1. Pastor Josh shared how God calibrated our hearts for compassion. How has God recalibrated your heart through an experience?

2. Pastor Josh shared that society allows us, or even influences us, to distance ourselves from others. How is this true and where can we experience it?

3. Our guest speaker Peter shared that as a child he could not dream of a future beyond that day. Share a time when you had no hope or ability to dream. Without the ability to dream, what emotions are most prevalent in your life?

4. Peter shared that his hero was one person who believed in him. Who has been a hero to you?

5. When a heart is changed, it changes the world. Who is one person that you can impact to change his or her world?

Scripture verses:
James 1:27
Luke 12:48

1. Pastor Chris said Christ is our example for compassion. He shared that in Mark 3 Christ shows little concern for what the religious leaders of the day thought and He healed a man’s hand on the Sabbath. Share an example of when God broke your heart for someone in need?

2. Can you share any examples of when you showed compassion and felt uncomfortable because of others’ thoughts? Do you remember a time when you did not show compassion to someone because of the thoughts, impressions, or advice of others? How do we overcome these hesitations if they exist?

3. Pastor Chris shared “the older brother syndrom” in reference to the older brother in the story of the prodigal son. The older brother was not happy for his younger brother. In fact he felt slighted because his father had never thrown a celebration for him. How does this view impact our compassion for others?

4. We cannot possibly help everyone; however, we can share compassion on “one”, one person. Is there one person that comes to mind that needs the love and the compassion of Chrsit in your life? Is there one missions outreach project you could participate in or even become involved with on an ongoing basis?

5. How’s your heart? Is it hardened? Does God need to remove callouses on your heart?

Scripture verses:
Psalms 25:6
Psalms 51:1
James 5:11
Mark 3:1-6
Colossians 3:12
Phillipians 2:1
Ephesians 4:18-19

1. Describe how you have been served through your experience at Faith Promise.

2. How have you been impacted by serving – both as one being served and one serving?

3. Pastor Chris said serving is a form of worship. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

4. It is easy for us to compare ourselves to others, particularly in areas of service. How have you compared yourself to others? How has the comparison game benefited you and others?

5. Where will you first experiment with serving?

1. Share a time when you’ve experienced spiritual growth. Who has helped you grow spiritually? Who have you helped?

2. Pastor Chris shared Christ was concerned with the core and not the crowd. How does it make you feel to know Jesus wants to spend time with you as He did with his committed disciples?

3. As we mature in our walk, we move from the “milk” to the “meat”. Describe traits of a “milk” maturity. Describe traits of a “meat” maturity. What intentional steps does a Christ follower take to transition from milk to meat?

4. We are instructed in Hebrews to exercise or work out with God’s Word. It is actually a command. What does this exercise or nourishment look like? What is one next step you can take in your spiritual exercise? Is that step a part of a personal growth plan? Should it be?

5. The Bible speaks about gathering for God. What is one blessing you have received by being a part of your group that others may not know? (Consider using this question to start a conversation about the groups video contest.)

6. Who is one person you know that is not in a group that you will invite to group this week?

Scripture verses:
Matthew 28:19-20
Matthew 12:25
Hebrews 5:11-6:1
1 Timothy 4:6-10
1 Timothy 4:15-16
Acts 2:46

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

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Please let Amber know if you have questions.
amberd@faithpromise.org

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

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

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