Conversation Questions:
Have you ever been helped by someone when you were in need? If yes, tell the story!
Scripture Questions:
Read Luke 10:26-37
What are some characteristics of The Robber?
What is The Robber concerned about? What motivates a robber?
What might be some characteristics of The Priest and the Levite?
What might The Priest and Levite be concerned with?
What scenario might The Priest and Levite be willing to help?
What are some characteristics of the Samaritan?
What is the Samaritan concerned about?
What motivates the Samaritan to help the beaten man?
Where do you think the desire for the Samaritan to do good come from?
In verse 28 Jesus says, "Do this and you will live." Now look at v. 37. According to v. 37 what is, "this" when Jesus says, "do this"?
Hopefully you answered, "Mercy".
Do you think you can "do" mercy without being merciful?
Is "doing" and "being" in this passage the same thing?
Heart Question:
Take a moment to think about what characteristics you have.
Are they a mixture of the Robber the priest and Levite and the Samaritan? What are they?
In order to make a difference in what you "do"(giving, using belonging for good, and spending time for good) what characteristics need to change?
Close in prayer.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
What Could Be Part 1: It's Not My Problem
“What Could Be?” Series (Joint series with CFC Churches)
November 7, 2010 “It’s Not My Problem!”
Group Study Questions
Introductory Questions:
Have you ever had anyone be a “Good Samaritan” for you?
Have you ever been a ‘Good Samaritan” for anyone else?
If so, what motivated you?
Have you ever declined an opportunity to be a Good Samaritan, and regretted it later?
What caused you to hesitate?
Bible Questions:
Read Luke 10: 25-29:
Why do you think the Religious Lawyer asked the question to Jesus in the first place?
Luke writes that the man “wanted to justify himself”, so he asked “Who is my neighbor?”
Why would someone who can answer correctly (vv. 27-28) want to justify himself?
Read Luke 10: 30-37
Jesus tells the story and has a Priest and a Levite be ‘the bad guys’. Why would He do this?
Why would 2 people who know all about God—His heart, His law, His commands—do what they did?
In what ways were the Priest and the Levite like the Religious Lawyer who was asking the question?
Jesus’ point was not only to teach the lawyer to ‘be nice to those around him’, but to show him that he had not ‘arrived’, and was still in need of God’s grace.
Why is it so easy for religious people to forget their need for God’s grace?
Read Matthew 23:23-28:
Why was Jesus so strong in his condemnation of the religious leaders?
What can that teach you, today?
Read 1 John 3:17-18:
John seems to assume that God’s love, if active in a person, would motivate them to be generous and compassionate.
Why can this be so hard?
How can we let God’s love show through us more?
Application Questions:
How does the story of the Good Samaritan—specifically the part about the Religious Lawyer, the Priest and the Levite, impact you?
In what ways have you been like them?
How (if at all) do you think God would want to change you?
What has to change in our hearts if we are to be more like the Good Samaritan?
November 7, 2010 “It’s Not My Problem!”
Group Study Questions
Introductory Questions:
Have you ever had anyone be a “Good Samaritan” for you?
Have you ever been a ‘Good Samaritan” for anyone else?
If so, what motivated you?
Have you ever declined an opportunity to be a Good Samaritan, and regretted it later?
What caused you to hesitate?
Bible Questions:
Read Luke 10: 25-29:
Why do you think the Religious Lawyer asked the question to Jesus in the first place?
Luke writes that the man “wanted to justify himself”, so he asked “Who is my neighbor?”
Why would someone who can answer correctly (vv. 27-28) want to justify himself?
Read Luke 10: 30-37
Jesus tells the story and has a Priest and a Levite be ‘the bad guys’. Why would He do this?
Why would 2 people who know all about God—His heart, His law, His commands—do what they did?
In what ways were the Priest and the Levite like the Religious Lawyer who was asking the question?
Jesus’ point was not only to teach the lawyer to ‘be nice to those around him’, but to show him that he had not ‘arrived’, and was still in need of God’s grace.
Why is it so easy for religious people to forget their need for God’s grace?
Read Matthew 23:23-28:
Why was Jesus so strong in his condemnation of the religious leaders?
What can that teach you, today?
Read 1 John 3:17-18:
John seems to assume that God’s love, if active in a person, would motivate them to be generous and compassionate.
Why can this be so hard?
How can we let God’s love show through us more?
Application Questions:
How does the story of the Good Samaritan—specifically the part about the Religious Lawyer, the Priest and the Levite, impact you?
In what ways have you been like them?
How (if at all) do you think God would want to change you?
What has to change in our hearts if we are to be more like the Good Samaritan?
Monday, November 1, 2010
Forgotten God Part 5: Spiritual Warfare
Intro. Questions:
Do you believe that Satan is real? Why—what evidence do you see to his reality?
Why do you think most people in our world don’t believe in him?
Have you ever sensed any kind of Satanic or demonic ‘attack’ or ‘influence’ in your life? (Note: don’t go into a lot of detail—we don’t want to give him any more attention than he deserves!)
Bible Questions:
Read Genesis 3:1-15: What were the messages that the serpent (entered into by satan) gave to Eve in order to get her to doubt God?
How does he promote those same messages in our culture today?
Read Luke 4:1-13: What were the messages that satan tried to use to distract Jesus from His mission?
How did Jesus defeat him? What can we learn from that?
Read 2 Corinthians 2:11: What are some ways that YOU might give satan an ‘opening’ in your life which enables him to sidetrack you?
Read 1st Peter 5:8-9: How do we defeat our enemy’s work within?
Read Ephesians 6:10-18: Identify each element of spiritual armor that God has given us, and specific ways it can help you overcome satan’s attacks.
Application Questions:
Dave said that satan and the demons “only do as much as they NEED to do in order to defeat us, spiritually”. Looking back, what ways have you seen his influence/work in your life?
How have you made it ‘easy’ on him?
Is there some way in which you have “taken yourself out of the fight” (like Dave’s football example, leaving the huddle and sitting on the sidelines)?
How have you seen God give spiritual VICTORY in your life—or others’ lives—in the past?
PRAY this week, asking God to expose satan’s strategies/devices in your life, the meet them head-on, with the Word!
Do you believe that Satan is real? Why—what evidence do you see to his reality?
Why do you think most people in our world don’t believe in him?
Have you ever sensed any kind of Satanic or demonic ‘attack’ or ‘influence’ in your life? (Note: don’t go into a lot of detail—we don’t want to give him any more attention than he deserves!)
Bible Questions:
Read Genesis 3:1-15: What were the messages that the serpent (entered into by satan) gave to Eve in order to get her to doubt God?
How does he promote those same messages in our culture today?
Read Luke 4:1-13: What were the messages that satan tried to use to distract Jesus from His mission?
How did Jesus defeat him? What can we learn from that?
Read 2 Corinthians 2:11: What are some ways that YOU might give satan an ‘opening’ in your life which enables him to sidetrack you?
Read 1st Peter 5:8-9: How do we defeat our enemy’s work within?
Read Ephesians 6:10-18: Identify each element of spiritual armor that God has given us, and specific ways it can help you overcome satan’s attacks.
Application Questions:
Dave said that satan and the demons “only do as much as they NEED to do in order to defeat us, spiritually”. Looking back, what ways have you seen his influence/work in your life?
How have you made it ‘easy’ on him?
Is there some way in which you have “taken yourself out of the fight” (like Dave’s football example, leaving the huddle and sitting on the sidelines)?
How have you seen God give spiritual VICTORY in your life—or others’ lives—in the past?
PRAY this week, asking God to expose satan’s strategies/devices in your life, the meet them head-on, with the Word!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Forgotten God Part 4: Interacting with the Holy Spirit
Conversation Questions:
Have you ever been really spooked? Why was it spooky?
Have you ever been afraid of something that was unknown to you at the time? If that thing became more known to you, did it continue to scare you?
Study Questions:
Read John 14:16-19
What does this passage tell us about why we should listen to the Holy Spirit? Are there other reasons besides what is in this passage that you can think of for listening to the Spirit?
Two things that keep us from listening to the Spirit is: Noise and Comfort.
How does noise distract us from hearing the Spirit?
Read Mark 1:35 and Psalm 46:10
Why did Jesus set aside time for prayer and alone time?
What could you do to turn down the volume in your life?
How does comfort keep us from hearing God?
When is comfort good? When is comfort bad?
What can you do to have a healthy balance of comfort and challenge in your life?
Do you believe getting out of your comfort zone can help you hear God? Is the idea of interacting with the Holy Spirit sound spooky to you? Why or why not?
Heart Questions:
Bill Hybels in "Whisper" talks about ways we can know when it's The Holy Spirit who is sspeaking to us by asking these questions:
Is it truly from God?
Is it scriptural?
Is it wise?
Is it in tune with your character?
What do people you trust think?
If you have heard a word from God before or if you have heard someone say they had a word from God, tell others about it and run through this test.
Was it The Holy Spirit or not? Why or why not?
Read Ephesians 4:16-21
What are some promises in this passage that Paul (the author of Ephesians) say will come if we listen to the Holy Spirit?
End by praying with emphasis on God helping you listen to the Holy Spirit and the courage to respond to what he might say.
Have you ever been really spooked? Why was it spooky?
Have you ever been afraid of something that was unknown to you at the time? If that thing became more known to you, did it continue to scare you?
Study Questions:
Read John 14:16-19
What does this passage tell us about why we should listen to the Holy Spirit? Are there other reasons besides what is in this passage that you can think of for listening to the Spirit?
Two things that keep us from listening to the Spirit is: Noise and Comfort.
How does noise distract us from hearing the Spirit?
Read Mark 1:35 and Psalm 46:10
Why did Jesus set aside time for prayer and alone time?
What could you do to turn down the volume in your life?
How does comfort keep us from hearing God?
When is comfort good? When is comfort bad?
What can you do to have a healthy balance of comfort and challenge in your life?
Do you believe getting out of your comfort zone can help you hear God? Is the idea of interacting with the Holy Spirit sound spooky to you? Why or why not?
Heart Questions:
Bill Hybels in "Whisper" talks about ways we can know when it's The Holy Spirit who is sspeaking to us by asking these questions:
Is it truly from God?
Is it scriptural?
Is it wise?
Is it in tune with your character?
What do people you trust think?
If you have heard a word from God before or if you have heard someone say they had a word from God, tell others about it and run through this test.
Was it The Holy Spirit or not? Why or why not?
Read Ephesians 4:16-21
What are some promises in this passage that Paul (the author of Ephesians) say will come if we listen to the Holy Spirit?
End by praying with emphasis on God helping you listen to the Holy Spirit and the courage to respond to what he might say.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Forgotten God Part 2
The Holy Spirit: What does He DO? Small Group Discussion
Introductory Questions:
Have you experienced any “move” of the Holy Spirit over the last few weeks? Are you asking God to make you more sensitive to His leading? Have you noticed any changes in your Spiritual relationship?
Our bodies need good ‘fuel’ to run on, or they begin to get run down…similarly, our The Spirit within us needs good ‘raw material’ to work with in order to make us more like Jesus.
What kind of ‘fuel’ have you been giving Him to work with lately? Have you noticed a positive (or negative) impact on your Spiritual vitality?
Bible Study Questions:
Read the following Scriptures and fill in the blanks. Comment on this work within YOUR life.
1) The Holy Spirit ________me.
a. John 16:7-8
2) The Holy Spirit ________ me.
a. John 6:44; 3:5-6
3) The Holy Spirit ________ me .
a. John 14:23-26
4) The Holy Spirit ___________ me.
a. 2 Peter 1:3-4; Colossians 1:10-12; Ephesians 3:16-21
5) The Holy Spirit ________ me.
a. Galatians 5:16-25; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
6) The Holy Spirit ________ me.
a. John 16:12-14
7) The Holy Spirit _________ me.
a. Revelation 2:4-5; 3:20; Psalm 80:19
Two Keys: Hearing and Obeying
Read the following Scriptures: Acts 8:29; 11:16; 13:2; 21:1
What stands out to you about the early church’s experience?
Romans 12:1-3: What are the steps necessary in order to know and experience God’s “good, pleasing, and perfect will”?
Application Questions:
Look at the list of the things the Holy Spirit does in our lives (note: that list is NOT all-inclusive)!
What are the top 2 of those areas where you sense God wanting to do more work in your life?
Introductory Questions:
Have you experienced any “move” of the Holy Spirit over the last few weeks? Are you asking God to make you more sensitive to His leading? Have you noticed any changes in your Spiritual relationship?
Our bodies need good ‘fuel’ to run on, or they begin to get run down…similarly, our The Spirit within us needs good ‘raw material’ to work with in order to make us more like Jesus.
What kind of ‘fuel’ have you been giving Him to work with lately? Have you noticed a positive (or negative) impact on your Spiritual vitality?
Bible Study Questions:
Read the following Scriptures and fill in the blanks. Comment on this work within YOUR life.
1) The Holy Spirit ________me.
a. John 16:7-8
2) The Holy Spirit ________ me.
a. John 6:44; 3:5-6
3) The Holy Spirit ________ me .
a. John 14:23-26
4) The Holy Spirit ___________ me.
a. 2 Peter 1:3-4; Colossians 1:10-12; Ephesians 3:16-21
5) The Holy Spirit ________ me.
a. Galatians 5:16-25; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
6) The Holy Spirit ________ me.
a. John 16:12-14
7) The Holy Spirit _________ me.
a. Revelation 2:4-5; 3:20; Psalm 80:19
Two Keys: Hearing and Obeying
Read the following Scriptures: Acts 8:29; 11:16; 13:2; 21:1
What stands out to you about the early church’s experience?
Romans 12:1-3: What are the steps necessary in order to know and experience God’s “good, pleasing, and perfect will”?
Application Questions:
Look at the list of the things the Holy Spirit does in our lives (note: that list is NOT all-inclusive)!
What are the top 2 of those areas where you sense God wanting to do more work in your life?
Forgotten God Part 3
Forgotten God, Week 3
Study Questions
Introductory Questions:
What is the best present you can remember getting, as a child?
Did you have any hesitation in opening it and using it?
Have you ever thought or felt that the Holy Spirit was giving you specific strength or ability to task?
Talk about it.
Have you ever heard of “Spiritual Gifts” or “Gifts of the Spirit”? Do you know what yours are?
If so, how do you know?
Bible Questions:
The Bible has quite a bit to say about Spiritual Gifts…
Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-12. What are some of the points that seem important here? What are some of the specific gifts mentioned?
Read Ephesians 4:11-13: These are the so-called ‘Leadership Gifts”. What is their purpose in the life of a church?
What attitude and behavior is necessary, in order to benefit from those the Lord has called to Leadership in the church?
Read Romans 12:3-10: Several gifts are mentioned here, but so are some crucial attitudes. Talk about why this would be important in the life of a faith community.
Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-3: Why does Paul think this is so important to stress, in the midst of a discussion about Spiritual Gifts?
Read 1 Corinthians 12:14-27: How does God put so many different people with different gifts together in one church?
Application Questions:
Spiritual gifts can be a divisive, contentious area of study and discussion…but it doesn’t need to be.
What attitudes within the church are necessary in order for these to accomplish God’s will?
Pastor Rick Warren says that it’s not only “Spiritual Gifts” that prepare us for the service God has for us, but also our Heart (passion), Abilities, Personality and Experiences. Do you agree or disagree?
What do you think your area of Spiritual Giftedness might be?
In what ways are you actively using those gifts for God’s glory, and the good of the Church?
If you need help, go here: http://www.kodachrome.org/spiritgift to complete a free online Spiritual Gifts inventory as a starting point.
Study Questions
Introductory Questions:
What is the best present you can remember getting, as a child?
Did you have any hesitation in opening it and using it?
Have you ever thought or felt that the Holy Spirit was giving you specific strength or ability to task?
Talk about it.
Have you ever heard of “Spiritual Gifts” or “Gifts of the Spirit”? Do you know what yours are?
If so, how do you know?
Bible Questions:
The Bible has quite a bit to say about Spiritual Gifts…
Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-12. What are some of the points that seem important here? What are some of the specific gifts mentioned?
Read Ephesians 4:11-13: These are the so-called ‘Leadership Gifts”. What is their purpose in the life of a church?
What attitude and behavior is necessary, in order to benefit from those the Lord has called to Leadership in the church?
Read Romans 12:3-10: Several gifts are mentioned here, but so are some crucial attitudes. Talk about why this would be important in the life of a faith community.
Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-3: Why does Paul think this is so important to stress, in the midst of a discussion about Spiritual Gifts?
Read 1 Corinthians 12:14-27: How does God put so many different people with different gifts together in one church?
Application Questions:
Spiritual gifts can be a divisive, contentious area of study and discussion…but it doesn’t need to be.
What attitudes within the church are necessary in order for these to accomplish God’s will?
Pastor Rick Warren says that it’s not only “Spiritual Gifts” that prepare us for the service God has for us, but also our Heart (passion), Abilities, Personality and Experiences. Do you agree or disagree?
What do you think your area of Spiritual Giftedness might be?
In what ways are you actively using those gifts for God’s glory, and the good of the Church?
If you need help, go here: http://www.kodachrome.org/spiritgift to complete a free online Spiritual Gifts inventory as a starting point.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Forgotten God Part 1
“Forgotten God; The Holy Spirit” series
Small Group Questions for week 1
Introductory Questions:
Have you ever felt like your Spiritual Life was similar to Dave’s illustration of “pushing a car with no engine”?
On a scale of 1 (terrible) to 10 (Perfect), how would you rate the following in your Spiritual Life?
1) Intimacy with God.
2) Confident Faith to Follow His lead.
3) Ability to ‘hear God’s voice’ clearly.
4) Times of real, deep-level prayer.
5) Consistency and quality of Bible reading and study
Do you want a closer relationship with God, or are you content right now with where you’re at?
Bible Study Questions:
Read Genesis 1:2, 26-27: How long has the Holy Spirit been around?
Read Luke 3:21-22: In what ways is the “Trinity” pictured here?
Read John 14:16-17; 16:7: In what way(s) was it good for the Disciples that Jesus went away?
Do you ever wish that Jesus was here—in person—so that you could learn from Him directly? Why is it “better” for us that we have the Holy Spirit?
Read Acts 2:1-4: Jesus had said (John 14:17) that the Holy Spirit “IS with you, and WILL BE in you”…this happened for the first time on the day of Pentecost.
Read Galatians 5:16, 24-25: Paul wrote that we “live by the Spirit”. What do you think he could mean here?
Application Questions:
In what ways are you nurturing your relationship to God?
Are there additional (or different) things you need to do in order to ‘live by the Spirit” more?
In what areas of your life do you think God wants to do the most work?
Small Group Questions for week 1
Introductory Questions:
Have you ever felt like your Spiritual Life was similar to Dave’s illustration of “pushing a car with no engine”?
On a scale of 1 (terrible) to 10 (Perfect), how would you rate the following in your Spiritual Life?
1) Intimacy with God.
2) Confident Faith to Follow His lead.
3) Ability to ‘hear God’s voice’ clearly.
4) Times of real, deep-level prayer.
5) Consistency and quality of Bible reading and study
Do you want a closer relationship with God, or are you content right now with where you’re at?
Bible Study Questions:
Read Genesis 1:2, 26-27: How long has the Holy Spirit been around?
Read Luke 3:21-22: In what ways is the “Trinity” pictured here?
Read John 14:16-17; 16:7: In what way(s) was it good for the Disciples that Jesus went away?
Do you ever wish that Jesus was here—in person—so that you could learn from Him directly? Why is it “better” for us that we have the Holy Spirit?
Read Acts 2:1-4: Jesus had said (John 14:17) that the Holy Spirit “IS with you, and WILL BE in you”…this happened for the first time on the day of Pentecost.
Read Galatians 5:16, 24-25: Paul wrote that we “live by the Spirit”. What do you think he could mean here?
Application Questions:
In what ways are you nurturing your relationship to God?
Are there additional (or different) things you need to do in order to ‘live by the Spirit” more?
In what areas of your life do you think God wants to do the most work?
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