Week of August 10th - Mark 9:33-50

For Week 5 of our series, To A Thousand Generations, Eric Sheldon will be preaching a sermon about kids and students, and their place in the church.

Step 1: Assignment - The text for this week is Mark 9:33-50. Eric will preach a sermon on this passage on Sunday August 17th, and so you’ll want to discuss it in your groups, leading up to that Sunday.

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”

Two Additional Steps

  1. Followup: when you start group in future weeks, 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 readt hrough should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Week of August 3rd - Mark 1:16-20, 2:13-17

It’s Week 4 of our series, To A Thousand Generations, all about how there is a place, and a purpose, for every generation in the church. We’re talking about young adults this week, and looking at the calling of the first disciples in Mark.

Step 1: Assignment - The text for this week is Mark 1:16-20 & 2:13-17. Walter will preach a sermon on this text on Sunday August 10th, and so you’ll want to discuss it in your groups, leading up to that Sunday.

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”

Two Additional Steps

  1. Followup: when you start group in future weeks, 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 readt hrough should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Week of July 27 - Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Welcome to week 3 of our series, To A Thousand Generations. We hope your conversations have been good, and that you’ve been able to lean into our big idea for the series: there is a place, and a purpose, for every generation in the church.

Step 1: Assignment - The text for this week is Deuteronomy 6:1-9. Walter will preach a sermon on this text on Sunday August 3rd, and so you’ll want to discuss it in your groups, leading up to that Sunday.

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”

Two Additional Steps

  1. Followup: when you start group in future weeks, 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 readt hrough should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Week of July 20 - Luke 12:13-20

Welcome to week 2 of our series, To A Thousand Generations.

Step 1: Assignment - The text for this week is Luke 12:13-20. Wally will preach a sermon on this text on Sunday the 27th, and so you’ll want to discuss it in your groups, leading up to that Sunday.

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”

Two Additional Steps

  1. Followup: when you start group in future weeks, 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 readt hrough should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Week of July 13 - Deuteronomy 7:1-15

We’re starting a new series entitled, To A Thousand Generations, which kicks off on Sunday, July 20th.

Step 1: Assignment - The text for this week is Deuteronomy 7:1-15. Walter will preach a sermon on this text on Sunday the 20th, and so you’ll want to discuss it in your groups, leading up to that Sunday.

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”

Two Additional Steps

  1. Followup: when you start group in future weeks, 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 readt hrough should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Week of July 6 - Jude 1-25

For Week 6 of our Notes from a Friend series, we’re reading Jude. You can access our reading schedule here.

Step 1: Assignment - The text for this week is Jude 1-25. Walter will preach a sermon on this letter on Sunday, July 13. You’ll want to discuss this text in your groups on the week leading up to July 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”

Two Additional Steps

  1. Followup: when you start group in future weeks, 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 readt hrough should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Week of June 29 - III John 1-15

For Week 5 of our Notes from a Friend series, we’re reading III John. You can access our reading schedule here.

Step 1: Assignment - The text for this week is III John 1-15. Walter will preach a sermon on this letter on Sunday, July 6. You’ll want to discuss this text in your groups on the week leading up to July 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”

Two Additional Steps

  1. Followup: when you start group in future weeks, 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 readt hrough should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Week of June 22 - II John 1-13

For Week 5 of our Notes from a Friend series, we’re reading II John. You can access our reading schedule here.

Step 1: Assignment - The text for this week is II John 1-13.. Wally will preach a sermon on this letter on Sunday, June 29. You’ll want to discuss this text in your groups on the week leading up to June 29th.

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”

Two Additional Steps

  1. Followup: when you start group in future weeks, 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 readt hrough should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Week of June 15 - I John 1:1-2:6

For Week 4 of our Notes from a Friend series, we’re reading I John. You can follow our schedule here.

Step 1: Assignment - The text for this week is I John 1:1-2:6.. I’ll will be preaching this on Sunday, June 22, as part of our series Notes From a Friend. You’ll want to discuss this text in your groups on the week leading up to June 22nd.

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”

Two Additional Steps

  1. Followup: when you start group in future weeks, 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 readt hrough should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Week of June 8 - II Peter 3:8-14

It’s Week 3 of our series on General Epistles! There’s still time to read along with us, and our schedule of reading is available here.

Step 1: Assignment - The text for this week is 2 Peter 3:8-11.. I’ll will be preaching this on Sunday, June 15, as part of our new series Notes From a Friend. You’ll want to discuss this text in your groups on the week leading up to June 15th.

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”

Two Additional Steps

  1. Followup: when you start group in future weeks, 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 readt hrough should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Week of June 1 - I Peter 1:3-16

We’re continuing on in our series on the General Epistles. Please encourage your people to read along with us, using the reading plan available here.

Step 1: Assignment - The text for this week is I Peter 1:3-16 . Walter will be preaching this on Sunday, June 8, as part of our new series Notes From a Friend. You’ll want to discuss this text in your groups on the week leading up to June 8th.

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”

Two Additional Steps

  1. Followup: when you start group in future weeks, 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 readt hrough should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Week of May 25 - James 1:19-27, 5:19-20

We’re starting a new series this week on the General Epistles. Please encourage your people to read along with us, using the reading plan available here.

Step 1: Assignment - The text for this week is James 1:19-27 & 5:19-20 . I’ll will be preaching this on Sunday, June 2, as part of our new series Notes From a Friend. You’ll want to discuss this text in your groups on the week leading up to June 2nd.

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”

Two Additional Steps

  1. Followup: when you start group in future weeks, 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 readt hrough should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Week of May 18 - 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Step 1: Assignment - The text for this week is 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 . Wally will be preaching this on Sunday, May 25, and we’ll be talking about SLCC’s core value of God’s Story, You’ll want to discuss this text in your groups on the week leading up to May 25.

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”

Two Additional Steps

  1. Followup: when you start group in future weeks, 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 readt hrough should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Week of May 11 - 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Step 1: Assignment - The text for this week is 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 . I’ll be preaching this on Sunday, May 18, and we’ll be talking about SLCC’s core value of Generosity, You’ll want to discuss this text in your groups on the week leading up to May 18.

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”

Two Additional Steps

  1. Followup: when you start group in future weeks, 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 readt hrough should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Week of May 4 - Hebrews 10:19-25

Step 1: Assignment - The text for this week is Hebrews 10:19-25 . I’ll be preaching this on Mother’s Day - May 11, and we’ll be talking about SLCC’s core value of Community, You’ll want to discuss this text in your groups on the week leading up to Mother’s Day.

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”

Two Additional Steps

  1. Followup: when you start group in future weeks, 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 readt hrough should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Week of April 27 - Philippians 2:1-11

Step 1: Assignment - The text for this week is Philippians 2:1-11. We won’t have a sermon this Sunday (May 4th), because it’s Serve Sunday. Serve Sunday aligns with SLCC’s core value of Others, and so we recommend you discuss the Philippians passage and its connection to serving Others. Also, chat about where your group will be serving together on Sunday.

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”

Two Additional Steps

  1. Followup: when you start group in future weeks, 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 readt hrough should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Week of April 20 - Epesians 2:1-10

Step 1: Assignment - The text for this week is Ephesians 2:1-10. Walter will be preaching on it this coming Sunday, the 27th. 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”

Two Additional Steps

  1. Followup: when you start group in future weeks, 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 readt hrough should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Week of April 13, 2025 - John 11:1-44

Hey Leaders! As we shared in our meeting, we’re starting something new for group discussions. We’re modeling our guides after the Discover Bible Study method. The steps are below:

Step 1: Assignment - The text for this week is John 11:1-44. Walter will be preaching on it this coming Sunday, the 20th. 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”

Two Additional Steps

  1. Followup: when you start group in future weeks, 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 readt hrough should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

01.26.25 - Small Group Discussion

Rooted In Your Purpose

You were made for more.

  • Tell us about a time when you felt time slipping away from you. What did that make you want to do?

Read:  James 4:13-14

  • How are you assessing your success or failure in life?

  • How does this world turn your attention toward wealth?

Read:  James 4:15-17

  • What are some important investments you’ve made?

  • If you took a step back and looked at your life, what would you say you’ve invested the most into? Family? Career? Wealth? Church? Something else?

Read: Matthew 28:18-20

  • How do you understand your purpose as a follower of Jesus?

  • Who is God asking you to invest in this week?

Read: Colossians 4:2-6

  • How can you prepare to “make the most of every opportunity”?

Pray: Ask God to bring someone to your attention who needs to hear the good news about Jesus. THEN, ask God for boldness to share!

01.19.25 - Small Group Discussion

A Rooted Church

Church is not something you go to. It’s something you are. 

  • What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of church?

Read:  Colossians 2:6-7

  • Based on our sermons last week and this week, how has your understanding of the term “rooted” changed?

  • What does it look like to be “rooted and built up” in Christ?

Read:  Acts 2:42-47

  • When have you confused the church building for the church?

  • What would it change if we all understood that the definition of “church” was “gathering of believers”?

  • Acts 2:42 has 4 primary practices of the church. What are they, and how are we – South Lansing Christian Church – doing at these?

  • How can you live out your identity as “person-of-the-church” rather than “church-attender” this week?

Pray: Ask God to help you see yourself as part of the church, rather than church-attender.

Seek | Study | Serve