December 24, 2023
Advent: Joy
December 17, 2023
Advent: Peace
December 10, 2023
Discussion Questions:
Reflection on Personal Experience:
Can you think of a time when you personally experienced the tension between the message of peace during the Advent season and the challenges and chaos in the world around you?
Understanding the Peace of God:
The peace of God is different from what the world offers. In your understanding, how is God's peace distinct from the peace that the world tries to provide? Share instances where you've seen or experienced God's peace in a way that contrasts with worldly approaches.
Becoming Peacemakers:
Jesus calls his followers to become peacemakers. Discuss practical ways in which individuals or the church as a whole can actively contribute to building God's peaceable kingdom in our community or beyond. How can the peace we receive from God be shared with others?
Advent: Hope
December 3, 2023
Discussion Questions:
Reflecting on Biblical Stories:
How do the stories of hope in the Bible, such as the prophecies about the coming Messiah or the narratives surrounding Jesus' birth, inspire and provide hope for us today?
Personal Advent Practices:
In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, how can we intentionally cultivate a sense of hope in our lives? What specific Advent practices or traditions can help us focus on the true meaning of hope during this season?
Navigating Challenges with Hope:
As we face challenges and uncertainties in our lives, how does the message of hope in the Advent season guide us in navigating difficult circumstances? Can you share a personal experience where hope played a significant role in overcoming adversity?
Expressing Hope to Others:
How can we share the message of hope with those around us during the Advent season and beyond? In what practical ways can we be agents of hope in our communities, workplaces, and families?
John 17:20-26
November 26, 2023
Discussion Questions
What do you think Jesus means when he prays for unity among believers? How does this unity contribute to the mission of God in the world?
* Reflect on the idea of unity in belief. How can this kind of unity be cultivated among diverse groups of believers?How does unity among Christians contribute to a compelling witness to the world about Jesus?
* In what ways can a united community of believers reflect the nature and character of God?Reflect on the tension between exclusive truth in the Gospel and the inclusivity of God's grace. How can the church maintain this balance effectively?
* How might the church embody both exclusive truth and inclusive grace in a way that reflects Jesus' teachings?Consider the idea that unity is an ongoing work. How can we actively participate in this work of unity within the Body of Christ?
* How can we cultivate a spirit of continuous growth toward complete unity as Jesus desires?How can we personally respond to Jesus' prayer for unity and witness? What steps can we take to live in such a way that reflects God's work within us?
* In what specific areas do you feel challenged to align your life more closely with Jesus' prayer for believers?
John 17:17-19
November 19, 2023.
Discussion Questions:
How do you personally interpret the concept of being in the world but not of it? How does this distinction impact your daily life and interactions within your community?
Reflecting on Jesus' prayer in John 17, how can you practically embody the concept of being "sent into the world" in your daily life? What specific actions or attitudes can you adopt to actively engage with the world while maintaining your sanctification and commitment to God's mission?
In what ways can you deepen your understanding and immersion in God's truth, particularly the revelation of God in the person and work of Jesus Christ? How might intentionally aligning your thoughts, decisions, and actions with this truth contribute to your sanctification and effectiveness in fulfilling the mission God has for you in the world?
How does the assurance of God's constant presence and guidance impact your approach to challenging situations or interactions within the world? What practical steps can you take to rely more fully on God's presence and trust His leading as you live out your mission in various spheres of influence?
John 17:11-16
Understanding Jesus' Prayer: In this passage Jesus prays for his disciples to be protected. Reflecting on the passage from John 17:11-16, what aspects of protection does Jesus specifically pray for? How does this differ from a common understanding of protection in prayer?
Facing Challenges and God's Protection: Jesus prays for his disciples to be protected, yet many of them faced persecution and even death. How does the how can we reconcile Jesus' prayer for protection and the challenges his disciples encountered? How does this perspective challenge our understanding of God's protection in our own lives?
The Role of Unity: Jesus emphasizes the importance of unity in his prayer, praying that his followers may be one. Why do you think Jesus includes this in his prayer for protection?
Personal Reflection on Jesus' Prayer: Jesse encouraged us to imagine being one of the disciples listening to Jesus' prayer. Consider your own life and faith journey. How might your faith grow if you could overhear Jesus praying for you? In what specific areas of your life do you think Jesus might be praying for protection? How could the awareness of Jesus' ongoing intercession impact your daily life and relationship with God?
John 17:6-10
November 5, 2023
Discussion Questions:
1. How can we practically incorporate the concept of God's revelation, as emphasized in Jesus' prayer, into our daily lives? What specific steps can we take to deepen our understanding of God's character and apply this understanding in our relationships, work, and community interactions?
2. Jesus' prayer in these verses comes at a crucial moment, just before His impending departure. How does this prayer prepare the disciples for the challenges ahead, knowing that Jesus is leaving them? How can we draw strength and guidance from Jesus' prayer in our own lives, especially during transitions or challenging times?
3. In what ways do we navigate the tension of living in a world that may contradict our beliefs, similar to how Jesus sent his disciples into a conflicting environment? How can we maintain our faithfulness to God's values while actively engaging and serving in such a world?
4. Reflecting on the role of the Holy Spirit, how can we intentionally depend on the Holy Spirit's guidance, teaching, and confirmation of truth in our individual and collective Christian journey? What practical habits or disciplines can we develop to enhance our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's leading in our lives?
John 17:1-5
October 29, 2023
Discussion Questions:
1. How does the imminent departure of Jesus shape the context for his prayer in John 17:1-5? How does his impending death and departure influence the significance and tone of this prayer?
2. What does the phrase "glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you" signify in terms of the relationship between God the Father and God the Son? How does this demonstrate the essence of God's glory?
3. According to Jesus' prayer in John 17:3, what does eternal life entail? How does this understanding of eternal life differ from common perceptions of its duration, and what does this perspective offer in terms of a relationship with God?
4. How does the statement "I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do" in John 17:4 reflect the completeness of Jesus' mission? What implications does this completion have for our own understanding of salvation and our response to it?
5. How can we align our daily lives with the glorification of God, as Jesus exemplified in his life, death, and prayer? What practical steps can we take to live our lives in a way that brings glory to God?
6. How can we follow the example set by Jesus in our lives, especially in relation to making God known and giving Him glory? How can we practically apply Jesus' dedication to revealing God to those around us?
Suffering
October 22, 2023
Discussion Questions:
1. In 2 Corinthians 4 verse 7, it mentions that believers have "this treasure in jars of clay." What does this metaphor mean to you, and how does it relate to the Christian faith? How does it impact the way you view yourself and your role in sharing the gospel?
2. The passage discusses facing various challenges and hardships in Christian ministry. Can you share a personal experience when you faced adversity because of your faith? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? How do you find strength and resilience in times of trial?
3. In verse 4, it mentions that "the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers." How do you think this spiritual blindness operates in today's world, and what can Christians do to help remove those blinders and share the gospel effectively?
4. The sermon talks about the importance of plain-speaking and integrity in proclaiming the gospel. How can we effectively communicate the message of Jesus with clarity and honesty while maintaining a posture of humility and grace?
5. Verse 16 talks about being "renewed day by day" inwardly. How does this inner renewal happen in your life, and what practices or habits do you find most effective in experiencing this renewal?