Small Group Weekly Discussion Questions

June 21, 2020

Read Deuteronomy 30:19-20.

Matthew 7:13-14

Philippians 3:8-11

How are these three passages related?

Can the narrow gate open both ways or is it a one-way gate?

Why didn't God make it really easy to come into His kingdom?

What do you naturally rely on when life is hard?

As a group, see how many specifics from scripture you can find that define a salty Christian life.

June 14, 2020

Read Matthew 21:1-27 –

In light of the riots in the world right now, how do we compare and contrast Jesus’ entrance to Jerusalem, His actions in the temple and His destruction of the fig tree to what is going on right now in the world regrading race relation?

Is destruction ever permissible as believers?

Examples: Are we allowed to destroy abortion clinics?

Are we allowed to destroy a brother of slave traffickers in order to free enslaved women or young children?

Are we allowed to destroy facilities in war?

Are we allowed to loot and destroy businesses to initiate progress in racial equality?

Who are you struggling to call neighbor most in your life right now?

What are some specific ways we can reach out to somebody you are struggling with?

June 7, 2020

Is Christianity exclusive?
John 3:36; 14:6
Acts 4:12
Romans 3:23-24
1 Timothy 2:5
2 Timothy 2:12

Why does the world dislike how exclusive Biblical Christianity is?

Is Christianity inclusive?
Think about the ministry of Jesus
John 3:16
Romans 5:8 1
Corinthians 15:22
Galatians 3:28
Titus 3:4 1
John 2:2

Does the world dislike how inclusive Biblical Christianity is?

How are you both exclusive and inclusive?

How is the church both exclusive and inclusive?

May 31, 2020

"Judgment is a Reality"
Dragnet - Matthew 13:47-50

Read Nahum 1

God is talking about the Ninevites, 100 years after Jonah from 663-612 BC. Assyrians were notorious for the brutality and they had destroyed the northern Kingdom Israel in 722. This is a prophecy of good news even though it looks like a God of only wrath.

Why is God’s wrath just as important as God’s love?

The Bible answers the question in verse three. Why is this important?

Do you struggle with the question, "Why is God angry in the Old Testament and loving in the New Testament?" Why or Why Not?

What is significant in Verse 4 and 5?

How does verse 7 and 8 relate to Matthew 13:47-50?

Why is verse 9 so significant for the end times, and why should it make us see the great love for our God?

Can God do anything?

Does God send people to Hell?

May 24, 2020

Read John 12:3-8.

What do you think it was like for Lazarus to be with Jesus? (Lazarus had been raised from the dead back in chapter 11.)

The ointment would have possibly been worth a year's wages.

Why was Mary's anointing Jesus not a waste of the ointment or money it could have brought?

What does Mary's extravagance portray?

What was most valuable to Mary? To Judas?

Compare this story with the story found in John 4:7-26.

What do both stories teach us about worship?

How do sacrifice and worship go together?

May 17, 2020

Read Deuteronomy 7:6-8.

What did God think of the importance of the size of Israel?

Which of the following are more important:
Size
Influence

Speed
Endurance

Accomplishments
Faithfulness

What does Romans 12:3-16 have to do with God's kingdom?

What would you be willing to do for the Kingdom of God?

May 10, 2020

Is hell a real place? Yes or No.

Read the following verses then make a list of how hell is described. Matthew 3:12; 25:41; Mark 9:44-49; Luke 16:23-24; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 14:10-11; 20:10

How does Jesus describe the endurance of hell? Matthew 25:46

Is hell fair punishment for sin?

Why did God create hell?

Why do people go to hell?

How does a person keep from going to hell?

May 3, 2020

Read Luke 8:15

In horticulture, what constitutes good soil?

Good soil can be developed. How would a poor soil be developed into a good soil for crops?

Can a heart be developed into a good heart?

If yes, how?

What is fruit for the believer?

Should all believers produce fruit?

What motivates a Christian to produce fruit?

April 26,2020

What do you think is meant by The Kingdom of God?

What is the difference between reign and realm?

Read this quote from John Piper: "He sits as king on his throne of the universe, and his kingly rule — his kingdom and his reign — governs all things. The basic meaning of the word kingdom in the Bible is God’s kingly rule — his reign, his action, his lordship, his sovereign governance."

Is The Kingdom of God here now or will it come in the future?

The emphasis in the epistles is "Jesus is Lord". How does this relate to the "Kingdom of God" in the Gospels?

In what ways does your life demonstrate you, as a Christian, are a subject of a sovereign king?

April 19,2020

Read James 1:2-8 (NASB):
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

What trials are you encountering in your life right now?

How do you naturally respond to the testing of your faith?

How do you strengthen your faith?

Is your spiritual hope wishful thinking or confident expectation of something certain?

Why is a lack of faith or biblical hope like idolatry?

April 12,2020

Read: The stories from the 4 gospels.

How would you envision the story of the resurrection as a modern news story?

Think of some world changes that occurred because of the resurrection.

When we see Jesus in heaven will He still have the scars from the crucifixion?

April 5, 2020

A Jesus Response
John 11 and 12

Read John 11 and 12: Stop after each section your Bible breaks at. Use a Bible with clear section breaks. Discuss the section in light of our world right now, especially how it affects us during Holy week. You do not have to spend a lot of time breaking down each section but challenge yourself to see the world the way Jesus would.

After discussing the Scripture, I want us to pray and ask God to prepare your heart as a group to seek out ways God is calling the church and the individual to act during these difficult times.

How can good come from everything happening around us? Make a list of things the church can do as a corporate body to spread the love of Jesus during these times.

Make a list of how you can help the church accomplish these goals.

This week I want us to read: and write down one observation:

Monday April 6th:John 13

Tuesday April 7th: John 14

Wednesday April 8th: John 15 and 16

Thursday April 9th: John 17

Friday April 10th: John 18 and 19

Saturday April 11th: Pray for 20 minutes Sunday:

John 20 Monday: John 21

March 29, 2020

If small groups want to limit contact, use face time or zoom.

Lots of reading this time.

Read Job 1-3.

Why does God allow Job's affliction?

Discuss Job's response to affliction in chapter 3.

How would you respond?

What questions would you have for God in Job's situation?

Read Job 38-42.

Does God ever give Job a reason for the calamity Job is experiencing?

What is Job's final response to God?

What one passage speaks of God's transforming power in Job?

Pray specifically for the needs in your group.

March 22, 2020

If small groups want to limit contact use face time.

Read through these verses and talk about how they can be used to fight against fear, anxiety, worry and stress.

Deuteronomy 32:39

Psalm 56:11; 91:14; 118:6

Matthew 6:31; 10:29-30

Luke 12:7

Romans 8:28; 31

Philippians 4:6-9

Hebrews 13:6

Pray specifically for the needs in your group.

March 15, 2020

Read Hebrews 13:9-16.

Write down 20 observations you would like to understand deeper from the text.

Read Hebrews 7 and 8.

Does this help answer some of your observations?

Read Levitius 16:1-34

Does this text help enlighten the previous text?

Read Hebrews 13: 17-25.

Discuss ways to encourage your leaders.

March 8, 2020

• Review Matthew 6:5-15

• Verses 8-13 is a prayer but it is also a pattern or instruction of how to pray.

• Quickly make a list of specifics to pray for.

March 1, 2020

• Read the book of Jonah as a group!

• What words beside the usual words do you see repeating themselves?

• How do these words relate to the story?

Presence-

LORD-

Exceedingly-

• Talk about how you relate to Jonah’s prayer in Jonah 2.

• Do you think Jonah is a historical book or is it a parable?

• Read Matthew 12:38-42

• Does this change your mind?

• Do you find yourself ignoring God? When was the last time you shared your faith with someone?

• Will God ever not call you to share your faith?

• What do we learn about God in the last part of Jonah 4?

February 23, 2020

• Read 1 Kings 18:17-40

• Why is Elijah challenging the prophets of Baal?

• What did the prophets of Baal do to burn their sacrifice?

• Talk about their failure.

• How do the prophets of Baal relate to some practices of people today?

• What was the purpose of all the water Elijah used?

• Talk about the differences between what the prophets of Baal did and what Elijah did.

• What are some idols people worship today?

• Compare 1 Kings 18:21 to Matthew 6:24

• What has God always been after?

• What causes people to hesitate between two opinions?

February 16, 2020

I want you to read Hebrews 12:1-11 and come up with ten questions for me to answer using like scripture.

10.

February 9, 2020

• Read John 14:1-14

• Why where the Disciples troubled?

• Make a list of ways God comforts His people. Include scriptures for support.

• What does Jesus mean by My Father’s house?

• What are the dimensions of New Jerusalem and the Heavenly City? What are some of its features?

• What is the only way to the Father’s house?

• What does it mean to ask (pray) in My name?

• Are verses 13-14 a blank check?

February 2, 2020

Read 1 Kings 18.

What was the primary problem Elijah was confronting?

What do you think about the things Elijah did in this chapter?

What is the first commandment?

How are ‘lack of faith’ and ‘idolatry’ related?

What do you think about Elijah's motives?

Read Mathew 17:19-21.

What do you think is a cause of "little faith"?

What do you think mustard seed faith is?

What grows faith?

January 26, 2020

Read: Luke 11:5-13 and 18:1-8

What is the common theme of these two parables?

How could you retell these parables using 2019 examples and language?

Read Luke 18:9-14

Why do you think Jesus compared the Pharisee and the tax collector in this parable?

Which character best represents your prayer life? Be honest.

Who are you praying for daily?

January 19, 2020

Read James 2:14-26

How do you reconcile James 2:26 with Romans 3:28 and Ephesians 2:8-9?

How does James 2:14-26 fit with what Jesus taught in Matthew 7:21-27?

Discuss some practical ways your faith and your works together can glorify God.

January 12, 2020

Read 2 Peter 1:1-11

What is Peter referring to when he says in verse 4 "For by these"?

In verse 5, supply comes from a term meaning choirmaster. The ancient choirmaster was responsible for supplying everything needed for his choral group. Over time, the term took on the literal meaning of providing or giving lavishly or generously.

Think about the moral list in 2 Peter 1:5-7.

In what other New Testament passage is found a similar list?

Compare the two lists.

How do these lists define spiritual maturity?

How does a believer work with the Holy Spirit to produce fruit?

How do believers help each other produce fruit? Get real and honest. Are you producing fruit?

What hinders producing fruit?

January 5, 2020

Read Romans 12:1-8 and I Peter 2:1-5.

What do these passages teach about the believer’s participation in the church?

How do you think modern consumerism has damaged the church?

How would you define ministry in the church?

Compare: Romans 12: 3-13; I Corinthians 12:4-18, Ephesians 4:11-16 and I Peter 4:10-11

What is the goal of all ministry?

What is the ministry of the pastor/teacher? Complete the following statement.

If I could do anything for the body of Christ, I would do ____________.

December 29, 2019

The Bible teaches three different “sanctifications” what are they?
1.

Read Exodus 20:5, 34:14

How do we usually use the term jealous?

How is our jealousy different than God’s?

Read Exodus 32:7-8, 32:19-20

Review Pastor Bill’s definition of Idolatry

Consider three areas of life:
1. Time
2. Possessions
3. Purpose

Discuss and use Bible passages to help understand how each could be an idol and arouse God’s jealousy.

Anyone willing to admit they have idols?

December 22, 2019

• Define incarnation.

• What are some scriptures that support the true humanity of Jesus?

• What is the hypostatic union? Important to think through both the Eternal nature of Christ and the Humanity of Christ

• Find verses that speak of Christ’s eternal nature.

• Was there any point in the incarnation that Jesus was not fully God?

• What is the Kenosis problem in Philippians 2:5-9?

• How does all of these questions influence your celebration of Christmas?

December 15, 2019

True, Pure, Holy, Righteous King Jesus
Hebrews 9

Read Leviticus 24: 1-9 (ESV)

How many words can you see that would symbolize works in order to purify the Jewish people?

Is this how you feel your walk with Christianity is sometimes?

Are we worshiping Christianity or are we worshiping Christ?

What is the difference?

Read Matthew 2:1-23

Write down as many questions as you can think of from the text and try and answer a few within the group. Then give the questions to Pastor Bill and tell him it is an early Christmas present from Pastor Zack.

December 8, 2019

What is a covenant?

Look at the following passages:
Genesis 17:4-8
Exodus 19:5-6
2 Samuel 7:9-16
Jeremiah 31:31-34

What do these passages describe?

How did God inaugurate the New Covenant?

The New Covenant replaces the Old Covenant. Did God make a mistake with the Old Covenant?

Using scripture discuss the importance of baptism and how baptism relates to the New Covenant.

December 1, 2019

There will be no Small Group Discussion Questions for the week of December 1, 2019

November 24, 2019

Read 1 Peter 2:4-10

What do you think is meant by “living stone”?

How do Matthew 27:51, and Ephesians 2:10 relate to 1 Peter 2:4-10?

List some specific ways believers live out being a “holy priesthood”.

Do some bible dictionary/linquistic work with the term proclaim in verse 9? (Strong’s #1804)

Using scripture, talk about the excellencies of Christ.

What are some ways each believer can proclaim His excellencies?

November 17, 2019

From the teachings of first century Judaism, how would a person be saved?

How would you describe Christianity’s teaching of salvation?

What do the following passages teach about salvation?

John 6:37-40 —

John 10:27-28 —

1 John 2:19 —

Romans 8:37-39 —

What is the common controversial principle in each of these passages?

Ephesians 1:4-5, 11—

Romans 8:28-30 —

John 15:16 —

Revelation 13:8 —

2 Thessalonians 2:13 —

Does this principle eliminate the need for personal choice, faith in Christ?

How does this principle help us understand the eternal security of the believer?

November 10, 2019

Read all of Hebrews 6.

How would you describe the first three verses?

What type of person is this?

I want us to make arguments for and against total depravity? Are we totally sinful without
God or is there some good in us?

How can we be on opposite side of the fence and still worship together?

Why can we wrestle with these concepts and not be outside of Orthodoxy (generally
accepted in Christianity)?

Read all of Romans 3.

What is the main theme Paul is addressing in this passage?

Is this scripture saying we have total depravity?

Turn to Genesis 1.

If we are totally depraved, how do we deal with God making everything good in Genesis?

Does God still make everything good or does sin change the way God made us?

November 3, 2019

Read Matthew 7:13-23

Who do you think Jesus is speaking to?

Atheists, those who reject any religion?

          Pagans and heretics, those who have non-Biblical beliefs?

Apostates, those who have abandoned Judaism or religion?

Deceived, those who think they are on the road to heaven but are not?

Religious, those who are devoted to and have some form of religious practice?

What do you think the term ‘Lord’ means?

How does Matthew 7:24-27 illustrate 7:1-23?

Pastor Bill believes there are 3 basic sources or deception what do you think they are?

How does Deuteronomy 6:4-5 help us understand James 2:19?

October 27, 2019

Read Leviticus 17:11.

Why were animal sacrifices important in the Old Testament?

Read 1 Peter 2:1-10.

In verse 1, what does the "therefore" refer to?

What are the 5 sins Peter lists?

If possible use a Bible dictionary, and discuss the meanings of these 5 sins.

Why do you think Peter uses the example of a newborn for a longing for God's Word?

What does "living stones" mean in verse 4 and 5?

What do you think some spiritual sacrifices would be?

What are the implications of being a "royal priesthood"?

Find some other passages that speak of believers as priests.

Talk about living everyday life as priests.

October 20, 2019

One of the major problems in the church the author of Hebrews wrote to was combining legalistic Judaism and Jewish ritual to the gospel of grace.
With this in mind:

·       What is the purpose of the law?

·       How do modern Christians improperly keep the law?

·       What are the essential doctrines of Christianity? These are non-negotiable. If an essential is removed
from the belief system it is no longer a Christian belief system. There are some doctrines and practices
that are extremely important in Christianity, however they are not essential.

·       What are some non-essential doctrines?

·       How do non-essential doctrines promote legalism?

·       Define grace.

·       Compare and contrast grace and legalism.

·       What is the one and only reason a person goes to hell?

October 13, 2019

Are you Listening? Hebrews 3:7-19

Read Psalm 95:

What does verse 1 mean to you?

What does make a joyful noise look like? (think outside the box)

How does Psalm 95 say we come into God’s presence?

How often do we do this?

Read Exodus 17:1-7 and Numbers 20:6-13

Compare and contrast the two stories.

Why was Moses reprimanded in the second one?

How do you relate to Moses in the second story?

Does it seem to be similar to the end of Psalms 95?

What makes God’s answer different than Moses’?

How would God have reacted if the entire generation repented and turned to him in the wilderness?

October 6, 2019

Read Philippians 3:15-21.

What does Paul mean by “perfect” in verse 15?

Make a list of ways believers can imitate Paul. (“Join in following my example.”)

Are you a Christian that other Christians can observe “the pattern you have in us”?

What would make a person an enemy of the cross?

Is it possible for enemies of the cross to be active in the church?

Talk about the benefits and ramifications of citizenship.

How does heavenly citizenship affect your daily life?

September 29, 2019

Read 1 Corinthians 6:2-3

Who will believers judge?

Read Genesis 1:26

What was the original purpose for mankind on earth?

Read Revelation 22:5

Who is this verse talking about reigning?

Read the following:
2 Timothy 2:12
Romans 5:17
Ephesians 1:19-20; 2:6
Colossians 3:1-4

What is the common thread in these passages?

Read James 1:2-4

What does the testing imply?

What are believers being trained to do?

Talk about how your training is going.

September 22, 2019

Compare the following passages:

Hebrews 1:1-4

John 1:1-5

Colossians 1:15-20

1 John 1:1-4

How do these passages help us with the difficulties of Ephesians 1:3-6 and Acts 13:48?

Was Jesus ever not the Son? (see John 5:18, 1:14; 3:16; Psalms 2:7)

What does Paul mean in Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:15, 18 and Revelation 1:5 that Christ is the firstborn?

Small Group Weekly Discussion Questions