3.31.24

¹⁴ For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; ¹⁵ and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

¹⁶ From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ¹⁸ All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹ that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

What does Paul mean when he says the love of Christ controls us?

What does the process of the old self passing away and becoming a new creation in Christ look like? Is this transformation evident in your life?

How has God reconciled himself to us?

What does it mean to be an ambassador for Christ? What kind of responsibility does this place on us as Christians?

Do you feel you are adequately pursuing this responsibility?

3.24.24

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

Luke 15:11-32

Have you ever been able to relate to the younger son in the parable? How so?

How can you use this experience to reach others that are currently in a similar situation?

Why can we have confidence in returning to God when we have left Him?

What is the difference between the father’s and the older son’s reaction to the younger son’s return?

According to the parable, how should we react when we see a known sinner coming to the house of God? Why?

3.17.24

8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins,if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

                             Luke 15:8-10

If you lost $100, how much diligence would you show in your search? Do you exert this much effort to reach those who are spiritually lost?

In what ways can we be diligent in our search for the lost?

What is the difference between church culture and kingdom culture?

How can we as a church prioritize the mission over preference?

How can/should we rejoice with a person who comes to faith?

How can we pray for you?

3.9.24

Do you have “the one” in your life that you feel led to pursue?

If so, how do you plan to pursue them?

How can we support the lost that have started their journey of finding God?

Do you feel you adequately hold your Christian friends accountable? Why or why not?

How can we encourage Christians that act like non-Christians to pursue a life pleasing to God?

3.3.24

Where is your heart at in giving/why do you give?

Does it cost you to be a disciple of Jesus? (When is the last time it cost you something to be a disciple of Jesus?)

Do you feel that you are all in as a Christian? Why or why not?

Are you generous in spreading the gospel? (Do you invite the outcasts too?)

How do we maintain/keep our “saltiness” in our walk with Jesus?

2.25.24

DISCUSSION GUIDE /2.25.24

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

If you could go to Mars, would you? Why or why not?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Luke 14:7-11

• Have you ever been in a situation where you were honored or asked to move? Share.

• Who is the most humble person you know? Explain how they have impacted you.

• Is it hard for you to be humble? Why or why not?

• How did Jesus model humility for his followers?

• How can we pray for you?

2.18.24

DISCUSSION GUIDE /2.18.24

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

Five things that make you happy?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem.And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Luke 13:22-30

• Are you saved? Why or why not?

• Are you more Christ-like or less Christ-like than you were a year ago? Why do you think this is?

• What is the difference in being around Jesus and being with Jesus?

• Why do you think only few people are saved when Jesus has made salvation available to everyone?

• How can we do our part in sharing the gospel this week?

• How can we pray for you?

2.11.24

DISCUSSION GUIDE /2.11.24

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

Which team are you / were you going for in the super bowl?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

18 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” 20 And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”

Luke 13:18-21

• Think about your different roles (spouse, parent, employee, friend) Where has God planted you? Why do you think God has placed you here?

• How have you grown since being planted? (spiritually, emotionally, morally, etc)

• What do you hope you are becoming? What words would you like others to describe you as?

• What is something you hope will be possible for the next generation as a result of your obedience to God?

• What is an area in your life where you hope to see exponential growth?

• What is an area of the church where you hope to see exponential growth?

• How can we pray for you?

2.4.24

DISCUSSION GUIDE /2.4.24

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

Favorite valentine’s day gift?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

Luke 13:6-9

• What are examples of “spiritual fruit”?

• What is some spiritual fruit you have seen produced in your life or a loved one’s life?

• Do we have an expectation to produce spiritual fruit as Christian? Why or why not?

• As a church how do we make sure we are doing more than “using up the ground” and are sharing God’s love in our community?

• At times we need to be pruned and fertilized in order to produce. What are some things you could cut out of your life, and what are some things you could add to your life in order to produce more spiritual fruit.

• How can we pray for you?

1.28.24

DISCUSSION GUIDE /1.28.24

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

What is your dream car?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

47 And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

Luke 12:35-40, 47-48

• Do you feel spiritually prepared for Jesus to return? Why or why not?

• What are some ways that we can wait on (serve) the Lord and prepare for His return?

• Do you feel like you are one that has been “given much” and therefore have much required of you? Explain. How does this impact your daily life?

• Describe an ideal day of activities where you would feel at peace for Christ to return at any hour. What is preventing you from living like that every day?

• How can we pray for you?