Discuss

QUICK REACTIONS FROM THE MESSAGE

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?

What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why?

What is significant about Jesus using “I am” in this passage to describe himself?  (see Exodus 3:14 and John 6:38, 41).

Why do the people vehemently respond negatively to Jesus’ assertion?

In what way(s) have the people who have been following Jesus mistake who He is and why He came?  How can we do that as well?

How can we mistake hunger (our desires for “food” and “water”) for real meaning and purpose that Jesus gives?  In what way does Isaiah describe this in 55:1-3?

In what way(s) have you experienced Jesus as the bread of life? 

What ought we do with the things that lead us to being dissatisfied?

Who in your life is dissatisfied with life?  How would you share the news that Jesus is the bread of life and that anyone who eats of the bread from heaven…will never die?

EXPLORE THE PASSAGE DEEPER [John 6:35-51]

(Yes, these questions can seem silly, however, good discussion and interpretation of the Bible begins with having a proper understanding of the basic facts; who, what, when, and where in the text.)  Work through this quickly, the answers are fairly obvious.

Why did the crowd seek Jesus? (6:26)

What did Jesus say the Son of Man would give to these people? (6:27)

What did Jesus say was the work of God? (6:28-29)

What did the crowd ask Jesus to do? (6:30-31)

Who did Jesus say was the true bread of life? (6:32-33)

What did Jesus say would be the result of coming to Him? (6:35)

What did Jesus say He would never do to those who came to Him? (6:37)

Why did Jesus come down from heaven? (6:38)

What did Jesus say is the Father’s will? (6:39-40)

Why did the Jews begin to grumble? (6:41-42)

Who did Jesus say could come to Him? (6:43-44)

What did Jesus say would be the result of believing? (6:47)

What contrast does Jesus make between manna and the bread of life? (6:48-51, 58)

EXPLORE THE PASSAGE DEEPER

Read John 21:15-19. Why do you think Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him?

What are the differences in the directives that Jesus gives? (Feed my lambs. Shepherd my sheep. Feed my sheep.) How would these look different in practice?

Compare the invitations found in Luke 5:4-11 to John 21:4-19. What are some similarities? What are some differences? What do you think of these?

Read John 21:18-19. What do you see in this? How do you see this in life? How do you see this in the life of a believer?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?

What point/idea resonated most with you? Why?

Why would Jesus meet his disciples in the familiar surroundings of the sea of Galilee?

Why do you think they do not recognized Jesus on the beach while they are out fishing?

What switches in the mind of John, (or past memory) that causes him to recognize it is Jesus standing on the beach? Read Luke 5:6-7

What is Peter’s reaction?

Why do you think Peter is so enthusiastic to get to Jesus? Why is it important for us to remember back to

Peter’s denial of Jesus in order to understand Peter’s response?

What is the significance of Mark 16:7, that highlights Peter as someone Jesus wants to make sure gets an invite to Galilee?

How does guilt, shame, our sin create a barrier to walk with Jesus?

How does the brunch at the beach inform us about how Jesus views us?

How can pride prevent us from “fellowship” with Christ and one another?

How can our failures, shame and guilt resemble going back to our old fishing job (like the disciples did)?

In what way does Revelation 3:20 resonate with the image of the meal on the beach with Jesus?

EXPLORE THE PASSAGE (John 21:1-14)

(Yes, these questions can seem silly, however, good discussion and interpretation of the Bible begins with having a proper understanding of the basic facts; who, what, when, and where in the text.) Work through this quickly, the answers are fairly obvious.

When did Jesus appear to His disciples? (21:1)

What familiar activity did several of Jesus’ disciples do together? (21:2-3)

Who had gone out to fish? (21:2-3)

How successful had Peter and the others been at fishing that night? (21:3)

What did Jesus ask His disciples? (21:5)

What did Jesus tell His disciples to do? (21:6)

What happened when the disciples did what Jesus had told them to do? (21:6)

What did Peter do when he realized that it was the Lord who was talking? (21:7)

What did Jesus ask His disciples to do once they were on shore? (21:8-10)

Why didn’t the disciples ask Jesus who He was? (21:12)

What did Jesus do with the bread and fish? (21:13)

How many times had Jesus appeared to His disciples? (21:14)

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why?

What has helped you understand the “mystery” of the Trinity?
How do you see the Trinity at work in Jesus’ prayer for Himself to the Father?  Include all the references to the Holy Spirit previously in John (ch. 14-16).  What helps you best to describe the three-in-oneness of God?
Why is the Trinity essential to us a followers of Jesus?  What are the practical implications of the Trinity?
What does Jesus make crystal clear in the middle of what can seem mysterious to us?  (read v. 3)

Dave discussed the three prayers of Jesus…

1. 1. That you would know that you are secure in Him (vv 6-12)
   2. That you would be differentiated from the world (vv 13-19)
   3. That you would be united (vv 20-26)

1. In what way would embracing our security in Christ cause us to live for Christ in our world today?
2. How does fear and insecurity undermine our witness in the world?
3. Examine the words of security and protection again in these verses (6-12)…
4. What does God want us to fully embrace? What does it mean that Jesus prays this prayer.
5.  As you read through verses 13-19…
What does Jesus call us out from in the world?
What does it mean for us to be differentiated from the world? (to be set apart, distinct without hating the world, running from the world, or isolating ourselves from people?)
What would it look like for you to be united/identified with Jesus as you live “in the world”?
In what ways can we blend in too much to the world?
6. How does being a citizen of heaven inform what it looks like to be called out from the world while being sent into the world?  (Read Phil. 3:20; 1 Peter 2:9,  Ephesians 2:19)
7. In verses 20-26, Jesus prays for you…that you will be united as the Father and the Son are united?
What is the purpose of being united?
In what way does unity not mean “just getting along?”
What essential beliefs unite us as followers of Jesus?
What issues oftn divide us that do not have to do with love, or doctrine? How does the Trinity inform us?
In what way are we all responsible for being united as Jesus and the Father are one?

APPLY THE PASSAGE

What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage?
What do you need to stop, start or do differently as a result of reading the passage?
How can we pray for each other?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?

What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why?

In what way can grief, sorrow and pain rob us of joy?  In what way can it shatter people’s faith and trust in God?

In these verses, how does Jesus turn our sorrow into joy, while at the same time acknowledges that just following Jesus will not erase sorrow, trouble and grief in this world?

Dave said that there are two ways that Jesus prepares His disciples (including you) for suffering and sorrow…

1. Don’t expect loss, sorrow and grief to have to “make sense”.
2. In Christ, our short-term sorrows will find long lasting Joy.

In verses 17-19 and 29-30, how do you see the disciples trying to make sense of “losing Jesus” without knowing what Jesus is going to ultimately do?

In what way would the disciples grieve temporarily, but find joy later?  How is this true as we wait to see Jesus face to face, or He returns?

Why would the “world rejoice” while the disciples grieved?

How does Jesus describe what it is like to suffer, but for a reason and purpose (v. 21)

In what way does John describe what it is like for us to live in the tension between having eternal hope and joy in Christ, yet still experience the sorrow and trouble of this fallen world?

What does it mean for you that Jesus says, “here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows, but take heart I have overcome the world?”

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13.  In what way do we grieve with hope?

Explore the Passage deeper

How would you have responded to Jesus’ words had you been there with His disciples?

What grief or sorrow in your life has God turned to joy?

For what can we ask the Father?

How has God made your joy complete?

How does the knowledge of Jesus’ return make you joyful?

What relationship do we have with the Father today?

What trouble do we have in the world as followers of Christ?

How does the fact that Jesus has overcome the world encourage you?

What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage?

What do you need to stop, start or do differently as a result of reading this passage?

How can we pray for each other?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?

What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why?

How are the words of Jesus to “remain” in Him, and to “remain in His love” (Jn. 15:9-10) important for us as disciples in order to understand that the world will hate us?

This passage identifies three ways Jesus redefines our relationship to the world

We ought to have a healthy skepticism of the world (vv 18-21)

We aren’t offended that people far from God don’t like us (vv 22-25

Being rejected (by the world) is never a reason to reject our faith (vv 26-16:4)

1. What is the “world” that Jesus says will hate us?
2. How can we have a “healthy skepticism” of the world, without being overly paranoid, or hate others?
3. How should we understand verses like John 3:16, that says God so loved the world, John 6:51, that says The Son was sent not to judge the world, but to save the world, or Matt. 5:14 where Jesus says, You are the light of the world with the truth that the world will hate us?
4. Why is it important to understand that Jesus says the world will hate us because they hate Jesus? How is this true?
5. How do you struggle with being offended by others that don’t like you?
6. In what way (see vv. 22-25) is Jesus trying to help us understand that we should not take others hate too personally?
7. What does “persecution” for one’s faith look like today in our society? How does it look in other parts of the world?
8. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in our life (vv 26)?
9. What does it mean that the Spirit is our Advocate? (i.e. comforter, helper, intercessor on our behalf).
10. What does it mean to you that Jesus warns us ahead of time of these things “so that you won’t abandon your faith”? (16:1)

Explore the Passage deeper [John 15:18-16:4]

What is “the world”?

If you were one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, how would you have responded to His warning about the world’s hatred?

How does the world today hate the followers of Jesus?

When have you experienced the hatred of the world?

How does the world today display its hatred for Jesus and God? What is the “source” of this hatred?

How has God chosen you out of the world?

How and when do you still feel a part of the world?

Who is “the Counselor”?

How does the Holy Spirit testify about Jesus to the world?

How are you a testimony for Jesus?

What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage? 

What do you need to stop, start or do differently as a result of reading this passage?

How can we pray for each other?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?

What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why?

What real “fears” did the disciples have when they thought Jesus was leaving them?

In what way(s) do we, as human beings, respond or act out poorly when we fear abandonment?

How does Jesus reassure them (us) of His continuing relationship with us when He is not “physically” present?

Why is it significant that Jesus is called the True Vine, not just a vine?

Why would it have been shocking to the Jewish religious leaders that Jesus claimed to be the True Vine?  (Read Jeremiah 2:21  and Psalm 80:8-11).

In what way did Jesus alone fulfill what Israel could not fulfill?  How was “Israel” pruned?

What “vines” do we tend to attach ourselves too that seem to offer nourishment and life, but are not the True Vine.

Why is it significant that we are described as branches?

Why is “home” a good way to interpret the word abide or remain?

In what ways have you experienced God’s pruning?

In what way is it true that apart from Jesus, we can do nothing?  What does it mean that we can do lots of things without abiding in Jesus?

What does it look like to be fruitful as a follower of Jesus?

Explore the Passage deeper [John 15:1-8]

How are we to remain in Jesus? Why?

What does it mean to bear fruit as a Christian?

How are we to bear fruit?

When is it difficult to develop and maintain a personal relationship with Jesus?

In what way has God been removing “dead” or useless pieces from your character?

What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage?

What do you need to stop, start or do differently as a result of reading this passage?

How can we pray for each other?

Why do you think Jesus talks to his disciples as “little children,” and tells them he won’t “leave them as orphans?” What implications does this have?

What are you most recently enjoying about God? About Who God is and how you are understanding that?

Do you believe that He delights in you? If so, how has that impacted your trust in Him? If not, how come?

Explore the Passage deeper

Where do you need the Holy Spirit’s help today to follow Jesus?

How can we pray for one another?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why? 

From John 13:31-35, Dave identified four ways Jesus defines love for the disciple of Christ?

1. Love is costly (vv. 31-32)
2. Love is paternal (v. 33) (also see 1 John 2:1, 12, 28; 3:7, 18 and 4:4; 5:21)
3. Love is a command (v 34)
4. Love reveals the authenticity of a disciple (v 35) 

• In what way was the love of Christ for us costly?
• How did Christ glorify the Father in giving his life on the cross for our sins?
• What does it mean that love is paternal, not paternalistic? How does a good parent love their children? (e.g. tough love, discipline, tenderness, care, self-giving etc.)
• Why does Jesus command us to love one another?
• Who does Jesus command to love one another?
• How does Jesus define love?
• Why does Jesus get to define love for us, his disciples? What do I need to adjust in my definitions?
• In what way is love for our brothers and sisters in Christ become “proof”, or make known to the world around us that we are His disciples?
• How is it instructive to us knowing that Jesus chooses two political opponents to become His disciples?
• What do you need to do, change, acknowledge, repent of to obey Jesus’ command to love one anothe

Explore the Passage deeper [John 13:31-35]

Questions that help us understand the significance of the text

What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage?
What do you need to stop, start or do differently as a result of reading this passage?
How can we pray for each other?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why? 

How did you answer the following questions about the betrayal of Judas…
What did Judas know?
What did Jesus know?
What did the disciples know? 

In what way, can we presume to “know” God’s plans and purposes?  How can this sidetrack us in following Jesus?
In what way have you experienced a moment when you looked back at your life and said, I’m glad I didn’t know what God knew?  Or what you went through didn’t make sense then, but now, looking back it was for my good?
What could have been the reactions of the disciples if they knew Judas was the betrayer while they ate together in the upper room?
In what way was Judas’ mind already made up and how had Satan darkened his heart, mind and will?
Why do you think Judas betrayed Jesus, from what we know about him?
Why do you think it was difficult for the disciples to fully understand that one of them could betray Jesus?
What is the difference between Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial?

Explore the Passage [John 13:18-38]

Questions that help us understand the significance of the text

What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage?
What do you need to stop, start or do differently as a result of reading this passage?
How can we pray for each other?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why? 

As Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, he demonstrates for us 3 important lessons for all who follow Him…

• You can believe and remain unchanged
• Courage follows confidence
• Importance and greatness are defined by the example Christ gives us 

1. What does it mean for us, as disciples of Jesus, when we hear John describe that Jesus had loved and loves His disciples to the very end?
2. What implications can we draw from the fact that Judas (one of the disciples), is sitting, listening, and fellowshipping in the upper room, yet has already “made up his mind” to betray Jesus?
3. In what way does Judas “believe” in Jesus, yet is unchanged? What implications does that have for us?  Read James 2:19
4. In verses 3-7– Where does the confidence of Jesus rest to stand up and begin washing the disciple’s feet?
5. Where does the courage to act on our faith, even when it doesn’t make sense come from?
6. What is one area you may need to act courageously in following Jesus today?
7. What do you make of Peter’s reaction to Jesus saying to him, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.
8. How do you answer the question of Jesus to the disciples, “Do you understand what I was doing?”
9. In what way is Jesus defining, or redefining importance, greatness, success, and failure?

In what ways should we be using our “authority/importance” as followers of Jesus in our work, neighborhood, family, churches?

Explore the Passage [John 13:1-17]

Questions that help us understand the significance of the text

What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage?
What do you need to stop, start or do differently as a result of reading this passage?
How can we pray for each other?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why? 

Why is a wedding banquet, on the surface, an unusual event to launch the ministry of Jesus?
What was unique about a 1st century Jewish wedding that gives this event a purpose beyond just turning water into wine?
Why does Jesus appear to be impatient and dismissive of Mary’s request?
In what way have you overreacted to a circumstance with God, only to find out later, He was in control of things?
Dave said that the miracle announced to the world in John 2 is that we have a problem and Jesus will rescue us from our problem.
What is the problem “with us” in the banquet?  How does Jesus resolve this problem?

Respond to the quote Dave used about sin:

“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.”

How have you seen this to be true?
In what way does Jesus “pay for our sins”? 
In what way will Jesus’ life, death and resurrection redeem and rescue?
How is the glory of Jesus revealed in this miracle?
What is the result of Jesus turning the water into wine at the wedding banquet?
How does Christ’s gift of salvation provide for our joy now and at the future banquet in Revelation 19:6-9?

Questions that help us understand the significance of the text

What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage?
What do you need to stop, start or do differently as a result of reading this passage?
How can we pray for each other?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words? 

From John’s account of calling the first disciples, Calvin made the following points about the pattern of a disciple of Jesus: 

1. Our immediate actions draws an immediate response from Christ.
2. Disciples of Jesus spend quality time with him.
3. Authentic disciples of Christ make more disciples.
4. Jesus’s disciples are familiar to him.
5. Jesus’s disciples believe him. 

What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why? 

1. What is it (or who is it) that is keeping you from quality fellowship with Christ?
2. Does whatever is keeping you from having intimate quality time with Christ have any internal value?
3. Is there anyone that you have to Christ lately, or are you discipling anyone right now?
4. Who was the person that discipled you the most? What was the most valuable lesson you learned from that person?
5. The disciples dropped everything to follow Jesus. Would Jesus be able to say that you have done the same, if he were standing next to you?
6. Who is that you know you need to reach out to and share Christ with today?
7. Why haven’t you? 

Questions that help us understand the significance of the text

What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage?
What do you need to stop, start or do differently as a result of reading this passage?
How can we pray for each other?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why? 

From John’s account of John the Baptist, Dave described four characteristics of our calling from God. 

1. Our calling defines who we are and who we are not.
2. Our Calling clarifies what we should be doing,
3. Our Calling comes with a cost
4. Our Calling produces humility
5. Our Calling points others to Jesus 

If you were to ask the apostle John, what gave John the Baptist meaning, purpose and significance—what would he say?
If someone asked you what gives your life meaning, purpose and significance, what would you say?How are our jobs, both similar and different from what God has called us to?
If you were to describe the purpose of your life in one simple sentence (like John the Baptist), what would it be?
What defined John the Baptist’s calling?  How did it define what he did?  How did his calling cost him?  In what way did it produce humility in him?  In what way did he point others to Jesus?How could you apply these same questions to what God calls you to in following Jesus? 
What one thing would it mean for you to stop, start or do differently this year?

Explore the Passage [John 1:19-34]

Questions that help us understand the significance of the text

What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage?
What do you need to stop, start or do differently as a result of reading this passage?
How can we pray for each other?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why?

Dave highlighted that in the person of Jesus, God has fully explained (communicated) Himself…

1. As the Word of God
2. To Bring us into His Family
3. By making what is invisible, Visible

In what way are we “limited” as human beings in both giving and receiving communication clearly?
How did God resolve to communicate clearly to us human beings?
How do you respond to the quote, that “when God speaks to us, he speaks to us in baby talk.”  What does this say about us and about God?
When John says, in 1:1-3 what is He communicating to us about Jesus; both His humanity and divinity?
How is Jesus, “the Divine Speech” of God”?
How have human beings often confused Jesus as either just a great man, prophet, rather than the Word of God?  How would you use these verses with someone who is a Jehovah Witness or Mormon?
What does John mean by saying that Jesus came to his own people, and even they rejected Him?  What does this say about us?
In John 1:12, how does God reveal his purpose for Christ coming to us?  What must we do in response?  Share your story of believing and receiving Jesus?
In John 1:14-18 – in what way does Jesus, the Word made Flesh make God visible to us?

Explore the Passage [John 1:1-18]

Questions that help us understand the significance of the text

What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage?
What do you need to stop, start or do differently as a result of reading this passage?
How can we pray for each other?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words and what point/idea resonated most with you?  Why?

How have you seen joy in difficult circumstances (yours or someone else’s)?

Questions from the Message

EXPLORE THE PASSAGE [Philippians 2:12-13; Philippians 4:2-9]

Looking ahead to one year from today, what are you hopeful you can say about your walk with Christ over the next year?

 Are there any steps you need to take to do so?

 How can we pray for each other?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why? 

Dave highlighted three lessons of joy from Isaiah 9…
Our hope in Christ sustains our Joy (vv 1-2)
Joy is the result of God’s revelation to us (vv 3-5)
Joy is available because a child is born to us (vv. 6-7) 

• Which point was a good reminder, and which point is most challenging to your view of Joy?
• Describe a time where God revealed himself to you in a dark place? Or someone else?
• In what way is it comforting to remind ourselves that Christ came to us in a world that was unjust, in a place that was unstable, born into poverty, where Kings and Rulers did not rule fairly, in a place like a stable?
• How is Isaiah’s prophecy connected and support the Christmas story?
• What is the significance that “the Light” comes from outside of us, rather than from within us?
• What was the result in v. 3-4 of God revealing Himself to us?
• What does God break, lift, burn and relieve his people from?
• What does it mean that a child is born to us?
• Which name brings you most joy in v. 6? Why?
• Who makes this all happen?  Why is this significant?

EXPLORE THE PASSAGE [Isaiah 9:1-7]

What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage?
What do you need to stop, start or do differently as a result of reading this passage?
How can we pray for each other?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why?

Dave highlighted four stages of true joy in the book of James—

1. Joy is discovered when it’s most difficult to find.
2. Joy Is found in testing, not tasting
3. Joy Is found in God’s wisdom above all other things
4. Joy Knows the difference between testing and temptation

Which point was a good reminder and which point was most challenging to your view of Joy?
What does maturity have to do with Joy?
What does it mean to understand that we are not going through the same thing, but we are all going through something?  How does this relate to James 1:2?
What is the difference between Joy and an opportunity for Great Joy?
What was the point that Joy is found in testing and not tasting?
How is pressure related to testing of our faith?  Why don’t we like testing?
In what way is it easier to look to other sources of wisdom, rather than God’s wisdom.  In what way is this related to maturing and enduring Joy?
What is the difference between testing and temptation?
How can we end up resisting what we should be accepting, or accepting what we should be resisting?  How can that frustrate Joy in us?
What does it mean in Hebrews 12:2 that Jesus could withstand both trial and temptation because of the Joy awaiting Him?  How ought this inform us about Joy?

EXPLORE THE PASSAGE [James 1:1-18]

What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage?
What do you need to stop, start or do differently as a result of reading this passage?
How can we pray for each other?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why? 

Why aren’t we happier? Even though we have so much?In what way can we fall for the pursuit of happiness rather than pursuing the Truth as a way to experience Joy? What is the difference?
In what ways can we to easily hand over our God-given capacity for joy to others or to things…give it away and say, “make me happy and satisfied”?  How do we ask too much of life to make us happy?
Respond to the Augustine quote: You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. 
How would viewing God as the Happiest Being in the universe change your view of joy?(Psalm 65:8; 65:13; Zephaniah 3:17)

EXPLORE THE PASSAGE [John 15:1-17]

What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage? 
What do you need to stop, start or do differently as a result of reading this passage?
How can we pray for each other?

Questions from the Message

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words and what point/idea resonated most with you?  Why?
Have you experienced worship and confession together?

Questions from the Message

EXPLORE THE PASSAGE [Matthew 11; Luke 7:36-50]

How can you practice coming to Jesus with your whole self?
How can you practice receiving His good gifts?
How can we pray for one another?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why?

In what way does knowing that Psalm 118 is a poem and a song give meaning to what the people were thankful for?
In what ways can you imagine the tragedies of being held captive in Egypt and being exiled from the promised had on them?  On the other hand, how had God’s saving, rescuing and returning them to the land had an impact on them?
In what ways can tragedy and triumph impact us?  How can we be thankful in light of this?
In Psalm 118, what aspect of who God is provided a way to be Thankful?  How is that still true for us today?
How does Jesus challenge the Pharisees in Matthew 9:10-13 to go learn the meaning of Hosea 6:6?
What expectation does Jesus have for us who have been given mercy to give mercy?
Who is messy in your life (someone not abusive or drags you into sin), that doesn’t deserve it, need the good news of mercy—to show them mercy?
How does experiencing the mercy of God even in times that the world is closing in on us “set us free” or make more space for us to be thankful and extend mercy?
Why is it better to take refuge in the Lord than trust in people?  (Psalm 118:8) What does that have to do with thankfulness?

EXPLORE THE PASSAGE [Psalms 118:1-9] (feel free to continue throughout the chapter)

What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage?
What do you need to stop, start or do differently as a result of reading this passage?
How can we pray for each other?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why? 

Dave quoted a study on gratitude that revealed that people who took time at the end of their day to count their blessings were healthier, emotionally and physically, than the control group.  In what way does this resonate with Paul’s theology in Ephesians Chapter 1?  

The Word encourages us to count our spiritual blessings in Christ.  Dave highlighted three:

• You are Adopted into God’s forever family (v 4-5)
• You are Redeemed (v. 7)
• You are Sealed (v. 13)

1. What is the difference between a physical/material blessing and spiritual blessing? In what way can we consider a spiritual blessing to be more significant than a material blessing?  How is this counterintuitive in our culture?
2. What would each of these images mean to those in the churches in Ephesus?
3. In what way apart from Christ, are we abandoned, a slave to sin in need of redemption and sealed (or tattooed as belonging to this world)?
   Why does Paul start with “Remember who you are?” when later confronting the Christians in Ephesus about their need to align their behavior to obey Christ?
   Dave said, when we remember the spiritual blessings, we have in Christ…we can love differently. When you remember the grace, you have received in Christ, you can offer grace.  When we remember we have been lavished with God mercy, we can offer mercy.  Because I am adopted, redeemed and sealed I can learn to obey God more freely. 
4. In what way is it easy to “forget” our blessings in Christ and then act out of lack, what we don’t have, or what others have?
5. What could you do this week (or brainstorm as a group) to “count your spiritual blessings” every day?

EXPLORE THE PASSAGE (Ephesians 1:1-14)

What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage?
What do you need to stop, start or do differently as a result of reading this passage?
How can we pray for each other?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why?
How or why would the actions of this woman be so shocking to someone like Simon? 

Dave highlighted three lessons of thanksgiving from this passage…

1. Thanksgiving begins in our Need for God’s grace
2. Thanksgiving depends on your Perspective
3. Thanksgiving emerges when you Receive Christ’s love and forgiveness

In what way do the responses of the “sinful woman” and Simon “The Pharisee” reveal how they view God?
What does the woman need verses Simon?
What is revealed by Jesus’ story of the debts forgiven?  Who is represented in the story?  What can this tell us about ourselves?
What is revealed in Jesus telling Simon about all the ways the woman responded to him that he could not see? (vv. 44-46)
How ought receiving God’s love and forgiveness change our perspective and our attitude?  In what way could we “live” in this mindset in our day to day lives?

EXPLORE THE PASSAGE (Luke 7:36-50)

What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage? 
What do you need to stop, start or do differently as a result of reading this passage?
How can we pray for each other?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why?
What parts of Jason’s story were new or insightful for you?

EXPLORE THE POINTS & PASSAGE DEEPER (feel free to pick and choose which ones you cover in your discussion)

What do we learn about God and about ourselves in the above passages?
How is Jesus inviting you into greater participation with Him when it comes your role as a giver?
How can we pray for each other?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why?

EXPLORE THE POINTS & PASSAGE DEEPER (feel free to pick and choose which ones you cover in your discussion)

APPLY THE PASSAGE

What do we learn about God and about ourselves in the above passages?
How is Jesus inviting you into greater participation with Him when it comes your role as a steward?
How can we pray for each other?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you? Why?

EXPLORE THE POINTS & PASSAGE DEEPER (feel free to pick and choose which ones you cover in your discussion)

APPLY THE PASSAGE

What do we learn about God and about ourselves in the above passages?
How is Jesus the solution to clearing up our misbeliefs about God and money?
What might be some of God’s goals in how we relate to money and Him?
Was there one particular point from today that you sense God is asking you to go deeper with Him?
If you feel safe, share with the group what you think God is trying to tell you or ask you to do.
How can we pray for each other?

• Before Amen, by Max Lucado
• The Circle Maker, by Mark Batterson

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why?

READ 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Dave said that the Lord’s Supper roots us in our relationship with God and others in three ways:

1. It roots us in what unites us.
   In what way did the church in Corinth abuse the Lord’s supper? What did they lose sight of?  How can this happen in the church today as well?
   How can we lose purpose?  Read Mark 2:23-27 – How did the Pharisees lose sight of God’s purposes?  In what way does this parallel what is happening in the Corinthian church? 

2. It roots us in the gospel of Jesus.
   What is significant in the fact that the teaching of the Lord’s supper was passed to Paul, who passed it to us?
   How does the celebration of the Lord’s supper remind us of the gospel of Jesus; His life, His death, His resurrection and our future with Him? Why is the only command to “remember Him”?
   In what way had the church in Corinth forgotten this message? 

3. It roots us in sober reflection.
   What is the difference between Paul emphasizing that communion was celebrated “unworthily” rather saying they were unworthy?
   How were they celebrating “unworthily”? What were they sinning against?
   What was happening to some in the church as a result?
   What does Paul say they should do instead?
   Why ought we practice “examining ourselves”?  What is the purpose of “examining ourselves”?
   How is taking time for self-reflection before the Lord and our ability to remember what He has done related?  What are the benefits of self-reflection before the Lord?
   Why is it difficult in our culture to take time to “examine ourselves”?  What would it look like for you to “examine yourself” as you celebrate the Lord’s Supper?
   How could you imagine celebrating the Lord’s Supper with other believers as part of a “love feast”?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words and what point/idea resonated most with you?  Why?

Katie said, around a table (together around a shared space for a shared time), you can gain generosity, grace, and growth. Have you seen this experience?

Rich Villodas, a pastor in Queens NY, says “We are wounded in community and we are healed in community. No way around it. Healing might not come from the community where the wounding took place, but community is needed for the healing nonetheless.” Do you agree or disagree? Why?

Explore the passages deeper [1 Thessalonians 2:8]

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why?

Dave gave three reasons we should practice reading the Bible for life…

1. It produces a life worth emulating (2 Tim. 3:10)
2. It is our anchor and our defense…anchor in times of suffering and defense in a world that is deceptive. (2 Tim. 3:11-12)
3. Because it is trustworthy and useful (2 Tim. 3:14-16)

What reasons does Paul give Timothy to emulate him?  Why?
How is both Paul’s example to Timothy and the teaching he has given an anchor and defense?
How does Paul describe both the trustworthiness of Scripture and usefulness of Scripture for Timothy?
Which of these reasons is most valuable to you now?
How are you practicing the reading and application of Scripture in your life today?  Are you satisfied?  What would you change?

How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you?  Why?

Dave used a jar, to represent time, and balls to represent the amount of time it takes up or fills up our day or week.  As you look at your jar, what is missing, needs re-prioritizing, emptying, or refilling in order to reflect what God may be calling you to?

Read Psalm 90:12

What does God ask us to consider regarding the time that we have?
What is the goal of asking that God would teach us to number them?
How does this verse relate to establishing healthy rhythms and spiritual discipline in our life?
What do training, discipline and rhythms all have in common?  How are they different?

Read Hebrews 12:1-2

What are we to “strip off” that slows us down?  How would this apply to what goes in our “jar” and what comes out of our “jars”?
How are we to run the race of faith?
What should be our focus?
How would this impact our training, disciplines, rhythms we establish in our lives?

Read 1 Timothy 4:7-8

What does Paul ask Timothy not to waste his time over?  How do we tend to “waste” time?  What is the difference between “down-time” and “wasting time”?
How is Physical training good?  What are the goals and results?  What similarities are there to physical training and spiritual training?
What would it look like to train for godliness?  What would that look like to put in your “jar”?  What benefits would there be for spiritual training?