1. What is the interplay between crowds and discipleship that we see in the Gospel and what are their contemporary interactions in thriving congregations?
2. What are some other words for “disciple” in today’s world? What do all of these words have in common with the dynamics of leaders and followers?
3. Who invited you to follow Jesus? Who have been your models of discipleship? When have you seen disciple making done well? When have you seen it done poorly?
4. What are some of the values and patterns of church membership that are not discipleship? Not being disciples and not making disciples?
5. What does it take to make a disciple? When have you done this? What were the signs of success or failure?
6. Faithful parenting and grandparenting is about discipleship? How did this work for you growing up? How has this worked for you with your children and grandchildren.
7. What is the ultimate goal of discipleship? Who does God want us to become? How do we help others become who God wants them to be?

1. In Matthew 22, according to Megan’s sermon, why did Jesus turn the one great commandment about loving God into a two fold commandment of loving God and loving neighbor?
2. Why is it important that our love of God be demonstrated in our love of neighbor?
3. How are acts of service to others a demonstration of our love of God?
4. What happens if we say we love God but do not serve our neighbors?
5. How hard is it to love your real neighbors in the church, on your street, in another political party, from another country? What conditions do we often place on loving these neighbors?
6. Megan gave a personal illustration when she was at the beach of what she had to give up in order to love her neighbors? What did you think about her example? Describe a time when you gave up something important to love a neighbor?
7. How can LCPC improve on loving our neighbors?

Life Group Questions – Studies in Acts – Metrics of Original Churches

Acts 9:1-31 – “Knocked Off My High Horse” – July 18, 2021

1. Having read Acts 9:1-31, and heard other things about the Apostle Paul, when he was Saul, how would you describe him as a person before his conversion? Who have you known like young Saul? How would you compare yourself to Saul, similarities and differences? Would you have been his friend or adversary?
2. Luke describes Saul in harsh and volatile terms. What are some of those adjectives and action verbs? He seemed to be zealous, angry, threatening, outspoken, arrogant, abusive, controlling, obstinate, fearless and unforgiving. How did all of this change when Jesus met him on the road to Damascus? Why did he change?
3. The phrase “get off your high horse” comes out of medieval Europe when royalty and soldiers rode on big horses to send signals of power and superiority to intimidate those considered weaker and lesser. How would you describe Saul’s sense of power and superiority? How does Saul’s view and practice of power change? What does this say to us about how we use or misuse power? As a follower of Jesus how do you use power differently now than in the past?
4. In the current political climate how are we tempted to get on our high horse? To assert our views? Misuse power? Treat others who we think are wrong? How do you see this in politics? At LCPC? In your family? At work? What are followers of Jesus Christ called to do differently? When you think someone is wrong, what do you think Jesus wants you to do? How is this different than how Saul treated the new Church?
5. Why was it so important the Resurrected Jesus confronted Saul on the road to Damascus? What did Jesus mean by Saul “kicking against the goads?”
6. As Acts 9 unfolds, Saul changes from the one “hunting the church” to the one being hunted as an advocate of the church. He changes from predator to prey and protector. How does this change mirror Jesus himself? Why were Jesus and Paul hunted by religious/political leaders? In what ways might we become the targets of such seek and destroy missions? How are we tempted to the perpetrators of abuse?
7. Remember Barnabas is a nickname which means “son of encouragement” in Greek (“paraclete,” like the Holy Spirit – “One who is called alongside”). How is Barnabas like the Spirit, coming alongside Saul in Jerusalem? How does Barnabas’ model of leadership disciple Saul and impact Saul’s patterns of working with people? How does the example of Barnabas contrast with your leadership style? How might Barnabas have been irritating to Saul at times? When are you irritated with others’ leadership styles? What should we do with irritating differences of opinions, views and styles? What should LCPC do? What style do we want in a new pastor?

Life Group Questions – Studies in Acts – Metrics for Original Churches

Acts 8 Excerpts – The Church Gathered and Scattered

1. In Acts 2:42-47 there are several things original churches do when they are gathered together. What are those practices named? What other practices did they have? How does this list match what our church does today when we gather (remember gathering happens in large, medium and small groups)?
2. Looking at the end of Acts 7 and the beginning of Acts 8, what does the Holy Spirit use to scatter the church in Jerusalem? How are people scattered today by the Spirit? What are some of the painful ways God scatters us to other parts of the country and world?
3. In looking at the beginning sections of Luke 9 and 10, we find Jesus sending out the 12 and then 70 more to places he planned to visit. He directs them to do some things as they go and as they arrive. What are those instructions? What are the reasons for Jesus’ instructions to those he sends? What are the results? How do these instructions impact the patterns of Philip and apostles when they go out? What does Jesus say about looking for open or closed places? How should this guidance impact us today as we strive to share our faith? How do you know when a person is open or closed? Give some examples of open or closed people you’ve encountered?
4. Why did Jesus say he was sending out people “like lambs in the presence of wolves?” How did this reflect Jesus’ own life? Stephen’s life? The Apostle’s lives? In what ways are we going out like lambs among wolves today? What do lambs do in the world of wolves? Why would God want us to be so vulnerable? What are the various kinds of vulnerability we are called upon to show? What does vulnerability do for those open or closed? When do you feel vulnerable? How has God used that?
5. Philip is led by the Spirit to go to Samaria, the wilderness road from Jerusalem to Gaza, to Azotus and the coastal communities up to Caesarea. How is Philip instructed to go and how does he get there? What is Philip looking for? Acts 21 has Philip living in Caesarea with 4 daughters who are prophets. What changed in Philip’s life since he was driven out of Jerusalem? What does Philip’s life journey tell us about how God’s Spirit leads? How has God led you in your faith journey?
6. In Luke 4, after his baptism, we see Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Philip was led into the wilderness to meet the Ethiopian national CFO. He was reading the prophet Isaiah about the suffering and death of Jesus. How does this Isaiah text reflect the wilderness of Jesus’ life and his temptations? What message was here for Philip, for the Eunuch, for us, as we follow Jesus through life? When have you been led into a wilderness to be tempted?

Life Group Questions – Acts Studies – Metrics for Original Churches

Acts 6:1-15 – “When Freedom Enslaves”

1. Acts 6 and 7 are about the Greek-speaking apostolic leader Stephen. He was selected to serve in the distribution of food, but he, full of the Holy Spirit, does the full ministry of the Apostles. He preaches, heals, casts out evil and debates faith in Jesus in high places. He is an apostolic star like Peter and John. How is it that a senior waiter becomes an apostle? When have you seen this kind of transformation happen today?
2. Stephen is a star debater of faith in Christ. He knows his Bible and he is full of God’s Spirit. When he visits Greek-speaking Jewish synagogues, he wins debates with high level well-educated Jewish leaders. It is probable that the young Pharisee Saul, disciple of the highly esteemed Gamaliel, is one of those he debated and trounced. Many in these freed-slave synagogues were upset to lose their debates against this follower of Jesus. They became jealous of his power and influence, drawing many to follow Jesus as Messiah. What causes leaders of today’s churches to become jealous of other leaders? What do jealous leaders do to those who try to take away their power? What does this do to a church? When have you seen this happen?
3. It is ironic that the synagogue upset with Stephen is the one made up of freed slaves and their families from Asia Minor (Turkey) and North Africa. Why would freed slaves be so militant about their Jewish faith, and resentful of followers of Jesus who declared Jesus was their Messiah to set them free?
4. In reading Galatians 4 – 5, what does the converted Saul (apostle Paul) have to say about freedom? Why is he so adamant about what followers of Jesus should do about using their freedom? Where and how did he learn his theology of freedom and why was this so important for him? For the Church? How would you summarize Paul’s freedom debate with the Galatian Church?
5. We have just celebrated July 4^th, the 245^th birthday of the Declaration of Independence. We declared our freedom from the British Empire and fought a war to confirm it. Why is freedom so important to human beings? What do we do to protect our freedoms? When does freedom become slavery to others? Why will we enslave people to hold on to our freedom? What would Jesus, Stephen and Paul say about the right way to assert and hold on to freedom? What freedoms do you hold dearly? When have you fought to assert your freedom? When have you felt enslaved?
6. Today, in our American democracy, we are divided about our way to freedom. We are polarized to the left and right. If we are all fighting for freedom what drives us apart? What could bring us together. How should Christians fight for freedom?

Life Group Questions – Acts 5:12-42 – “We Are Really Behind You”

Studies in Acts – “Metrics for Original Churches”

1. The people held the Apostles in high esteem but many dared not join them (5:13). Why did the new followers of Jesus not want to join the Apostles? Why is it hard to join the leadership of a movement or church? Why would we rather stay in the background? What happens to leaders who take responsibility to lead? Who are some other biblical leaders who have a difficult time leading people? Where are you in this story?
2. Why were the Jerusalem city council and the national/state senate (Sanhedrin) upset with the Apostles? What are the attributes of their negative attitude - what words does Luke use to described their disposition? Why do political or institutional leaders get angry in situations like this? What do angry people want to do with those with whom they are frustrated? How do you see this working in a family or church or business? What are you tempted to do when you are angry? What makes you angry? When is anger helpful? When is it destructive? How did the Apostles handle the anger?
3. How do we see God acting in the midst of the confrontation between Apostles and Religious Leaders? What is God doing? What does God not do? What is the role of the Holy Spirit?
4. What humor do you find in this story? God seems to be the source of the humor. Who might be smiling and laughing about the situation? When danger increases, God’s sense of humor seems to increase. In what other biblical stories can you see God’s humor at work?
5. The Apostles say, “we must obey God rather than humanity.” Why do they say this? What is the evidence this is true for them?
6. Pharisees were ordinary people who worked hard at living Godly lives. They weren’t royalty like the Sadducees. What is the role of Gamaliel, the Pharisee, in this event? How did Jesus feel about Pharisees? How is Gamaliel’s speech unexpected? How did the Sanhedrin react to Gamaliel? How long did their reaction last? Why?
7. In Peter’s speech what is emphasized about Jesus? What should be our Gospel metrics to be gleaned from this?

Life Group Questions – Studies in Acts – Metrics for Original Churches

Acts 4:32-5:11 – Sermon – “Carried Away”

1. This section of Acts is a contrast in extremities: the extreme generosity of early church members and the extreme deception of the couple Ananias and Sapphira who were the opposite of that generosity. Why do you think Luke wanted to contrast such extreme opposites? What might he say to us today about this stark contrast?
2. Looking at Acts 4:32-35 what would you say are some important signs (metrics) of a healthy church? What might be too extreme for our church today? Why might there be such a difference from the ancient church to the modern church?
3. Acts 4:34-35 is the general practice of generosity and Acts 4:36-37 is a particular person as an example. Why would Luke move from a general practice to a specific case? Why do we need examples of people who demonstrate the power of the Resurrection in their generosity? Who are some of those people who have demonstrated extreme generosity to you? How are you dealing with the apostolic call to extreme generosity? How have your monetary values been transformed by the Gospel of Jesus? How do you still need to grow? What is holding you back? Why is it so hard for us to talk about money in relationship to our faith?
4. The name Bar Nabas means “son of encouragement”. “Encouragement” is translated from the Greek word, para+kletos, which is the name given by Jesus to the Holy Spirit (John 15:26). Paraclete means “one who is called alongside,” also translated, helper, advocate, encourager, comforter, consoler, friend, empower-er, sharer, assister or strengthener. The Apostles saw Barnabas as an embodiment (incarnation) of the Holy Spirit. Wow! What a model! What an example! What a human being! He was like Jesus to many people. Why would they get so carried away with giving him such a strong nickname? Who do you know like Barnabas?
5. Acts 5:1-11 is about the very bad examples of Ananias and Sapphira. How would you describe the character and dynamics of their relationship and their joint value system? In Acts 5:2, the words “kept back” means “embezzle.” Why do they try to defraud God and the Apostles? What motivated them?
6. What does it mean for a person to lie to the Holy Spirit? How is it Satan can fill a heart? When do you know a person is lying to the Spirit and filled with Satan? Please note: it would have been acceptable for them not to sell the property or to hold on to the proceeds of the sale. Why did they lie about the sales price? What do you think was driving them? (Look at M. Scot Peck’s book, People of the Lie and ask how his assessment of Evil is embodied in Ananias and Sapphira).
7. Why do Ananias and Sapphira die? What sign does this send to followers of Jesus?
8. As a summary of this text, how do we show we are people of life? How do we show we are people of death? Ananias and Saphira claimed to be followers of Jesus. How do we know that is true or not? How can we demonstrate life clearly to those around us?

Discussion Questions for 6-13-21 Sermon on Acts 4:1-31

1. What do you think of the question: “If you were on trial for being a Christ, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”? In what ways might it be a helpful question? In what ways might it be unhelpful?

2. How do you discern whether or not a person or group of people are representing the heart of God? How do you make sure your biases aren’t getting in the way of your discernment?

3. Looking at Acts 3-4, what are all the ways in which Peter and John demonstrate that they are reflecting God’s heart?

4. What do the religious leaders do that causes you to question if they’re accurately representing God?

5. Read Matthew 7:15-20. How would you apply this concept of good and bad fruit to the two groups?

6. What made the religious leaders recognize Peter and John as companions of Jesus? Do you think they recognized their faces or was there something else going on?

7. Would people recognize you as a “companion of Jesus”? Why or why not? What would they see about where your focus is?

8. Prayerfully reflect on what in your life might point people away from Jesus (or be considered “bad fruit”). (You don’t need to share with the group.)

9. What is one way you might deepen your companionship with Jesus this week?

Life Group Questions – Acts 3:1-10

Sermon – “Take a Good Look” –  6-6-21

1. The Gate into the Temple with the most beautiful view was that one facing the front of the gold covered facade of the Temple, rising 150 feet. Why would beggars be on the entry steps of the Temple between the Court of the Gentiles and the inner courts of Jewish women, men and priests? Where are beggars or homeless most apt to gather today?
2. The apostles Peter and John are going into the Temple during the second time of daily prayer. It is 3:00 pm. This was their daily practice. What does this tell us about Peter and John’s practice of Jewish faith? What might this suggest to us as Christians about our practices of faith in 2021?
3. A group of people carried this handicapped man into the Temple every day. What does this say about the friends and faith community of the lame man? What would be comparable actions for us today? How are you doing with looking out for the welfare of the hurting, wounded, handicapped and homeless?
4. How do Peter and John know God wants to heal this crippled man? They have probably seen him before, and maybe, even Jesus passed by him before. After passing him so many times, why is now the time for God to heal him? What does this tell us about God’s desire to heal people? What role should we play in the healing of people?
5. What impact does his healing have on the Gentile and Jewish crowd gathered in the Court of the Gentiles? Why does the crowd suddenly pay so much attention to him and the Apostles? What is God doing in this event? What does Peter do with this opportunity? What do you think the healed man will now do with his life? Describe a healing you experienced.
6. When Jesus sent the first apostles out to heal and cast out demons (Luke 9) how did he send them? What does this tell us about Peter and John being together? How should we do ministry in this apostolic pattern? What does this tell us about our individualistic culture?

Life Group Questions – Acts 2:14-24; Joel 2:28-32

Acts Preaching Series – Metrics of Original Churches

1. How is the coming of the Holy Spirit a Kairos moment rather than a Kronos moment (Kronos means watch time and Kairos mean important moment)? Please describe a Kairos moment in your life also one in the life of LCPC?
2. Joel 2:28-32 describes the coming of the Holy Spirit after the people repent and God restores their fortunes after long periods of disaster. Why is it so important God pours out the Spirit on Israel and the Church? Where do you see evidence of Holy Spirit being poured out and received today?
3. What is the main purpose of Holy Spirit? Who is Holy Spirit? What does Holy Spirit do? What are the signs of Holy Spirit at work? What are signs that a person or group is without Holy Spirit? What are signs LCPC is flowing in the Spirit? Not flowing in the Spirit?
4. Hans Urs von Balthasar was a great Swiss theologian of the 20^th He is known particularly for his understanding of Holy Spirit and Trinity. He called Holy Spirit “the Spirit of self-emptying” or “unselfing” (like Jesus in Philippians 2:6-11). How has the Spirit empowered you to “put off” or “self-empty” poor human practices or bad behaviors or bad attitudes? What emptying is needed in the life of LCPC? How can we participate in that emptying (kenosis) of Jesus?
5. Both Acts and Joel describe God as “pouring out” Spirit on the Church and “all flesh”. What are the signs of the Spirit poured out on every human being? Greek “poured out” is even more dramatic: burst forth, blown out, overflowing, gushing over. It is like the ongoing, rushing, unstoppable rapids and falls of a mighty river. How do we get into that tremendous flow? God help LCPC to be in that “wild” (violent) flow!

Life Group Questions

Youth Sunday, 5/23/21

Read John 20:19-23

1. What stands out or speaks to you from the passage?
2. Notice the details in the description. What day is it? Where do you think they are? Why are the doors locked?
3. What caused the disciples to move from fear to joy?
4. What helps you move out of fear?
5. Look at Jesus’ words. What is repeated? What do you think is significant about the repeated words?
6. The Father sent Jesus, and now Jesus sends the disciples. How was Jesus sent, and what message was he sent with? What implications does that have for how we are sent?
7. On Sunday some of the high school seniors shared their experience of discipleship at LCPC. How has discipleship looked in your journey of faith?
8. One of the ways we think about discipleship at LCPC is through the model of belong, serve and grow. Can you think of some significant moments in your journey of belonging, serving and growing?
9. What is one step you can take this week to be and make disciples?

Discussion Questions for the week of May 16

Acts 2:42-47

1. What strikes you or stands out to you about the early church?
2. Which of the four things in verse 42 do you find is the easiest for you to be devoted to? Which is the hardest?
3. In what ways is how we exist as a church community now similar to the early church?  In what ways is it different?
4. Why do you think the early church experienced such growth?
5. From what you know about Christianity and other religions, would you agree with the statement that Christianity more than any religion is centered on the concept of love? Why or why not?
6. When have you felt a strong sense of belonging or love? Have you experienced this in a community?
7. Francis Chan recently said of Christianity, that “we are the most divided faith group on earth.” Do you agree or disagree? Do you think having so many different denominations of Christianity signifies disunity in the church? Why or why not?
8. Does it seem like it is harder in our culture right now to love and belong with people who don’t look like you/ think like you/ act like you/ vote like you than it used to be?  If so, why do you think that might be? What behaviors/attitudes do you display that might contribute?
9. What is one thing that you can do today and one thing you can do this week to demonstrate your love for others? What is something we can do as a church?

Life Group Questions – Acts 2:36-47 – The 5G Network of Households

Sermon Series in Acts – Metrics for Original Churches

1. What are some of the regular practices of the early church that are still important today? How do life groups fit into that pattern?
2. In both Acts 2 and Luke 3, the people in the crowds who respond to John the Baptist and to the Apostle Peter, ask the question, “What should we do?” Why is this a more important question than, “What should we believe?” In what ways do the Christians you know lean into statements of belief or commitments to action about their faith in Christ?
3. As you have decided to follow Jesus how has the call to repent changed your life patterns? What have you stopped doing? What have started doing? What do you do differently?
4. How has “having things in common” impacted your life in the church and your outreach to your neighbors near and far?
5. How often (outside the recent time of COVID) do you share meals with other Christians? Members of LCPC?
6. If the promise of the Holy Spirit is for you, how do you share this promise with your children and grandchildren? How do you share the Spirit with you neighbors near and far?
7. The 5G’s mentioned in the sermon were 1) Gathering, 2) Gladness, 3) Generosity, 4) God praise, and 5) Goodwill. How does your life group measure up to these 5 metrics? What do you need to work on?

Life Group Questions – Acts 2:1 / John 17 – All Together in One Place

Studies in Acts – Metrics for Original Churches

1. The sermon takes a “pause” on the series since Acts 2 begins the story of Pentecost, which is three Sundays away. It takes a “side bar” into wondering what the disciples might have been thinking about and praying about as they waited for whatever Jesus meant when he said in Acts 1:4,5, “to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me;  for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”  What ideas might you imagine they could have been thinking and praying about?
2. An idea suggested in the sermon is the disciples assuredly would have recalled Jesus words from the “Farewell Address” that is found in John 13-17. These 5 chapters contain a great deal of instruction from Jesus for his disciples that began with Jesus leading a Passover meal … and washing the disciples feet.  What verse/s are encouraging for you that you keep in mind from these memorable words of Jesus?
3. John 17 is often spoken of as “The Farewell Prayer Concluding Jesus’ Farewell Address.” Other Christians call it “Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer.”  It is the longest prayer by Jesus recorded in Scripture.  In it Jesus prays about at least four different things.  What or who are they?
4. How and what does this prayer reveal the quality of the relationship between God the Father with God the Son?
5. In his prayer for himself … he asks [God] the Father to glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you? How do you understand what Jesus means here?  What other Scripture can you refer to that might enlighten this idea?  (Philippians 2?  Romans 16?)
6. What does Jesus pray for his disciples? His disciples before him? His disciples in the future?
7. What spiritual battles does Jesus indicate are evident in this prayer? How does he ask they be addressed?  What spiritual battles do you sense in your own life at this time as a follower of Jesus?  How does this prayer help you address them?
8. How does what and how Jesus prays here inform your prayers? How could Jesus requests be your requests – or how could you model a prayer you make after this prayer Jesus made?
9. Jesus prays for all who will believe in him through their (disciples’) word. That’s YOU!  How does that feel to you?  Who can you pray for to “believe”?

Life Group Questions – Acts 1:12-26 – Choosing Leaders Is No Crapshoot

Studies in the Acts of the Apostles – Metrics for Original Churches

1. The term apostle means “one who is sent away or sent off.” Who sent the apostles? What were they sent to do? Where were they sent? What else does this passage tell us about apostolic leadership?
2. If Judas turned to go his own way, why would Jesus select him? Was Judas’ betrayal of Jesus worse than Peter’s denial of Jewish or the others desertion of Jesus? What sad mistake did Judas make if he repented of betraying Jesus (Matthew 27:3-10)?
3. What is the significance of the number 12 in Jewish tradition? Why were there 12 apostles originally? What were the criteria for choosing an apostle? How many apostles were eventually called by Holy Spirit?
4. Why did the apostles use the process of casting lots to choose a 12^th apostle? What were the ancient and biblical traditions of casting lots? Where do we find the “casting of lots” in the Bible? In the Bible why do people cast lots? How could casting lots be a form of gambling? Why is it not gambling in this apostolic event? Pagan priests cast lots. Why is this not a form of pagan practice by the apostles?
5. Luke tells the stories of casting lots in the early parts of both Luke (1:9) and Acts (1:21-26). What is similar about those two events? What was assumed by Luke in the practice of casting lots? Where was God in the pervasive practice of casting lots (Proverbs 16:33)? Why don’t we cast lots today (or maybe we do?)? What would be contemporary examples of casting lots?
6. Why did the apostles think it was necessary to choose a 12^th apostle? How many potential candidates were there for the 12^th position? What did Jesus command them to do about choosing more apostles? Why were there 120 people gathered in and around that upper room prayer time for 10 days? Who were among the 120 (see Luke 8:1-3)? How many of the 120 were sent out to be apostles (see Luke 10 and Acts 2). Are women called to be apostles? Why do you think or not think so?
7. How do we choose leaders for churches today? If it is biblical, why don’t we cast lots like the apostles did? How are leaders chosen for LCPC – elders, deacons, pastors, staff, small group leaders, Pastor Nominating Committee? What does our LCPC leadership selection process have to do with how Jesus or the apostles chose leaders? What common assumptions are made in the selection of all Christian leaders? How might we err in the choosing of leaders? What is key to good choice?
8. Why is Peter often considered the leader of the apostles? What did Jesus think about picking his “right and left hand” apostolic successors (Matthew 20:20-28)? How was Peter selected? How does Paul fit into Jesus’ leader selection paradigm?

Life Group Questions – Acts 1:6-11 – Asking Good Questions

Studies in Acts – Metrics for Original Churches

1. Why are questions so important? What can questions do? How did Jesus respond to disciples’ questions (see Mark 4:10-12, 33-34)? What do questions have to do with spiritual growth and being in Christian community? What are the patterns in groups that help us ask questions?
2. As we discovered in Acts 1:1-5, gathering together is one of the key marks or metrics of the original and continuing churches. The disciples are now together with Jesus (a critical and enlightening moment), and as they have in the past, they now ask him a question (for them a burning question): “Lord is it the time…” Why was it so important for the disciples to know the time when Jesus would usher in the Kingdom of God? How important a question does this continue to be today? Why are we so fascinated with knowing the time of Jesus’ return to earth? What does Jesus say about them knowing the time?
3. The second part of the disciple’s important question has to do with “restoring the kingdom to Israel.” How does Jesus answer this part of the question? To whom is the kingdom to be restored? In the disciples’ minds what is the kingdom to be restored? What is the nature of God’s kingdom? What is Jesus’ plan of bringing in the Kingdom of God? According to this text how are the disciples to participate in bringing in God’s Kingdom? How might Jesus see Israel fitting into God’s Kingdom?
4. What is authority (Greek word exousia)? For Jesus, who has authority? Where else in the gospels does Jesus talk about authority and who has it (see Matthew 28:16-20)? What authority do the disciples have?
5. Jesus promises the disciples they will receive power (Greek dunamis) from the Holy Spirit. What is the relationship between authority and power? In the original church who has the authority and who has the power? For what purpose is the power to be used? What are some ways we use and misuse authority and power? How are we to use the power of Holy Spirit?
6. What does the word “witness” (Greek martures - martyr) mean? How do we practice being “witnesses”? How did the apostles witness to Christ? In witnessing what do you do well? With what do you struggle? How can our group help us to be stronger witnesses to Jesus Christ?

Life Group Questions – Studies in Acts: Metrics for Original Churches

Acts 1:1-5 – Presence, People and Promise

1. In this sermon series we are looking for important markers to be visible in any church who desires to be anchored in the foundation of the Apostles where Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone. Acts gives us a clear narrative of that foundation. Before we get into the first chapter, see if your group can make a quick list of markers (characteristics) you all think are important for a church. Add to this list as you work through Acts.
2. In this study and sermon, we will explore three markers and related themes suggested in the first five verses: 1) the Presence of God; 2) the People Chosen by God; 3) the Promise God gives to those people. Where do you find these 3 themes in Acts 1:1-5?
3. In the first book by Luke, the Gospel, Luke narrates the life of Jesus from birth to ascension. Where does Luke begin the second book, Acts of the Apostles? Why is it important for Luke that Jesus “presented himself alive to them (the apostles) by many convincing proofs?” What were some of those “proofs” described at the end of Luke’s Gospel? What other proofs are at the end of the other Gospels?
4. What does the name “Theophilus” mean? Why might this be more than a name of one person? Who is Luke hoping to address with both his first and second books? How are we today connected to those whom Luke addresses in the first century after Christ?
5. What does Luke say about the Presence of God in verses 1-5? How is God named in these verses? What do these names tell us about the nature and mission of God?
6. According to Luke what does Holy Spirit (no “the” in the Greek) do? What is an “apostle”? Who were the apostles? According to I Corinthians 15, which we explored last week, how were apostles appointed? How many? Who is Luke?
7. Where do the People of God in churches come from? How are apostles related to the People? How is Theophilus an example of such people? Why is it so important people are gathered into a group called ecclesia (church)?
8. Who is Holy Spirit? What does Holy Spirit do? What does baptism mean? What is the baptism of Holy Spirit? How does this relate to the image of fire (Luke 3:16)?
9. What are the metrics or marks or measurements of the church that you can describe from Acts 1:1-5? What evidence do you see and hear of these marks in LCPC? What more of these marks should we see and hear?
10. Why does God make promises to People? Who are the people who get the Promise? What does God’s Promise do for us? Why is promise so crucial to human well-being? Why is it hard for us to keep promises? Why do we break promises? If God makes a promise what happens? What does God’s promising teach us?

Life Group Questions – Easter 2021 – I Corinthians 15:1-20

1. What is the essence or summary of the Good News according to the Apostle Paul? Why do we sometimes reduce the Gospel to Jesus died for us or Jesus was raised for us? Why is Jesus’ burial so important?
2. We have been talking through Lent about forgiveness. What does “Christ died for our sins” (15:3) have to do with forgiveness?
3. In verse 15:17 what does the phrase, “if Christ has not been raised… you are still in your sins” have to do with forgiveness? Many would think Paul instead might say, “if Christ had not died… you are still in your sins.” Why is Resurrection so important to forgiveness of sins? Why then does Jesus say at the last supper, “this is the new covenant in my blood which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins?” Are we saved by Christ’s death or by his Resurrection? What then might be Paul’s specific concern for the Corinthians (it was hard for some Corinthian Jews and Gentiles to believe in a physical resurrection)?
4. Why was it important for Paul to describe a detailed list of the hundreds of people who met the Resurrected Christ right after death? Why do you think Jesus appeared to so many? Why didn’t the Resurrected Jesus appear to all faithful people, or even to all humanity and continue to appear to us today? What was the purpose of Jesus appearing to these specific people?
5. What happened when the Resurrected Christ appeared to the man Saul who became Paul the apostle (see Acts 9, Acts 22, Acts 26)? What did Saul’s Resurrected Christ encounter have to do with forgiveness of sin?
6. Can you think of another Resurrection encounter with Christ in the Bible that demonstrated the power of forgiveness? Are the words forgiveness or forgiveness of sin ever used in that encounter? How do you know Christ was forgiving and the person is forgiven?
7. What does our freedom to forgive have to do with our Resurrection? What happens beyond death if we are not able to forgive in this life?
8. How is forgiveness an ongoing demonstration that Resurrected life is real? What kind of forgiveness ministry might Christ invite us to do in the new heaven and new earth? How is Christ as the final Judge related to forgiveness? Who might you be invited to forgive in your Resurrection?

Life Group Questions – Lent Week VI – 2021 – Series on Forgiveness

Luke 11-23 excerpts – A Collision of Cultures: Condemnation vs Forgiveness

1. If Jesus is the leader of the heavenly culture of forgiveness, in Luke, who are the leaders of the earthy cultures of condemnation? Make a list of all leaders and groups who participated in the condemnation of Jesus. Where and how do you see evidence of their cultures of condemnation at work?
2. Look at the Luke texts where the crowd shows up. What role does the crowd play in the Gospel of Luke? What value is the crowd to Jesus? To the Religious Leaders? What do the Religious Leaders and Jesus say about the crowds? Why is it so easy to persuade a crowd to change loyalty?
3. The crowd on Palm Sunday seems to be pro-Jesus, but becomes anti-Jesus by Good Friday. What happened to turn the crowd’s loyalty?
4. What is the evidence that the confluence of Religious Leaders were against Jesus? Why were they consistently pitted against Jesus? What brought them together? What did Jesus do to warrant their distrust and disdain? What would you say about Jesus’ will or political instincts to gain their support?
5. What role did Herod and Pilate, the Roman government and military, play in Jesus’ condemnation? What role did the disciples of Jesus play in Jesus’ condemnation? As current disciples and leaders, what does this say to us?
6. Who was present at the Palm procession into Jerusalem? What did they say and do? Who was present at the crucifixion of Jesus? What did they say and do? Who seems to win or lose at the cross? How does Jesus win in death?
7. Given the dark scene at the cross, with all the various groups around Jesus, why would Jesus pray, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing?” Who is included in his prayer for forgiveness?
8. Where do we see cultures of condemnation at work today? Who are the leaders tempted to lead a culture of condemnation? How does condemnation work in a family? Who can change the family culture?
9. How does the Gospel persuade us to stop participating in cultures of condemnation and follow Jesus into his culture of forgiveness? What does it take to change our culture? Why is it hard is it to stay the course? In light of this how hard is it for a church to be a culture of forgiveness in a society of condemnation? Why is it important for the church to be such a counter-culture?

^{Gospel Texts that Show the Collision of Heaven and Earth:}

^{Forgiveness vs. Condemnation Cultures} 

^{Luke 11:14
14}Now [Jesus] was casting out a demon that was mute; when the demon had gone out, the one who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed.

Luke 11:39-40

³⁹Then [Jesus] said… “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. ⁴⁰You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?

Luke 11:42
⁴²“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds, and neglect justice and the love of God…

Luke 11:46
⁴⁶And [Jesus] said, “Woe also to you lawyers! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not lift a finger to ease them.

Luke 11:53-54
⁵³When [Jesus] went outside, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be very hostile toward him and to cross-examine him about many things, ⁵⁴lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.

Luke 12:1
Meanwhile, when the crowd gathered by the thousands, so that they trampled on one another, he began to speak first to his disciples, “Beware of the yeast (influence) of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy.

Luke 13:17
¹⁷When [Jesus accused the religious leaders of hypocrisy], all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

Luke 15:1-2
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to [Jesus]. ²And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Luke 16:14
¹⁴The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they ridiculed [Jesus].

Luke 19:35-39
³⁵Then [the disciples] brought [the young donkey] to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. ³⁶As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. ³⁷As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, ³⁸saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!”

³⁹Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to [Jesus], “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.”

Luke 19:47-48
⁴⁷Every day [Jesus] was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him; ⁴⁸but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard.

Luke 20:19-20
hat [Jesus] had told this parable against them, they wanted to lay hands on him at that very hour, but they feared the people.

²⁰So [the religious leaders] watched [Jesus] and sent spies who pretended to be honest, in order to trap him by what he said, so as to hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor.

Luke 20:46-47
“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets. ⁴⁷They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

Luke 22:2
²The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death, for they were afraid of the people.

Luke 22:63-65

⁶³Now [the Roman soldiers] who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; ⁶⁴they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” ⁶⁵They kept heaping many other insults on him.

Luke 23:10-11
¹⁰The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. ¹¹Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him and sent him back to Pilate.

Luke 23:13, 18-21
¹³Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people…

¹⁸Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!” ¹⁹(This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)

²⁰Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; ²¹but [the leaders and crowd] kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!”

Luke 23:23-24
²³But [the leaders and crowd] kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that [Jesus] should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. ²⁴So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted.

Luke 23:33-34
us leaders, soldiers and people] came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.

³⁴Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

Discussion Questions for Lent Week 5

Scriptures Matthew 6:14, Matthew 18:21-35, Luke 7:36-50

1. If someone tells you they are sorry, how do you know that they mean it? How would you like them to ask for forgiveness? What actions and attitudes do you want to see?

2. How do you see a connection between God forgiving us and us forgiving others in these passages: Matthew 6:12, Matthew 7:1-2, Luke 6:37, Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 4:31-32? Do you interpret Matthew 6:14 as saying that God will only forgive us if we forgive others first? Why or why not?

3. Why do you think Peter asks Jesus about how many times to forgive? (Matt 7:21) Do you think he has someone in mind? What might be motivating his question?

4. What reaction do you have to the slave/servant who has had his debt forgiven demanding that his fellow servant repay him? (Mt 18:23-30) How do you think Jesus’ listeners responded? What do you think was going on in the servant’s heart and mind with respect to having his debt forgiven? Why did he respond so ungraciously to the one who owed him money?

5. How does this parable provide commentary on Peter’s question and Jesus’ answer?

6. How does Jesus mini-parable in Luke 7:41-42 provide commentary and a response to what Simon was thinking to himself in Luke 7:39? What contrast do you see in the actions and attitudes of Simon and the woman?

7. What do you notice by putting these two parables together (Mt 18:23-34 and Luke 7:41-42) and looking at how people respond to being “forgiven much”? How might you apply it to yourself?

8. Reflect on the following C.S. Lewis quote: “I find that when I think I am asking God to forgive me I am often in reality. . . asking Him not to forgive me but to excuse me.” How do you relate to what C.S. Lewis says here? What is the difference between asking to be excused or asking to be forgiven?

9. Think about your answer to #1, how might that challenge how you approach seeking forgiveness from God?

10. What aspect of God’s grace is most meaningful to you right now? How do you show your gratitude?

11. Think about someone or some group that have hurt you or you are angry with. What might be the next step along the challenging journey of forgiveness?

Life Group Questions – 3/14/21 – Practicing a Life of Forgiveness

1. When reading the story of David, Bathsheba, Uriah and Nathan in II Samuel 11 and 12 what do you notice about God’s forgiveness?
2. When reading the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 what do you notice about forgiveness?
3. What other Bible stories do you know that inform us of forgiveness?
4. What Bible stories from the Old Testament and Jesus inform us about Paul’s teaching on forgiveness in Colossians 3:8-14?
5. Attached to these questions is a list of 20 practices that keep us in the flow of Christ’s Spirit of forgiveness. Which of these practices do you find easiest? Which difficult?
6. Why do you think the Presbyterian/Reformed tradition has a time of Confession of Sin during regular worship and why is this always followed by an Assurance of Pardon? How does this relate to the Roman Catholic tradition of Confession and Absolution with a Priest? Why don’t Protestants practice Confession with a Priest? What are we called to do instead (read James 5:16). What prevents us from confessing our sins to one another? To whom are we most willing to confess?
7. Why is it a healthy practice to remember the hurt while forgiving the harm? How is this hard to do? What do we often do instead? Why is it good not to forget?
8. What is the petition in the Lord’s Prayer that we must practice in order to fully understand and embrace forgiveness?
9. From whom are you most apt to receive correction? Who are you most likely to resist? What does this suggest to us about Paul’s encouragement to restore someone caught in sin (Galatians 6:1)? When have you tried to do this? How did it go?
10. Why is it a good discipline to think of eternal life as a place where we will live with people who have wounded us? What makes this hard?
11. In what ways is our church a community of forgiveness? In what ways is it not? What do you see that contributes to forgiveness? What do you see that does not? How can we make it better?

Some Spiritual (Emotional & Relational) Practices of Forgiveness

1. Centering on the full good nature of our Merciful and Gracious God
2. Imitating God’s forgiveness; imitating Jesus’ forgiveness
3. Knowing, understanding and assimilating Bible stories of forgiveness
4. Confessing our sins while re-affirming and accepting God’s forgiveness
5. Allowing the Wrath of God to play out
6. Saying and Living the Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us our sins as we forgive the sins of others.”
7. Forgiving the harm while remembering the hurt in light of other’s wounds
8. Admitting our frustrations, hurts and fears with each other
9. Refusing to allow our differences to become disgust and distrust
10. Managing anger; refusing to let anger become rage
11. Putting away negative behaviors that sabotage forgiveness; putting down the weapons of payback; refusing to condemn
12. Nurturing the life of the Spirit: patience, kindness, and humility
13. Developing good judgment and discernment
14. Forming and reforming good boundaries of behavior and relationships
15. Holding each other accountable to do what is right and good
16. Being open to the feedback and correction of others
17. Carefully and appropriately correcting one another
18. Immersing in a loving community of forgiveness
19. Living in a way that adversaries can become colleagues and friends
20. Looking forward to Heaven where enemies will be friends

Life Group Questions for Lent Week III

Genesis 4:2-8 – Matthew 5:21-24 – John 8:1-11 – Ephesians 4:21-27, 31-32

1. When have you experienced forgiveness being sabotaged, ignored, refused, abused, undermined, cheapened?
2. Why does Cain ignore God’s call to deal with his anger? Why do you think Cain is angry?
3. How does God deal with Cain’s anger and destructive behavior? Where is forgiveness in this story? Who could have forgiven whom?
4. How does Cain sabotage God’s movement to forgiveness (read on in the story in Genesis 4)?
5. What does Matthew 5:21-24 have to do with forgiveness? Whose responsibility is it to move toward reconciliation. Who needs to forgive whom?
6. What does forgiveness have to do with giving and generosity?
7. What is the relationship between anger, judgment and condemnation? Why does unresolved or lingering anger sabotage forgiveness?
8. In John 8, why aren’t the Pharisees more willing to forgive? Why is Jesus willing to forgive the woman? What does condemnation have to do with forgiveness?
9. What do you think Jesus was writing on the ground? Why did the religious leaders leave, oldest to youngest? What does this suggest to us about righteous indignation, anger and forgiveness?
10. Why does Jesus say, “I don’t condemn you?” How is this related to forgiveness? How might the Lord’s Prayer sentence, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us,” fit into this scene?
11. What does forgiveness have to do with repentance, responsibility and accountability?
12. Regarding Ephesians 4:26-27, how can we be angry and not sin? What does forgiveness have to do with letting go of anger? How does the devil sneak into the misuse of anger and the sabotaging of forgiveness?
13. In the U2 song “One”, how is forgiveness sabotaged? What is the solution and the pathway to forgiveness for the singer and song writer?

Life Group Discussion Questions

God’s Firm Forgiveness Partnership

Mark 2:5-7 – Genesis 50:15-21 – Matthew 6:9-15 – John 20:21-23 – Colossians 3:12-13

You are welcome to go through all the questions or just some of them

1. What does God’s forgiveness of sin have to do with our ability and call to forgive?
2. In Mark 2, Jesus forgives the sins of the paralytic, then heals him. Why are the Jewish leaders angry with Jesus? What does Jesus’ declaration of the forgiveness of sins say about who he is?
3. As we discovered last week, in the Old Testament, God is the only one who forgives sin. There are few cases in the Old Testament of faithful people forgiving those who wrong them. Think of a case where an OT leader forgives someone else. Look it up and see if the word “forgive” appears in the story. Why are there so few examples of people forgiving others in the OT?
4. Read Genesis 50:15-21. When Joseph’s brothers ask for forgiveness, why does the story say nothing about Joseph forgiving them? How do we know Joseph does forgive them?
5. The Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6:9-15, contains the petition, “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” Jesus goes on to teach the disciples the importance of forgiving others. Why are our willingness and ability to forgive those who hurt us so important to God’s forgiveness of us?
6. This statement of Jesus is very powerful, “if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you.” Think of all the times you have heard that the love and forgiveness of God are unconditional. Jesus seems to place a condition on love and forgiveness. What do you make of this?
7. In John 20:21-23, after his resurrection, Jesus appears to the disciples in a closed and locked room and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” What does this mean? What does this mean for us who are disciples?
8. Colossians 3:12-13 commands us as disciples to forgive one other if we have complaints toward each other. How hard is this to do? When have you had a complaint about (grudge against) another and found it hard to forgive? What would have helped you to forgive them?
9. In the Grateful Dead song, “Unbroken Chain”there is a line that says, “They’re telling me forgiveness is the key to every door.” But the singer implies there is great resistance in religion and culture to do this. What do religion and culture do to undercut our willingness and ability to forgive? How does God in Jesus encourage and help us to forgive? How does the church help or hinder your desire and ability to forgive? How is faith in God and our call to forgive like an “unbroken chain” from God in the Old Testament, to Jesus, through the Spirit, to the disciples, to the apostles, to all the saints of the church, to us today?

Life Group Discussion Questions - First Sunday of Lent

Read Exodus 34, Numbers 14, Jonah 3&4 – God’s Nature Is Forgiveness

You are welcome to go through all the questions or just some of them

1. How is Yahweh’s nature/character different than other ancient and modern gods in acts of forgiveness? How do other gods exercise forgiveness?
2. In what ways is God’s commitment to forgive unique and different from human forgiveness?
3. When have you experienced or witnessed forgiveness at work? How did you see God in that forgiveness event? What did you learn about forgiveness?
4. In Exodus 34, who has a hard time forgiving the people for making a golden calf? In Numbers 14, who struggles with forgiveness? What does this tell us about the relationship between God and Moses?
5. In these two Moses stories, as well as the Jonah story, anger is connected to forgiveness. What is the relationship between anger and forgiveness? What do these three stories tell us about God’s anger and the problems of anger?
6. There are two Hebrew words for forgiveness in Exodus 34 and Numbers 14: nasa and salach. What is the meaning of and difference between these two words, and which one is attributed to God alone? What does the Old Testament teach us about the difference between God’s forgiveness and human forgiveness? When the Pharisees and scribes said to Jesus, “Who can forgive sin but God alone,” what were they saying about Jesus? (Mark 2 and Luke 5).
7. What do we learn about forgiveness in watching God’s Old Testament forgiveness declarations and actions? In what ways can we imitate God? In what ways can we not imitate God?
8. Why is human forgiveness so hard to do? Why do we resist forgiving God, ourselves and others? What happens when we refuse to forgive?
9. In Jonah how do we know God forgives? Why does Jonah not forgive?
10. In Exodus 34 and Numbers 14 forgiveness by God does not end the consequences of sin. Why? How is this proof of God’s justice? If God forgives sin, iniquity and transgression, why does the effect of sin impact up to 4 generations of people? Where do we see evidence of this rippling effect of sin at work in our culture today?
11. How does God hold us accountable for our sins? How did God hold Nineveh accountable for their sin? Why was Jonah resistant and angry? How did God hold Jonah accountable for his sin? Was Jonah forgiven? How do you know?
12. What new thing have you learned about God in this study of Moses and Jonah?

Life Group Questions of Ephesians 6:10-20

You are welcome to go through all the questions or just some of them

1. Paul begins this part of the end of his epistle with the words, “finally” which is a way of summarizing the themes of this letter. What do you recall so far that have been the major points of this letter?

2. “Be strong in the LORD and in the strength of his power.” What difference do you think it makes in our lives, especially as followers of Christ, when we try to be “strong” in our own power?

3. Have you heard the term “spiritual warfare” before? This is one of the most significant Biblical passages that addresses this issue. Paul asserts there is indeed a battle going on not only in this world but “against rulers, authorities, cosmic powers, the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Do you believe this is really true? How so? If so, how have you sensed this reality?

4. Paul believes this is very true … even describing it as “the wiles of the devil.” The work of the devil is to divide us from God and from one another and even from ourselves. If you could imagine viewing yourself from that perspective, where might you think you would be vulnerable to an attack from “the devil / the evil one” that could attempt (or a temptation) to strike a disabling or destructive blow … to your relationship with God? … to your relationships with others? … to your relationship with yourself?

5. But Paul also believes God has provided protection against the “wiles of the devil.” And he calls it “the Armor of God” and admonishes us to put on the “whole” of it. Using an analogy of the armor that a typical Roman soldier would be wearing, he describes SIX(6) components of that defensive equipment. What are they? How do you think each of the six pieces of equipment might “work” to be a good defense protecting the different aspects of your spiritual life? … as individuals and as a church?

6. The “sword” … is the one piece of armor that is able to be used both defensively AND offensively. How might the sword Paul talks about, the “Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” be used by you in both those ways? (Recall? How did Jesus himself use the word of God [defensively AND offensively] when he was tempted by Satan?)

7. Paul then concludes this final part of his letter by urging his readers (including us!) to “Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication (=request).” Is “praying” any different from “praying in the Spirit” to you? How? What do you think it means to “Pray in the Spirit at all times?

8. Does Paul specifically include or not include “prayer” as part of the Armor of God? However you answer, how does “prayer” comport with our protection from the evil one? How can it help us be “Strong in the Lord”?

9. Paul also strongly encourages us further to “persevere” in praying for “all the saints.” And remember, “saints” in the Bible does not mean “perfect people” but those who are “set apart by being children of God/ followers of Jesus/ disciples of Christ.” (A gift of God by the grace of God … see Eph. 2:8&9!) In other words, they are our sisters and brothers in the Church. How much time do you make to affirm and act on Paul’s appeal? How can you expand this gift and privilege of praying for the “saints” both near and far, specifically and generally? How might our prayer for “all the saints” help us to be “Bringing Divergent People Together in Jesus Christ” (the theme of this series?)

10. As with most sermon series on any Biblical Book/Letter… there is always so much more that could be covered. But after these 6 Sermons of this topic of “Bringing Divergent People Together in Jesus Christ” – AND your Life Group discussions, what might be 2-3 “take-aways” that you have gained from this series that have helped you to consider and do just that? How can your Life Group continue to help that goal that Paul had with the Ephesians (and all Christians!) be met in your relationships, especially where there are “divergent people?”

THANKS for doing these Life Group Studies with us. Go from here in the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ … and … “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.” AMEN!

Life Group Questions of Ephesians 4:1-16 – “Lead A Worthy Life”

You are welcome to go through all the questions or just some of them

1. What does “leading a worthy life” have to do with building a church community of divergent people?
2. What did Paul mean when he said, “Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called?”
3. What does “worthy” mean in living a Christian life? What would it look like if we were unworthy?
4. How does Paul being “a prisoner in the Lord” encourage followers of Jesus to lead worthy lives?
5. How does the worthiness of Jesus as the Lamb of God (Revelation 5:12) move us toward living lives of worthiness?
6. How does worthiness relate to works? If we are not saved by works, why are we exhorted to live a life worthy of Christ?
7. According to Paul, what are some of the practical ways we demonstrate our worthiness?
8. What do gifts have to do with living worthy lives? How can our gifts be used to show our worthiness?
9. Why is living a Christian life called a walk? How is being a disciple of Jesus like a walk?
10. What are the ultimate goals of leading a worthy life?
11. How does living in worthy ways make it possible for the Spirit to build the body of Christ?
12. After reading this passage, how are we failing to live worthy lives in our American Church today?
13. What does Paul mean and not mean about “speaking the truth in love”? How is this a sign of our maturity in Christ? How hard is this?
14. In the movie “Saving Private Ryan”, at the end, Tom Hank’s character says to Matt Damon’s character, “Earn this… Earn it!” What does this suggest about leading a worthy life? How might this relate to Jesus and his followers?

Life Group Questions of Ephesians 4:1-16 – “Lead A Worthy Life”

You are welcome to go through all the questions or just some of them

1. What does “leading a worthy life” have to do with building a church community of divergent people?
2. What did Paul mean when he said, “Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called?”
3. What does “worthy” mean in living a Christian life? What would it look like if we were unworthy?
4. How does Paul being “a prisoner in the Lord” encourage followers of Jesus to lead worthy lives?
5. How does the worthiness of Jesus as the Lamb of God (Revelation 5:12) move us toward living lives of worthiness?
6. How does worthiness relate to works? If we are not saved by works, why are we exhorted to live a life worthy of Christ?
7. According to Paul, what are some of the practical ways we demonstrate our worthiness?
8. What do gifts have to do with living worthy lives? How can our gifts be used to show our worthiness?
9. Why is living a Christian life called a walk? How is being a disciple of Jesus like a walk?
10. What are the ultimate goals of leading a worthy life?
11. How does living in worthy ways make it possible for the Spirit to build the body of Christ?
12. After reading this passage, how are we failing to live worthy lives in our American Church today?
13. What does Paul mean and not mean about “speaking the truth in love”? How is this a sign of our maturity in Christ? How hard is this?
14. In the movie “Saving Private Ryan”, at the end, Tom Hank’s character says to Matt Damon’s character, “Earn this… Earn it!” What does this suggest about leading a worthy life? How might this relate to Jesus and his followers?

Life Group Questions of Ephesians 3:1-12

You are welcome to go through all the questions or just some of them

1. What is your favorite mystery book or movie? Why? What makes a good mystery?
2. When someone tells you there is a secret to keep or a mystery to solve or a hidden thing to discover, what do you want to do? How does the word “mystery” focus and intensify the teaching of Paul and the Gospel of Christ?
3. How is a mystery like a puzzle? How does God help us to complete the puzzle of turning human trouble into human redemption?
4. What was the mystery made known to Paul by revelation? How does Jesus Christ fit into the mystery and the unveiling (revealing – revelation) of the mystery?
5. Why would God want to create a mystery in the first place? What is the purpose of a mystery? What does this have to do with “hidden things” and “secrets”?
6. During the time of Paul in the Roman Empire there were many local and international “mystery” cults connected to the worship of various gods. In light of this why does Paul talk about the mystery of God revealed in Christ? What is he trying to do with Gentile followers of Christ?
7. How does the Spirit help us solve the mystery of God?
8. In what ways is Jesus Christ a continuing puzzle to Judaism? How is Jesus a mystery to Gentiles?
9. What continuing mysteries are we followers of Jesus still trying to understand? What is the relationship between going to Heaven and understanding the mysteries of God?
10. How can we understand the mysteries of God while still living on earth?
11. In the U2 song “Mysterious Ways” (look for the lyrics online), how is the mystery of a woman related to the mystery of God? In what ways may God be like a woman for the song writer and singer Bono? Why would U2 use a belly dancer to illustrate the song’s video?
12. When did Jesus talk about secrets and hidden things with the disciples (Matthew 13)? Why would Jesus want to hide something or keep secrets?
13. What mysteries have you wondered about in your life?

Questions for Ephesians 2:11-22

“Sacrificing to Make One Family”

You are welcome to go through all the questions or just some of them.

1. From your knowledge of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. What would he be saying to us today about the recent riots and Capitol insurrection?
2. What are the connections between the walls that divide men and women and the walls that divide races? How does Israel’s Temple suggest this?
3. What is an equivalent mark or sign or cultural pattern in our culture today to circumcision? How do we send signals insiders are wanted and outsiders are not?
4. What is the “commonwealth” of Israel? What are the practices, prerogatives or privileges of being in a commonwealth? How would you describe the benefits of being in the commonwealth of America? Of a church? Of a family?
5. Blood can mean death and blood can mean life? How have people been brought near to each other “by the blood of Christ”? How did Rome often bring nations together into one empire? What did blood have to do with bringing about unification in the Roman Empire?
6. What are some of the “covenants of promise” that kept Israel together for many generations?
7. How did Christ’s flesh bring Jews and Gentiles together and break down the dividing walls that separated them? What were some of those dividing walls?
8. How can a wall be a sign of hostility between groups of people? Where do walls show up in our lives?
9. How was the Law of Moses abolished by Jesus on the Cross? Didn’t he say in Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount he did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it? How do we reconcile these two differing statements by Paul and Jesus?
10. Why is it important to be a citizen and not an alien? How are citizens related to “members of the Household of God” and “saints”?

Ephesians 1 - The Vast Resources of God Are Our Inheritance

Pastor Gareth provided these questions with his sermon. You are welcome to go through all the discussion questions or just the ones helpful for you and your group.

1. In your life what kinds of things or attributes (good or bad) have you inherited from previous generations?

2. What have you inherited (discovered as a positive change in your life) as a child of God and as a brother or sister with your elder brother Jesus?

3. In Mark 10:28 why was Peter upset when he heard Jesus say it is hard for rich people to enter Heaven. What was he hoping to inherit?

5. How do we inherit a hundred times more than we have in this life by following Jesus?
6. In the Grateful Dead song “My Brother Esau” (find the lyrics or performance on line) what “inheritance” is the singer describing?
7. What did America inherit from the Viet Nam war?
8. What are some of the words Paul uses to describe our spiritual inheritance from God through Christ?
9. How do you know you have been adopted by God? What real life experiences have you had to validate your divine adoption?
10. Why is it important that God adopts people from all nations, races, families, cultures and tribes?
11. What are “the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints?” What should happen between Christians that is gloriously different from typical human behaviors between people who have little in common?
12. When you see Christians attached to the recent riots by the political left and right in the USA what does this suggest to you about their Kingdom of God inheritance expectations?

Based on 12/13 Sermon

Rev. Gareth Icenogle

Exodus 34:1-9

“God Gives Grace, Mercy, Forgiveness and Redemption”

Watch sermon: https://www.lacanadapc.org/sermons/

Exodus 34:1-9 (NRSV)

34 The Lord said to Moses, “Cut two tablets of stone like the former ones, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets, which you broke. ² Be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai and present yourself there to me, on the top of the mountain. ³ No one shall come up with you, and do not let anyone be seen throughout all the mountain; and do not let flocks or herds graze in front of that mountain.” ⁴ So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the former ones; and he rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tablets of stone. ⁵ The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name, “The Lord.” ⁶ The Lord passed before him, and proclaimed,

“The Lord, the Lord,
a God merciful and gracious,
slow to anger,
and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,
⁷ keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation,
forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin,
yet by no means clearing the guilty,
but visiting the iniquity of the parents
upon the children
and the children’s children,
to the third and the fourth generation.”

⁸ And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped. ⁹ He said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, I pray, let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.”

Discussion Questions: 

• What did you hear from the passage/sermon? What stood out or particularly spoke to you?
• What are some attributes that describe God in this passage? How do you feel about the different ways that God is described?
• What do you think about Moses calling his people “stiff-necked”? Why do you think he referred to them in that way? Do you think someone would describe you as stiff-necked? If so, in what way?
• How is God’s grace and mercy good news for you personally?

Based on 12/6 Sermon

Rev. Gareth Icenogle

Genesis 2-4

“God Gives the Present of His Presence in the Present”

Watch sermon: https://www.lacanadapc.org/sermons/

Genesis 2-4 (NRSV)

2 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. ² And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. ³ So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.

⁴ These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.

In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, ⁵ when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground; ⁶ but a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground— ⁷ then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. ⁸ And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. ⁹ Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

¹⁰ A river flows out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it divides and becomes four branches. ¹¹ The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; ¹² and the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. ¹³ The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Cush. ¹⁴ The name of the third river is Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

¹⁵ The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. ¹⁶ And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; ¹⁷ but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”

¹⁸ Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” ¹⁹ So out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. ²⁰ The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man^[c] there was not found a helper as his partner. ²¹ So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. ²² And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. ²³ Then the man said,

“This at last is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
this one shall be called Woman,
for out of Man this one was taken.”

²⁴ Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh. ²⁵ And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed.

3 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” ² The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; ³ but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’” ⁴ But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; ⁵ for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” ⁶ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. ⁷ Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

⁸ They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. ⁹ But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” ¹⁰ He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” ¹¹ He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” ¹² The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.” ¹³ Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.” ¹⁴ The Lord God said to the serpent,

“Because you have done this,
cursed are you among all animals
and among all wild creatures;
upon your belly you shall go,
and dust you shall eat
all the days of your life.
¹⁵ I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel.”

¹⁶ To the woman he said,

“I will greatly increase your pangs in childbearing;
in pain you shall bring forth children,
yet your desire shall be for your husband,
and he shall rule over you.”

¹⁷ And to the man he said,

“Because you have listened to the voice of your wife,
and have eaten of the tree
about which I commanded you,
‘You shall not eat of it,’
cursed is the ground because of you;
in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life;
¹⁸ thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you;
and you shall eat the plants of the field.
¹⁹ By the sweat of your face
you shall eat bread
until you return to the ground,
for out of it you were taken;
you are dust,
and to dust you shall return.”

²⁰ The man named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all living. ²¹ And the Lord God made garments of skins for the man and for his wife, and clothed them.

²² Then the Lord God said, “See, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— ²³ therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken. ²⁴ He drove out the man; and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim, and a sword flaming and turning to guard the way to the tree of life.

4 Now the man knew his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have produced a man with the help of the Lord.” ² Next she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a tiller of the ground. ³ In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, ⁴ and Abel for his part brought of the firstlings of his flock, their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, ⁵ but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. ⁶ The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? ⁷ If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.”

⁸ Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him. ⁹ Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” ¹⁰ And the Lord said, “What have you done? Listen; your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground! ¹¹ And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. ¹² When you till the ground, it will no longer yield to you its strength; you will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” ¹³ Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear! ¹⁴ Today you have driven me away from the soil, and I shall be hidden from your face; I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and anyone who meets me may kill me.” ¹⁵ Then the Lord said to him, “Not so!^[l] Whoever kills Cain will suffer a sevenfold vengeance.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, so that no one who came upon him would kill him. ¹⁶ Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

¹⁷ Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch; and he built a city, and named it Enoch after his son Enoch. ¹⁸ To Enoch was born Irad; and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael the father of Methushael, and Methushael the father of Lamech. ¹⁹ Lamech took two wives; the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. ²⁰ Adah bore Jabal; he was the ancestor of those who live in tents and have livestock. ²¹ His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the ancestor of all those who play the lyre and pipe. ²² Zillah bore Tubal-cain, who made all kinds of bronze and iron tools. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

²³ Lamech said to his wives:

“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;
you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say:
I have killed a man for wounding me,
a young man for striking me.
²⁴ If Cain is avenged sevenfold,
truly Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”

²⁵ Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another child instead of Abel, because Cain killed him.” ²⁶ To Seth also a son was born, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to invoke the name of the Lord.

Discussion Questions: 

1. What did you hear from the passage/sermon? What stood out to you?
2. The theme of the sermon is God’s presence. Where can you identify God’s presence in this passage?
3. How would you describe the relationship between God and humans before Adam and Eve sinned? What did God’s presence mean to them?
4. After Adam and Eve listened to the serpent and ate the forbidden fruit, they hid themselves from the presence of God (Gen.3:8). Why did they hide? What does this tell you about the nature of God’s presence?
5. Genesis 2:25: “And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed.” The first two humans felt safe, comfortable, and not ashamed in each other’s naked presence before they sinned. Their presence communicated safety and acceptance to each other, while they were completely vulnerable with each other. However, this changed after they disobeyed God. What happened to their presence to each other after they sinned? How did they react to their naked presence with each other?
6. In Chapter 4, Cain received punishment and protection from the Lord. Then he went away from the presence of the Lord (Gen. 4:16). What does this tell you about the presence of God?
7. The passage ends with “…At that time people began to invoke the name of the Lord” (Genesis 4:25). Does this verse tell you anything about the relationship between God and humans? How is this different from the relationship in the beginning?
8. Christmas is a celebration of God’s gift of redemption through Christ’s presence with us. How does God’s presence signify redemption?
9. The most precious gift God gives is God’s own presence to us in our present time and location. What does experiencing God’s presence mean to you in this holiday season?
10. Presence is a precious gift. How do you give your presence to someone?

Watch sermon: https://www.lacanadapc.org/sermons/

John 3:16-18 (NRSV)

¹⁶For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

¹⁷ “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ¹⁸ Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Discussion Questions: 

1. What did you hear from the sermon?

2. How would you describe the nature of God? What are some adjectives you would use to describe God?

3. Pastor Gareth says that God gives people the freedom and will to choose. When it comes to salvation in Christ, do you believe that we have the freedom and will to choose to believe in Jesus? Why or why not?

4. The passage tells us that God gives his own Son, and Pastor Gareth interprets it as God gives his presence to the world. Then he elaborates on the importance of God’s presence in the community. How do you experience God’s presence? Would you share a story when you feel God’s presence?

5. Gareth emphasizes the importance of having a true belief about God, and that God is a giver not a taker. Do you ever have any false beliefs about God? If so, how did you come to the true beliefs about God?

6. Share a few things you believe about God. How does your life reflect your belief?

7. Gareth says that some Christians want to “get rid of God” because “deep down inside, Jesus is too radical for us.” Based on the Biblical narratives about Jesus, do you think Jesus is radical? Why or why not? How does this impact your life?

8. What is the greatest gift you have ever given? What is the most precious gift you can give to others this holiday season?

9. What do you hope for this Christmas?

Watch sermon: https://www.lacanadapc.org/sermons/

Psalm 126

¹ When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
² Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
³ The Lord has done great things for us,
and we rejoiced.

⁴ Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like the watercourses in the Negeb.
⁵ May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
⁶ Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves.

Discussion Questions:

1. Laura Harbert shares a special story about her wedding. Do you have any special or interesting stories about any wedding?

2. The psalmist remembers the times when God restored the fortunes of his community. Because of that, he has faith and asks God to restore their fortunes again. Do you remember the times in the past when God restored your fortunes? What do these memories tell you?

3. Verses 5-6:

⁵ May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
⁶ Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves.

Can you remember a time when one’s sorrow turns into joy?

4. The preacher talks about that lament and praise are parts of human life cycle. Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?

5. What does the Bible tell you about God restoring one’s fortune? Or, how does the Bible tell you about God restoring the fortunes of a community? What does Biblical restoration and redemption look like?

6. What do you need God to restore or redeem in your life?

7. What can you be thankful for this Thanksgiving?

8. Do you have any verses or inspirational words that you would like to share with your family and/or Life Group this Thanksgiving?

Updated on 11/16

Sermon: https://www.lacanadapc.org/sermons/

1. How do you cope with the pandemic?

2. What is hope? What do you hope for this year?

3. Can you tell the difference between worldly hope vs. Biblical hope?

4. The preacher referenced “people of exodus” and “people of exile.” How would you describe the difference between the two? Which one do you relate to?

5. What is your messy situation? How do you endure and/or embrace your messy situation?

6. Do you believe that God has a plan for you? And for your family? Why or why not?

7. Can you see God is paving a way for the future that is more real, more authentic, and better than what you can imagine? Why or why not?

Jeremiah 29:4-7; 10-11 (NRSV)

⁴ Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ⁵ Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. ⁶ Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. ⁷ But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

¹⁰ For thus says the Lord: Only when Babylon’s seventy years are completed will I visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. ¹¹ For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.

Questions:

1. The Israelites are in exile. Make a list of the things the Lord instructs them.

2. Why do you think God gives them this instruction?

3. Do you feel like you are in “exile”? Why or why not?

4. Verse 7, “…seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” How would you describe the welfare of the city? How would you describe your welfare?

(Look up other translations for other words for welfare)

5. Do you pray for your city and seek its welfare?

6. God knows His plans for you. How do the plans come to fruition?

Sermon from 11/8:

https://www.lacanadapc.org/sermons/

1. What did you hear from this sermon?

2. Do you have any good family vacation memory? Share a story if you are comfortable.

3. Rev. Labberton’s son shouted out his first response at a scene of fire in the movie. What knowledge or information is in your mind and head that they come out during times of emergency?

4. What is the most important thing in our Christian faith?

5. How does one practice living in the love of God?

6. How do you love annoying or irritating people?

7. Christians don’t worship other gods. However, there are idols in people’s lives. Do you love anything more than you love God?

8. Do you believe that you are deeply loved by God during this time of transition? How can your Life Group love you this week?

Based on Sermon Passages for 11/8 

Deuteronomy 6:1-15

Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the ordinances—that the Lord your God charged me to teach you to observe in the land that you are about to cross into and occupy, ² so that you and your children and your children’s children may fear the Lord your God all the days of your life, and keep all his decrees and his commandments that I am commanding you, so that your days may be long. ³ Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe them diligently, so that it may go well with you, and so that you may multiply greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you.

⁴ Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.  ⁵ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. ⁶ Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. ⁷ Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. ⁸ Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, ⁹ and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

¹⁰ When the Lord your God has brought you into the land that he swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—a land with fine, large cities that you did not build, ¹¹ houses filled with all sorts of goods that you did not fill, hewn cisterns that you did not hew, vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant—and when you have eaten your fill, ¹² take care that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. ¹³ The Lord your God you shall fear; him you shall serve, and by his name alone you shall swear. ¹⁴ Do not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who are all around you, ¹⁵ because the Lord your God, who is present with you, is a jealous God. The anger of the Lord your God would be kindled against you and he would destroy you from the face of the earth.

Matthew 22:34-40

 ³⁴ When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, ³⁵ and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ³⁶ “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” ³⁷ He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the greatest and first commandment. ³⁹ And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Psalm 1

¹ Happy are those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
² but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
³ They are like trees
planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.

⁴ The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
⁶ for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

Questions:

1. As Israelites prepare for the new chapter of their journey, Moses gives them the commandment that the Lord God charged him to teach them to observe. What’s important about this commandment? Why do Israelites need to learn and observe the commandment?

2. The commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deut 6:5). Then, Moses tells them to “keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates “(Deut 6:6-9). Why do you think Moses gives them such specific instructions? Is there anything you recite or talk about regularly? What do you usually think about before you go to sleep? What do you usually think about when you wake up?

3. Deuteronomy 6:13 says, “the Lord your God you shall fear.” Do you fear God? What does fearing God look like in our life?

4. In our church culture, we don’t usually talk about the anger of God, yet it is Biblical. Why do you think we don’t talk about the anger of God? What does the anger of God mean to you?

5. In Psalm 1, what’s the difference between the righteous and the wicked?

6. How does one love the Lord God with all his/her heart, and with all his/her soul, and with all his/her might? Can you give a practical example?

7. How does one love his/her neighbor as him/herself? Can you give a practical example?

1. In his sermon, Pastor Jeff says that real ministry is an invitation to prayer. What do you think about his definition? How would you define what ministry is?
2. How do you usually open your prayer?
3. Have you ever been lost? Literally, as loss of direction while driving or walking; and metaphorically, as loss of direction in life. If you feel comfortable, share your experiences.
4. The call to being a disciple is a call to the least and the lost. Who are the people in your life that are comparable to the “least” or the “lost”? Who is that you know is hurt, alone, oppressed, suffering, beat down on the margins, or excluded? What is Jesus calling you to do with them?
5. What could separate us from the love of God?

Questions based on Luke 15:1-7

1. What do you think about the shepherd in the parable who leaves his ninety-nine sheep for one sheep? Would you do something like that?
2. Jesus tells his audience in verse 7: “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” What do you think about that? What does this parable tell you about Jesus’ ministry and the Kingdom of God?
3. Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees, the scribes, as well as to the tax collectors and sinners (vv. 1-2). In other words, Jesus is speaking to the religious, the educated, the social elites, the white-collar professionals, as well as to the social outcasts, the outsiders, the rejected, the untouchable, and the ones on the margins. Imagine yourself in the story. What role will you have? If Jesus is standing in the front center, where will you be? Why?
4. Why do you think Jesus tells this parable?
5. Read and pray over this passage (individually or as a group). What is Jesus’ invitation to you?