Week of August 29, 2010

1. Read Luke 14:1-14.
2. What is your favorite "time saving" gadget? Why?
3. Father Mike compared our society to the man with dropsy. The man with dropsy retained fluid, but was always thirsty. We have access to wonderful time saving technology, but we have very little extra time. Have you found this to be true in your life? What would you do if you had more time?
4. Jesus gives the group at the Pharisee's dinner party a lesson in humility in verses 7-11. Do you ever feel like you (or people around you) are working extra hard for a better "place at the table"? How have you seen competition at work around you?
5. What impact would chasing humility rather than exaltation have on your life? What risks would you run if you took this different approach? How would it change how you spend your time?
6. In verses v. 12-14, Jesus challenges the group with how to throw a better dinner party. Father Mike challenged us to "main thing-ify" our lives. Do you feel like you need to re-prioritize some things in your life today? How so?
7. Father Mike used the example of how difficult it is for "hoarders" to let things go from their house. What, in your life, what be hard to let go of?
8. How might these changes better help your perspective on service to others? to the church?
9. Pray for one another...

Week of August 22, 2010

1. Read Isaiah 58:9-14.
2. Can you remember a time in your life when you were really overworked or stressed out? What got you that way? What did you do about it?
3. Share with the group what you understand about the Sabbath. Why do you think God instituted it as a commandment for Israel?
4. Which the more important aspect of the Sabbath for you - rest or worship?
5. v. 13. Why do you think people "trample on the sabbath" (v. 13)? What sorts of things keep people from keeping it as they should? What is the biggest obstacle for you?
6. v. 13. We are to "call the sabbath a delight". Have you ever been in a situation when someone (even you) did not want to come to church? What can a person do in a situation like that?
7. v. 13. We are to honor the sabbath and not "go our own way" or "serve our own interests". What sorts of things keep us from getting the rest we need? Do you feel guilty or lazy by taking time to relax? Or, do you have the opposite problem and need to spend less time resting and more time in work or service?
8. v. 14. We read the blessings that come from sabbath-keeping: closeness to God and a Godly heritage. What might some of the short and long term blessings be for you if you prioritize rest and worship in your life?
9. Pray for one another.

Week of August 15, 2010

Hebrews 11:29-12:3

1. Of all your life experiences to date, which brought you the most discipline? Which one exposed an area where you have little discipline?
2. What three actions in 12:1-2 are Christians commanded to do as they run the race? Of what practical help are the cloud of witnesses (a sample of which were described in chapter 11)?
3. Drawing from your their example and your own experience, what does it mean to throw off sin and hindrances? To run with perseverance? To fix our eyes on Jesus?
4. What comfort do you get from knowing that a cloud of witnesses is watching you run the Christian race?
5. What are two obstacles that hinder and entangle you in your race? Why?
6. What have you discovered that helps you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus?
7. What's the hardest thing you're going through right now? How is God using this in your life, now and in your future?
8. Pray for one another....

Pent 11 - Small Group Discussion Questions

Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-16
If you were not with us on Sunday you can listen to this sermon here.

1. Mtr. Mary spoke of faith as a verb versus a noun. Does this feel consistent with your understanding of faith? Why or why not? If you were to describe your faith using verbs - action words - how would you do so?
2. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews uses the example of Abraham to illustrate the life of faith. Mtr. Mary spoke of the call on Abraham's life to 'leave' and 'go.' Can you recall times in your life when God has called you to 'leave?' Were you able to respond to the call? What challenges did this create?
3. Can you recall times in your life when God called you to 'go?' Were you able to respond to the call? What challenges did this create?
4. How has your life changed as a result of your faith in God? What has your faith cost you?
5. Do you trust God? Share with one another experiences when you chose to trust God.

Pent 10 - Small Group Discussion Questions

Luke 12:13-21
If you were not with us on Sunday you can listen to this sermon here.

1. What was your ambition in life when you were 18 years old? Was it around vocational goals (be a doctor)? relational and family goals (get married)? Goals around experiences (travel to Europe)? Which, if any, of your goals were grounded in money or stuff?
2. Reflect on your current life. What are your major sources of stress? How are they tied to your relationship with money and stuff?
3. Jesus says that our lives do not consist in the abundance of our possessions. But the culture and the advertisers are constantly telling us that our lives, in fact, do consist in the abundance of our possessions. How challenging is it for you to trust that what Jesus says is true? Where do you find the greatest struggle living into this truth?
4. How might practicing the presence of God help you to live a life centered in God ("ends," spiritual aims) vs. in money and possessions ("means," material aims)? Discuss specific disciplines that might help you with this.
5. What does it mean to live a life rich toward God? What might this look like for you?