least once.

Step 2: Read Through - When your group meets, read the text in at least two different translations.

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate the passage in their own words, as if they were telling the story to a friend. Make sure you choose different people each week!

Step 4: Reflect: Go around the group and ask each person to answer these two things.

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about human beings?

Step 5: Respond - Go around the group and ask each person to complete this statement, “Because of this passage, I will _____this week.”

Week of December 7 - Revelation 5

Welcome to week 2 of our Christmas series entitled Between the Advents. This week, our church will start reading through the book of Revelation, and on Sunday, December 14, Habacuc will preach through Revelation 5, so you’ll want to have your discussion by then.

Followup from Last Week

1. To kick off your group discussion, we recommend that you check in with your people about their previous “I will” statement. Start group time, before you read, with this question: “How did your ‘I will’ go this week?”

2. Secondly, it’s important that we are sharing God’s truth with those around us. Your second question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Revelation 5

Before your group meets, text this passage to them and ask them to read it at least once.

Step 2: Read Through - When your group meets, read the text in at least two different translations.

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate the passage in their own words, as if they were telling the story to a friend. Make sure you choose different people each week!

Step 4: Reflect: Go around the group and ask each person to answer these two things.

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about human beings?

Step 5: Respond - Go around the group and ask each person to complete this statement, “Because of this passage, I will _____this week.”

Week of November 30 - Revelation 1

Our Christmas series this year is called Between the Advents. We’ll be working through the book of Revelation, and talking about how it applies to our world, even the world of December 2025! On Sunday, December 7, Wally will set up the series and preach through Revelation 1, so you’ll want to have your discussion by then.

Followup from Last Week

1. To kick off your group discussion, we recommend that you check in with your people about their previous “I will” statement. Start group time, before you read, with this question: “How did your ‘I will’ go this week?”

2. Secondly, it’s important that we are sharing God’s truth with those around us. Your second question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Revelation 1

Before your group meets, text this passage to them and ask them to read it at least once.

Step 2: Read Through - When your group meets, read the text in at least two different translations.

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate the passage in their own words, as if they were telling the story to a friend. Make sure you choose different people each week!

Step 4: Reflect: Go around the group and ask each person to answer these two things.

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about human beings?

Step 5: Respond - Go around the group and ask each person to complete this statement, “Because of this passage, I will _____this week.”