01.08.23 - Small Group Discussion

Take This Job

“Followers of Jesus give up their vocation.” 

• Have you made any resolutions for 2023? How are they going for you?

• Typically, are you someone who gives up easily, or who sees things through?

Read: Matthew 4:18-20

• What do you think of Jesus’ call to these two men? Be honest: how would you have responded to it?

Read: Matthew 4:21-22

• When Peter and Andrew were called, they gave up the family business, stability, social expectations, and an income. What have you given up for Jesus?

• Are you familiar with the term “vocation?” How would you define it?

Read: Colossians 3:23-24 and discuss its implications with your group.

• What other Bible passages support your conclusions about these two verses?

Challenge: We’re challenging all of our people to read along with the church, using the plan available on the Bible App. All the details, as well as links to get connected to our plan are available HERE. Please encourage your group to read along with you!

Pray: Pray for opportunities for your group members to live out their vocation as “disciple of Jesus,” in their workplaces this week.

12.25.22 - Small Group Discussion

Christmas Presence  -  PEACE

• What does “peace” mean to you?

• Share a time when you felt a distinct lack of peace in your life.

Read: Luke 2:8-9

• How would you have felt if you had been a shepherd, witnessing the angel and hearing the announcement of Jesus’ birth?

Read: Luke 2:10-12 & Isaiah 9:6

• What stands out to you about these titles for Jesus?

Read: Luke 2:13-14

• What was so good to the shepherds about the news they were hearing?

• How is the news about Jesus good news for you?

• What’s your favorite Christmas movie? How is Home Alone the best Christmas movie? 😄

• How has God brought peace to your life?

Read: Ephesians 2:14-17

• With whom do you need to seek peace this holiday season?

Pray: Have group members pray in pairs for each other to experience God’s peace this week.

12.11.22 - Small Group Discussion

Christmas Presence

The light has come into this world because of God’s love.

• What is your favorite part of the nativity story of Jesus?  Do you like the stuff that happens before he is born—visits of angels to Joseph and Mary?  Mary’s visit to her cousin?  The actual story of his birth in a stable?  Or maybe it’s the angels and the shepherds?

• The Gospel of John doesn’t seem to care about all of that. 

Read:  John 1:1-14

• What is John concerned about?

• How does our world show the darkness that he talks of?

• Does it surprise you that this is fitting for us today, even though John is writing 2000 years ago?

• How does the statement in v 14 give you hope?  Why is God crazy enough to continue to chase after this creation?

Read: John 3:16-21

• Would you say you lean more towards being judgmental of people or being grace filled towards people?

• God’s love shows us….

• How does God’s love challenge you?  What do you need to change?  How do you need to love others differently?

Pray: Lord, help us to be in awe of the Love you have for us.  Draw our eyes from the world to the son.

12.04.22 - Small Group Discussion

Christmas Presence  -  HOPE  

• What is your definition of hope? How did you arrive at that definition?

• What is your experience with hope? Has it been good for you? Has it let you down?

 Read: Romans 15:4.

• Paul seems to think that one of scriptures main purposes is to motivate us and give us hope. Do you think that is true? How have you experienced scripture giving you hope this year?

Read: Romans 8:18-24.

• All of creation waits for God to completely fulfill his promises. Is there anything that you are really looking forward to when God returns?

Read: Luke 1:26-45.

• How would you respond to knowing that God would use you to fulfill his promise to creation?

Read: The Christian hope is not a cheap hope. It is not immature hope which is optimistic because it does not see the difficulties and has not the experiences of life… The Christian hope has seen everything and endured everything, and still has not despaired, because It believes in God. It Is not hope In the human spirit, In human goodness, In human achievement; It Is hope In the power of God.” – William Barclay

• What part of this description of Hope stand out to you the most and why?

Pray: Lord, allow us to look to you for our hope. Help us to be people of hope here and now.

11.27.22 - Small Group Discussion

Settled (11.27.22)

God calls us to trust in him because he is Creator and Savior.

• What has been your favorite book to read during our journey through Poets?

• Which book has challenged you the most?

Read:  Read Job 1

• Would you be able to stay humble if you were blessed like Job?

• If you were in Job’s shoes, how would you respond to the suffering that God allowed?

• Would you be able to worship like Job?  Why or why not?

Read: Job 31:35-37

• Knowing all that Job has gone through, do you think he is justified calling out God like he does in this passage?  Why?

• Have you ever been this enraged at God? Did your anger pass?  How did it subside?

Read: Job 38 to 41—any parts

• Of the things God says, what do you marvel at most?

• How do all of these things help you to trust God?

• In light of Job, how can you have more trust in God now?

The following questions are from the Immerse Poets book, and will be the same each week. They cover that week’s reading:

What stood out to you this week?

Was there anything confusing or troubling?

Did anything make you think differently about God?

How might this change the way we live?

Prayer: Pray the Immerse prayer this week. It’s found inside the front cover of your Immerse: Poets book.

11.20.22 - Small Group Discussion

United

If you want to please God, seek unity.

• What is your favorite holiday?

• How have you experienced holidays bringing the people in your life together?

Read: Psalm 133

• What imagery in this psalm most captures your attention?

• In what ways does poetry teach?

Read: Galatians 3:27-28

• How is unity a sign to outsiders that God is working among us?

Read: Ephesians 4:1-4

• How do the behaviors in this passage lead to unity?

• What is one way you can seek unity among God’s people this week?

The following questions are from the Immerse Poets book, and will be the same each week. They cover that week’s reading:

What stood out to you this week?

Was there anything confusing or troubling?

Did anything make you think differently about God?

How might this change the way we live?

Prayer: Pray the Immerse prayer this week. It’s found inside the front cover of your Immerse: Poets book.

11.13.22 - Small Group Discussion

Numbered

Life is but a breath.

• What is something you’ve had to do and redo and redo again? How is life sometimes like an endless treadmill?

Read: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

• Where do you see yourself in these verses? What have you found to be “meaningless?”

Read: Ecclesiastes 5:10-11, 6:1-2

• How does wealth fail us?

Read: Ecclesiastes 7:15-18

• How does wisdom fail us?

Read: Ecclesiastes 4:13-16

• How does power fail us?

Read: Ecclesiastes 3:11-13

• What can you do to find meaning in life?

Read: Ecclesiastes 12:1-4

• How can God provide ultimate meaning and hope?

The following questions are from the Immerse Poets book, and will be the same each week. They cover that week’s reading:

• What stood out to you this week?

• Was there anything confusing or troubling?

• Did anything make you think differently about God?

• How might this change the way we live?

Prayer: Pray the Immerse prayer this week. It’s found inside the front cover of your Immerse: Poets book.

11.06.22 - Small Group Discussion

Numbered

Life is brief. Your days are numbered.

• Did you ever think about “the olden days” when you were a kid? In your mind, what was the world like then?

• How do you find peace in the inevitable march of time?

Read: Psalm 90:1-2

• How does God’s eternal nature give you hope?

Read: Psalm 90:3-6

• When have you been confronted with the brevity of life?

Read: Psalm 90:7-11

• In what ways does the picture of God in the OT – complete with images of wrath and fury – give us a fuller understand of who he is?

Read: Psalm 90:12

• How does understanding the brevity of life lead you to wisdom?

Read: Psalm 90:13-17

• Describe a time when you knew that God was making your efforts successful.

The following questions are from the Immerse Poets book, and will be the same each week. They cover that week’s reading:

• What stood out to you this week?

• Was there anything confusing or troubling?

• Did anything make you think differently about God?

• How might this change the way we live?

Prayer: Pray the Immerse prayer this week. It’s found inside the front cover of your Immerse: Poets book.

10.30.22 - Small Group Discussion

Offended

Avoiding the scandal of Scripture obscures the truth.

• Is your family generally open about everything, or more closed off when it comes to difficult or uncomfortable conversations?

• What experience do you have with the Song of Songs?

Read: Song of Songs 1:1-4

• How do you feel about the fact that there’s love poetry and innuendo in our Scriptures?

Read: Song of Songs 4:9-10

• Are you familiar with the hierarchy of different kinds of love that Christians sometimes promote (romantic, friendly, family, godly)? How do you understand the different aspects of love?

• What is God’s view of romance?

Read: Song of Songs 8:6-7

• How is romantic love both powerfully good and powerfully dangerous?

• What can you do to embrace all of Scripture, not just your favorite sections?

The following questions are from the Immerse Poets book, and will be the same each week. They cover that week’s reading:

What stood out to you this week?

Was there anything confusing or troubling?

Did anything make you think differently about God?

How might this change the way we live?

Prayer: Pray the Immerse prayer this week. It’s found inside the front cover of your Immerse: Poets book.

10.23.22 - Small Group Discussion

Wisdom

The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge

• Wally mentioned Mr. Palmer this Sunday.  He was always quick with a good dad joke.  What is the best dad joke you have ever heard?

• What is the worst one—if you even remember it?

• Who is someone you have a respect/reverence for?

Read: Proverbs 1:1-7

• What are proverbs good for per this passage?

Proverbs 1:7

Proverbs 1:29

Proverbs 2:5

Proverbs 3:7

Proverbs 8:13

Proverbs 9:10

Proverbs 10:27

Proverbs 14:2

Proverbs 14:16

Proverbs 14:26

Proverbs 14:27

Proverbs 15:16

Proverbs 15:33

Proverbs 16:6

Proverbs 19:23

Proverbs 22:4

Proverbs 23:17

Proverbs 24:21

Proverbs 29:25

Proverbs 31:30

• Above are all the other references to Fear of the Lord in Proverbs.  Look at some as a group and discuss what other aspects of Fearing the Lord Solomon talks about.

• How do you need to change to allow the “fear of the Lord” awe/reverence for God to increase?

The following questions are from the Immerse Poets book, and will be the same each week. They cover that week’s reading:

• What stood out to you this week?

• Was there anything confusing or troubling?

• Did anything make you think differently about God?

• How might this change the way we live?

Prayer: Pray the Immerse prayer this week. It’s found inside the front cover of your Immerse: Poets book.

10.16.22 - Small Group Discussion

Mourned

Faith is not a solo sport.

• What’s been good for you so far this fall?

• What’s been difficult?

Read: Lamentations 5:1-7

• How do you deal with suffering and evil as a Christian? Are Christians supposed to be happy all the time? How do you know that?

Read: Lamentations 5:8-14

• The chaos and pain felt by each of these groups of people was overwhelming. Has there been a time in your life when you’ve been overwhelmed by grief? How did you cope?

Read: Lamentations 5:15-18

• These verses paint a poignant picture of grief. If you had to describe the experience of grief, what would you say?

Read: Lamentations 5:19-20

• Lamentations gives no easy answers to human suffering. We learn from it that God doesn’t expect us to keep silent about our pain or our grief. Hebrews 4:14-16 has the other side of this story. How does it provide comfort?

The following questions are from the Immerse Poets book, and will be the same each week. They cover that week’s reading:

• What stood out to you this week?

• Was there anything confusing or troubling?

• Did anything make you think differently about God?

• How might this change the way we live?=

Prayer: Pray the Immerse prayer this week. It’s found inside the front cover of your Immerse: Poets book.

10.09.22 - Small Group Discussion

Planted

A life that endures is rooted in God’s word.

• What’s your favorite plant? What makes it your favorite?

Read: Psalm 1:1

• How do you feel about the labels used in this verse?

Read: Psalm 1:2

• How well do you do at reflecting on Scripture “day and night”?

Read: Psalm 1:3-6

• How do you understand the different pictures of the righteous and the wicked presented by this psalm?

• How much to you interact with the Bible on a given week? What is something you can do to spend more time with it?

The following questions are from the Immerse Poets book, and will be the same each week. They cover that week’s reading:

• What stood out to you this week?

• Was there anything confusing or troubling?

• Did anything make you think differently about God?

• How might this change the way we live?

Prayer: Pray the Immerse prayer this week. It’s found inside the front cover of your Immerse: Poets book.

09.25.22 - Small Group Discussions

SERVE

A life of service demonstrates that you’ve met Jesus.

• Tell us about your favorite set of clothing. Is it an old shirt that you’ve overworn? Is it fancy formalwear that you’ve worn to special events? What makes it your favorite?

• Have you ever felt out of place because of what you were wearing? What was that like?

Read: Colossians 3:1-4

• If you had to describe “new life in Christ,” what would you say it is?

Read: Colossians 3:5-9

• What is something you’ve “put off” from your life before Christ?

Read: Colossians 3:10-15

• How can you put on the following:

  • Mercy?

  • Kindness?

  • Humility?

  • Gentleness?

  • Patience?

  • Forgiveness?

  • Love?

Read: Colossians 3:16-17

• How are you doing at serving God? Does your life demonstrate that you’ve met Jesus? Do you represent him well?

Prayer: Pray that your group members will grow to serve God well in their personal lives (1to1) and with their church family (together).

09.18.22 - Small Group Discussion

STUDY 

Everyone is studying something.

• Are you academically minded, or not? How’d you feel about school when you were a student?

• What’s your favorite source for advice and inspiration? (examples could be books, youtube, etc.)

• How are “seek, study, serve,” more than just self-help advice?

Read: I Peter 3:15

• How ready do you feel to explain your hope in Jesus Christ to those who are not Christians?

Read: Colossians 3:1-2

• How much do you think about the things of heaven? How does that compare to the time you spend thinking about the things of this earth.

• What strategy can you take to set your mind on heavenly things?

Read: Colossians 3:4-5

• What does it look like to have “died to this life?” Just what exactly does Paul mean when he says, “your real life is hidden with Christ in God?”

Read: Colossians 3:16-17

• What do you do to “teach and counsel each other with the wisdom” Jesus gives?

• How are you doing at studying God in discipling relationships and in small groups? What might you need to add?

Prayer: Pray that God will give your group members an inquisitive mind as you all study him this fall.

09.11.22 - Small Group Discussion

SEEK

Deeper faith starts with a heart that is seeking God.

• What is something you’re REALLY in to?

• How do you see yourself being driven further into whatever that is?

• What was it like when you first came to Jesus?

• In what ways have you been driven to go deeper in your faith since then?

Read: Mark 12:28

• Are you familiar with this passage? What do you think of the religious teacher’s question?

Read: Mark 12:29-31

• Summarize the two greatest commandments. How do they play out in life?

• Walter talked about what Jesus meant by “heart, soul, mind, and strength.” What did they mean to the people of Jesus’ day?

Read: Mark 12:32-33

• Where’s the connection between “heart, soul, mind, strength,” and “seek, study, serve?”

• What are some ways you can “seek God?” Which one will you do this week?

Leaders Note: This would be a good time to walk your group through the Next Step Cards. We will be using them for three weeks on Sundays and in our small groups.

Prayer: Pair up and pray that God will deepen your partner’s faith this fall.

08.28.22 - Small Group Discussion

And Then What?

Faith is taking the next step, even when you don’t have all the details.

• What was your takeaway from Tim’s story on Sunday? Were you around during the building process?

Read: Acts 28:17-20

• Paul wastes no time here in presenting the Gospel. Have you ever presented the Gospel to someone? What was that like?

Read: Acts 28:21-24

• Walter noted on Sunday that although God had performed miracles through Paul, in this situation, Scripture was deemed enough to bring about faith.

• Do you think it would be easier to believe if you witnessed a miracle?

• Why do you think God doesn’t do miracles more often?

Read: Acts 28:25-28

• What held the people back from believing in Jesus?

• How do you listen to God? What do you do when you want to hear from him?

Read: Acts 28:30-31

• “And then what??” What do you believe is next for our church?

Prayer: Pair up, and then pray for your partner to boldly take steps of faith, especially when they don’t have a clear understanding of how things will turn out.

08.21.22 - Small Group Discussion

What Story Will You Live

Write the next chapter in your faith story by allowing God to lead.

• What did you think of Miguel’s story on Sunday?  What parts of it do you relate to?  Have you ever surrendered something to God because you knew you had to?

Read: Acts 7:54 to 8:3

• How would you describe the most intimidating person you know? How you would compare that person to Paul?

• How would you respond in a situation like this?  Would you find yourself running and hiding or would you be bold?  Why?

• Why do you think the disciples react differently?

Read Acts 9:1-19

• Why do you think God cared about Saul/Paul?

• How would you feel if you were tasked the job of Ananias in this passage?

• What if Paul had walked into a gathering you were attending after he was converted.  Would you freak out or be graceful?

Read Acts 20:22-24

• How does Paul’s life and work challenge you?

• How does the life of those who went before here challenge you?

• What do you need to surrender to allow God control of YOUR whole life no matter what the cost?

• Where can you start?

Prayer: Pray for one another in your group.  Pray that you will be able to allow God to control your whole life.  Pray that your group mates will have boldness also.

08.14.22 - Small Group Discussion

The Search

Jesus is what you’re searching for.

• What did you think of Dan’s story on Sunday? Have you interacted with the Batdorff family in any way?

Read: Acts 16:16-18

• What does this situation teach us about the power of God?

Read: Acts 16:19-21

• How do you understand the discrepancy between what got Paul and Silas arrested, and what they were charged with before the city officials?

Read: Acts 16:22-24

• What is your general reaction when you face hardship? What hardships have you faced?

Read: Acts 16:25-29

• Did you catch verse 25? What were the other prisoners doing?

• What can you do to be a witness to others, even in the face of severe hardship?

Read Acts 16:30-34

• The Philippian jailer and his entire family found what they were searching for, and came to faith in Jesus that night.

• In what ways do you see people searching for hope/salvation/meaning?

• In what ways does Jesus satisfy all of those things, and more?

Prayer: Pray that God will enable the members of your group to boldly proclaim Christ by the way they act and speak – just as Paul and Silas did.

08.07.22 - Small Group Discussion

The Response

Followers of Jesus step in.

• What do you know about The Bystander Effect? Have you ever experienced it, on either side?

• On Sunday, Shirley shared a story of how SLCC has been a blessing to other believers in times of crisis. When else have you seen our church respond to emergencies in other places?

Read: Acts 11:19-21

• The first church’s mission expanded to include non-Jews. How would you have felt if you were a Jewish Christian? What makes it hard to accept people who are not like us?

Read: Acts 11:22-26

• In this passage, the church recognized what God was already doing among them. What kinds of changes or new things do you see God already beginning here at SLCC that we maybe have yet to get on board with?

Read: Acts 27-30

• The prophet Agabus warned of the coming famine, and the church responded by raising support for believers in Jerusalem. Are you aware of any churches around the country or around the world who may need our help?

• What are you going to do about it?

Read: Matthew 25:34-40

• Does this passage encourage you or convict you? Why? 

Prayer: Pray for your group to have an opportunity to meet a need together in Jesus’ name!

07.31.22 - Small Group Discussion

Careful Attention

Church should be the one place no one gets overlooked.

• Share a time when the church showed up for you or someone you know.

Read: Acts 6:1

• What does this verse tell us about the practice and priorities of the first Christians?

Read: Acts 6:2-4

• How do you feel about the Apostle’s response to this conflict?

• On Sunday, Walter said, “We ALL have a role to play in the church, but we don’t all play the same role.”

Read: I Corinthians 12:27-31.

• Where do you see yourself in this list?

Read: Acts 6:5-6

• What do you know about these seven people?

• Walter shared that the Greek word for “serve” in this passage is where we get our term “deacon.” How much do you know about the deacons’ ministry in our church?

• If church should be the one place no one gets overlooked, then we need to get to know our church!

• How well do you know the people in our congregation? What can you do to get to know some of them better?

• Of those you know, who needs help right now? What can you and your group do about that?

Read: Acts 6:7

• What will it take for God’s message to spread in the Lansing area, for the number of followers of Jesus here to increase, and for people of all faith backgrounds to come to Jesus?

Prayer: Pray for your group to have an opportunity to meet a need together in Jesus’ name!