Sunday, December 3, 2023

  • Passages to Read:
  • Amos 9:10-11
  • Psalm 130
  • Spend time discussing Psalm 130
  • What does this Psalm and Amos show us about being in places of hardship and hope? 
  • What does it mean to wait for the Lord v.5-6?
  • What happens when waiting doesn’t solve our issues? How are we to Hope?
  • Jesus is the promise of Israel, the booth mentioned in Amos, how does the change how we hope?
  • Where could we focus on an attitude of hope in our lives now?
  • What other insights or learnings did you have from the sermon?

Sunday November 26, 2023

  1. Bible Verses
  2. Creation – Gen 1:31
  3. Fall – Gen 3:6
  4. Redemption: Eph 1:7-10
  5. Restoration: Rev 21:3-7
  6. Do you have a story of redemption that you know of from real life or media? 
  7. What insight did you have about the Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration themes of Scripture?
  8. What area of Creation, Fall, Redemption, or Restoration did you most relate to in your life circumstances right now?
  9. If you were to define a significant relationship (work, marriage, friendship, family, etc) in one of the four themes, where would they be?
  10. Read Exodus 34:6-7, what themes does this passage show, and how does it add to Biblical narrative?
  11. From the sermon “Jesus is truly God in the flesh, he truly died for us, he truly offers us a new identity, and he truly offers new futures. New futures for people, or churches who place their salvation and trust in Him alone for salvation.”
  12. do we find the temptation to place our future and peace in other things? What can we do together to change that in the community?
  13. What other things did you hear from a sermon or our themes this week?

Sunday, November 12, 2023

  1. What has been a keen take away that you have learned in our current series thus far? Have you been able to use it yet?
  2. How do you think Philemon felt when Onesimus stole from him and ran away? What does betrayal or being taken advantage of feel like?
  3. How does Paul’s letter to Philemon virtually destroy slavery?
  4. How is reconciliation and conflict a healthy and good part of life and relationships? How is it a means to maturity?
  5. What does it mean to be self-aware? Why is that important to biblical reconciliation?
  6. While many of us would demand justice for those like Onesimus, because of the gospel Paul asks for…..what? What does that teach us as Followers of Jesus?

Sunday November 5, 2023

  1. What have you learned thus far in our conflict series, An Opportunity for God to Work?

2. Read James 3:17-18 God calls us to wisdom from above. What are the characteristics of godly wisdom? How important are they to peace-making?

3. Read James 4:1-2 What does this passage say about conflict? How does conflict grow when one or both sides have selfcentered motives?

4. Jonathan Edwards called selfish motives in conflict idolatry. Why would it be an idol in our life?

5. In sowing seeds of peace why is submission to each other a form of accountability? How does that help people when disagreements happen?

6. Read Isaiah 9:6 Where does the concepts of peace and righteousness originate from? How does the Holy Spirit in us make peace and reconciliation possible?

7. What is your take away from the message?

Sunday, October 29, 2023

  1. Do you remember what the tool is that we called “Complaint with a Request for Change”? Hint…3 statements…
  2. Read Rom 12:16,18 Does conflict resolution work in every situation? According to the scripture what responsibility do we play?
  3. Jesus said blessed are the peacemakers…He did not say peacekeepers. What’s the difference?
  4. Peacemakers choose to become safe people. What does that mean? Why is it important?
  5. Read Colossians 1:19-21 what does God want to do with each of us? Why is reconciling so important to God?
  6. Are you a peacemaker or a peacekeeper? Are you in a situation that calls upon you to be a peacemaker? What is your take away from the message?

Sunday, October 22, 2023

  1. What is the difference between a disagreement and a conflict? What is an example of a disagreement and an example of a conflict. Can this happen at home or work, as well as church?
  2. Read Hebrews 12:14-15 According to Hebrews does peace in conflict just magically happen? What does pursuing peace denote? v. 15 Can bitterness be avoided in disagreements
  3. James was writing Hebrews to Jewish Christians under great stress and anxiety. Why was that? What part does stress and anxiety have in conflict at home? At work? At church?
  4. According to Hebrews 12:14-15 are we to run away and avoid disagreements and conflict at all costs? How do we tend to fight dirty when we are in conflict?
  5. Pursuing peace is a process of determination. What is “Complaint with a request for change?” I notice…I feel…I’d prefer- make up a scenario at work, home or church where that could be used.
  6. Read Hebrews 13:20-21 Must we resolve conflict in our own strength? If not then how does the Gospel equip us to pursue peace?

Sunday, October 15, 2023

  1. How has it made you feel as you read or watch the Israel/Hamas war unfold? Why? What would peacemaking look like if it could be done?
  2. Closer to home have you ever had a conflict at home, school, or work? How was it resolved, or was it resolved? Why or why not?
  3. Read Isaiah 14:12-14 This is the account of Lucifer being kicked out of heaven. Why was he forced to leave God’s presence? What has been the outcome on mankind?
  4. Read Genesis 3:1-6 What was the conflict that took place? Why did Adam & Eve begin enmity with GOD? What was the immediate outcome and for humanity
  5. Conflict becomes a problem when both sides of an issue or one side wants what they want more than what the other wants….what are some examples in scripture of people in conflict?
  6. Would you set aside time this week? To pray for each other to prepare our hearts for the hard work of examination in the spirit of humility with an open heart to process with God’s Word? Remember James 4 challenges us to
  7. We must begin:  in a posture of humility v. 6;  submitted to our holy God v. 7;  come close to God by asking God to cleanse our hearts v. 8; agree w God that conflict unresolved is serious v. 9; in humility to not speak against your brothers & sisters v 10.
  8. LET’S PRAY FOR GOD TO WORK IN EACH OF US!!

Sunday, October 8, 2023

1.  Read Matthew 22:35-40  We are commanded to love God and love people. Who is our neighbor?  What does that mean on a daily basis?  What is GC2?

2. Read Colossians 4:2-6  Jesus’ strategy to win people to follow Him was unstrategic. What does that mean? How does that affect us as we seek to build bridges to share Christ in our community?

3.  Have you ever experienced a sales person acting like a good friend until you decided not to buy?  Was that person sincere?  What does this mean: Keep God as the ultimate motive but not an ulterior motive.

4. Who is a “person of peace”?  Who might that be at work, school, or where you live?

5. What does it mean….”The non-strategy strategy is to enjoy the journey of getting to know people.”  Connecting is a process….where can that begin in your life?

6. Prayer is the work in winning the lost! Why so?  How can prayer fuel our outreach? What is your take away from this series?

Sunday, October 1, 2023

  1. Who is someone you view as hospitable…why?

2. How has someone’s hospitality touched you? How did it make you feel?

3. Read Luke 14:12-14 What does hospitality in the Bible refer to? Why’s that important?

4. In all the ways Jesus shared His life with others what was more important the menu or the guest list? Why?

5. Read Luke5:27-29 How can hospitality define relationship?Did hospitality cost Jesus His reputation?

6. What is an example of us willing to humble ourselves enter the space that others open to us? Have you seen this before?

7.Read Matthew 5:35-40 How can a cup of water be hospitable? What is your take away?