Group Discussion & Life Challenge
Use these notes as discussion prompts for your group, or in your personal time with God.
Connect:
Get to know each other. Connect, warm up to each other, fellowship.
Care:
Carry each other’s burdens. Share life’s challenges and practice Soul Care. Pray together.
Challenge:
Dive into God’s Word. Use these discussion questions. Learn from each other’s insight
Reflection/Discussion Questions:
- Share a big idea that someone had that you were sure would never happen. Share a big ministry idea that someone had that may or may not have worked.
- Read Ephesians 5:14, what might “wake up, sleeper” mean to you?
- Insiders welcoming Outsiders as Insiders:
- Give an example of a time you felt like an outsider.
- Give an example of a time you extended a hand, welcoming an outsider as an insider.
- What could you do better, to understand the struggle an outsider faces, and meet them where they are?
- “Ethnocentrism” is the opinion that one’s own way of life is natural or correct.
- Give an example of a time when you didn’t understand another group’s norms or behaviors.
- Have you seen anyone benefit from increasing conflict – tapping into a group’s ethnocentrism?
- What’s an example of two groups coming together for the mutual advantage of all, instead of us vs. them? (study Acts 6:1-7 as an example)
- Thoughts on Tony Evan’s statement:
- Through Christ we have Unity – not uniformity
- What comes to mind, as you consider the differences of worship expressions, faith practices and beliefs in our church and even your own small group? This was shared during the sermon – regarding differences.
- they will show you a unique perspective on God
- they will drive you toward digging deeper into Scripture
- they will teach you to love in spite of differences.
- The wall mentioned in verse 14, was made of actual granite and marble, dividing the two people groups. What comes to mind as you think of tearing down barriers dividing people today?
- Is there one people group that is often left out, overlooked, that you’d like to connect with, learn more about?
Clarify:
Does anyone need clarity on something? Are there any big God questions you are wrestling with?
Celebrate:
Celebrate life’s successes and God’s provision. Worship God’s presence. Time to brag about God.
BibleApp
Through the Bible in one Year
Join us in reading through the entire Bible in one year. Each day of this plan guides you through passages from both the Old and New Testaments, allowing you to see connections between the history of our faith, and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Readings average four chapters in length, so it is posible to do. When you use the YouVersion Bible App, you can even have the app read the Bible text to you – very useful when you are in the car or otherwise occupied with your hand.
All you need to do is click the link to the Bible Plan, which should lead you straight to the Bible app. Your two options are now (1) to read the plan on your own, one day at the time. Or (2) you can make it more fun and rewarding, by sharing the plan with one or more friends, and then even “Talk about it”.