Nov. 3 - Imperishable Treasure (Lk. 12:13-21)

We invite you to ponder the week’s Bible passage and 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: You know the expression “too much of a good thing”? What’s one good thing you’d say it’s hard to get too much of?

A way to pray: Pray for each other that we would be quick to spot signs of greed in our lives. Ask the Lord to give us the desire and ability to be rich toward God in those areas (instead of greedy).

Talk It Over:

  • Treasuring God: Considering how I spend my time and money, what matters most to me? What would it look like to value God and be rich toward Him in these areas?

  • Being Transformed: Jesus warns us to be on guard against all kinds of greed (such as money, time, energy, thought). Which types of greed catch my heart?

  • Loving Others: When do I find time greed robbing me of chances to truly love others? How could I more intentionally make time for those outside the church?

  • Pursuing Unity: How might different types of greed separate me from others? What steps can I take to fight against this greed and foster unity in the church?

Grow GroupsDan Smith
Oct. 27 - God's Plan and Our Place in It (Eph. 1:1-4)

We invite you to ponder the week’s Bible passage and 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: Think of someone you admire or with whom you are good friends. What's one character trait you appreciate about them?

A way to pray: Pray for one another to grow in Christlikeness, not out of an “earning” mindset but rather out of gratitude for what He’s done for us. Ask the Lord to use us to reveal Himself to those around us as we seek to see 2,000 people by 2022 baptized and growing in relationship with Jesus through the Word, prayer, and community.

Talk It Over:

  • Treasuring God: When the forces of darkness pull me in different directions, how do I personally use the truth of God’s Word to stay strong in my faith?

  • Being Transformed: Have I become too “comfortable” in my relationship with God? What would it look like for me to truly follow Christ in submitting to God?

  • Loving Others: What do I need to do to better understand and love both Christians and non-Christians? How can doing this offer hope in a “Slippery World”?

  • Pursuing Unity: Do I believe that unity in Christ means never disagreeing? Or bringing together unique personalities? How do my actions reflect what I believe?

Grow GroupsDan Smith
Oct. 20 - Reliant Response (Ps. 59)

We invite you to ponder the week’s Bible passage and 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 comes to mind when you think of something that's either very dependable or surprisingly undependable (e.g. a particular brand, vehicle, tool, electronic device, appliance, etc.)? Why do you think of it that way?

A way to pray: Pray for one another to grow continually in being quick to turn to the Lord in good times and bad.

Talk It Over:

  • Treasuring God: How or when has God shown His dependability in my own life and/or in the life of someone I know?

  • Being Transformed: When do I tend to rely on myself rather than crying out to the Lord for help? What would it look like for me to depend on Him even as I act?

  • Loving Others: When I recognize my own failure to rely on God, how does that help me obey Jesus’ command to love and pray for my enemies? (Matthew 5:43-48)

  • Pursuing Unity: How is God prompting me to help see someone through a difficulty they're facing? How could others help me in times of trouble?

Grow GroupsDan Smith
Oct. 13 - Progressive Pursuit (1 Sm. 19)

We invite you to ponder the week’s Bible passage and 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: How do you feel about fall – do you love it or hate it? Why? What is the beauty in fall?

A way to pray: Pray for one another based on what is shared in the discussion questions below. Ask the Lord to help us be quick to repent (turn back to Him) when we get off-track, so that we can reflect His love well to those around us as we seek to see 2,000 people by 2022 baptized and growing in relationship with Jesus through the Word, prayer, and community.

Talk It Over:

  • Treasuring God: Do I believe God is holding back the chaos of sin and evil, or that He’s getting ready to "drop the hammer"? How does this impact how I love Him?

  • Being Transformed: What needs to change for me to see God’s discipline as loving pursuit? What difficulty in my life right now might be an invitation to repent?

  • Loving Others: Specifically, this week, how could I pursue people outside of Christ the way Jesus has pursued me?

  • Pursuing Unity: Where am I holding a grudge or harboring unforgiveness? How could I respectfully and lovingly confront instead (as Jonathan did with Saul)?

Grow GroupsDan Smith