Conversation Questions:
Vision: The picture you have in your mind of your future.
What are some of the most inspiring ‘visions’ that you’ve heard about over the years (ie. MLK’s “I have a dream” speech.)
What is your “vision” for your work or family?
What IS your “Spiritual Vision” for your future (how do you see yourself growing, spiritually)?
Bible Questions:
Jude (1-2) calls himself a “servant” or “slave” of Jesus Christ…What do you think he meant by that?
Jude says that his readers are “Called” by God, “Loved” by the Father, and “Kept” by/in Jesus. He also says that they have “Mercy, Peace and Love in Abundance”! Discuss the difference between Christians who live with this mindset and those who don’t.
Jude says that the threat that he’s writing about is that some leaders have ‘perverted the grace of God’, saying that it’s an excuse to sin. Read Romans 5:6-8, 20-21 and Romans 6:1-2. How does Paul treat this same issue?
Jude says that his readers must “contend (fight) for their faith”. How does the false teaching above endanger the Biblical Gospel message and real Christian faith?
How should they “fight for it”?
Jude cites several examples of people who’ve taken illegitimate approaches to God/faith (v.11):
· The Hebrews, who (despite all the signs and wonders by God on their behalf) refused to trust in Him and refused to go into the promised land. (Almost that entire generation died in the desert before the people went into the Land).
· Cain, who gave God an unacceptable sacrifice (approaching God on his own terms, rather than terms that God described), then killed his brother, Abel—who’s sacrifice God loved.
· Balaam, who prophesied for God, but refused to prophecy things—from God—that he disagreed with.
· Korah, who led a rebellion against God’s appointed leader (Moses).
All of these people approached God and his moves according to their own (human) wisdom, expedience, and sense of right/wrong and fairness. Neither of them really submitted to God. Each of them were punished.
In what way can WE relate that to OUR experience in 21st century, U.S.?
If God’s grace is not a ‘green light’ to sin, how are we to understand it, and how are we to understand the times we do sin? (Read Ephesians 2:6-10; 1st John 1:8-10; Titus 2:11-14)
Personal Sharing:
Read Psalm 139:23-24. As you ask God to “search you”, He probably puts his finger on some specific ways in which you may have been taking the grace of God for granted/giving into temptation too easily.
Share, as appropriate, what you think God is challenging you to give up/do differently in this area.
Pray this week that God would illuminate you and his Holy Spirit would make you aware of the mindset of compromise, motivating you to change!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Jude Series, #2 Jude 17-21
Break the Ice questions:
Tell about a time you had a virus, (physical or computer)…it’s impact, it’s remedy, and any lessons learned as a result.
Have you ever heard people talk about the End Times? How did it make you feel? What if we ARE living in the “Last Days”—how would that change the way you live?
Bible Questions:
Read Jude 17-19: What is going to be one of the signs of the “last times” (NLT), according to vv.18-19?’
How does that match up with the following Scriptures:
1st Timothy 4:1-2
2nd Timothy 3:1-8
2nd Timothy 4:3-4
2 Peter 3:2-18
What evidence of the mindset/outlook presented here do you see… in our current culture?
…In the Church?
We may be in the “Last Days”…only the Father knows that. However, we DO know what to do—according to Jude 20-21.
What does Jude say we should do, in order to successfully resist all the challenges to our faith?
How can we accomplish that (specific strategies)?
Read Matthew 5:13-16: What roles does Jesus want us to play in this world?
Read Philippians 2:14-16 (Note that It’s plural—Paul is writing to the group). What are we to do together, and how are we to accomplish it?
Personal Sharing:
KCC has said it’s Mission is to “Creatively Demonstrate God’s Love”, and that we will do this by Seeking God, Loving Others, and Spreading the Word.
Out of those 3 main areas, where have you seen the most personal growth recently?
In the other areas, what are you likely to do in order to make these strong points of your Spiritual Life?
What is your vision—your hope—for your own relationship with God, in the midst of a hostile world?
Tell about a time you had a virus, (physical or computer)…it’s impact, it’s remedy, and any lessons learned as a result.
Have you ever heard people talk about the End Times? How did it make you feel? What if we ARE living in the “Last Days”—how would that change the way you live?
Bible Questions:
Read Jude 17-19: What is going to be one of the signs of the “last times” (NLT), according to vv.18-19?’
How does that match up with the following Scriptures:
1st Timothy 4:1-2
2nd Timothy 3:1-8
2nd Timothy 4:3-4
2 Peter 3:2-18
What evidence of the mindset/outlook presented here do you see… in our current culture?
…In the Church?
We may be in the “Last Days”…only the Father knows that. However, we DO know what to do—according to Jude 20-21.
What does Jude say we should do, in order to successfully resist all the challenges to our faith?
How can we accomplish that (specific strategies)?
Read Matthew 5:13-16: What roles does Jesus want us to play in this world?
Read Philippians 2:14-16 (Note that It’s plural—Paul is writing to the group). What are we to do together, and how are we to accomplish it?
Personal Sharing:
KCC has said it’s Mission is to “Creatively Demonstrate God’s Love”, and that we will do this by Seeking God, Loving Others, and Spreading the Word.
Out of those 3 main areas, where have you seen the most personal growth recently?
In the other areas, what are you likely to do in order to make these strong points of your Spiritual Life?
What is your vision—your hope—for your own relationship with God, in the midst of a hostile world?
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The Way Forward
Conversation Questions:
Have you ever recieved a gift that you were not fond of but later realized it was a good gift after all?
What is a time you were highly anticipating something and hada to wait for it?
Bible Questions:
Read: Acts 1:4-8
What is the gift the Father will be giving the disciples?
Do you think the disciples understood what they would be getting?
Have each person in your group pick out one of the following passages to read:
Mark 23:11, Psalm 143:10, Romans 8:1-2, Romans 8:16,1 Thess. 1:5, 2 Cor. 3:171 Corinthians 12:7, Galatians 5:22-27
After reading these passages, list out some of the things that the Spirit does.
What judging by what you just read is the Holy Spirit?
Look back at Acts 1:4-8
What is the Holy Spirit here for?
After looking at Jesus' story for the last four weeks, were do we in 2010 fit into His story?
Heart Questions:
Read Romans 8:11
Do you feel that the Holy Spirit dwells in you?
If God is using us through the Holy Spirit to move His plan forward, what can we do to have a larger part in this story?
Have you ever recieved a gift that you were not fond of but later realized it was a good gift after all?
What is a time you were highly anticipating something and hada to wait for it?
Bible Questions:
Read: Acts 1:4-8
What is the gift the Father will be giving the disciples?
Do you think the disciples understood what they would be getting?
Have each person in your group pick out one of the following passages to read:
Mark 23:11, Psalm 143:10, Romans 8:1-2, Romans 8:16,1 Thess. 1:5, 2 Cor. 3:171 Corinthians 12:7, Galatians 5:22-27
After reading these passages, list out some of the things that the Spirit does.
What judging by what you just read is the Holy Spirit?
Look back at Acts 1:4-8
What is the Holy Spirit here for?
After looking at Jesus' story for the last four weeks, were do we in 2010 fit into His story?
Heart Questions:
Read Romans 8:11
Do you feel that the Holy Spirit dwells in you?
If God is using us through the Holy Spirit to move His plan forward, what can we do to have a larger part in this story?
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Way In
Background Questions:
What have you ever known about "Palm Sunday"? Have you observed it in any way?
What does it mean--to you--to "Welcome" Jesus into your life?
Bible Questions:
Read Luke 18:31-33: If Jesus knew that He was going to be killed, why did He continue on His journey to Jerusalem?
Read Zechariah 9:9; Luke 19: 29-38: To those looking forward to a King and Savior, what would Jesus' actions have symbolized?
Does the fact that Jesus knew what He was doing (symbolically), make it any less 'real'?
Why or why not?
Read Luke 19: 38-40: What options were the Pharisees and other Religious Leaders left with, after Jesus made this entrance?
Why did they choose the option they did? (See John 11:45-53).
Jesus, we are told, in John 2:23-25, that Jesus "knows what is in a man", and knows our hearts.
In the midst of this 'parade' and joyful celebration, Jesus weeps (Luke 19:41-44) Why?
Personal Impact Questions:
Do you think you would've been more like the People, or the Pharisees?
The People were fickle. THey genuinely welcomed Jesus, but--at least partly because He didn't do what they expected and wanted--they turned on Him a short time later.
In what ways are YOU 'fickle' when it comes to Jesus?
Would Jesus 'weep' over you? Why?
Despite what Jesus KNEW was coming, He went into Jersualem anyway. He was committed to fulfilling His purpose, at least in part because of His love for you...what is your response to that?
What have you ever known about "Palm Sunday"? Have you observed it in any way?
What does it mean--to you--to "Welcome" Jesus into your life?
Bible Questions:
Read Luke 18:31-33: If Jesus knew that He was going to be killed, why did He continue on His journey to Jerusalem?
Read Zechariah 9:9; Luke 19: 29-38: To those looking forward to a King and Savior, what would Jesus' actions have symbolized?
Does the fact that Jesus knew what He was doing (symbolically), make it any less 'real'?
Why or why not?
Read Luke 19: 38-40: What options were the Pharisees and other Religious Leaders left with, after Jesus made this entrance?
Why did they choose the option they did? (See John 11:45-53).
Jesus, we are told, in John 2:23-25, that Jesus "knows what is in a man", and knows our hearts.
In the midst of this 'parade' and joyful celebration, Jesus weeps (Luke 19:41-44) Why?
Personal Impact Questions:
Do you think you would've been more like the People, or the Pharisees?
The People were fickle. THey genuinely welcomed Jesus, but--at least partly because He didn't do what they expected and wanted--they turned on Him a short time later.
In what ways are YOU 'fickle' when it comes to Jesus?
Would Jesus 'weep' over you? Why?
Despite what Jesus KNEW was coming, He went into Jersualem anyway. He was committed to fulfilling His purpose, at least in part because of His love for you...what is your response to that?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The Way: Series Intro
Conversation Questions:
When you go places with a spouse or family meber, do you ever argue about what the best way to go somewhere?
When you don't know where you are going, how quick are you to admit it and ask for directions?
What's the worst you've ever been lost?
Scripture Questions:
Read John 14:5-6
Why do you think Thomas asked this question? (v.5)
What does this verse say about the philosophy that there are many ways to heaven?
Read Acts 15:11, Ephesians 2:4, Ephesians 2:8, and ,2 Timothy 1:8-10
How do these verses say we are saved by?
What do you think grace means?
Have you ever deserved something from someone you wronged and been shown mercy instead?
What did it feel like?
Read Mark 10:32-34
During Jesus' life, what showed that Jesus is "The Way"?
Do you believe that these are good arguments for supporting that Jesus is the only way to heaven? Why or why not?
Heart Questions:
Do you "Strongly Agree" that salvation is by grace through Jesus and that it is the only way to heaven? Why or why not?
Will you commit to sharing the message of Jesus to others during Easter?
If you believe that Jesus saved you tell everyone how and when that happened?
Pray and Close.
When you go places with a spouse or family meber, do you ever argue about what the best way to go somewhere?
When you don't know where you are going, how quick are you to admit it and ask for directions?
What's the worst you've ever been lost?
Scripture Questions:
Read John 14:5-6
Why do you think Thomas asked this question? (v.5)
What does this verse say about the philosophy that there are many ways to heaven?
Read Acts 15:11, Ephesians 2:4, Ephesians 2:8, and ,2 Timothy 1:8-10
How do these verses say we are saved by?
What do you think grace means?
Have you ever deserved something from someone you wronged and been shown mercy instead?
What did it feel like?
Read Mark 10:32-34
During Jesus' life, what showed that Jesus is "The Way"?
Do you believe that these are good arguments for supporting that Jesus is the only way to heaven? Why or why not?
Heart Questions:
Do you "Strongly Agree" that salvation is by grace through Jesus and that it is the only way to heaven? Why or why not?
Will you commit to sharing the message of Jesus to others during Easter?
If you believe that Jesus saved you tell everyone how and when that happened?
Pray and Close.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Building Block 6: The Church
SHARING QUESTIONS:
Tell about a time in which you were blessed to feel that you ‘belonged’ (with family, at church, school, work, clubs, or etc.), and how it impacted you.
Growing up, did you have sibling rivalry? How does your family relate to each other now?
At what point did KCC become “your church”? Why? Do you feel like you “belong” (why/why not)?
BIBLE QUESTIONS:
Read Acts 2:42-47: In what ways do you think our experience in 2010 is similar, and how is it different?
In the above, and in Acts 4:32-35, how did church members treat each other? Do we have that experience today? Should we? What prevents us from experiencing that?
Read John 13:34-35: Jesus said that one of the most distinct ways ‘Explorers’ would come to learn about Him is through the way His disciples treated each other! What are some ways that we could treat each other better, and how would that help Explorers to understand?
KCC’s Mission is all about “Creatively Demonstrating God’s Love”, and we do so by committing to “Seek God; Love Others; and Spread the Word”
SEEK GOD:
Read Hebrews 11:6: What do you think it means to “earnestly seek Him”?
We frequently lose sight of what’s really important…yet, God always invites us back. Read Jeremiah 29:13. Are YOU seeking Him with all your heart?
LOVE OTHERS:
We are to love each other within the church.
Read Colossians 3:16; Philippians 2: 3-8; 1 Peter 4:8-10. What are some ways we are to show this love? (Note: Clearly, we need relationships in order to do this!)
We are also to love others outside the Church.
Read Luke 10:25-37. Why are “loving God” and “Loving your neighbor” linked?
In vv. 30-37, Jesus tells a Parable: Did the religious leaders show ‘love’?
If not, who did?
From what you’ve heard before about Samaritans, why was this remarkable?
What is the implication for those who want to “Love God”?
SPREAD THE WORD:
Read Matthew 28:18-20: Who is Jesus talking to? What is His command?
Does that command still apply to Jesus’ disciples today?
Does Jesus mean for every one of us to go across the world?
What kind of “harvest” do you think Jesus was talking about in Matthew 9:36-38?
Who are the “workers” He’s talking about praying for?
Read 1 Peter 3: 15-16: According to these verses, How are we to approach spiritual conversations with those who do not (yet) believe? What sort of demeanor are we to have toward them?
What are some ways you can increase the likelihood of spiritual questions being asked of you with your classmates/neighbors/coworkers?
HEART QUESTIONS:
KCC wants to be a church that is “Creatively Demonstrating God’s Love”. In what ways are we hitting the mark? Where could we improve?
In what ways do YOU need to improve in the areas of “Seeking God; Loving Others; and Spreading the Word”
Tell about a time in which you were blessed to feel that you ‘belonged’ (with family, at church, school, work, clubs, or etc.), and how it impacted you.
Growing up, did you have sibling rivalry? How does your family relate to each other now?
At what point did KCC become “your church”? Why? Do you feel like you “belong” (why/why not)?
BIBLE QUESTIONS:
Read Acts 2:42-47: In what ways do you think our experience in 2010 is similar, and how is it different?
In the above, and in Acts 4:32-35, how did church members treat each other? Do we have that experience today? Should we? What prevents us from experiencing that?
Read John 13:34-35: Jesus said that one of the most distinct ways ‘Explorers’ would come to learn about Him is through the way His disciples treated each other! What are some ways that we could treat each other better, and how would that help Explorers to understand?
KCC’s Mission is all about “Creatively Demonstrating God’s Love”, and we do so by committing to “Seek God; Love Others; and Spread the Word”
SEEK GOD:
Read Hebrews 11:6: What do you think it means to “earnestly seek Him”?
We frequently lose sight of what’s really important…yet, God always invites us back. Read Jeremiah 29:13. Are YOU seeking Him with all your heart?
LOVE OTHERS:
We are to love each other within the church.
Read Colossians 3:16; Philippians 2: 3-8; 1 Peter 4:8-10. What are some ways we are to show this love? (Note: Clearly, we need relationships in order to do this!)
We are also to love others outside the Church.
Read Luke 10:25-37. Why are “loving God” and “Loving your neighbor” linked?
In vv. 30-37, Jesus tells a Parable: Did the religious leaders show ‘love’?
If not, who did?
From what you’ve heard before about Samaritans, why was this remarkable?
What is the implication for those who want to “Love God”?
SPREAD THE WORD:
Read Matthew 28:18-20: Who is Jesus talking to? What is His command?
Does that command still apply to Jesus’ disciples today?
Does Jesus mean for every one of us to go across the world?
What kind of “harvest” do you think Jesus was talking about in Matthew 9:36-38?
Who are the “workers” He’s talking about praying for?
Read 1 Peter 3: 15-16: According to these verses, How are we to approach spiritual conversations with those who do not (yet) believe? What sort of demeanor are we to have toward them?
What are some ways you can increase the likelihood of spiritual questions being asked of you with your classmates/neighbors/coworkers?
HEART QUESTIONS:
KCC wants to be a church that is “Creatively Demonstrating God’s Love”. In what ways are we hitting the mark? Where could we improve?
In what ways do YOU need to improve in the areas of “Seeking God; Loving Others; and Spreading the Word”
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Building Block 4: Prayer
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?
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?
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