"Shared Life" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

Jesus called his disciples to follow God, fish for people, and fellowship with the church. We can think of fellowship as “sharing life” with one another. Sharing life goes deeper than friendship. It begins as we share love with one another, cover each other’s sins, and live in unity. Genuine love eventually expresses itself through sharing hospitality and generosity - even toward strangers. We also share life with one another by sharing our God-given gifts. Busyness, unwillingness, or inconvenience can keep us from sharing our gifts. But choosing to serve in spite of those things makes us more like Jesus, who loved and served us first.

Main Passage

8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
- 1 Peter 4:8-10

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- 1 John 1:9

28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
- Matthew 20:28

Discussion Questions

1. We need to “cover sin” and forgive, instead of “counting sin” and becoming bitter. Have you ever felt as if someone counted your sins against you? Is there anyone whose sin you should cover and forgive?

2. Recall a time where a stranger, or someone you didn’t know well, shared hospitality or generosity with you. How did it affect you?

3. Do you feel that you have any God-given gifts that are unutilized? How might you use them to serve God in your home, at work, or at church?

"Church Community" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

The apostles and followers of Jesus preached the gospel for the first time on the Day of Pentecost to Jews gathered in Jerusalem. On that day, 3,000 Jews were added to the disciples (around 120 in number), creating the very first church community. The new believers began to share expressions of faith, such as the Lord’s Supper, or communion. This gave them a unique common ground. This shared faith eventually led to shared life. They shared and even sold possessions and belongings to provide for those in need. They went to the temple and ate together. This is what our church community should be like today. God used this first church community to change the hearts of those who saw them, adding to their number day by day those who were being saved, and giving the community a shared mission.

Main Passage

40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
- Acts 2:40-47 (ESV)

Discussion Questions

1. What does it mean to “devote” yourself to something? How have you learned to devote yourself to the Word?

2. We should share life together by being generous, having compassion, and actively being with those in our church community. How did you learn to value the church and share life with others?

3. Church communities share a common mission to tell others about Jesus, and lead more people to Him. What’s the mission of our church? What’s your role in it?

"Power of the Gospel" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

The work of Jesus Christ, revealed to us in the Gospel message, brings our spirits to life. But the Gospel doesn’t just work in us. It works through us! We’re commanded by God to engage the unreached, preach the Gospel, and make disciples. Everyone has a primary evangelism “style” that reflects their personality. They are as follows:

1. A Direct Approach

2. An Intellectual Approach

3. Testimonial Approach

4. Interpersonal Approach

5. Invitational Approach

6. Service Approach

We might excel in one style above others, but can (and should) use whatever we need to win people to Christ.

Main Passage

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,
- 1 Peter 3:18 (ESV)

34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism
- Acts 10:34

42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.
- Acts 10:42

Discussion Questions

1. Peter says we’ve been made “alive in Christ,” which should inspire us to share the Gospel with those who don’t know God. What grows your motivation to share the Gospel?

2. Which one of the six evangelism styles describe you the best? Do you think you could use any of the other six styles?

3. Think about someone around you who doesn’t know God. Create a plan to engage that person using the style (or styles) you identified. The goal is to share the gospel, your testimony, or an invite to Every Nation Church Las Vegas.

"Taking the Gospel Turn" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

The Gospel is the “good news” that God became a man in Jesus Christ. He lived the life we should have lived, and died the death we should have died. He rose from the dead three days later, proving He is the Son of God. He offers the gift of salvation and forgiveness to all those who repent and believe in His name. If we believe in this good news, then it turns us to Jesus as both Lord and Savior. Trusting Jesus as Lord means we let Him call the shots. Believing that He’s our Savior gives us hope on earth and throughout eternity. The Gospel also turns us toward people who don’t know God, so they can receive the good news too.

Main Passage

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 2:36-39

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
- Romans 10:14

Discussion Questions

1. Does anything make it hard for you to trust God’s Word, and allow Jesus to be Lord in your life?

2. Think about the implications of the Gospel - that we are God’s children in Christ, that we are unconditionally loved, that we are eternally secure, etc. How might the Gospel affect the perspective from which you live on a daily basis?

Prayer (Find a partner, or pray in groups of three if necessary.)

1. Pray for one another to understand the Gospel at a deeper, more personal level.

2. Pray for one person that you might be able to invite to service or share the Gospel with.

"Life Change" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

Every living thing changes. Our spirits come to life when we place our faith in Jesus. Experiencing “life change,” then, is a natural result that flows from our new life in Him. Our mindsets begin to change when we learn God’s word, and when we restrain (or limit) both evil and distracting thoughts. Life change also happens when we obey God. God is a loving, perfect Father - and obeying Him is to our great benefit. Holiness then comes from walking with God and allowing Him to renew and transform us. The word “holiness” really describes God’s power and utter uniqueness. We gain a greater sense of our own uniqueness, and are empowered by God at a greater level, when we connect to Him.

Main Passage

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” 1 Peter 1:3-4

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16

Discussion Questions

1. For Christians: do you feel that your life has changed since you decided to follow Jesus? How?
2. Do you feel that you have any negative mindsets or perspectives that you should change? How can learning God’s Word, restricting evil thoughts, or limiting distractions help?
3. How does the call to holiness challenge you at home, work, school, church, or the community you live in?
    

"Essential Doctrine" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

Our faith rests on the basic fact of Jesus’ empty tomb. Jesus’ resurrection is not just a metaphor, nor a story or an event to be celebrated during Easter once a year. It is a historical fact that displays God’s plan, power, and promise for our salvation. The resurrection, itself, distinguishes Jesus apart from all other religious teachers in the world. He is more than just a good teacher; He is our Lord and Savior.

Main Passages

22“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 
- Acts 2:22-24

20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
- 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 15:56-57

Discussion Questions

1. Do you believe that Jesus died and rose again to save us? How does the truth of the resurrection strengthen your faith?
2. It guarantees our hope of life after death, and is the basis of our eternal life now. Knowing that this is God’s promise, how are we supposed to view death?
3. How can you go deeper in your understanding and appreciation of the resurrection this week? What’s one thing you will do this week to go deeper in the Word?
    

"Got Milk?" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

When Peter talked about growing up into salvation, he used pure spiritual milk as a metaphor for the Word of God. Craving for milk is a natural instinct for any baby, as he or she would depend on milk for nourishment. Peter encouraged people to long for spiritual milk. When we are born again, so we should desire God’s Word instinctively, as this helps us grow strong and healthy. Our desire will eventually develop into both delighting in God’s Word and doing God’s Word.

Main Passage

“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation — if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
- 1 Peter 2:2-3

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
- James 1:22

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever struggled with a lack of desire for the Word? How did you overcome it? What are some of the action steps you will take in order to grow your desire to read and meditate on His Word?
2. What is one area in your life that keeps you from obeying God’s Word? What does the Bible say about it? What will you do about it?
3. What are some ways you can encourage others to read and apply God’s Word? Think of one specific thing you can do for a family member or a friend this week.