"What Christmas is All About" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is a time of great joy. We often find this joy in bright lights, food, and presents. These things can be great. They can also distract us from the true meaning of Christmas. We celebrate Christmas to remember the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to earth and revealed Himself humbly as an infant. If we want to experience His love and joy, then we need to seek Him with humble hearts.

Main Passages

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 
- Luke 2:1-7

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 
- Luke 2:10-14

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think we often miss the real meaning of celebrating Christmas?

2. Why do you think God often works in smaller, humbler ways than we expect?

3. What’s one practical thing you can do to humbly seek God?

Family Questions

1. What can we do to think about Jesus on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Christ and A Christmas Carol

Main Thought

Christmas can signal the appearance of great things! We might put up our decorations, see family and friends, or get the gifts we want. But that doesn’t mean our troubles disappear. Trials and tribulations continue through the holidays. Regardless of what’s happening around us, Christmas should always remind us of God’s love for us. Jesus came to earth so that we could be in relationship with Him on earth and for eternity. Remembering this “good news” gives us an opportunity to reflect on that state of our hearts, and realign them with God’s heart.

Main Passages

46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

- Luke 1:46-55

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

- John 3:16

Discussion Questions

1. Does anything stand out to you in The Magnificat, Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55?

2. From the Magnificat , we can observe three things that are on God’s heart. 

   1. God wants us to be in relationship with Him.

   2. God wants us to connect with others (in whatever way possible, given the constraints of this season).

   3. God wants us to demonstrate care for others practically.

Which of these three things are easiest for you? Which, if any, are hardest for you?

3. How can you take action to align yourself with God’s heart this Christmas?

Family Questions

1. What makes God happy? What can you do to make God happy?

"For All Who Truly Believe" Discussion Guide

Warm-Up

How have you seen God working in and through your life this past week? Please share your “God Moments” or testimonies!

Main Thought

On Christmas Eve, hopeful children across the world scan the sky and their living rooms for a glimpse of Santa. That is a reminder of the importance of believing in the unseen. God calls us to have that same kind of childlike innocence and faith as we believe in the unseen. He is at work even when we can’t see Him doing it. The appearance of Jesus is an example of this. Prior to the coming of Christ, God was preparing the world for Him. We can live and act in faith, knowing that God is at work behind the scenes.

Main Passages

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. - Isaiah 9:2

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 18:3

Discussion Questions

1. Which one of the descriptors for Jesus in Isaiah 9:6 resonates with you most? 

2. Why do you think we have lost a sense of God working in our everyday lives?

3. Is there an action you feel called to take in faith based on the idea that God is working even when we can’t see Him doing it?

Family Questions

1. What kind of things are real, even though we can’t see them?

"The Miracle of the Incarnation" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

God wants to reveal Himself to the world! He’s the source of life, light, and love. He wants us to experience those things in Him. But the world we live in is a dark place. We get lost or hurt, and it can be hard to accept God’s light when we’re accustomed to darkness. That’s why Jesus, who is God the Son, took on flesh and entered into the world He created. This is called “the Incarnation.” By becoming flesh, Jesus was able to perfectly fulfill God’s law and become the perfect sacrifice for sin in our place. Jesus also teaches us to relate to God through grace and truth. Grace refers to God’s unearned favor toward us. Truth compels us to be honest about our failures, repent, and come to God with nothing hidden. We experience grace and truth from God; then, we can extend grace and truth to others as well.

Main Passages

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome (or understood) it. 
- John 1:1-5

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- John 1:14

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
- John 1:17-18

Discussion Questions

1. How would you explain “the Incarnation?” Why do you think it’s important?

2. Do you see grace and truth at work in your relationship with God? How can you experience more of it?

3. Who can you extend grace and truth to in this holiday season? (Example: Maybe you can find a way to help someone practically, then share your faith or an invitation to Church with them.)

Family Question

1. Did you know that we celebrate Christmas to remember the birth of Jesus? What can we do to think of Jesus this Christmas?

"Who's Eating at Your Table?" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

For many of us, Thanksgiving is a time of feasting and spending time with family and friends. Jesus told a parable about a man who hosted a magnificent feast. This banquet reveals God’s great love for us! We are all invited to experience God’s love through Christ. Yet, some of the people in the story refused the invitation and made excuses. In context, their excuses would have been understood as materialistic, the result of poor planning, or a simple unwillingness to come. Our hearts can be shallow. But God’s heart isn’t shallow! He relentlessly seeks to show kindness. When we are moved by God’s heart, we are also moved to show kindness.

Main Passages

16 But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 17 And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ 20 And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21 So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ 22 And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ 23 And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’” 
- Luke 14:16-24

6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” 7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 
- 2 Samuel 9:6-7

Discussion Questions

1. God invites us to experience His love. What keeps you from experiencing God’s love?

2. How does kindness help us experience God’s love?

3. What can you do to be kind to someone near you this holiday season? How can you help them experience God’s love through that?

Family Questions

1. Were you kind to anyone this past week? What did you do?

2. How can you be kind to someone this week?

"The Parable of the Mustard Seed" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

We often come to God with something in mind. We might want answered prayer, a good feeling, or validation. But we’ll miss the main point if we only think about ourselves. Our personal agendas have an expiration date, but God’s Kingdom doesn’t. God’s Kingdom should be our focus because it will never fall. Ironically, when we focus on God, we often find some of our deepest needs are met - like the need for personal purpose. A “calling.” We’re all called to help grow God’s Kingdom. We can grow God’s Kingdom when we grow closer to God, grow our character, and go to make disciples. We might not start out looking for God’s Kingdom, but when we embrace our place in it, then we’ll find something even greater.

Main Passages

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
- Matthew 13:31-32

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
- Matthew 6:33

You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
- 1 Peter 2:5

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever discovered something great or unexpected after deciding to serve God? What happened?

2. Do you see any alignment between your greatest personal priorities and God’s Kingdom in this season of your life? Why or why not?

3. Most of us are challenged in at least one way when it comes to growing closer to God, growing in character, or going to make disciples. Which one of those three things are most difficult for you? How can you grow in this area?

Family Question

1. How can you help solve a problem around you?

"How to change the World" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

The condition of our world is alarming. We’re searching for answers to some of the greatest problems we have ever faced. Does God have a plan to change things? The answer is yes! God’s plan to change the world starts when God changes us. Then, He can use an upgraded version of us to change the world around us. Change happens over time when we love people and endure evil. Positive change might feel like it takes a long time, but this kind of change is long-lasting.

Main Passages

23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty fold!
- Matthew 13:23

24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
- 2 Timothy 2:24-26

29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
- Matthew 13:24-30

Discussion Questions

1. What’s one thing in the world or personal life that’s alarming you right now? 

2. What can you learn in this situation? Is there a way for you to grow or improve through this situation?

3. Is there someone (or a group of people) you can love, or a way in which you can endure evil in order to create change?

Family Question

1. How can you help solve a problem around you?

"The Parable of the Sower" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

Jesus told The Parable of the Sower to describe the condition of our hearts and four potential responses to God’s Word. Three of those responses are problematic. The Enemy might blind us to God’s Word, we can forget the Word when life gets hard, or we might get distracted from God’s Word by life’s problems and pursuits. Sometimes, our hearts prove to be “good soil” and the Word bears fruit in our lives. But is there anything we can do to be “good soil?” How do we prevent the problems described by this parable?

Our hearts become “good soil” when we hear and understand God’s Word. These things don’t happen naturally - they take effort. We truly hear God’s Word when we consciously choose to listen and turn down distractions. We work to understand the Word by reviewing it, digging deeper into the text, and processing it with others. These two habits transform our hearts into good soil! They even prevent the three bad responses described by this parable. We choose to become good soil when we make an effort to hear and understand the Word.

Main Passages

18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

- Matthew 13:18-23

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

- Romans 10:17

Discussion Questions

1. Have you experienced any of the three negative outcomes described by this parable? Do you think you might be experiencing any of them in this season of your life?

2. Describe a time in which God;s Word bore fruit - or made a genuine change - in your life.

3. What’s one thing you can do to hear or understand God’s Word a little better?

Family Questions

1. What’s one thing you learned about God over the last month? How did you learn that about Him?

"Fix Your Focus" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

Every family has its challenges. Many times, children aren’t fully aware of those challenges. That’s because their parents do their best to cover them. That’s one of the benefits of being a child! Children trust that they will be taken care of. As a child of God, we benefit in a similar way. We can begin to experience these benefits when we focus on our spiritual “home.” The right home for our hearts is not in our success or the approval of others, but in the approval of our Heavenly Father. His love is unlimited and unconditional. He has never lost his focus on us.

Main Passages

18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father.
- Luke 15:18-20 

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
- Luke 15:20b 

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
- John 1:12

Discussion Questions

1. When you lose focus on God, where does your mind typically go? Why?

2. Would you say that you’re generally focused on God in this season of your life, or on something else?

3. What’s one thing you can do practically to fix your focus on God?

Family Question

1. What’s one thing your Mom, Dad, or another loved one does for you? What do you think God does for us?

"All in a Day's Work" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

Have you ever felt like God was good to you, but even better to others? Sometimes that can be discouraging or even frustrating. Why does God seem more generous towards others? If you’ve ever felt this way, then you’re not alone. But we need to focus on God’s Kingdom rather than our ideas of “fairness.” God’s glory and God’s mission must be the priority! (Ironically, we’re most likely to experience purpose and satisfaction when we’re putting God’s glory ahead of our own.) We can’t let comparison kill our contentment either. God sees our sacrifice and our service to Him. Our rewards are coming! Even if we don’t get them on earth, we’re sure to be rewarded and recognized in eternity. This unchanging fact helps us live with confidence on earth, and frees us to embrace God’s generosity toward us with gratitude.

Main Passage

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw OTHERS standing idle in the marketplace, And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, the master did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour (only one hour left in the day) he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.” 

- Matthew 20:1-16

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 

-  1 Timothy 6:6-8

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 

- Hebrews 11:6 

Discussion Questions

1. Has comparison ever killed your contentment? If so, what kind of impact did that have on your emotions, your relationship with God, or your relationship with others?

2. What’s one thing you can be grateful to God for in your life right now?

3. Jesus promises that our Father, who sees in secret, will reward us for honoring Him. How should that impact the way we live and serve God on a daily basis?

Family Question

1. What does “gratitude” mean to you? Name at least one thing you’re grateful for!

"The Pharisee and the Tax Collector" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

The Pharisees might be the most disliked group of people we meet in the Bible! They tried to  discredit Jesus, and eventually helped crucify Him. One thing Jesus condemned the Pharisees for was their pride, which he focused on in the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Pride crosses the line and becomes sinful when we develop “haughty eyes.” Haughty eyes cause us to look down on others. Yet when we read this parable, we may realize that we’re proud of the same things that made the Pharisees haughty! (Things like our accomplishments, reputation, groups or opinions.) 

We need to adopt the approach of the Tax Collector in Jesus’s story. The Tax Collector looked at his own flaws, judged himself against God’s standard, and sought to be made right with God. Our souls are shaped, strengthened, and prepared to serve God when we do this consistently.

Main Passages

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
- Luke 18:9

“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes...”
- Proverbs 6:16-17

But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- Luke 18:13-14

Discussion Questions

1. What stood out to you from the Main Thought and Passages above?

2. Have you ever looked at others with “haughty eyes”?

3. Haughtiness is rarely intentional. It’s more likely to creep in slowly. Could there be an area in your life in which you might have become proud, or haughty, unintentionally? How do you think God wants you to move forward in this area?

Family Question

1. What are you proud of? Have you ever been mean to someone because you were good at something?

"A Pretty Penny" Discussion Guide

MAIN THOUGHT

They say that you can’t judge a book by its cover. By the same “token,” you can’t judge a coin by its printed value! This is especially true of coins with “imperfections,” like typos or misprinted images. One might think that imperfections make a coin worthless. Instead, these imperfections can make a coin highly desirable to a collector! In a similar way, we all have our own imperfections - but God assigns great value to us. He seeks after us. He doesn’t give up on us, and there is great joy in Heaven when we’re “found.” We should live knowing we’re valued, and see others in that same light.

MAIN PASSAGES

8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins,….  if she loses one coin, does she not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  - Luke 15:8-10

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”  - Luke 15:1-2

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Have you ever felt like you weren’t valued, or that you were unwanted or unloved? How did that mindset affect your life?

2. Value is ultimately determined by the price someone is willing to pay to obtain something. In order to redeem us, Jesus paid with His life. How should this affect the way we see ourselves? How does this affect the way we view and treat others?

3. We invest in things, or treat them well, when we know they’re valuable. How can you “invest in yourself” in response to the value God sees in you?

FAMILY DISCUSSION

1. What is the most important thing to you? Did you know that God thinks of you as even more important than that? How does that make you feel?

Life Group H.E.A.R. Journal: Ephesians 6

“Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
- Ephesians 4:29, NLT

An easy, memorable way to learn how to read and process the Bible is through the H.E.A.R. journaling method. The letters in the acronym stand for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. 

If you’ve been following our Ephesians Reading Plan, feel free to share something you’ve learned and journaled over the past week! You can also read Ephesians 6:1-6, the Main Text from Pastor Roland’s message last week.

• Highlight a scripture: Pick one verse (or pick a set of connected or related verses) from Ephesians 4. Highlight this verse or write down the Book, chapter, and verse number.

• Explain the context: By asking some simple questions with the help of God’s Spirit, we can understand the meaning of a passage or verse. What’s happening in the story? Why was this written, and to whom? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? What does God intend to communicate through this text? 

• Apply it to your life: Application is the heart of the process! Answering a series of questions can help us uncover the meaning of these verses to us on a personal level. What is God saying to me? How can this help me? What does this mean today? How would applying this look in my life?

• Respond with action: This is the last part of the H.E.A.R. Journal. Your response to the passage may take on many forms. You may write a call to action. You can describe how you’ll be different because of what God said to you through His Word. You may indicate what you’re going to do because of what you have learned. You can even respond by writing out a prayer to God.

Share your responses with your group. Pay special to the Apply and Respond steps; that’s where God’s Word comes to life! Let’s encourage each other in God’s Word.

Life Group H.E.A.R. Journal: Ephesians 5

“Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
- Ephesians 4:29, NLT

An easy, memorable way to learn how to read and process the Bible is through the H.E.A.R. journaling method. The letters in the acronym stand for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. 

If you’ve been following our Ephesians Reading Plan, feel free to share something you’ve learned and journaled over the past week! You can also read Ephesians 5:1-6, the Main Text from Pastor Roland’s message last week.

• Highlight a scripture: Pick one verse (or pick a set of connected or related verses) from Ephesians 4. Highlight this verse or write down the Book, chapter, and verse number.

• Explain the context: By asking some simple questions with the help of God’s Spirit, we can understand the meaning of a passage or verse. What’s happening in the story? Why was this written, and to whom? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? What does God intend to communicate through this text? 

• Apply it to your life: Application is the heart of the process! Answering a series of questions can help us uncover the meaning of these verses to us on a personal level. What is God saying to me? How can this help me? What does this mean today? How would applying this look in my life?

• Respond with action: This is the last part of the H.E.A.R. Journal. Your response to the passage may take on many forms. You may write a call to action. You can describe how you’ll be different because of what God said to you through His Word. You may indicate what you’re going to do because of what you have learned. You can even respond by writing out a prayer to God.

Share your responses with your group. Pay special to the Apply and Respond steps; that’s where God’s Word comes to life! Let’s encourage each other in God’s Word.

Life Group H.E.A.R. Journal: Ephesians 4

“Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
- Ephesians 4:29, NLT

An easy, memorable way to learn how to read and process the Bible is through the H.E.A.R. journaling method. The letters in the acronym stand for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. 

If you’ve been following our Ephesians Reading Plan, feel free to share something you’ve learned and journaled over the past week! You can also read Ephesians 4:1-6, the Main Text from Pastor Roland’s message last week.

• Highlight a scripture: Pick one verse (or pick a set of connected or related verses) from Ephesians 4. Highlight this verse or write down the Book, chapter, and verse number.

• Explain the context: By asking some simple questions with the help of God’s Spirit, we can understand the meaning of a passage or verse. What’s happening in the story? Why was this written, and to whom? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? What does God intend to communicate through this text? 

• Apply it to your life: Application is the heart of the process! Answering a series of questions can help us uncover the meaning of these verses to us on a personal level. What is God saying to me? How can this help me? What does this mean today? How would applying this look in my life?

• Respond with action: This is the last part of the H.E.A.R. Journal. Your response to the passage may take on many forms. You may write a call to action. You can describe how you’ll be different because of what God said to you through His Word. You may indicate what you’re going to do because of what you have learned. You can even respond by writing out a prayer to God.

Share your responses with your group. Pay special to the Apply and Respond steps; that’s where God’s Word comes to life! Let’s encourage each other in God’s Word.

Life Group H.E.A.R. Journal: Ephesians 3

“Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
- Ephesians 4:29, NLT

An easy, memorable way to learn how to read and process the Bible is through the H.E.A.R. journaling method. The letters in the acronym stand for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. 

If you’ve been following our Ephesians Reading Plan, feel free to share something you’ve learned and journaled over the past week! You can also read Ephesians 3:1-6, the Main Text from Pastor Roland’s message last week.

• Highlight a scripture: Pick one verse (or pick a set of connected or related verses) from Ephesians 3. Highlight this verse or write down the Book, chapter, and verse number.

• Explain the context: By asking some simple questions with the help of God’s Spirit, we can understand the meaning of a passage or verse. What’s happening in the story? Why was this written, and to whom? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? What does God intend to communicate through this text? 

• Apply it to your life: Application is the heart of the process! Answering a series of questions can help us uncover the meaning of these verses to us on a personal level. What is God saying to me? How can this help me? What does this mean today? How would applying this look in my life?

• Respond with action: This is the last part of the H.E.A.R. Journal. Your response to the passage may take on many forms. You may write a call to action. You can describe how you’ll be different because of what God said to you through His Word. You may indicate what you’re going to do because of what you have learned. You can even respond by writing out a prayer to God.

Share your responses with your group. Pay special to the Apply and Respond steps; that’s where God’s Word comes to life! Let’s encourage each other in God’s Word.

Life Group H.E.A.R. Journal: Ephesians 2

“Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
- Ephesians 4:29, NLT

An easy, memorable way to learn how to read and process the Bible is through the H.E.A.R. journaling method. The letters in the acronym stand for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. 

If you’ve been following our Ephesians Reading Plan, feel free to share something you’ve learned and journaled over the past week! You can also read Ephesians 2:1-13, the Main Text from Pastor Matt’s message last week.

• Highlight a scripture: Pick one verse (or pick a set of connected or related verses) from Ephesians 2. Highlight this verse or write down the Book, chapter, and verse number.

• Explain the context: By asking some simple questions with the help of God’s Spirit, we can understand the meaning of a passage or verse. What’s happening in the story? Why was this written, and to whom? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? What does God intend to communicate through this text? 

• Apply it to your life: Application is the heart of the process! Answering a series of questions can help us uncover the meaning of these verses to us on a personal level. What is God saying to me? How can this help me? What does this mean today? How would applying this look in my life?

• Respond with action: This is the last part of the H.E.A.R. Journal. Your response to the passage may take on many forms. You may write a call to action. You can describe how you’ll be different because of what God said to you through His Word. You may indicate what you’re going to do because of what you have learned. You can even respond by writing out a prayer to God.

Share your responses with your group. Pay special to the Apply and Respond steps; that’s where God’s Word comes to life! Let’s encourage each other in God’s Word.

Life Group H.E.A.R. Journal: Ephesians 1

“Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
- Ephesians 4:29, NLT

An easy, memorable way to learn how to read and process the Bible is through the H.E.A.R. journaling method. This process helps us read God’s Word with the goal of understanding it and applying it to our lives. The letters in the acronym stand for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. 

If you’ve been following our Ephesians Reading Plan, feel free to share something you’ve learned and journaled over the past week! You can also read Ephesians 1:17-23, the Main Text from Pastor Roland’s message last week.

• Highlight a scripture: Pick one verse (or pick a set of connected or related verses) from Ephesians 1. Highlight this verse or write down the Book, chapter, and verse number.

• Explain the context: By asking some simple questions with the help of God’s Spirit, we can understand the meaning of a passage or verse. What’s happening in the story? Why was this written, and to whom? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? What does God intend to communicate through this text? 

• Apply it to your life: Application is the heart of the process! Answering a series of questions can help us uncover the meaning of these verses to us on a personal level. What is God saying to me? How can this help me? What does this mean today? How would applying this look in my life?

• Respond with action: This is the last part of the H.E.A.R. Journal. Your response to the passage may take on many forms. You may write a call to action. You can describe how you’ll be different because of what God said to you through His Word. You may indicate what you’re going to do because of what you have learned. You can even respond by writing out a prayer to God.

Share your responses with your group. Pay special to the Apply and Respond steps; that’s where God’s Word comes to life! Let’s encourage each other in God’s Word.

"The Father of our Fatih" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

How do you recognize “great faith?” Abraham is known as the Father of Faith. He trusted God’s timing. He didn’t focus on the problems around him; he focused on God’s promises. But great faith isn’t just about what we accomplish. It’s also about who we accomplish it with. God promised Abraham that he would be the “father of many nations.” Today’s Christians - who come from many nations - are part of the fulfillment of that promise. We can walk with God today because people came before us and passed on their faith, like Abraham did. As we serve God, we need to walk with people who are older and younger than us. We want faith to operate multi-generationally; for that to happen, we need to share faith multi-generationally.

Main Passages

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.
- Hebrews 11:1-2

11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
- Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)

 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
- Hebrews 11:8-13

 Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever witnessed God move, and realized in retrospect that His timing was perfect? What happened?

2. Do you have any current problems that make it hard for you to focus on God’s promises? What might God be teaching you while you wait?

3. Who passed on their faith to you, or influenced your walk with God? Have you ever tried to share your faith with the next generation?

Family Discussion

We learn from Abraham that God’s timing is always on time and sometimes that requires us to be patient and wait.

1. Have you ever really wanted something but you had to wait a long time for it?

2. What did you lean while you waited? Was it hard to be patient?

3. How did it feel when you received it?

"Called and Cautioned" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

What do things like tools, kitchen appliances, and cars have in common? They can be useful and purposeful, but they also come with a set of cautions. The same can be true of our lives! God calls us to live with purpose, but cautions us to take care of our character. Samson from the Book of Judges might embody this idea better than anyone else in the Bible. He was born miraculously and had great physical strength. But Samson did not take caution and cultivate godly character. He was impulsive. He compromised often. He was isolated and proud. Eventually, Samson was defeated and suffered greatly - not because he lacked strength, but because he lacked character. But God’s grace enabled Samson to recover over time. God, in His grace, gives us the opportunity to grow gradually and answer His call.

Main Passages

3 And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. 4 Therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, 5 for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.”
- Judges 13:3-5

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
- Ephesians 2:10

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
- Proverbs 4:23

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Passages above, or last week’s Worship Service?

2. Have you ever experienced growth in one of Samson’s four “character cautions” (impulsiveness, compromise, isolation, or pride)? If so, how?

3. Which one of those four areas do you need to grow in or be cautious of in this season of your life?

Family Discussion

1. Every good gift comes from God. Samson was given the gift of great strength. What kind o gift would you ask God to give you and what would you use it for?