Questions for week Jan 31st - Feb 6th

Guardrails Part 4
No More Detours


You can scroll down and go through some of the questions from all the Guardrails sermons as well as these from Part 4.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1) Why do you think we are drawn to situations that can ultimately harm us (i.e., financial, relational, professional)?

2) Why is it easier to cross a line of temptation once you’ve done it before?

3) What is the best way to curb an appetite?

4) Read Daniel 1. Daniel resolved to maintain his guardrails. How can you keep your guardrails from weakening or moving backwards?

5) Looking back, how has establishing a guardrail saved you from potential disaster?

6) What areas of your life do you need resolve? In other words, what areas of your life do you need to finally surrender?

MOVING FORWARD

None of this is really new information. We’ve known all along that refusing to establish guardrails does not erase the tension of temptation; it only weakens our resolve. We’ve known all along that we need to make up our minds . . . before we know how our stories end. So, at this point, it’s pretty simple. Make up your mind. Trust God. Establish guardrails.

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

Questions for week Jan 24th - 31st

Guardrails
Part 3
Avoiding the Cash Crash


Just for Fun: Seeing as North Florida saw some snow flurries on the 23rd, share a snow story of your own. Have you never seen snow, ever been snowed in, lived where it snowed every winter, etc.?


Feel free to scroll down and also go through some of the questions from Guardrails Part 1 and 2 too.

INTRODUCTION

Contrary to popular opinion, God does not want something from you, he wants something for you. And nowhere is that more true than with your finances. Then why are we so insistent on separating our faith and our finances? What kinds of guardrails need to go up in order to protect us from financial disaster?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1) Why do you think money and sex are the two most disregarded topics from the Bible?

2) Define the word greed. What kind of guardrails do you currently have in place to protect you from greed?

3) Read Matthew 6:24. Do you agree that the biggest competitor for your trust is your stuff?

4) What is the difference between healthy consuming and hoarding and unhealthy consuming and hoarding?

5) Read Matthew 6:31–33. What steps will you take to incorporate a lifestyle that practices give, save, live?

6) What is the biggest lesson you have learned in your life regarding finances? 

6) What could the local church be capable of if giving became a regular practice for everyone?

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

Questions for week Jan 17th - 23rd

Guardrails 2
"Who are you Riding With"

1) Just for fun: Do you have any friendships that began in childhood that you still have to this day?

INTRODUCTION

Friendships are powerful things. They’re great, but dangerous. You drop your guard with your friends. You become less careful. And as a result, you’re easily influenced, drawn toward the acceptance you find. Because of this vulnerability, it would be smart to develop some guardrails. It’s not an easy thing—but it might end up saving you from future pain.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1) Apart from your current family members, who are your closest friends? Your amigos? Your posse?

2) Were your parents protective of who you spent time with as a child? As you look back, are you glad they were protective?

3) Think about some of your greatest regrets. Were you in the company of friends or enemies?

4) Read Proverbs 13:20. How has this proverb been demonstrated in your life?

5) While the idea of friendship is a great thing, what type of guardrails do you need to construct in this area of your life?

6) What is one tangible, intentional way you can practice “walking with the wise”?

Final Thought

Constructing the necessary guardrails in a relationship/friendship is painful. But being intentional about walking with the wise protects you and puts you in a position to help others later on.

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

Questions for week Jan 10th - 16th

Guardrails
Drive Carefully


1) Just for fun: If you made New Years Resolutions, how are you doing on them?

You rarely notice guardrails until you are in an accident where one saves your life. The damage done by hitting a guardrail is minor when compared to what you would have hit had it not been there. Guardrails. They’re good things.

1. Have you ever been in a car accident involving guardrails or medians?

2. In your life, was there a time where guardrails might have been helpful if you would have had them into place?

3. What guardrails have you set up in your life?

4. “Our culture does not promote guardrails. Culture is content with just a painted line.” Do you agree or disagree? What are some examples from our culture?

5. Read Ephesians 5:15-17. Which phrases from those verses resonate with you the most?

6. In verse 18, the apostle Paul uses alcohol to illustrate his point about debauchery. What areas of your life do you struggle with “losing control”?

7. In which areas of your life have you been dancing on the yellow line? Listen to your conscience. Pay attention to the Holy Spirit. Where do you need to set up some guardrails? How can we pray for you about this?

MOVING FORWARD

Nobody plans to enter into a violent marriage. Nobody plans to ruin his or her finances. Nobody plans to struggle with an addiction. What steps do you take to make sure these things don’t happen? Set up guardrails. You can tell yourself that you’ll “be careful.” Well, setting up guardrails is how you “be careful.”

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

Questions for week Jan 3rd - Jan 9th

2016 - Live it with Purpose


1) Just for fun: What is your feeling about New Year's Resolutions? Did you make any?

2) When anything in creation fulfills it's purpose, it brings glory to God. And one of the ways we bring glory to God is by developing a deeper relationship with Him. What steps do you plan to take to develop a deeper relationship with God in 2016?

3) Read Romans 15:7. Another way we bring glory to God is by forgiving and accepting each other. How did Christ accept us? Then how should we accept others?

4) Read Ephesians 2:10. We did not earn salvation through our works, but there are definitely things God expects us to do with our new life. Serving others is one of those things. How have you incorporated service to others in your daily life? What things would you like to do more of when it comes to serving others?

5) Pastor Mark's last point was this... We bring glory to God when we share him with others. How can you do this in greater ways in 2016?

Close your time together asking God to help everyone in your group grow closer to him this year and share him with more people.

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