07.24.22 - Small Group Discussion

Missions

• When you think of “Missions” what comes to your mind?

• In what ways has the kingdom work of SLCC affected you?

• Can you think of some examples of how Christians have made Missions work either too easy or too hard to do?

Read Acts 1:1-8

• When it comes down to it, Missions is going and telling people about Jesus. When was the last time you did that? How was it?

• Eric spent some time, describing the different levels or circles of missions needed in God’s kingdom. Which circle is the easiest for you? Which is the hardest for you? Why?

Read Acts 2:42-47

• How can you be a part of what SLCC is doing to make our community like the one in Acts 2:42-47?

• The main point of the sermon on Sunday was “For Christians, Kingdom work isn’t an option; It’s Essential.” Armed with this new definition of kingdom work, where do you need to step up when it comes to Kingdom work?

• In what ways, can you help others, or need to be helped yourself to be a better Kingdom Worker?

Small Group leaders consider sharing what your group discusses here with the leadership of South so that we can better help you and your small group serve those around you.

07.17.22 - Small Group Discussion

High Ratings

In God’s Kingdom, people are rated differently.

• Share a time when someone discounted you without really knowing who you are.

• Do you struggle with rating or ranking people according to what they can do for you?

Read: Luke 18:9-10

• What have you heard about Pharisees and about tax collectors in the Bible?

Read: Luke 18:11-12

• Have you ever encountered someone like that Pharisee? How about this: have you ever been like that Pharisee?

Read: Luke 18:13-14

• What are the implications of Jesus’ words in v. 14? When do you think this exalting and humbling will take place?

Read: Luke 18:15-17

• Do you find it easy or difficult to go out of your way for others? Why is that?

• How do you see South Lansing Christian Church fulfilling this call to welcome everyone, no matter what they can do for us?

• How can our church do better in this area? What are you going to do to help us be better?

Prayer: Pray for a moment of inconvenience this week, in which you are forced to go out of your way to help someone who can’t pay you back.

07.10.22 - Small Group Discussion

Wise Investment

How you spend reveals what you believe.

• What stood out to you from Mike’s interview on Sunday?

Read: Luke 12:13-15

• Has your family ever experienced an estate settlement or inheritance dispute. How did that go?

• In your opinion, what motivates these kinds of disagreements?

Read: Luke 12:16-20

• In this parable, what are all the ways in which the rich fool focuses on himself?

• What do you think of God’s response to him?

Read: Luke 12:21

• Would you say it’s easy or difficult for you to be “rich toward God?” Why is that?

Read: Luke 12:22-26

• What are the financially-related things that cause you worry?

• Is it possible to follow Jesus’ instruction to “not worry” about these things?

Read: Luke 12:32-34

• Do your financial practices show that you are a follower of Jesus?

Prayer: Pray that we can boldly proclaim Christ by how we spend our money.

07.03.22 - Small Group Discussion

Stories of the Church - Kingdom Gardening

Faith that lasts is faith that holds on.

Leaders note: If you haven’t yet had a chance to view Debbi’s interview, take a moment to do so with your group HERE.

• What stood out to you from Debbi’s interview?

Read: Luke 8:4-8

• Have you read or heard this parable before? What questions do you have about it?

Read: Luke 8: 9-10

• What do you think of Jesus’ statement here? It does seem a bit exclusionary!

• Have you ever felt like your faith makes you seem a bit unhinged to non-Christians? How do you deal with that?

Read: Luke 8:11-15

• Where do you see yourself in this story? What kind of seed have you been?

• In this parable, those who are good seed “cling” to God’s word, and “patiently” endure. What does that look like on a practical level?

• How can our church be one that sows seeds? What do YOU need to do to make that happen?

Prayer: Pray that our church would find creative ways to sow the seeds of the Gospel in our South Lansing communities.

06.26.22 - Small Group Discussion

Growing the Next Generation 

We must continue to grow the faith of the next generation. 

• Who was a role model to you when you were young?

• How did their influence shape you?  Share some stories.

Read: Luke 2:39-40

• Wally said on Sunday that Jewish boys started learning/memorizing the Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) around age 6.  And they had it all memorized with the Prophets by age 12.  Do you think that is something you could do?

• If we had a system in place, could our younger students do something like that?  What would hold us back?

• If we didn’t want to get that crazy, what are things you think the kids should learn?

Read: Luke 2:41-52

• Why were Jesus and his family in Jerusalem? 

• Look up some other times on your phone/internet when the Israelites were supposed to travel to Jerusalem for a festival.

• How would you as a parent reacted in this situation as a parent losing a child?

• Why do you think Jesus responded the way he did?

• Wally made the statement: How are you influencing/shaping/impacting this current young generation?  (It is not a yes or no question)  Who are you influencing?

• Share a name or two of who you are going to lean into and write them in your journal to pray over.

Prayer: God, help us to model the example we see in Scripture and the examples we see in South.  Pray for each of the names shared in the group.

06.19.22 - Small Group Discussion

You + Your Parents, Round 2

It takes self-sacrifice to honor your parents.

• What rating would you give your parents on their job performance? Are they good parents? Do they fall into the “disinterested” category?

• What rating do you think Jacob’s kids would have given him?

Read: Genesis 43:15-28

• At this point, Joseph still hadn’t revealed himself to his brothers. Why do you think that is?

Read: Genesis 44:1-17

• So Joseph concocted this scheme to detain Benjamin and send the rest of the brothers home. By that point, both Reuben and Judah has promised their father to watch out for Benjamin. How would you have felt if you were them?

• After all that Jacob had put his family through, was he worthy of respect?

Read: Genesis 44:30-33

• In this story, Judah honored his father by offering himself in the place of Benjamin. What do you see as his primary motivation for this action?

• How can you honor a parent who has acted in ways that are not worthy of your respect?

Read/Recite: Galatians 5:22-23

• Which fruit have you noticed the Holy Spirit growing fruit in you over the last 8 weeks?

Prayer: Pray that you would see God would grow selflessness and goodness in each of your lives this week.

06.12.22 - Small Group Discussion

You + Your Kids, Round 2

Every kid deserves to be fully loved

• Who’s the favorite in your family?

• Have you ever been harmed by someone playing favorites? What was that like?

Read: Genesis 42:1-5

• Can you see any justifications for Jacob’s preferential treatment of Benjamin?

Read: Genesis 42:6-13

• At this point, Jacob’s sons don’t know they’re talking to their brother. How would you have felt if you were in their shoes? 

Read: Genesis 42:14-20

• What’s your take on Joseph here? Some think he was justifiably testing his brothers. Some think he was tormenting them. How do you understand this situation?

Read: Genesis 42:29-38

• Jacob obviously played favorites. From your understanding of the story, in what ways did that harm his family?

• On Sunday, Walter said that every kid deserves to be fully loved, and that you can do that by making sure they’re fully known, fully celebrated, and fully guided. Which of those three things is your family best at?

• [FOR PARENTS]: If you’re a parent, what can you do to help your kids know they’re loved this week?

Prayer: Pray that your small group can generously love others without showing preference or favoritism.

Bonus: Read James 2:1-9 and discuss.

06.05.22 - Small Group Discussion

You + Your Spouse, Round 2

Sex beyond marriage brings brokenness, but God can restore broken sexuality.

• Did your parents ever have “the sex talk” with you? How’d that go?

• How do you feel about discussing sex in church?

• On Sunday, Walter said that “our church believes that God’s plan is for marriage to be between one man and one woman for life. We also believe that the only appropriate place for sexual activity is within this covenantal marriage relationship.” What is your reaction to these statements?

Read: Genesis 38:6-13

• The practice of marrying a widow to her husband’s brother in order to carry on the family lineage is known as levirate marriage. Had you heard of the practice before Sunday?

Read: Genesis 38:14-23

What’s your take on this section of Scripture?

Read: Genesis 38:24-26

• Where else in the Bible do you see Scripture teach this truth: sex beyond marriage brings brokenness, but God can restore broken sexuality.

• Have you ever been in an accountable relationship with another believer? If so, how has that worked out for you? If not, what’s holding you back?

Prayer: Pray for each other to find support as you each work toward sexual integrity.

 Accountability Form

05.29.22 - Small Group Discussion

You + Your Siblings, Round 2

Peace in your family start with forgiveness.

• Do you have a special connection with one or more of your siblings? Describe it!

• On Sunday, Walter said, “Those who know you best also know how to best hurt you.” Have you found that to be true?

Read: Genesis 37:1-4

• What do you think of the situation between Joseph and his brothers? In your opinion, who was right and who was wrong?

Read: Genesis 37:5-8

• If you were one of Joseph’s brothers, how would you have reacted to these dreams?

Read: Genesis 37:18-20

• If you are willing, share a time when frustration in your family boiled over into active conflict.

Read: Matthew 5:22 and I John 3:15

• What’s your response to these two verses?

• Walter shared that forgiveness is a choice to give up anger and retaliation, that it doesn’t depend on emotion, and that it only requires one person. Does that sound reasonable to you?

Prayer: Pray for the members of your group to freely give and receive forgiveness.

05.22.22 - Small Group Discussion

You + Your Kids

 We need to keep God at the Center so we can teach the next generation to be faithful 

• What are some things your parents purposely taught you?

• What are some things they taught you that they didn’t necessarily want to?

Read: Deuteronomy 6:1-3

• What is the fear of the Lord?  Why is it good?

• What are the promises given for those who keep the decrees and obey?

• Why does God want obedience?

Read: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

• What are some practical ways you can love God with your heart, soul, and strength?

• What are some practical ways we can do the commands to help the next generation learn how to be obedient?

• What are some things similar to the phylacteries and mezuzahs that we can do to keep God more present in our day to day lives?

Read: Galatians 5:19-23

• On Sunday, Wally challenged us to think deep about the bad list in Galatians.  What are the things that we need to stop doing?  If you feel safe enough, share with your group and then take some time and pray for one another

• How are you going to carry out these changes?

Prayer:  Pray that you have a desire to move God closer to the center of your life so you have a better chance of helping the next generation be obedient to God.

05.15.22 - Small Group Discussion

You + Your Siblings

God is the hero of your family’s story.

• Share a favorite story that your family tells at family gatherings.

• Does your family’s history have more heroes or more villains?

Read: Genesis 32:3-5

• What do you think of Jacob’s plan to “test the waters” here with Esau?

Read: Genesis 32:6-8

• Have you or one of your family members ever been estranged from the family? How did you deal with that?

Read: Genesis 32:9-12

• What areas of your life do you try to control the most?

• How do you see God being the hero in this story?

Read: Genesis 33:1-4

• On Sunday, Walter encouraged us to “start with prayer, and then live in patience.”

• When it comes to your family – and especially your siblings, how easy is it for you to be patient?

Read: Galatians 5:16-21

• How good of a job are you doing at letting the Holy Spirit guide your life?

• In what family relationship do you most need patience to grow?

Prayer: Pray for the Holy Spirit to continue to grow his fruit in your family relationships this week.

05.08.22 - Small Group Discussion

You + Your Spouse

 Honoring your parents begins with honesty.

• What’s your relationship like with your parents? Or, if your parents are no longer with us, what is something valuable that you learned from them?

• What do you think it means to honor someone?

Read: Genesis 31:1-4

• Have you experienced a breakdown of relationship because of dishonesty? What was that like?

Read: Genesis 31:14-20

• What do you think of Jacob’s, Leah’s, and Rachel’s character here? What about the way they treated their father?

Read: Genesis 31:25-28

• When Laban caught up to his family, he expressed his frustration at their flight. Do you feel like he was justified?

Read: Genesis 31:48-50

• On Sunday, Walter said that, “Dishonesty in a relationship is only ever going to be temporary.” Have you found that to be true or not?

• How can honesty be part of honoring your parents? Do you need to have a conversation with them?

Read: Galatians 5:22-23

• We’re focusing on faithfulness this week , which in Galatians 5 Walter said was linked to fidelity, or to being trustworthy.

• What can you do to be a more faithful person this week in your relationship with others, and especially with your parents?

Prayer: Go around your group and pray for each person to grow in honesty and faithfulness.

05.01.22 - Small Group Discussion

You + Your Spouse

Marriage should not be transactional

• What do you know of the story of Jacob, his two wives, and his twelve sons

Read: Genesis 29:16-20

• Can you imagine working seven years to get the right to marry someone? What do you think that was like for Jacob?

Read: Genesis 29:21-30

• How would you have reacted if you were in Jacob’s shoes?

Read: Genesis 29:31-35

• Here, and up through Genesis 30:24, the conflict between Jacob and his wives escalates into a series of back-and-forth score keeping. Have you experienced a relationship that devolved into a series of transactions? How did things turn out?

• On Sunday, Walter said that instead of score keeping, marriage should be defined by love. What’s your definition of love?

• Love, from a Biblical understanding, is putting another person’s highest good above your own. If you are married, what can you do to love your spouse this week? If you are not married, what can you do to love your parents, your siblings, or those around you this week?

Read: Galatians 5:22-23

• What does it look like to invite the Holy Spirit to grow this fruit in you?

• We’re challenging everyone to transcribe Galatians 5:22-23 one time each day this week. How’s that been going for you? What have you noticed?

Prayer: Ask God’s Holy Spirit to help you grow love in your relationships with others over the next seven days.

04.17.22 - Small Group Discussion

Glad Tidings of Easter (4.17.22)

God is FOR you. 

• Share a time when you thought that someone was against you, but were either not ani-you, or were actually for you.

Read: Matthew 28:1-4

• How do you think the two Mary’s felt as they walked toward the tomb that Sunday morning?

• Have you ever felt like God was against you, or was unhappy with you?

Read: Matthew 28:5-10

• The angel told the women to “come and see,” and then to “go and tell.”

• Share a moment when you’ve seen God work in your life.

• Who have you told about Jesus and his church?

• What do you do to regularly remember Jesus, his sacrifice, and his resurrection for you? What might you need to start doing?

Read: Romans 8:31-34

• How many things in this passage are described as being done “for us?” Discuss each one.

• How confident are you that God is for you?

Prayer: Thank Jesus for his sacrifice and resurrection, as they prove that God is for us.

04.10.22 - Small Group Discussion

Immerse Chronicles - Being True to God

Your identity doesn’t have to change even if your circumstances do.

• What are some identities that you’ve had in your life? What are some you have now?

Read: Daniel 1:1-7

• There is so much going on in this scene, and all of it brutally painful. Where do you see God in this scene?

• Last week Frank said that God works through world leaders – even pagan kings like Nebuchadnezzar. Do you find that troubling? Why or why not?

• Are there instances where you’ve seen God at work in your life through unlikely people? Share that with your group.

Read: Daniel 1:21

• Daniel was faithful to God throughout 66 years, serving seven different emperors. As you’ve read Daniel this week, what are some instances where you saw Daniel’s faithfulness?

• What can you learn from Daniel’s example?

Apply: Frank talked about three kinds of identity. Which of these do you identify with?

Saturation identity – your identity is wrapped up in something that is external to your core. A hobby. An occupation. A leisure pursuit.

Situation identity – your identity changes based on who you’re with or where you’re at.

Salvation identity – your core identity is based in who God says you are: his child, a follower of Jesus.

Prayer: Pray that God will help you find contentment in your core identity as His child.

04.03.22 - Small Group Discussion

Immerse Chronicles - God is always at work 

• Has there been a time in your life when you felt like God was absent? Or silent? If so, share that with your group.

Read: Esther 2:1-20

• What, if anything, do you find troubling about Esther’s story?

• Try to bridge the context from Esther’s day to our own. Where do you see powerful people mistreating the weak and vulnerable?

Read: Esther 3-4:3

• Who are the “Hamans” in our world today?

• Where is God in this story?

Read: Esther 4:4-14

• Esther risked her life to go before the King. What does that say about the kind of person she was?

• Focus on verse 14. Is there some special purpose for which God has prepared you and placed you where/when you are in time?

Read: Romans 8:28

• Why does it take such faith to believe God will work things out for our good?

• God is always working, but sometimes it is difficult to see Him working or sense His presence. Why is that?

Prayer: Pray that God will strengthen your faith so that, even when you cannot see Him, or sense His presence, you will continue to trust that He is at work.

03.27.22 - Small Group Discussion

Immerse Chronicles - If you want to get things done, pray! 

• What is your biggest burden right now, the thing you find yourself praying about the most?

Read: Nehemiah 1:4

• Why do we so often see fasting connected with prayer in scripture?

• In your personal experience, what other spiritual disciplines have you found to be closely connected to the spiritual discipline of prayer?

Read: Nehemiah 2:4-5

• How does prayer inspire boldness?

Read: Nehemiah 4:4-9

• Nehemiah “prayed against” those who attacked him as he worked to fulfill God’s purpose. What is your reaction to this kind of “offensive” prayer?

• Nehemiah prayed, and Nehemiah guarded the city. There is, apparently, some balance between prayer and work. Do we struggle with that balance? If so, how?

• St. Ignatius of Loyola said, “Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.” React to that.

Read: Philippians 4:6-7

• How have you found this text to be true in your life?

Prayer: Spend some time sharing with each other about the things that are causing you anxiety in these turbulent days. Then spend some time praying for one another.

03.20.22 - Small Group Discussion

Immerse Chronicles - God governs the nations

• How’s your Immerse reading and journaling going? Do you have any tips that have helped you make it part of your daily routine?

Read: 2 Chronicles 36:22-23

• How do you feel about the fact that God “stirred the heart of Cyrus?” What do you think that experience might have been like for the king?

Read: Ezra 1:5-7

• If you were a Jew returning from exile to your city, what emotions might you have felt?

Read: Ezra 6:6-10

God used the actions of secular world powers to accomplish the judging and restoration of his people, and to pave a way toward Jesus. Today, God still maintains sovereignty over the nations of our world.

• Do you find that easy or difficult to believe?

• How can that knowledge give you hope?

Walter encouraged us to respond to God’s sovereignty over a world that is clouded by sin in three ways:

1. Lament over the brokenness of our world and our helplessness to solve its problems.

2. Shift our perspective to salvation in Jesus alone.

3. Pray for our sisters and brothers and for the oppressed caught up in violence and conflict.

• How can you practice Lament/Shift/Prayer this week?

Prayer: We’re going to try something different today! Psalm 102 contains elements of Lament, Shift, and Prayer. As a group, pray through Psalm 102 together. Assign different people different verses or sections, and then pray together, using the words of the Psalm to direct your prayer.

Leaders Note: We prayed three prayers during Sunday’s service – a prayer of lament, a prayer of perspective shift, and a prayer for God to protect the oppressed and those caught up in the conflict in Ukraine. Feel free to use these prayers in your group gathering, or to challenge your people to pray them during the week:

Lament: “God, we are trapped in a broken world. We see suffering all around us. We are sorry for the hurt we inevitably cause with our actions. Father, we need healing, we need peace, we need you. In Jesus name we pray.”

Shift: “Jesus, you alone are our savior. You are our true King. Let your Kingdom come, and let your will be done in our lives. We are your citizens. We give you our allegiance. We place our faith in you. It is in your name that we pray.”

Pray:  “God, we know you govern the nations, and we affirm your sovereignty over all things in this world. We pray for our brothers and sisters caught in the conflict in Ukraine. We pray for an easing of the suffering, and for protection of the resources and people offering aid in this conflict. Father, our only hope is in you. It is in the name of Jesus, your Son, we pray.”

03.13.22 Small Group Discussion

Immerse Chronicles - Forgotten God

Our Faith is determined by what we value.

• When your values don’t line up with those that you work for, everyone suffers. Have you ever been asked to do something that didn’t line up with your values? Tell us about that experience and how you responded?

• Was there any fallout or lasting damages from that experience?

Read: 1 Chronicles 13:1-8

• David appeared to do everything right as he prepared to move the Ark of the Covenant. Which of his preliminary steps seem most important to you?

Read: Read 2 Chronicles 28:1-25

• Where do you see Ahaz’s values not lining up with God values?

• Do you have any values that don’t line up with God’s values?

Read: Read 2 Chronicles 31:20-21. 

• Hezekiah faith is shown through his actions as king, what actions are you taking that show your faith in God?

• Where in your life do you see any less than Godly values directing your actions?

• What is harder for you, destroying deterrents or living loyally?

• What are some areas in your life where you could invest more of your time, talent, or treasure to show your faith in God?

Prayer: Pray that God reveals any areas of your life or values that don’t match up with His.

Bonus: Which of the kings in 2 Chronicles 14-30 do you think is the worst of them all and why?

03.06.22 - Small Group Discussion

Immerse Chronicles - The Best Advice You Can Give Your Children

Your advice amounts to nothing without Jesus.

• What is a great bit of advice you recall getting from your parents, or giving to a child?

Read: 1 Chronicles 28:1-7

• Has there been a time you felt certain God was telling you, “No”? How did you handle that?

• Have you ever struggled with seeing someone else get an assignment from God that you wanted? How did you handle that?

Read: 1 Chronicles 28:8

• What is the relationship between obedience and God’s favor? Put another way, why is God’s favor so closely tied to obedience?

Read: 1 Chronicles 28:9-10

Frank identified five principles in these verses for us to observe:

1. Get to know God intimately.

2. Worship God with a whole heart and mind.

3. Serve God with a whole heart and mind.

4. Practice consistent faithfulness.

5. Don’t become discouraged in the work to which God has called you.

• Do you struggle with any of these? Talk about how you can better live out them out.

Read: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

• If the church is God’s Temple, how can we collectively practice these principles?

Prayer: Pray that God will help you develop the discipline and right priorities to live these principles out.