Week of October 11th - Matthew 22

For Week 2 of our series, In the Shadow of the Cross, we’re talking about the time Jesus was in the temple and the religious leaders tried to trap him with a Roman coin. That account is found in Matthew 22:15-22, and we’ll discuss how Christians look beyond the disputes of this world.

To kick things off at your group, 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?”

Second, it’s important to share God’s truth with those around us. Your next question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Prepare to discuss Matthew 22:15-22

Before your group meets, text these passages out and ask your people to read them at least once.

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

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate each 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 October 4th - John 18&19

We’re starting a new series this week, entitled In the Shadow of the Cross. It’s a call for Christians to remember who they are in weeks ahead, as we move through a contentious election season. For this first sermon, we’ll be talking through John 18:28-19:12. Walter will preach on this text on Sunday, October 11th and his big idea is “Christians trust in a higher authority.” You’ll want to have your discussion on this text in the week leading up to the 11th.

To kick things off at your group, 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?”

Second, it’s important to share God’s truth with those around us. Your next question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Prepare to discuss John 18:28-19:8-12

Before your group meets, text these passages out and ask your people to read them at least once.

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

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate each 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 September 27 - Colossians 4

This week, Walter will be wrapping up our Back To series with a sermon on Colossians 4, entitled Back to: Expectancy. He’ll be focusing on verses 2-6 and talking about how Christians expect God to act. This sermon be delivered on Sunday, October 4th. You’ll want to have your discussion on the week leading up to it.

For group, to kick things off, 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?”

Second, it’s important to share God’s truth with those around us. Your next question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Prepare to discuss Colossians 4:2-6

Before your group meets, text these passages out and ask your people to read them at least once.

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

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate each 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 September 20 - Colossians 3

For sermon #3 in our series, Back To, Walter will be preaching from Colossians 3. Colossians 3 is interesting as it - in some ways - stands as a contrast to Colossians 2. There are clear instructions about what Christians should do and not do in this chapter, whereas Chapter 2 seems to stand against rules. This tension is worth discussing in your group! As far as timing goes, this sermon will be preaching on Sunday, September 27, so you’ll want to have your discussion in the week leading up to that.

For group, to kick things off, 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?”

Second, it’s important to share God’s truth with those around us. Your next question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Prepare to discuss Colossians 3:1-17

Before your group meets, text these passages out and ask your people to read them at least once.

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

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate each 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 September 13 - Colossians 2

We’re continuing in our series on the book of Colossians with a sermon delivered by Walter on Sunday, September 20. He’ll cover nearly all of Chapter 2 that morning, so feel free to discuss the entire chapter in your group. We recommend that you have this discussion during the week leading up to the 20th.

For group, to kick things off, 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?”

Second, it’s important to share God’s truth with those around us. Your next question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Prepare to discuss Colossians 2:6-29

Before your group meets, text these passages out and ask your people to read them at least once.

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

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate each 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 September 6 - Colossians 1

On Sunday, September 13, we’re launching our new series, Back To. Walter will be preaching, and we’ll be reading Colossians 1, focusing on verses 15-23, and talking about how Jesus is God’s gift to us.

For group, to kick things off, 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?”

Second, it’s important to share God’s truth with those around us. Your next question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Prepare to discuss Colossians 1:15-23

Before your group meets, text these passages out and ask your people to read them at least once.

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

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate each 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 August 23rd - Malachi

For the final week in our Prophets series, our intern Austin will be preaching from the book of Malachi. His text is Malachi 3:6-18, and he’ll be delivering this sermon on Sunday, August 30. You and your small group will want to talk about this in the week leading up to that Sunday.

To kick things off, 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?”

Second, it’s important to share God’s truth with those around us. Your next question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Prepare to discuss Malachi 3:6-18

Before your group meets, text these passages out and ask your people to read them at least once.

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

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate each 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 August 16th - Zechariah

On Sunday, August 23rd, Walter will be preaching from the book of Zechariah. Zechariah is a dense and confusing book, but it is also quoted in the New Testament and points directly to Jesus. Themes in this book are God’s faithfulness, human unfaithfulness, and the coming of the Messiah.

To kick things off, 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?”

Second, it’s important to share God’s truth with those around us. Your next question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Prepare to discuss Zechariah 1:1-6 AND/OR 7:1-10

Before your group meets, text these passages out and ask your people to read them at least once.

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

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate each 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 August 9th - Daniel

On Sunday, August 16th, Walter will be preaching from the prophet Daniel. His sermon is all about identity, and focuses on Daniel 1, as well as 1 Peter 2:9-17. You’ll want to discuss this text with your small group on the week leading up to the 16th.

To kick things off, 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?”

Second, it’s important to share God’s truth with those around us. Your next question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Prepare to discuss Daniel 1:1-8

Before your group meets, text these passages out and ask your people to read them at least once.

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

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate each 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 August 2nd - Joel

Walter is preaching for Week 10 of our Prophets series. He’ll be preaching from Joel 2:28-32 and Acts 2:12-40. The big idea of his sermon is “The first step in repentance is admitting you were wrong.” This sermon will be preaching on Sunday, August 9. You’ll want to discuss these texts with your group on the week leading up to that.

1. To kick things off, 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. Second, it’s important to share God’s truth with those around us. Your next question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Prepare to discuss Joel 2:28-32 and Acts 2:12-40

Before your group meets, text these passages out and ask your people to read them at least once.

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

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate each 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 July 26th - Ezekiel

Wally is continuing our Prophets series on Sunday, August 2nd, with a sermon on Ezekiel 36:24-32 . Ezekiel is the second-longest prophet, and there’s a lot of material to cover here. His message is also one of the stranger ones to read, and may be difficult for your people to interpret. Even so, we trust that God can work through your discussion!

1. To kick things off, 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. Second, it’s important to share God’s truth with those around us. Your next question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Prepare to discuss Ezekiel 36:24-32.

Before your group meets, text these passages out and ask your people to read them at least once.

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

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate each 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 July 19th - Obadiah 1-21

This coming Sunday, the 26th, Walter will be preaching from Obadiah. His big idea is “One day, God himself will make things right.” You’ll want to have your group read this text and then discuss it in the week leading up to the 26th. Obadiah is short - only 21 verses - so we’re sure you’re up to the task!

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. Second, it’s important to share God’s truth with those around us. Your next question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Prepare to discuss Obadiah 1-21

Before your group meets, text these passages out and ask your people to read them at least once.

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

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate each 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 July 12th - Lamentations 3

On Sunday, July 19th, Walter will be back with a sermon from Lamentations. Lamentations is a book of five poems examining the tragedy of the Jewish exile to Babylon. It is a troubling book, but its theological core is found in chapter 3. You’ll want to discuss that chapter with your small group on the week leading up to the 19th.

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. Second, it’s important to share God’s truth with those around us. Your next question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Prepare to discuss Lamentations 3

Before your group meets, text these passages out and ask your people to read them at least once.

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

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate each 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 July 5th - Jeremiah pt. 2

This Sunday July 12th, our Young Adults Minister, Eric Sheldon, will be preaching. He will continue our Prophets series with a sermon on Jeremiah 29:1-14. You’ll want to have your discussion during the week leading up to the 12th.

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. Second, it’s important to share God’s truth with those around us. Your next question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Prepare to discuss Jeremiah 29:1-14

Before your group meets, text these passages out and ask your people to read them at least once.

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

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate each 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 June 28 - Jeremiah

On Sunday, July 5th, Wally will be preaching from the prophet Jeremiah. His text is Jeremiah 3:12-4:4. You’ll want to have your group discussion this week, leading up to his sermon on the 5th.

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. Second, it’s important to share God’s truth with those around us. Your next question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Prepare to discuss Jeremiah 3:12-4:4.

Before your group meets, text these passages out and ask your people to read them at least once.

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

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate each 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 June 21 - Habakkuk

This coming Sunday, Walter will be preaching from the book of Habakkuk. Habakkuk had trouble understanding God’s action. How could a good God allow such destruction and evil to happen to his people? This is a question Christians continue to wrestle with today. Can God be good when there is such evil in this world?

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. Second, it’s important to share God’s truth with those around us. Your next question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Prepare to discuss Habakkuk 1:1-17

Before your group meets, text these passages out and ask your people to read them at least once.

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

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate each 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 June 14 - Isaiah

For Week 3 of our Prophets series, Walter will be preaching from Isaiah 6:1-13 and 11:1-5. Isaiah is a book of both judgement and hope, and the big idea of the sermon is that for Christians, hope does not end in defeat. This sermon will be preached on Sunday, June 21st.

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. Second, it’s important to share God’s truth with those around us. Your next question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Read through Isaiah 6:1-13 and 11:1-5

Before your group meets, text these passages out and ask your people to read them at least once.

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

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate each 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 June 7 - Micah 6:1-8

Walter is preaching week 2 of our series - Prophets - with a sermon from the book of Micah on June 14. He’ll focus on Micah 6:1-8, and you’ll want to discuss that text with your group 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. Second, it’s important to share God’s truth with those around us. Your next question before the read-through should be, “Who were you able to share with this week?”

Step 1: Assignment - Read through Micah 6:1-8

Before your group meets, text these passages out and ask your people to read them at least once.

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

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate each 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 May 31 - Hosea 1-3

Wally is kicking off our new summer series - Prophets - on June 7. He’ll be preaching from the book of Hosea. You’ll want to discuss this text with your small group in the week leading up to the 7th.

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 through Hosea 1-3

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

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

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate each 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 May 24 - What Does The Bible Teach About Origins?

On Sunday, May 31st, Walter will be addressing the topic of origins and the biblical creation account. Our church asked two questions concerning all of this:

1. “Why aren’t dinosaurs mentioned in the Bible?”

2. “What did God make the universe from?”

To work through these questions, the sermon will cover Genesis 1:1-2:3, asking, “What does the Bible really say about how God created everything? Your group should discuss the Genesis passage on the week before May 31st.

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 through Genesis 1:1-2:3

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

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

Step 3: Retell - Ask one or two people in your group to restate each 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.”