Matthew 4:1-11

First listen to the sermon (posts Sun. afternoon). Then use the ideas below to help you and your group apply what the Lord is teaching you.

Icebreaker idea: Share about someone in your life who has a sincere love and knowledge of Scripture. How do you see that impacting how they live their life?

A way to pray: Pray for one another regarding how we view and value God’s word. Ask God for a strengthened hunger and right understanding of His Word among Grow Groups, and the body of believers at Berean.

Talk It Over:

• What was one thing you heard in the sermon that really has stuck with/challenged you?

• Treasuring God: What’s a Bible verse you’ve memorized (or would like to) that could be useful in times of difficulty? What do you appreciate about this verse?

• Being Transformed: What are 1-3 things that you desire to change about your Bible reading or memorization? Why?

• Loving Others: How can we allow God’s Word to influence our care for others? What opportunities do you have to do that this week?

• Pursuing Unity: How can our group help each other to grow in handling the Bible well and in memorizing helpful passages? What would supporting each other look like practically?

James 4:1-5

First listen to the sermon (posts Sun. afternoon). Then use the ideas below to help you and your group apply what the Lord is teaching you.

Icebreaker idea: Share about a situation where you observed conflict being handled well. What did you learn from that?

A way to pray: Pray for one another regarding specific situations where conflict is going on, needs to be addressed, and dealt with in a godly way. Pray for our group, grow groups, and the church as a whole, that we would deal with conflict in such a way that it reflects Christ and points those involved and those “looking on” towards Jesus.

Talk It Over:

• Which of the six coping responses mentioned do you most often turn to in conflict?

• Treasuring God: In what ways is how we handle conflict connected to how we treasure God?

• Being Transformed: What areas of my life can I identify that I need God’s transforming power to help me handle conflict well?

• Loving Others: Where do I currently have opportunity to display Christ’s love by how I handle conflict?

• Pursuing Unity: What steps can I take to encourage right response to conflict resolution with the people in my life?

Job 2:11-13, Mark 2:1-5, Exodus 17:8-13, Esther 4:15-17, Galatians 2:11-14

First listen to the sermon (posts Sun. afternoon). Then use the ideas below to help you and your group apply what the Lord is teaching you.

Icebreaker idea: Have you been part of a small group before? If so, what was that experience like? If not, what's something that has kept you from trying one out until now?

A way to pray: Pray for your group to commit to becoming these kind of people for one another this season. Pray for the church as a whole, that more and more people would take the step into community that is centered around the Word and prayer. Pray for additional groups to form, so that more people at Berean would be able to be in community with others.

Talk It Over:

• Which of the five areas (people) do you desire to grow in and be for your group this season?

• Which of the five people do you recognize you personally need most in your life right now?

• How can we grow in having all five of these areas (people) represented in our group this season? What will it look like for us to make these five areas a part of our purpose as a group?

During the summer we try and give our GG leaders some well-deserved rest to spend time with family, friends, and even the sun. We still want you to keep growing in your relationship with Jesus: Take the message with you into your week. Reflect on the Bible passage and sermon (posts Sun. afternoon), then use the ideas below to help you talk it over with your friends, coworkers, family, or Grow Group (most groups on break for Christmas).

Icebreaker idea: What was one highlight of this past week for you? What’s something you’re looking forward to?

A way to pray: Pray for the church. Pray that as a church we would continue to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray for your Grow Group, pray for growth and relationships in your GG (if you are not in one pray that you are able to find one.)

Talk It Over: (The Swedish Method)

• “Light Bulb”- What did you notice from the passage? What stood out to you while reading or listening to it?

• “Question Mark”- What questions do you have from the passage? Was there anything you did not understand? Was there something you would like to ask the writer or the Lord from the passage

• “Arrow”- Where can we take what was said and apply it to our life?