Conversation Questions:
Have you ever had a “long distance relationship” that worked? If so, what made it successful? If not, what caused it to fail?
Remember the cell-phone commercials in which one person ‘dropped out’, making a REALLY awkward (but funny) situations? Tell about any ‘bad connections’ or miscommunications you’ve had which resulted in awkward/funny situations.
Tell about one time in which your prayers were answered in some important way.
Bible Questions:
In Matthew 6: 5-13, Jesus gives his followers a ‘template’ of how to pray.
What is the context of this (what is He responding to? vv.1-7)?
What are the main points of Jesus’ prayer?
V.9:
V.10:
v.11:
v.12:
v.13:
Does Jesus want us to memorize and recite this prayer? Why/why not?
In Luke 5:15-16, we read about an interesting practice that Jesus did.
Why would that be important for Him?
Is it important for you? Why/why not?
In 30 seconds, list all of the places/ways you’ve prayed over the years:
What KINDS of things do you think we should pray for?
In Matthew 7:7-11, we read of the Father’s perspective on answering prayer.
What does Jesus say about God the Father here?
What does He say about our approach to praying?
If the above is true, is there ever a time when the Father will NOT answer a prayer?
Under what circumstances?
Read 2 Corinthians 11:7-10.
Whatever Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was, God chose NOT to remove it.
What was his answer to Paul?
What does this mean, in practice, for us?
Read Psalm 37:4-5:
According to this passage, what is the key before we can see the Lord “give us the desires of our heart”?
What, then, is to be our response?
Heart Questions:
One author has written that “A life without prayer is a boast before God”…what do you think this means?
How often, in the past week, would you say that YOU have prayed? Do you think the Lord would want it to be more? If so, how can you make that happen?
Is there something you can share that you’ve been praying for that God has not answered?
How can your group members pray for you this week?
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Building Faith Block Three: Worship
Conversation Starters:
What are some of your favorite songs or artists?
Why do you like them?
Scripture:
Read:
Romans 12:1,2 / John 4:23,24 / Acts 20:34-36
What does worshiping God mean?
What could it mean to worship in work or school?
Has your mind ever been in a “fog” or a “funk”?
What got you out of that “funk”?
How can renewing our minds clear out worry and anguish from our heads?
In what ways can you respond to God’s mercy?
How can you be blessed by helping the weak (Acts 20:34-36)?
Have you ever experienced a blessing like that?
Read Psalm 102:16-22
What does God respond to in verse 17?
Have you ever experienced God responding to you when you have responded to his mercy (Romans 12:1)?
An answered prayer?
A blessing?
Other?
God is good! End the study by taking prayer requests and responding to God with prayer.
What are some of your favorite songs or artists?
Why do you like them?
Scripture:
Read:
Romans 12:1,2 / John 4:23,24 / Acts 20:34-36
What does worshiping God mean?
What could it mean to worship in work or school?
Has your mind ever been in a “fog” or a “funk”?
What got you out of that “funk”?
How can renewing our minds clear out worry and anguish from our heads?
In what ways can you respond to God’s mercy?
How can you be blessed by helping the weak (Acts 20:34-36)?
Have you ever experienced a blessing like that?
Read Psalm 102:16-22
What does God respond to in verse 17?
Have you ever experienced God responding to you when you have responded to his mercy (Romans 12:1)?
An answered prayer?
A blessing?
Other?
God is good! End the study by taking prayer requests and responding to God with prayer.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Building Block 2: The Bible
Conversation Questions
Are you the kind of person who stops to ask for directions, or one who tries to figure it out on your own? Can you think about a time when this strategy backfired?
Have you ever learned a lot ABOUT someone before meeting them, only to find out that they were very different than you thought?
Have you ever tried—unsuccessfully—to start a consistent Bible reading time? Why did it not work well?
Bible Questions
Read Psalm 1:1-3 What is the analogy the writer makes to the person who loves the Word of God? Why is this so crucial in the life of a Believer?
Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 What kinds of things does the Bible teach us?
2 Peter 1:20 and 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 Where, ultimately, do the Scriptures come from? How would understanding the Source of the Scriptures change our thinking about studying them?
Read Psalm 119:9-18, 97-105 What are some of the reasons the writer has for reading God’s Word?
Read Hebrews 4:12 God’s word can ‘divide soul and spirit’ and expose our innermost thoughts. This doesn’t sound very comfortable…so why would a person do it?
Read Hebrews 8:10-12 God promised to make a New Covenant, and we are living in that age…what are some of the characteristics of that covenant that we can experience?
Heart Questions:
Do you feel as though you know more ABOUT God, or that you “Know” Him? Which do you want? Why?
Obviously the Lord would want you getting into His word consistently. Have you done so? Will you do so in the future? Why or Why not?
It takes certain character traits and behaviors to learn from God’s Word. What do you think those are? Do you have them?
What can you do THIS WEEK to begin getting into God’s Word more consistently?
Are you the kind of person who stops to ask for directions, or one who tries to figure it out on your own? Can you think about a time when this strategy backfired?
Have you ever learned a lot ABOUT someone before meeting them, only to find out that they were very different than you thought?
Have you ever tried—unsuccessfully—to start a consistent Bible reading time? Why did it not work well?
Bible Questions
Read Psalm 1:1-3 What is the analogy the writer makes to the person who loves the Word of God? Why is this so crucial in the life of a Believer?
Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 What kinds of things does the Bible teach us?
2 Peter 1:20 and 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 Where, ultimately, do the Scriptures come from? How would understanding the Source of the Scriptures change our thinking about studying them?
Read Psalm 119:9-18, 97-105 What are some of the reasons the writer has for reading God’s Word?
Read Hebrews 4:12 God’s word can ‘divide soul and spirit’ and expose our innermost thoughts. This doesn’t sound very comfortable…so why would a person do it?
Read Hebrews 8:10-12 God promised to make a New Covenant, and we are living in that age…what are some of the characteristics of that covenant that we can experience?
Heart Questions:
Do you feel as though you know more ABOUT God, or that you “Know” Him? Which do you want? Why?
Obviously the Lord would want you getting into His word consistently. Have you done so? Will you do so in the future? Why or Why not?
It takes certain character traits and behaviors to learn from God’s Word. What do you think those are? Do you have them?
What can you do THIS WEEK to begin getting into God’s Word more consistently?
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Building Faith Block One: Lordship
Conversation Starters:
What was one of the first things you ever built or made all by yourself?
How did you do?
When you make or build something do you always measure, do you sometimes measure twice?
What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever made?
Bible Questions:
Read Romans 12:3
What does Paul (the author) mean by, “measure of faith”?
Why is understanding your “measure of faith” important?
Read Matthew 7:24,25
In the analogy, what or who is the rock? What or who is the house? What could be the rain, streams and wind?
What words that Jesus said can you think of that you have put into practice?
Read Romans 7:19-26
What “things” do you think Paul is talking about?
Why can’t he do what he wants to do?
According to this passage, why does making Jesus our Lord free us to do what’s right?
Heart Questions:
How does making Jesus our Lord enable us to build our lives rightly?
What would you say your “measure of faith” is? (1- 10)
Have you had “rains, streams, or winds” in your life recently?
Have you stood like a house on a rock, or fallen?
What do you think you can do to be stronger the next time things get tough?
What can you do to start or continue building your life on Jesus ?
What can you do to make Him the Lord and Head Contractor in building your life?
What was one of the first things you ever built or made all by yourself?
How did you do?
When you make or build something do you always measure, do you sometimes measure twice?
What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever made?
Bible Questions:
Read Romans 12:3
What does Paul (the author) mean by, “measure of faith”?
Why is understanding your “measure of faith” important?
Read Matthew 7:24,25
In the analogy, what or who is the rock? What or who is the house? What could be the rain, streams and wind?
What words that Jesus said can you think of that you have put into practice?
Read Romans 7:19-26
What “things” do you think Paul is talking about?
Why can’t he do what he wants to do?
According to this passage, why does making Jesus our Lord free us to do what’s right?
Heart Questions:
How does making Jesus our Lord enable us to build our lives rightly?
What would you say your “measure of faith” is? (1- 10)
Have you had “rains, streams, or winds” in your life recently?
Have you stood like a house on a rock, or fallen?
What do you think you can do to be stronger the next time things get tough?
What can you do to start or continue building your life on Jesus ?
What can you do to make Him the Lord and Head Contractor in building your life?
Friday, November 6, 2009
Week 6: Commitment
Most of us have made commitments to lots of things in our lives…list some of the commitments you’re currently keeping. (Marriage, contract for work, mortgage, etc.)
Why do we make commitments?
Dave talked about the concept of “Koinonia”. Describe it, as best you can.
Read 1st John 1:6-7: Why are “fellowship with God” and “fellowship with each other” linked so closely?
If it is God’s goal that we would experience this type of ‘fellowship’, what kinds of commitments and behaviors should we be expected to make?
Read Philippians 2:1-8. If our example is Jesus, what do we learn from this, regarding our relationships with others.
Dave talked about the Church being a ‘safe place’. In what ways have you experienced that in the past?
Read Ephesians 4:31-32: How should we treat each other, according to this passage?
The KCC Commitment asked us to affirm our beliefs and commit to five Spiritual Practices. Personal sharing time: Did you sign it? Why or why not?
Over the last six weeks, you have joined as a group with some new, some old friends. You’ve studied, prayed, and been challenged. What do YOU think that God has done within YOURSELF during this time?
Why do we make commitments?
Dave talked about the concept of “Koinonia”. Describe it, as best you can.
Read 1st John 1:6-7: Why are “fellowship with God” and “fellowship with each other” linked so closely?
If it is God’s goal that we would experience this type of ‘fellowship’, what kinds of commitments and behaviors should we be expected to make?
Read Philippians 2:1-8. If our example is Jesus, what do we learn from this, regarding our relationships with others.
Dave talked about the Church being a ‘safe place’. In what ways have you experienced that in the past?
Read Ephesians 4:31-32: How should we treat each other, according to this passage?
The KCC Commitment asked us to affirm our beliefs and commit to five Spiritual Practices. Personal sharing time: Did you sign it? Why or why not?
Over the last six weeks, you have joined as a group with some new, some old friends. You’ve studied, prayed, and been challenged. What do YOU think that God has done within YOURSELF during this time?
Friday, October 30, 2009
Week 5: Choices
Dave talked about God’s vision of what “The Church” should be. Read Acts 2:42-47. Do you think the Church in America is living this out? Why or why not? (hint: try not to view only specific ‘practices’, but the big picture)
What broad “themes” do you think God is trying to write through the Church today?
We all make choices every day. Take a couple of minutes to write out your typical daily schedule:
If it’s true that God is writing THE Story today, and that you are one of the characters, how do you think He (the Author) feels about the times you “consult” with Him?
How do YOU feel about it? Why do you think we get distracted so easily?
Read Psalm 127:1-2: How does this principle apply to YOUR life?
KCC is challenging us and encouraging us…
What does that make you FEEL? What do you THINK about it?
KCC is asking us to commit to these things:
What broad “themes” do you think God is trying to write through the Church today?
We all make choices every day. Take a couple of minutes to write out your typical daily schedule:
If it’s true that God is writing THE Story today, and that you are one of the characters, how do you think He (the Author) feels about the times you “consult” with Him?
How do YOU feel about it? Why do you think we get distracted so easily?
Read Psalm 127:1-2: How does this principle apply to YOUR life?
KCC is challenging us and encouraging us…
What does that make you FEEL? What do you THINK about it?
KCC is asking us to commit to these things:
- Consistent attendance and participation: Read Hebrews 3:13-14; 10:24-25: What does these verses say to you about this?
- Bible study and prayer: Read Luke 5:16; Psalm 119:9-16; 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Why are prayer and Bible study so important to our spiritual development?
- Service to others: Inside the church (Galatians 5:13) and as a way of life (Mark 9:30-35). Why would serving others be so important in God’s eyes?
- Financial support for the church and other God-honoring causes: (Matthew 6:19-24). God clearly sees “where we put our money” as a spiritual issue. Why?
- Protect unity in the church and Pray for its leaders: (Ephesians 4:3-6), (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13). How do church unity and submitting to church leaders go together? Is there ever a time when we should NOT submit to church leaders?
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Week 4: Trinity
What is your understanding of the concept of ‘The Trinity’?
‘One God in 3 persons’ is difficult to grasp…but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong! Read some of the passages that assume the concept, and share how these might help establish it’s reality.
Genesis 1:26-27
Matthew 3:16
Matthew 28:18-20
2 Corinthians 13:14
Describe some of the characteristics of God the Father.
Describe some of the characteristics of God the Son.
What did Jesus say His primary roles were, while on Earth?
John 4:34, John 6:38
John 17:1-3
Luke 19:10
Mark 10:45
What is the role of the Holy Spirit, according to Jesus?
John 14:16, 25-26
John 16:7-18
The New Testament describes the Holy Spirit as our Leader, guide, helper and one who guides us.
Why do you think many Christians are uncomfortable with the Holy Spirit?
In what ways have YOU experienced the Holy Spirit’s work in your life?
Paul says that we can ‘grieve’ the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30).
He also says that we should ‘be filled with’ the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
Which do you think YOU do more of (for personal reflection or sharing).
Paul writes that the Holy Spirit will transform our character, if we cooperate with him. Read Galatians 5:16-25. What are some ways you’ve noticed Him ‘transforming’ you?
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