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:
1. When you think about God, what comes to mind? Be honest with yourself and share in the group. A.W. Tozer says, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” So what do you think when you think about God?
2. Reflect back to the sermon from Aaron, and/or look up the Isa. 55:8-9, Ex. 34:6-7-what new things about God have you learned that you want to take with you into the new year?
3. Read 1 John 4:9-10, this week we celebrate the arrival of love incarnate, God in flesh. Take a moment to read it together. Now go back and read it again. And again. Read it a total of five times, pausing to see what phrase sticks out. What might God be inviting you to receive when it comes to his love this Christmas week.
4. Rom. 3:11-12 reminds us that none of us are righteous; this can be a hard truth to want to receive. Take a moment and reflect on this past year, times you missed the mark and God’s grace was truly a gift to receive. Share with the group if you feel brave and thank God together for his mercy.
5. What is something you can do each day this week to remind yourself that God really does love you?
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”.