"Catch Me If You Can" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

Virtually everyone wants good things to happen to them. Psalms 23 teaches us that goodness, and God’s Mercy, can follow us! Goodness and mercy will follow us as long as we follow God. God wants us to pursue Him passionately, as if we were chasing Him. Following God like this won’t make bad things go away; however, God can bring good out of even the worst situations. We can ultimately follow God with confidence because we’ll witness his goodness in this life and the next.

Main Passage

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.  3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
- Psalm 23:1-6

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
- James 1:17

“Jesus says I am the good shepherd, He laid his life down for his sheep. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we can be assured that we will continue to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
- John 10:11 

Questions

1. What stood out to you from last week’s worship experience, or in the Main Thought and Passages above? 

2. How have you seen God’s “goodness and mercy” in your life recently?

3. Are you facing any difficulties in life? What good thing are you believing for God to do in or through your difficulties?

"In the Battle" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

Our lives are often interrupted by “battles.” Circumstances, events, and even other people can restrict our ability to move forward. We might not be able to leave these battles physically, but we leave emotionally and spiritually when we give up. Yet we shouldn’t leave our battles until we’ve seen what God wants us to receive in our battles! God can bless us in our battles, and the Enemy is powerless to stop Him. God can prepare us in our battles. God can even use us to bless others in our battles. We can receive these things when we follow God forward, which means making a daily decision to seek Him and do His will.

Main Passage

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
- Psalm 23:5

11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. 
- 1 Samuel 17:11

36 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” 
- 1 Samuel 17:36

Questions

1. Our enemies or “battles” are the things that cause us to feel restricted, cramped or distressed. (Based on the Hebrew word for “enemies” in Psalm 23.) What’s one battle you’re facing right now? 

2. God can bless us (physically and spiritually), prepare us, and use us in our battles. Do you see any of those things happening in your life? What makes you say that?

3. We can receive in our battles when we make a daily decision to seek God and do His will. What might God be calling you to do in the middle of your battles?

"Project: Restoration" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

Houses. Cars. Restaurants and hotels. All of these things are built in pristine condition. Then, these things fail. Fixing them can be hard work! Yet some restorations are so incredible that the finished product is even greater than the original. Our souls are prone to fail too. (In Psalms 23, the word “soul” refers to the core of our entire being - both our physical and immaterial parts.) But God restores us when we’re broken. In Him, we find that we grow and improve all the time. God designed us, so He knows how to transform us into the best versions of ourselves. God then leads us into His righteousness and plans as we seek to glorify Him.

Main Passage

3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
- Psalm 23:3

Questions

1. What activities “restore your soul?” How can God help restore your soul when you feel broken? 

2. Restoration shows on T.V. typically add new features to things like houses and cars. What new or improved features would you like to add to your life? Would you like to learn a new idea, develop a skill, or build your character? 

3. Would your “new and improved” personal feature serve God? If so, then how?

"Living Backwards" Discussion Guide

Warm-Up

What was your favorite part of our last online Worship Experience?

Main Thought

God designed us to rest in His unconditional love and acceptance. But we might be living backwards from the way God intended. External pressures to provide and perform push us to work without God’s love and empowering grace. Unfortunately, this leads to a Cycle of Works. A Cycle of Works often creates stress, depression, and burnout. Our hope to escape this cycle comes from Jesus! Jesus accomplished more than anyone else - in less time - with a rested heart. How? Jesus lived in a Cycle of Grace, the way that God intended us to live. Here’s what the Cycle of Grace looks like in our lives:

1. Acceptance: Acknowledging God’s love and acceptance before we do anything for Him, which we receive through Jesus Christ.

2. Sustenance: Engaging in practices that replenish us with love (for God and others) and grace for life.

3. Significance: Allowing the grace flowing to us to move through us, as we act in accordance with our God-given identity and call.

4. Work: Answering God’s call, free from the emotional pressure to provide and perform - because we’ve rested in our identity as God’s children.

Main Passage

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 
- Psalm 23:2

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 
- Matthew 11:28-29

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- Romans 5:8

Questions

1. God wants us to work hard; Jesus worked hard. But we can work hard without pressure and performance anxiety. Do you think that describes your life? Why or why not?

2. Which part of the Cycle of Grace do you think you need the most? How can you incorporate that in your life?

"Is God Your Guide or Your Ride?" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

We currently find ourselves in unfamiliar times and territory. We need divine guidance more than ever. It’s natural to turn to God for direction. We can approach him in one of two ways. First, we can approach God like GPS navigation: we choose our own destination, and hope He helps us get there. Second, we can approach Him as our shepherd. We allow him to choose the destination, because He knows what’s best for us and is faithful to get us there. 

Main Passage

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. - Psalm 23:1

4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? -  Luke 15:4

My sheep hear my voice, I know them and they follow me. - John 10:27

Questions

1. Did anything stand out to you from the online Worship Experience? If so, what?

2. Do you tend to approach God as your GPS, or as your shepherd - who sets the destination and guides the way? What makes you say that?

3. What direction might God be calling you in next? What’s one practical step you can take in that direction?