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: When have I experienced an intentional act of kindness (or had the chance to do this for someone else)?

 

A way to pray: Pray for each other to grow in love and wisdom. Ask God to help us know the right timing and ways to share His love with others, to give us the motivation to love Him and others well no matter the cost to ourselves, and to use this outpouring of love to draw people to Himself as we seek to see 2,000 people baptized and growing in relationship with Him by 2022.

 

For discussion:

• Treasuring God: What are some specific ways the parable of the Good Samaritan reminds me of God's love for me?
• Being Transformed: What is the connection between loving God and loving others? What does God want to change about how I love Him/others?
• Loving Others: When is it hard to love others (to feel loving and/or to show love by our actions)? How does the parable of the Good Samaritan help?
• Pursuing Unity: Who else in my life is seeking to love God and others? What can I learn from them about how to grow in this?

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: What's one thing you can thank God for from this past week?

 

A way to pray: Pray for our generosity as a church. Ask God that our generosity would be a clear witness for him as we seek to see 2,000 people by 2022 baptized and connected in a growing relationship with Him.

 

For discussion:

• Treasuring God: How is our generosity connected to our view of God? What do my finances reveal about what I value?
• Being Transformed: What strikes me about how Paul called the Corinthians to handle their finances that I want to grow in myself?
• Loving Others: Who is someone in my daily life to whom I can show God's generosity? What does that look like practically?
• Pursuing Unity: What are some specific ways we can give of our time, talents, and treasure to support one another in the family of God right now?

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: What is one thing that you are eager to see restored when God's kingdom comes and everything is finally put right ("on earth as it is in heaven")?

 

A way to pray: Practice using the Lord's Prayer to guide your prayer time at least once a day this week. What difference(s) do you notice?

 

For discussion:

• Treasuring God: What is different about our prayers when God is our top priority? What do my prayers show that I especially value?
• Being Transformed: What are a couple things I'd like to change about my prayer life? What's a step I can take right now?
• Loving Others: Who is someone I can love by forgiving them completely and generously (the way God has forgiven me)?
• Pursuing Unity: How does showy prayer separate us from each other and from God? How does humble prayer draw us closer?

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 a little bit about your spiritual journey. (For example: Who is Jesus to you? How did you come to know Him? Have you been baptized? Have you ever joined a church?)

 

A way to pray: Pray together for the people each of us knows who need to repent, believe, and be baptized.

 

For discussion:

• Treasuring God: What did the Philippian jailer discover about God that turned his life upside-down? What role did Paul and Silas play?
• Being Transformed: Why is repentance not just a one-time event? In what area of my life do I need to repent right now (or have recently)?
• Loving Others: How did Paul and Silas's actions demonstrate God's love? What is one tangible way I can show God's love to someone in my life?
• Pursuing Unity: Why is baptism an important part of identifying with the Christian community?