Week of September 26

1. Read Luke 16:19-31.
2. Do you know someone who died suddenly or too soon? What happened? What impact did it have on you?
3. What do you think the rich man should have done with his life? What is the point Jesus is trying to make here?
4. How do you think we should help the poor as a church? as individuals?
5. In verse 27, the rich man wants Abraham to send Lazarus to his brothers so that they will believe. What sorts of signs to do think people are looking for today? Would it work?
6. What sorts of things have helped you to grow spiritually? How has God's word contributed to your spiritual growth?
7. What is keeping you from having a closer walk with Christ?

Week of September 19

1. Read Luke 16:1-13.
2. Can you remember a time when you were stressed about money? What happened? What did you do about it?
3. What would you have done had you been the rich man? Would you have complimented the manager for his shrewdness?
4. V. 9. Think about some ways that you could use your worldly wealth to help you "gain friends" for eternity. How does holding eternity in mind help your stewardship?
5. Jesus contrasts worldly wealth with "true riches" in v. 10-11. What do you think it means to be truly rich in the sense Jesus talks about here? Are you there yet? What would it take to get there?
6. How have you seen verse 13 to be true in your life? Can you think of someone you know who serves money? Someone who serves the Lord? How can you compare their lives? happiness? peace?
7. What are some things you could do to better the way you relate to money?
8. Pray for each other....

Week of September 12

1. Read 1 Timothy 1:12-17.
2. What is the most amazing testimony you've ever heard? Share what you can remember about it.
3. Why does Paul share this with Timothy?
4. As a group, let's work on and share our testimony. What was your life like before knowing Christ?
5. How did you come into a relationship with Christ?
6. What has life like been like with Christ?
7. What does hearing these testimonies do for you and your faith?
8. Could you share this with someone outside of the group? Why or why not?
9. Pray for one another....

Pent 15 - Small Group Questions

Luke 14:25-33
If you were not with us on Sunday you can listen to this sermon here.

1. Mtr. Mary spoke of the Gospel message writ large - a message of welcome and hope and blessing and peace. But there is fine print in the Gospel message - the challenge to count the cost of following Jesus. How are these two truths reflected in your relationship with Jesus? Are both of them reflected, or do you focus on one to the exclusion of the other?
2. Jesus' first discipleship challenge is that he must have your allegiance above all other relationships in your life. How true is this for you? Share an experience where a relationship impeded your devotion to Jesus.
3. Jesus' second discipleship challenge is that you must carry the cross, denying yourself to follow him. What parts of yourself have you had to 'let go' to grow closer to Jesus? Where is this the greatest challenge for you today?
4. Jesus' third discipleship challenge is that you give away all your possessions. While this is something few of us will ever be able to live into fully, how have you moved toward further trust in Jesus over the years? Where might you be trying to fill the God-shaped hole in your heart with money and stuff?
5. Mtr. Mary spoke of practices and disciplines that can help us grow in our discipleship. What spiritual disciplines are a regular part of your life? Is there a discipline that you would like to undertake? How might you begin?
6. On a scale of 1 (huh?) to 10 (I'm all ears), how receptive are you to Christ's call to discipleship?