Luke - week 2

DISCUSSION GUIDE /6.11.23

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

What is your favorite hobby?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,

    and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is for those who fear him

    from generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with his arm;

    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;

52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones

    and exalted those of humble estate;

53 he has filled the hungry with good things,

    and the rich he has sent away empty.

54 He has helped his servant Israel,

    in remembrance of his mercy,

55 as he spoke to our fathers,

    to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Luke 1:47-55

  • Have you ever been so overwhelmed with God’s goodness that you started singing to Him? Explain.

  • What is the main point of Mary’s song?

  • If “worship” is more than singing songs, what is it exactly?

  • Why is singing to God an important part of being a Christian?

  • What is your favorite worship song? Why?

  • How can we pray for you?

Luke - week 1

DISCUSSION GUIDE /6.4.23

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

If you got to choose your name, what would it be and why?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” 46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

Luke 1:39-47

  • Have you ever felt the presence of the Lord when someone spoke to you? Explain.

  • Are you intentional about encouraging others with God’s word? Why or why not?

  • Have you ever sang / praised God spontaneously? Explain.

  • How can we be better about modeling this community of enthusiasm, encouragement, and praise??

  • How can we pray for you?

Make every effort - week 4

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 5.21.23

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

Do you think there are more doors or more wheels in the world?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters...

2 Peter 3:14-16a

  • The word “these” in verse 14 is referring to a new heaven and earth. Does thinking about heaven motivate you to live for God? Why or why not?

  • The phrase “be diligent” is the same phrase translated “make every effort” in 2 Peter 1:5. Why do you think this is a theme throughout Peter’s letter? Why should we be making every effort as Christians?

  • How has God been patient with you? Are you patient with others? Why or why not?

  • Throughout chapter 3 Peter refers to the importance of reading and understanding the Bible. Is reading the Bible a daily habit for you? Why or why not? What reading plans do you recommend?

  • What does it mean to be found “without spot or blemish”? Why is this important?

  • How can we pray for you?

Make every effort - week 3

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 5.14.23

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

Favorite memory about your mom?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:9-11

  • How can we keep from forgetting all that Jesus has done for us?

  • If you’re practicing virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly love, and love then Peter says “you will never fall”. What does he mean by “you will never fall”?

12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

2 Peter 1:12-16

  • Why is important to be “stirred up” and reminded even if you already know about it.

  • What do you need reminded of about God’s character?

  • How have you witnessed God move in your life?

  • How can we pray for you?

Make every effort - week 2

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 5.7.23

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

Do you take vitamins? Why or why not?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 2 Peter 1:5-8

  • If you’re honest, is your relationship with God something you actively “make every effort” to work on or is it on the back burner?

  • Why should we supplement our faith?

  • Which of the qualities do you need to focus on today? (1. virtue 2. knowledge 3. self-control 4. steadfastness 5. godliness 6 brotherly love 7. love)

  • What does it mean to be ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ?

  • How can we be the most effective for Jesus?

  • How can we pray for you?

Make every effort - week 1

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 4.30.23

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

What is your favorite cereal?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
- 2 Peter 1:3-4

  • How has God showed Himself powerful in your life?

  • What are you needing from God today?

  • What does your knowledge of Jesus look like? How do you increase your knowledge and strengthen your relationship every day?

  • Jesus has called us to his glory and excellence. How has your life changed since becoming a Christian?

  • What are some of your favorite promises from God?

  • How can we pray for you?

Called to be holy - week 5

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 4.23.23

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

Who is your favorite superhero?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
- 1 Peter 5:6-9

  • What was your main take away from Sunday’s sermon?

  • What does it mean to be humble yourself under God’s mighty hand?

  • How often do you cast your anxieties on God? Do you have any anxieties you’re currently casting on Him?

  • Why do you think Peter addresses sober-mindedness so often in this letter?

  • How do we resist the devil? What does that look like in your life?

  • How can we pray for you?

Called to be holy - week 4

DISCUSSION GUIDE / 4.16.23

OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)

What is your favorite candy bar?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -

“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” - 1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

  • What was your main take away from Sunday’s sermon?

  • What does it mean to be self controlled and sober minded?

  • Is the church known for it’s love for one another? Why or why not? Are you known for this?

  • What are some opportunities to serve at our church and in our community?

  • How can we thank our life group leader and host for being hospitable to us?

  • How can we pray for you?