Questions for week May 31st - June 6th

A Vital Vision
Graduation Sunday


1)  Just for fun: Where did you graduate high school and what year?

2)  People have defined life as a roller coaster, a party, a puzzle, a symphony, a journey, a dance, a race, and so much more. Out of these things, how would you define your life and why would you define it that way? 

3) Read Romans 12:2. “Do not be conformed to this world,” seems pretty clear. Yet many followers of Christ struggle with it. Slowly and gradually we allow the philosophy and thinking of the world to influence us, and oſten we don’t even notice. 

• What causes us to fail to see our own personal conformity to the world? 
• What excuses do we oſten make? 
• What is the difference between being conformed to the world and simply living in the world? 

4) Read James 1:12. What do you feel has been your greatest test in life and how well do you feel you passed the test?  What lesson did you learn from your testing?

5) Read Psalm 39:4. How does the reality of this verse land on you? How would we live our lives differently if we woke up everyday praying this verse?

6) Think of an area of your life where you worry the most. Now read Jeremiah 29:11. How does this verse affect you when thinking about the things in life that overwhelm and worry you?

7)  God gave Israel 3 things they should do while they were living in a foreign land: Be Productive, Keep Growing and Keep Serving (Jeremiah 29:5-7). Which one is the easiest for you to do and why? Which one do you struggle the most with and why?

8)  What has been one of your greatest inspirations to live a successful life? (Could be a person, an experience, etc.)

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

Questions for week May 24th - 30th

Loaded Questions
Part 3
Is Jesus really the only way to God

1) Just for fun: What did you do for this Memorial Day.

You can scroll down and go through the questions from Part 1 and Part 2 of Loaded Questions as well as the ones below.

2) Read John 14:6. 

• Why do you think this is such a controversial statement?
• What does Jesus’ statement say to those who think there are multiple ways to get to heaven and have a relationship with God? 

3) Did you ever believe one of the 3 myths listed below?

• When you get right down to it, all religions are basically the same.
• Even though Christianity is different, it's just one of many diverse philosophies.
• Claiming Christ is the only way is so narrow minded and exclusive.

4) Read Romans 5:7-8.

• What comparisons can be made between people giving their lives for others and Christ’s death for all people?  
• How does the knowledge that Christ died for everyone, while everyone was still in sin, impact your relationship with Christ?

Close your time asking what impacted them the most about the sermon series Loaded Questions.

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

Questions for week May 17th - 23rd

Loaded Questions
Part 2
Doesn't God just want me to be happy?

1) Just for Fun: Who is the happiest person you know?

You can also go over questions from Part 1 of Loaded Questions as well. Click here for the questions.

2) Read aloud- Proverbs 14:12-13 (MSG) 12 There's a way of life that looks harmless enough but look again- it leads straight to death. 13 Sure, there ar people who appear to be having a good time, but all that laughter will end in heartbreak.

• Proverbs is commonly known as one of the wisdom books of the Old Testament. What is the wisdom in verse 12? What does this verse suggest?
• What is the warning that verse 13 gives us about pursuing what makes us happy? 
• We tend to get into trouble when we believe that we are “lacking” something. Tell of a time when you felt you were lacking something and you took matters into your own hands. What was the result?

3) Read Matthew 5:6 in a few translations. 

To survive we must eat and drink. It’s interesting that God would equate our needs for survival with righteousness. Righteousness means right-ness with God. How is your happiness and your relationship with God connected (Read Matthew 6:33)

4) What steps can you take to make Jesus your focus... not happiness? 

Close your time together praying for God to help everyone in your group focus more on Jesus and his ways, than we do our own happiness. 

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

Questions for week May 3rd - 9th

Loaded Questions
Part 1
Why Does God Allow So Much Suffering

1) Just for Fun: If you could ask Christ to change one problem in the world today, what would you like him to change? 

2) We’ve all had days that couldn’t end soon enough because everything was going wrong. When was the last time you experienced one of these days? What took place and how did you react to the events that unfolded?

3) There is going to come a point in our lives when we face real trouble. It could be the premature death of a loved one, job loss, financial trouble or an end of relationship that you did not see coming. Have you experienced a time like this? How did this experience shake your faith? What emotions did you feel? How did you come out of this experience? (stronger, bolder, still struggling, etc.)

4) Where did you turn to in this time of trouble for hope? How did your response shine light on who or what you trust in?

5) How did those around you (family & friends) react to your situation? Did their words bring comfort or confusion?

6) What are some bumper sticker or slogans we have created to explain times of trouble? (Ex. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, etc) Why do you believe we attempt to come up with simple statements to explain what someone is experiencing?

7) Have someone read John 16:33 and Hebrews 6:19-20. According to these scriptures, how can someone experience true peace in the midst of the chaos?

8) Have someone read 1 John 4:10 and Romans 8:28. Why should we look to the God’s love displayed on the cross as our anchor? How can the cross enable us to trust God is in control regardless of what situation we find ourselves in?

9) What steps do you need to take in your own life for the cross to become your anchor in times of trouble and distress?

10) What does it look like to walk with someone through times of trouble? Who is experiencing difficult times that you can come alongside and support?

Close your time together by praying for the people mentioned during the last question. Ask that God would begin to heal their wounds and place people around them that can walk alongside them and be Christ for them. 

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