Game Over: A Generous Heart

A Generous Heart

1. Pastor Chris spoke about developing the heart of heaven. How would you describe the heart of heaven? When have you experienced the heart of heaven?

2. Generosity honors God. On a scale of 1 to 10, where do you fall if 1 is greedy and 10 is generous.

3. There are two kinds of giving. Giving 1.0 is seeing a need and responding to it. Giving 2.0 is steady, consistent giving. Giving 1.0 is intervention. Giving 2.0 is prevention. Describe in your own words what each form of giving looks like in action or practice.

4. Our focus of prevention or focus on intervention in the areas of our marriage & family, health, and finances can largely determine the success in these areas of our lives. Share your experiences of an intervention approach in these areas and then share your expereinces with a prevention approach.

5. What practical steps and routines can you create in your life in marriage & family, health, and finances that would emphasize a prevention approach?

Scripture verses:
Proverbs 11:25
Proverbs 22:9
1 Timothy 6:18
Mark 12:41
Luke 16:13
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Colossians 3:5

God With Us: Christmas Presented

Christmas Presented

1. Pastor Chris shared we all have the same opportunity to hear the teacher in class, but when it is test day, we recognize we were not paying attention in class. Are you paying attention to what God is saying to you and teaching you?

2. Do you have a teachable heart? Consider asking someone else to share honest feedback on your willingness to be taught.

3. Pastor Chris shared the story of Christ’s birth. He stated there were two groups of people in the story – those who recognized what was happening and those who missed it. The group who missed it was characterized by their focus on the world, their business, their career, possibly their 401K; their focus on power and retaining it; and their pride. Under what circumstances do these adjectives describe you?

4. The group who got it was characterized by their surrender; their attentiveness (or listening) and belief; and their worship through giving. Under what circumstances do these adjectives describe you?

5. As you prepare for Christmas day over the next two weeks, what steps will you take engage with the greatest gift ever given?

Scripture verses:
John 3:19
Matthew 13:22
John 1:1
John 1:5
John 8:12
Isaiah 53:4-6

God With Us: Christmas Predicted

Christmas Predicted

1. Worship and giving go together. How does your giving show who, and to what level, you worship?

2. In their search for a Messiah, the Jews were looking for a short-term ruler rather than a long-term Savior. Where do you fall prey to thinking in the short-term versus the long-term? Where could God be at work that you may not notice it?

3. Isaiah shares many names for God in 9:6-7. When has He been a Wonderful Counselor to you? Eternal Father? Prince of Peace?

4. Jesus was the first and best Christmas gift. Share your story when you realized how amazing God’s gift to you is. Who needs to experience this gift personally?

Scripture verses:
Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 9:6-7
Isaiah 53:4-6
Genesis 3:15
Genesis 12:3
Genesis 17:9
Genesis 49:10
Psalms 2:7
Psalms 45:6-7
Psalms 72:10
Numbers 24:7
Micah 5:2
Jeremiah 31:15
Hosea 11:1
Zechariah 9:9
John 3:16

Take a Walk

Take a Walk

1. Gratitude is never silent or invisible. How are you showing your gratitude to God? What do people see when they observe you?

2. We all are guilty of feelings of entitlement in different areas of our lives. Where are you susceptible to these feelings? Your job or career? Your money? Your time? Your family? Your ministry? Is it easier to be grateful when you have your needs met or when you have abundance?

3. Gratitude can find, enlarge, or create blessings anywhere and anytime. The opposite is also true. An attitude of bitterness will affect and carry over to other aspects of our lives as well. Share an example of a blessing from a long time ago which you still think about and are thankful for regularly. Share an example of something of which you are not appreciative enough from your past.

4. Gratitude requires observation. If you intentionally focus on observing your towers, ramparts, and citadels what would you see?

5. How can you cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving or thingsgiving?

Scripture verses:
Psalms 69:30
Luke 6:45
1 Thessalonians 5:15
Philippians 1:21
Psalms 48:12-13
Psalms 100:4

Time is Fleeting: T. C. of B.

T. C. of B.

1. Pastor Chris shared we should be concerned with “Taking Care of Business”. Wasn’t it encouraging to see God move this weekend in our services? How was the Holy Spirit talking to you during service? How did you or will you respond?

2. Pastor Chris shared that time is fleeting and that we need to punt procrastination. In fact, procrastination can cost us or our loved ones heaven. What have you been procrastinating about in your walk?

3. Who will you be inviting to Sacred Storm?

4. Where are you serving during Sacred Storm?

Scripture verses:
2 Peter 3:10-11
John 3:3
Matthew 24:31
Matthew 7:21-22
1 Peter 1:17
Acts 1:8

Time is Fleeting: Does He Have to Come Now?

Does He Have to Come Now?

1. If you could have input on Jesus’ return, would you want it to be today or another time? Why?

2. Jesus taught about five crowns he will award, one of which is for being prepared for His second coming. Are you in line to receive this crown? Why or why not?

3. Matthew 24:42-44 is the story of the thief that comes in the night. What are the take-aways form this story? If we do not know the time of the return how should this effect how we plan for and spend our time?

4. Matthew 24:45-51 is the story of the slave. What are the take-aways from this story? What do we learn about procrastination? About obedience? About Christ’s perspective on dis-obedience?

5. Matthew 25:1-13 is the story of the ten virgins. What are the take-aways form this story? How did not knowing the timing of Christ’s return affect the planning of each of the virgins? How should this affect our planning and preparation?

6. Matthew 25:14-30 is the story of talents. What are the take-aways from this story? God clearly demonstrates that we are not each expected to do the same tasks, but there is an expectation. What is the expectation? With what gifts and talents has God blessed you that you should sharing?

7. Share a time when you served? How did your service impact someone? How did it impact you?

Scripture verses:
Matthew 24:30-33
Matthew 24:42-44
Matthew 24:45-51
Matthew 25:1-13
Matthew 25:14-30

Time is Fleeting: BRB

BRB

1. What emotions do you feel about Jesus’ return? Are you excited? Scared? Apathetic? Explain.

2. A bride is always prepared for the wedding day. The church is the bride of Christ. Are we prepared? Explain.

3. If you knew Jesus was returning next month, what would you do differently with your worship? Your quiet time? Your service? Sharing your story? If He was returning next week, would your responses change?

4. How should the mystery of the timing of Jesus’ return affect our walk?

5. Share a time when you were deceived in believing something was God when it wasn’t.

6. Has love gone cold in your life?

7. How is not knowing the timing of His return a blessing to us?

8. How is not knowing a struggle for us?

Scripture verses:
Acts 1:1-11
Matthew 24:3-5
1 John 4:1-4
Matthew 24:6-7
Matthew 24:9-12
2 Timothy 3:1-5
Matthew 24:14
Mathew 24:23-33

Debt of Honor: Honoring the Bride

Honoring the Bride

1. Pastor Chris shared we have a debt of honor to those who went before us. He used the Acts 1 church as an example. Similarly, who do you personally owe a debt of honor?

2. Culturally the Church has come under attack. When we don’t stand up to protect the Church’s honor, it’s as though we support the attacks. Where have you remained silent but need to stand up.

3. David remained honorable in the midst of personal attack by King Saul, even sparing the king’s life on multiple occasions. In what areas do you struggle to remain honorable when it is convenient, or perhaps warranted, to be dishonorable?

4. Within the relationships of the Church, asking questions can be motivated by a need for insight or by a desire to bring dishonor. How can we recognize the intent of questions in order to protect honor? How should we respond to those with a “questioning spirit” in order to elevate honor? What wisdom is given in Ephesians 4:15 that may help as you confront dishonor?

Scripture verses:
Acts 1
Ephesians 5:25-27
Hebrews 13:7
Hebrews 13:17
Matthew 12:10
Matthew 12:14
Mark 10:2

Debt of Honor: Honor: A Learned Behavior

Honor: A Learned Behavior

1. Honor is learned. Where have you learned or observed honor?

2. The home is the number one place to see honor demonstrated. Describe how honor was displayed in your home.

3. Honor is given whether it is deserved or not. How well do you honor your boss and others in authority?

4. Honor is based on what we value. What would others say you value? Do you value people?

5. Jesus, in a response to the spiritual leaders of the day, said “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s.” Since we are each made is God’s image, do you extend honor to others as someone created in God’s likeness? To whom do you need to extend honor?

Scripture verses:
Romans 6:4
Malachi 1:6
Romans 12:10
1 Timothy 6:1
1 Peter 3:7
Ephesians 5:33
Ephesians 6:2-4
Luke 20:23

Debt of Honor: Harboring Honor in Your Heart

Harboring Honor in Your Heart

1. To whom are you giving honor?

2. Who is giving you honor?

3. Is honor displayed in your home? In your workplace? In your school?

4. Who do you need to honor? How will the honor be shown?

5. Are you missing God’s blessings because you are not honoring Him?

6. Has your honor been tested? How did you respond?