Pint-sized Personal Trainers
May 12-13, 2012
Galatians 5:22-23

Getting Started

1. What lessons have you learned from children?

2. What quality from Paul’s list in Galatians 5:22-23 do you need the most? Why?

Going Deeper

3. How does the biblical definition of love differ from common definitions in the culture?

4. How does Satan try to rob the followers of Jesus of the infinite joy Jesus promised?

5. How can those who struggled with guilt and regret ever find peace?

6. Is there a relationship or situation in your life that requires patience, forbearance and the ability to be long-suffering? Explain.

Genuine Faith
James 2:14-26
May 5-6, 2012

Getting Started

1. Review 2 Corinthians 5:11-21. What’s so compelling about the love of Christ?

Going Deeper

2. Where are you on the “talking-action” continuum? Is there a large disparity between what you know and what you do? Explain.

3. Believing that a faith that doesn’t cost you anything isn’t worth anything, how costly is your faith? What does it require of you?

4. Do you respond to the truth? Is there a truth that God has been speaking to you about that you haven’t been responding to?

5. Why is it so important that good works follow our profession of faith in Jesus Christ?

Trusting God for a Miracle
April 28-29, 2012
Compelling Love Series
John 6:1-13

Getting Started

1. What part of the message spoke the most to you? Why?

2. What needs do you see around you?

3. What can you do to become more aware of the needs in your community?

Going Deeper

4. Has the Lord ever tested your friendship with him? If so, explain.

5. Having heard God’s call, have you ever been presented with an attractive alternative? If so, how did you respond?

6. Is there any area of your life where you’ve run out of resources? Any area where you feel inadequate or insufficient? Explain.

Five Myths About Giving
April 21-22, 2012
Compelling Love Series
2 Corinthians 8:1-9

Getting Started

1. Has America entered, as Business Week suggested, a new philanthropic age? Why or why not?

2. Why is giving so important to God?

Going Deeper

3. How is God’s grace connected to generosity?

4. What does it mean to give “contrary to your ability” (v. 3)?

5. What changes could you make to your lifestyle that would enable you to give more?

Five Myths about Giving (Review)

1. My giving doesn’t make a difference

2. People give generously because they’re naturally noble (v. 1)

3. People given generously only when they have the resources (v. 2)

4. People give only what they can afford to give (v. 3)

5. People give generously only when coerced (v. 5)

Investing in the CAUSE
February 14-15, 2012
Compelling Love Series
Matthew 25:14-30

Getting Started

1. How do you respond to delays?

2. How prepared are you for delay, disappointment and difficulty?

Going Deeper

3. How do you deal with unanswered prayers and unfulfilled dreams?

4. What do you think would happen to our community if every follower of Jesus Christ adopted the identity of a servant?

5. Can you identify your talents? What have you to share with others?

6. What kind of investment is God calling you to make?

Why the Resurrection Matters
Easter 2012
April 7-8, 2012
1 Corinthians 15:12-19

Getting Started

1. Read the Apostle Paul’s synopsis of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances (vv. 3-8). Why is eyewitness testimony so compelling?

Going Deeper

2. How does the resurrection of Jesus Christ distinguish Christianity from all other religions?

3. How should the fact of the resurrection effect the way we do church?

4. How do we know the disciples and the other eyewitnesses didn’t lie about the resurrection?

5. In what way does the fact of the resurrection validate Jesus’ work on the cross?

Limitless
March 31-April 1, 2012
Compelling Love Series
Luke 4:14-30

Getting Started

1. Did you grow up in a church that put limits on the message and ministry of Jesus? If so, explain.

Going Deeper

2. Jesus encouraged his disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. Why do we need power from on high?

3. Why is it so important that you are filled with the Holy Spirit? Have you been filled with the Holy Spirit?

4. Have you ever felt the presence of the Holy Spirit? How long has it been since the Spirit of God has fallen on you?

5. James Forbes said, “No one gets into heaven without a letter of reference from the poor.” Are you using the power you have to help the poor? Explain.

6. Do you know the reality of forgiveness in your life or do you live with a constant sense of accusation and guilt? What do you think you need to shake it?

Why Fast for 30 Days?
March 23-24, 2012
Compelling Love Series
Isaiah 58:1-12

Getting Started

1. Have you ever fasted and spent the time praying? If so, was it a positive experience? What did you gain?

2. How obsessed are you with food? Does anything have a hold on you? How much time do you spend every day preparing to eat and eating?

Going Deeper

3. Has Jesus really made a difference in your life? If so, in what way?

4. How authentic, how genuine, is your walk with Jesus Christ? How do you know it’s more than just a Christian veneer?

5. Are you or a loved one in bondage to addictive and compulsive behaviors? Have you considered fasting as a means to break free?

6. What has pain done to your heart? Have you become more self-focused or focused on the pains of others?

7. Have you ever made a major decision without consulting God? Why is getting God’s wisdom so important?

R-I-S-K
March 17-18, 2012
Compelling Love Series
Luke 10:25-37

Getting Started

1. Do you see signs of fear and fear-based thinking in our culture? In your own life? If so, explain.

2. Why do some people love to argue and debate the claims of Christ? Do you know anyone like that? Were you ever that person? Are you that person now?

Going Deeper

3. Explain the difference between an either/or and a both/and approach to Luke 10:27. Why is this so important?

4. What is our responsibility toward our fellow human beings?

5. When does our concern for safety and security simply become another name for our utter lack of trust in God?

6. One wrote, “Faith happens when compassion overcomes fear.” Has your compassion overcome your fear?

7. Are you willing to put safety and security aside and put yourself at risk?

Becoming
March 10-11, 2012
Compelling Love Series
2 Chronicles 28-31

Getting Started

1. Would you say that you regularly choose hope over cynicism? Why or why not?

Going Deeper

2. If someone asked you how you could partner with God to change the world, what would you say?

3. How do you view the city you live in? What would a transformed city look like?

4. Why is racial reconciliation so important to God?

Life in the Spirit
March 3-4, 2012
Willing Series
Luke 3:21-22

Getting Started

1. How does the world answer life’s two most basic questions: Who am I? Why am I here? What would they have you believe about yourself?

Going Deeper

2. When was the last time you heard God, your Father, speak words of love and affirmation to your soul? Describe how it made you feel.

3. When we don’t regularly go to God for affirmation we can find ourselves living the life of a slave to all the other voices. Are you a slave to some other voice in your life? Explain.

4. Why is prayer so important when it comes to making major life decisions?

5. How regular are your prayers? Why is a regular habit of prayer so critical to our growth as followers of Jesus?

The Lost Art of Confession
February 25-26, 2012
Willing Series
Psalm 51

Getting Started

1. How deep does your confession go? Do you come away feeling forgiven? Why or why not?

2. What happens when we repeatedly rationalize our sin choices?

Going Deeper

3. Is there any area of your life where you’re not exactly following the “letter of the law” but you have a good reason for it? Explain.

4. Why is it so hard for folks to take full responsibility for their sins?

5. Look at the definitions of David’s 3 descriptors -- transgressions, iniquities, sins -- below. Which one best describes the mistakes you’ve made in the past? Why?

• Transgressions--to revolt or rebel against God’s authority.
• Iniquities--to twist or bend the Word for your own purposes.
• Sins--missing the mark, missing God’s purpose for your life.

Everything Is His
February 18-19, 2012
Willing Series
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Getting Started

1. Name 5 things you are faithful for with your group. On your own, when you have more time, write down 25 things you are thankful for.

2. Think of one thing in your life you are thankful for (maybe your dog, a friend, a job, a gifting). Focus on that one thing and step back as far as you can seeing where God has been present in your life with his provision. Example: How did you get your dog? Where did you find the dog? How did you pay for the dog? Thank God at every step along the way.

Going Deeper

3. Have you ever taken credit for the things within your circle of control? Within your circle of influence? Confess these things to God and let him take credit for them. Give thanks to him for these things.

4. What do you think entitlement is? Cite some examples you’ve seen in your life. Have you ever suffered from a feeling of entitlement? Share the story and confess it to God, giving thanks instead.

5. Think of a time where you or someone you know gave thanks in a difficult circumstance. Share it with the group.

6. David said we give thanks for a purpose. What purpose has God given you where you must rely on him to provide for you?

Focus Your Thoughts on God, Part 2
February 11-12, 2012
Willing Series
Isaiah 40:18-31

Getting Started

1. Do you struggle to focus on God in public worship? If so, why?

Going Deeper

2. Is there anything, good or bad, that you’ve formed an unhealthy attachment to, anything that’s taking the place of God? Explain.

3. What makes you feel good about yourself? What God says about you or what others say about you? Be honest.

4. Have you, in any way, given people power over you? Explain.

5. How well do you handle peer pressure?

6. How do you react when God isn’t working according to your timetable? How should you react?

Focus Your Thoughts on God--Part 1
Isaiah 40:1-17
Willing Series
February 4-5, 2012

Getting Started

1. What form, if any, do you use in prayer? (example, A-C-T-S etc.) What do you like about it?

Going Deeper

2. How would you describe experience of God in worship? Is worship or adoration easy or hard? Explain.

3. Have you ever felt that you’ve blown it so badly that not even God could straighten it out? Explain.

4. What damages have you suffered as a result of your sin? (physically, financially, emotionally, hurting others)

5. What’s so great about the Atonement?