Questions for week Sept 27th - Oct 3rd

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
Baptism Sunday

1) Just for fun: What is one food you never want to taste again?

2) Misconceptions about baptism are common in church. Have any of these misconceptions about baptism been a part of your thinking? And was there something in your past that led you to think that way?

• Baptism as a way to wash away sin.
• Baptism administered to infants.
• Baptism as a means of salvation.
• Baptism by some other method than immersion.
• Baptism prior to genuine conversion.
• Baptism for the dead.
• Baptism is not very significant. 

3) Read Matthew 28:18-20. 

• Why do you think baptism is part of our mandate to make disciples and teach them to observe Jesus’ commandments? 
• What would you say to someone who claims to be a follower of Christ yet has no intension of being baptized? 

4) Read Romans 6:3-11. 

• How many times do these verses reference “death”? 
• Who’s death? How is dying symbolic of our conversion to Christ? 
• What dies when we are saved? What do you do with an old man who dies? 
• How does baptism picture this process? 

5) If you have been baptized, share your baptism story. (If someone has never been baptized, encourage them to pray about taking part in our next Baptism Service in September.)

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Questions for week Sept 20th - 26th

Sabotage
Part 4
Difficult People & Damaged Relationships


1) Just for Fun: If you could change your name, what would you change it to?

2) Read 1 Samuel 24:1-12 

• Read vs 1-3 again and imagine you were in the cave with David – what would you have said to him and why? 
• What do you attribute David's sensitivity to here (v5)? (The message translation said David was overwhelmed with guilt)

3)  In what ways ought Christians to be "conscience stricken" even over light matters today? How does this contrast to the way the world tends to react to everyday situations? Discuss some examples.

4)  Read vs. 8-15. What did David say to Saul as an explanation for his refusal to seek revenge? Did he have to respond this way? Why or why not?

5) David’s response softened Saul. (See Prov. 15:1 for why). Read vs. 16- 22 and discuss how God has softened those bent on harming you because of your “gentle answer”.

6) What does Saul’s response tell you about the tension and conflict that existed in his own soul? What would Saul have had to do to repent completely? How has God changed your heart through the gentleness of others?

7) Think of an example in your own life where God was simply calling you to trust in him and not take matters into your own hands. How did you work that out and how did it make you feel? 

Close out this time praying for those you work or live with who have perhaps made life hard on you. Then, consider how your response to them could bring about a change! 


Thank you for filling out your Life Group Leader Report Form found here.

Questions for week Sept 13th - 20th

Sabotage Part 3
Word Bombs

1) Just for fun: When is the last time you remember getting in trouble for using a “bad word”?

2) Read Proverbs 18:21. What does this verse mean when it says that death and life are in the power of the tongue?

3) How have you seen your words affect your actions or beliefs?

4) Read Ephesians 4:29

How have you been affected by life-giving and life-taking words spoken to you?

5) In what situations do you find it most difficult to speak life-giving words to yourself or others?

6) How do words connect us to God?  How do words connect us to each other?

7) What are some words that you would like to “trash” from your vocabulary? How can the others in this group hold you accountable for your speech?

Thank you for filling out your Life Group Leader Report form found here.

Questions for week Sept 6th - 12th

Sabotage
Part 2
Relationship Grenades


1) Just for Fun: In honor of Labor Day, when you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

2) Have you ever had a relationship in your life that was sabotaged by something either you or someone else did?

3) Read Phil. 2:3-4. We have many opportunities to live life with one another and care for each other. Tell about a time when you looked out for the interests of another person.

• Did your attitude have any effect on how much you cared?
• How did caring for others make a difference in your relationships?

4) Read Philippians 2:7-8. What does Paul tell us about what Jesus chose to do?

• What does it mean that Jesus he gave up his divine privileges (v.7)?
  
• In what ways did Jesus take on the nature of a servant? What are the characteristics of being a servant?
  
• How does Jesus illustrate the teaching of Philippians 2:3-4?
  
• What does Paul mean when he says that Jesus became obedient to death, even death on a cross? Was there a limit to Christ’s obedience?
  
• Have you ever considered that Jesus could have come as a “demanding king” instead of as a “humble servant”? How would your response to Him be different if that was how he came?
  

 5) Of the 4 relationship grenades listed below, which one have you experienced the most, whether on the giving or receiving side?

• Competing Desires
• Ego/Pride
• Constant Criticism
• Not Making Christ our Priority and Focus

6) What aspects of Jesus’ attitude would you, on your own, like to work on this week? Some examples might be:

• Empty yourself of you ... become humble.
  
• Become more obedient to God and His will in your life.
  
• Allow God to be glorified in your life through everything that you do. 

Thank you for filling out your Life Group Leader Report Form here.