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.
