Sunday Discussion Questions
Consider and Discuss
Do Not Disturb #3 | Sunday, May 18
1. The paralyzed man had four friends willing to carry him and tear off a roof to get him to Jesus. Who in your life shows up like that when you're in need? Are you that person for soemone else?
2. The sermon challenged the idea that community is optional. What obstacles (time, pride, fear, busyness) might be keeping you from engaging deeply in Christian community?
3. How do you respond when Jesus doesn't meet your 'obvious' need first? Jesus forgave the man's sins before healing his body. Has there ever been a time when Jesus addressed a deeper need in your life before the one you thought was most urgent?
4. The story says "Jesus saw their faith." In what ways is your faith visible to others? How can you live out a faith that stirs belief in those around you?
5. The crowd was amazed by what they witnessed. As a believer, what still amazes you about Jesus? What are you celebrating, contemplating, or chasing that reveals what amazes you most?
Do Not Disturb #2 | Sunday, May 11
1. How do the 35,000 daily decisions we make affect your sense of peace, focus or connection with God?
2. How do you typically respond to feelign overwhlemed-escape, overwork, ignore?
3. In what ways could fasting- whether from food, tech, or another dependency- help creat spiritual margin in your life?
4. Is there something God might be asking you to subtract before He adds something new?
5. Jesus warned about doing spiritual practices "to be seen"- how can we fast (or pray, give, etc.) in a way that honors God rather than ourselves?
Do Not Disturb | Sunday, May 4
1. How do you typically respond to distraction in your life?
2. Is there a specific area of your life where you feel particularly off balance?
3. Is there a consistent source that leads you towards distraction? (ex: social media, work, person, etc....)
4. What is one spiritual discipline that you can practice this week? What are the greatest potential obstacles that would keep you from engaging in this practice?
Grace & Truth | Sunday, April 27
1. Have you ever sized up someone and written them off based on an event, an interaction, or a decision they made?
2. Have you ever struggled with the thought that perhpas something you've done casued God to write you off as well?
3. If so, how did you move past that? What would you say to someone who wonders where they stand with God because of something in their past?
Easter | Sunday, April 20
1. Based on your past experience, what significance has Easter had on your ability to trust in God in the present?
2. Think about an aspect of your faith in which you struggle with doubt, like Thomas. How does believing in the historical resurrection of Jesus speak to that doubt?
Death Of A King | Sunday, April 13
1. How have your views of death and what happens when we die evolved over the course of your life?
2. Is the notion that death is a consequence of sin new to you?
3. Respond to this: "Regarding death, we're like children standing on the side of the pool, afraid to jump, in spite of our parent's assurance that there's nothing to fear."
Take Aim | Sunday, March 30
1. Where are you aiming right now? How confident are you that it’s the right direction for your life?
2. How is your focus showing up in your calendar, budget, or conversations? What’s competing for your attention?
3. Read Ephesians 2:10 aloud. What “good works” might God have prepared for you that you haven’t stepped into yet?
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
4. Read Joshua 1:7–9 aloud. What stands out to you most in this passage and why?
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
5. What do you think it means to be “strong and courageous” in the specific season you’re in right now?
6. Are you in alignment—heart, mind, and actions? If not, which one is lagging behind the others?
Deeper/Wider : February 23-March 23
During the Deeper/Wider series please visit deeperwider.com/groups for discussion questions and additional resources.
The Last Kingdom #5: Unstoppable | February 16
1. Many of us were raised to assign equal weight and authority to all the worlds of all the authors of the Bible. Was that your experience?
2. What's your initial reaction to the suggestion that the teaching of Jesus should take the precedence over Heretical? Uncomfortable? Novel? Obvious?
3. Read Matthew 28:18-20.
Drawing from your familiarity with the four Gospels, what would the following statement include?
"....teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
The Last Kingdom #4: Fight Like The King | February 9
1. In your opinion, what do Christians appear to be fighting against or fighting for these days? What is the win?
2. Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. What was Paul's win?
3. How does the follow statement land with you... or challenge you?
The right fight is the fight to be Christlike, regardless.
The Last Kingdom #3: Beyond Pledging Allegiance | February 2
1. Jesus talked about how the kingdom of God had come near, and he invited people to repent. Has the word “repent” held a positive or negative connotation for you? What do you think it really means to repent?
2. We sing songs like “Our God Reigns” or “King of my Heart”, but how do we truly surrender/submit to Him as the ruler of our world? What does it mean to surrender?
3. Why is it so difficult for us to surrender control of our everyday lives? Do you believe that it is an issue of trust?
4. When it comes to us trusting God, the secret is found in our perception of who God is, and what God is like (his character). How did Jesus instruct us to address God? (Matt 6:9-10) What is your experience with addressing God as Father?
The Last Kingdom #2: Reclaiming the Plotline | January 26
1. When you think of Jesus, do you think primarily in terms of the roles he played and the services he performed? Teacher. Forgiver. Comforter. Provider. Defender of the weak.
2. Were you rasied to view Jesus as a means to an end? How did that manifest itself in your faith journey?
3. What is your initial reaction to this statement: Jesus did not come to die; he came to reign.
The Last Kingdom #1: Lost in Translation | January 19, 2024
1. If you grew up attending church, summarize the template you were taught in 3-5 short statements.
2. Which of these term best describes the Jesus you learned about in church or school: Savior, Friend, Lord, Example, King, Myth, Jew or Teacher?
3. What are the implications for you personally for the church corporately if King and kingdom become the primary story once again?
Made for More | Week 1, January 5, 2024
1. Outside of family, what environment has been most instrumental in your faith journey?
2. Chances are there was a who or two in that environment who facilitated your journey. Why was that relationship so instrumental?
3. Have you found your place or assignment in the advancement of the kingdom of God? If not, are you open to exploring?
Sinners Like Me | Week 3, December 15, 2024
No discussion questions this week.
Sinners Like Me: Party Crashers | Week 2, December 8, 2024
1. If you had a nickname associated with a sin or character flaw, what might it be? The worrier? The angry? The fearful? The addict?
2. Does your past ever cause you to doubt your inclusion in the kingdom of God? If so, why? If not, why not?
3. Does someone's past cause you to doubt their ability to participate in the kingdom of God?
Sinners Like Me: The Back Story | Week 1, December 1, 2024
1. What ran through your mind as you listened to the tale of Judah and Tamar?
2. Is it difficult... or has it ever been difficult... for you to acknowledge that you are a sinner? Is that offensive? If so, why?
3. Does it bother you that Jesus invited Matthew to follow him without requiring Matthew to change? Repent of his sin?
Miracles: Then and Now | Week 1, October 13, 2024
1. Have you ever asked God for a miracle? When and what?
2. What happened?
3. How did that event affect your faith?
