The best is yet to come! - Week 1

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 1.1.23

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

What is your new year’s resolution?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.

- Joshua 1:6-7

• What does it mean to be a strong and courageous Christian?

• What ensures success for Joshua? How does this apply to us?

• Why did the Israelites wonder in the desert for 40 years? How can fear keep us from obeying God?

• As you’re “crossing the Jordan” into 2023 what is something that you want to strengthen in your walk with God?

• Joshua wasn’t just being strong and courageous for himself, but he was leading the people around him. Your faith impacts those in your life. Who’s faith are you hoping to strengthen this year?

• How can we pray for you?

He is up to something - Week 3

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 12.18.22

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

What is your favorite Christmas present to ever receive?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

- Luke 2:8-20

• Were the shepherds seeking God when the angel told them the good news? Were you seeking God when you first heard the good news?

• What happened after the angel shared the good news? Should we join the heavenly host when we hear the good news? Why do you think we don’t?

• After hearing the good news, the shepherd sought Jesus for themselves. What did your journey to Jesus look like?

• How did the people respond when the shepherds told them what happened? (verse 18) Did that deter the shepherds from sharing the good news? Why do we allow other’s response deter us from sharing?

• When is the last time you glorified God and praised Him for sending Jesus? What would you like to thank God for today?

• How can we pray for you?

Discussion guide 12.11.22

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 12.11.22

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

- 1 John 4:14-15

• What did your Christmas tradition look like in your family growing up? Did it include the true meaning of Christmas?

• According to verse 14, why did God send Jesus? Why do you think God chose to send Him as a baby in a manger?

• Have you confessed Jesus as your Lord? How has God living in you impacted your life?

• Not only is God living in you, but you are in Him. How have you seen God’s protection in your life?

• Are you sharing the true meaning of Christmas with others this year?

• How can we pray for you?

He is up to something - Week 2

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 12.4.22

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

What is your favorite Christmas song?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

- James 1:2-8

• How can we count it all joy when we face trials?

• What is something you’ve gone through that has produced patience (steadfastness) in you?

• What is an area of life where you need wisdom? Have you asked God for it?

• Why is important to ask in faith without doubting? Is this challenging for you? Why or why not?

• How is asking for wisdom different than asking for God to remove the trial?

• How can we pray for you?

He is up to something - Week 1

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 11.27.22

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

What was the best thing that happened this past week?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

- Matthew 14:14-21

• Have you ever wanted to send someone away but Jesus made it clear that He wanted to use you in their life? What was that experience like?

• Has Jesus ever asked you to do something that you were not equipped for? Were you obedient? Why or why not?

• God asks us to use what is in our hand. What is “in your hand” that you can use for His glory?

• Jesus gave to his disciples and then the disciples were the ones that gave to the crowd. Why is it important for us to share what we have with the world around us?

• What has God asked you to do recently? He is up to something. What is He up to in your life?

• How can we pray for you?

Ephesians - Week 10

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 11.20.22

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

What are you looking forward to the most this week?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

- Ephesians 6:14-18

• Truth - Why is living a truthful life so important for a Christian?

• Righteousness - How does sin affect our relationship with God? Our relationship with others?

• Readiness - Have you shared the gospel this week? this month? this year? How many opportunities do you think there have been to do so?

• Faith - What are some examples of “flaming darts” that the enemy will shoot at us? How does faith protect us?

• Salvation - Have you confessed Jesus as your Lord and received salvation? How has it changed your life?

• Word of God - How often do you read the Bible? Do you notice a difference in your life in seasons when you read verses seasons when you don’t read regularly?

• Prayer - How often do you pray? Do you notice a difference in your life in seasons when you pray verses seasons when you don’t read regularly?

• How can we pray for you?

Ephesians - Week 9

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 11.13.22

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

- Ephesians 5:17-21

• How do you understand what the will of the Lord is?

• Why does Paul use the under-the-influence comparison?

• What are our top three primary relationships and how do we demonstrate God’s love in each of them?

• Why is it important to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ?

• Out of the relationships mentioned in Ephesians 5-6 (Spouse, Family, Work) which one do you feel like you need to work on the most? Why is this relationship important?

• How can we pray for you?

Missions Focus - Week 3

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 11.06.22

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

When is it acceptable to listen to Christmas music and decorate for Christmas?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

- Matthew 6:19-21

• What was your first purchase when you had first earned your own money? How did it make you feel?

• What is your favorite hobby? Do you spend more on this hobby than your other hobbies?

• What cause do you feel passionate about? Do you give towards it?

• What is the primary mission that Jesus commanded us to accomplish? Are we giving towards it?

• What do you want your heart to be more invested in this coming year?

• How can we pray for you?

Missions Focus - Week 2

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 10.30.22

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

If you could choose any two famous people to have dinner with who would they be?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. 2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.

- Jonah 4:1-2

• Why was Jonah angry that the Lord was forgiving towards his enemy? How can we be more forgiving than Jonah?

• What does Jonah know about God’s character?

• How do we align our heart to be more like God’s heart?

• Without naming names, think about - who are your enemies? Would you be willing to pray that they knew the love and forgiveness of God? Why or why not?

• God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relents from disaster. Which of these qualities do you wish you possessed more of?

• How can we live our lives on “mission” from God?

• How can we pray for you?

Missions Focus - Week 1

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 10.23.22

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

- Matthew 28:18-20

• Authority - What does Jesus having authority mean to you?

• Go - This can be translated “as you’re going”. How do you honor God in your normal routine day-to-day life?

• Make disciples - Are you personally making disciples? How so? Are you supporting those who do? Explain.

• Baptizing - Have you been baptized? If so, has your obedience to God increased or decreased since that time? Why do you think that is?

• Teaching - Are you teaching the Word of God to anyone in your life? Why or why not?

• Behold - Are you aware of Christ’s constant presence in your life? How does this impact the way that you live?

• How can we pray for you?