Sunday Discussion Questions

The Way in a Manger, Week 1 | December 3, 2023

1. When was the last time you lost your way on your way somewhere? What did you do?

2. Have you ever chosen a “way” in life that, in Solomon’s words, “seemed right” but turned out to be not so right

3. What convinced you? How did find your way back?

Past Messages

Check Your Heart, Week 3 | November 26, 2023

1. If someone were to ask you to name the greatest commandment in the Bible, what would you say?

2. Have you ever thought about what it means to love your neighbor as yourself? What do you think is the significance of loving others as you love yourself?

3. Have you ever heard the story of the “Good Samaritan”? What did you hear in the story that you have never thought about before? What did you find the most meaningful?

4. When you see someone in need, what is the default response that you find in your heart? Do you think that feeling “compassion” for others is something that is an area of growth for you?

5. What are some ways that you can cultivate God’s heart for other people? Do you think that you have ever experienced or received God’s relentless love toward you?

Check Your Heart, Week 2 | November 19, 2023

1. Nearly half of Jesus’s 38 parables were about money and possessions. Why do you think this topic is so important?

2. According to Matthew6:19–21, we have the choice to store up treasures on earth (now) or in heaven (later). Looking at your calendar and your bank account, where are your money and time (your treasure) currently going? What is your heart set on?

3. Matthew 6:22–23 says, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness.” The “eye” controls the focus of our mind. When you think about your thought life (the thoughts that run through your mind and heart) would you describe it as full of “light” or “darkness”? What primarily has your attention

4. Reflect on the statement “The real battle when it comes to living for later is between what you want NOW and what you want MOST.” Can you define what you want MOST?

5. What is one thing you could ask God to help you with this week in regard to living for LATER? (Examples may include starting to pay attention to your thought life, not immediately buying something you want, giving to someone in need, creating a plan to give, or having an honest conversation with someone about what you want MOST.) How would your life look different if you took this step?

Check Your Heart, Week 1 | November 12, 2023

1. What do you picture when you think of the word “guard”?

2. According to Proverbs 4:23, why is it important to guard your heart? What does that mean to you personally?

3. Reflecting on the statement “stick and stones may break your bones but words can really hurt you”:

• What are some hurtful words that you are holding onto?
• How have those words impacted your life?
• What is one way you could work to let go of those words

4. Words have the ability to be used as weapons to tear down or tools to build up. Consider the words you speak to yourself and to others:

• What do the words you are speaking reveal about the condition of your heart?
• What are you storing in your heart that you may need to let go of?
• What are the hurtful words you need to stop saying to yourself?
• Are there any hurtful words you have spoken to others and need to ask forgiveness?

5. What is one thing you could ask God to help you with this week, (begin to listen to your words, uncover what is stored in your heart, heal from past hurtful words, etc.)? How would your life look different if you took this step?

Under the Circumstances, Week 3 | November 5, 2023

1. Have you ever been disappointed with God?

2. When you think about the people whose faith inspires you, which comes to mind: Easy life? Hard life?

3. Why are stories of faith in spite of hardship so inspiring?
Why don’t we assume their faith was misplaced?

Under the Circumstances, Week 2 | October 29, 2023

1. Have you ever doubted God because of an unanswered prayer? Did your faith survive? If so, how?

2. Have you ever watched a Christian experience sustaining grace in the midst of suffering? How did it impact you?

3. Memorize Hebrews 4:16 NIV.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Under the Circumstances, Week 1 | October 22, 2023

1. Have you ever had second thoughts about the goodness of God because of pervasive pain and suffering in the world?

2. How has personal suffering impacted your confidence in the goodness of God?

3. Peter writes: "Case all your cares on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). What is your intital reaction to that invitation?