Week of March 8:
The King's Worth
Warm-Up Question: What's your most valuable possession?
Sermon Review: Was there anything about the sermon that stuck out to you or that you wanted clarification on?
Read: John 12:1-8
Group Discussion:
1- How comfortable are you with Mary’s actions? Do you identify more with her motivation or more with the objection of Judas?
2- Reflect on the significance of forgiveness in this passage. What does this story show you about forgiveness?
3- What significance do you derive from Jesus’ statement, “For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me”? Note: Jesus was probably quoting Deuteronomy 15:11. The context there is that Israelites should be generous and openhanded to the poor among them.
Gospel Closing: In Luke's telling of this story, Jesus says to Mary: “Your faith has saved you.” Not “your tears have saved you.” Not “your perfume has saved you.” Not “your love has saved you.” Your faith. Her actions—the tears, the hair, the kisses, the perfume—were simply expressions of faith. They were responses to grace already received. They were demonstrations of love flowing from forgiveness. But the saving element was faith—trust in Jesus, belief in Him and His work.
Week of Feb 22:
Sola Scriptura
Warm-Up Question: If you could pick up a new skill in an instant, what would it be and why?
Sermon Review: Was there anything about the sermon that stuck out to you or that you wanted clarification on?
Read: John 10:30-42
Group Discussion:
1- How does this story cause you to view the Bible differently?
2- How does this story increase your confidence in the Scriptures?
3- What is the connection between proper handling of Scripture and proper recognition of Jesus?
4- Why do you think John includes the final three verses at the end of this heated exchange with the Jews?
Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your Word. Let your Word become a treasure to us, a safe place for us to run to. Root the clarity of the words in your Bible and the beauty of your message deep in our hearts. Amen.
Week of Feb 15:
The True Shepherd
Warm-Up Question: What was the worst job you ever had, and why?
Sermon Review: Was there anything about the sermon that stuck out to you or that you wanted clarification on?
Setting: The Feast of Dedication, also called Hanukkah, commemorates the re-dedication of the Second Temple following the Maccabean Revolt. According to NT Wright, the revolt, while successful in some of its aims, left the nation anticipating a Messiah who would overthrow at last the Roman rule and establish Israel again as an independent kingdom. The Feast is therefore an appropriate setting for the question of the people: "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." The political overtones of the feast, however, also ensure that Jesus does not answer directly, lest his purpose be misunderstood.
Read: John 10:17-33
Group Discussion:
1- Someone read verses 28-30. How do these verses impact your heart?
2- How does the truth of being Jesus’s beloved sheep combat some of the lies you’re tempted to believe about yourself?
3- How do Christians today hear the voice of Jesus?
4- How does the imagery of the shepherd and the sheep inform your understanding of community within the Christian faith?
Closing Prayer: We praise you Lord for dying for sinners in order to give them entrance into your kingdom. We praise You for being the Good Shepherd who knows, loves, and shepherds your people. We confess our sins of failing to trust You, being blind to Your love and care, or putting our trust in other people or things. Thank You for rescue, redemption, and for Your present love, care, and protection as our Good Shepherd. Help us to trust You in all the trials and challenges of life.
Week of Jan 25:
Grace in the Church
Warm-Up Question: Tell us about a time when someone served you in a way that left a lasting impact on you.
Sermon Review: Was there anything about the sermon that stuck out to you or that you wanted clarification on?
Read: Ephesians 4:1-16
Group Discussion:
1- Apparently, walking in unity with other believers is difficult, since Paul tells us in verse 3 to "make every effort" in doing so. What makes unity so difficult?
2- Someone read verses 8-10. Why do you think Paul emphasizes this particular work of Christ when talking about service and unity?
3- How does the gospel enable us to serve people we strongly disagree with?
Gospel Closing: Though we were the enemies of Christ, He has made us His friends. He loved and served us all the way to the cross. Paul writes in Ephesians:4:7-8, "In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us."
Week of Jan 18:
Grace to Forgive
Warm-Up Question: If you could go anywhere in the world for a month, where would you go, and why?
Sermon Review: Was there anything about the sermon that stuck out to you or that you wanted clarification on?
Read: Luke 17:3-16
Group Discussion:
1- What's your initial reaction when you read 17:4?
2- With this parable, Jesus is telling us to have this mindset: “God owes me nothing; those who've hurt me owe me nothing.” What makes this mindset so difficult to embrace, and how might your life be different if you embraced it?
3- What does the imagery of mustard seed faith (v. 6) suggest about the power and nature of faith?
4- In verse 19 Jesus tells the Samaritan that his faith has made him well. But the man was already healed of his disease, so what do you think Jesus is referring to?
Gospel Prayer: Lord Jesus, we often struggle to forgive those who have hurt us. Help us see them through Your eyes. Give us Your grace to release bitterness and resentment, and to desire their good. Fill us with Your peace, so we can forgive as You have forgiven us. Amen.
Week of Jan 11:
Afraid of Grace
Warm-Up Question: If your house was on fire, what are the two objects you'd try to save and why?
Sermon Review: Was there anything about the sermon that stuck out to you or that you wanted clarification on?
Read: Matthew 11:28-30
Group Discussion:
1- What are some immediate ways you can give rest to your family and friends?
2- What are some immediate ways you can give rest to yourself?
3- What is currently preventing you from giving grace to those closest to you?
4- Tell us about a time when someone was super gracious toward you. What impact did that have on you?
Gospel Prayer: Lord Jesus, you took on the chaos of the cross to provide us with eternal rest. Our sins were counted against You so that none of them would count against us. You were put in bondage so that we could be free. Now we cast all our sins, worries, and burdens at your nail-scarred feet and receive from you forgiveness and rest. Amen.
