Category: Connection Group Questions

December 1, 2021

Series: Christmas in Focus

Of course this series is about keeping Christ the focus.  It is far too easy to be swept up into the chaos of Christmas.  But it’s more.

For generations the promise of a savior was coming into focus-  He would be a prophet like Moses, bringing the word of God to the people;  a priest like the descendants of Aaron, bringing sacrifices to God; and a king like David, ruling with justice and righteousness. Like none before he would be the Prophet, the Priest and the King- The promised Messiah. The Christ.

Opening: 

What are the things that distract you from the focus of Christmas?  What do you do, or what could you do, to keep the focus on Christ?

Digging Deeper:

The Heidelberg Catechism interprets the title “Christ” in terms of the threefold office, on Lord’s Day 12, Question and Answer 31:

31. WHY IS HE CALLED “CHRIST, THAT IS, ANOINTED?

Because He is ordained of God the Father and anointed with the Holy Spirit[1] to be our chief Prophet and Teacher,[2] who has fully revealed to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our redemption;[3] and our only High Priest,[4] who by the one sacrifice of His body, has redeemed us,[5] and ever lives to make intercession for us with the Father;[6] and our eternal King,[7] who governs us by His Word and Spirit, and defends and preserves us in the redemption obtained for us.[8]

[1] Ps 45:7 [Heb 1:9]; Isa 61:1 (Lk 3:21-22, 4:18); [2] Deut 18:15 (Acts 3:22); [3] Jn 1:18, 15:15; [4] Ps 110:4 (Heb 7:17, 21); [5] Heb 9:12, 10:11-14; [6] Rom 5:9-10, 8:34;Heb 9:24; 1 Jn 2:1; [7] Zech 9:9 (Mt 21:5); Lk 1:33; [8] Ps 2:6; Isa 61:1-2; Mt 28:18-20;Jn 10:28; 1 Pt 2:24; Rev 12:10-11, 19:16

WLC Q&A – 41-45

Q. 41. Why was our mediator called Jesus?

A. Our mediator was called Jesus, because he saveth his people from their sins.

Q. 42. Why was our mediator called Christ?

A. Our mediator was called Christ, because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost above measure; and so set apart, and fully furnished with all authority and ability, to execute the offices of prophet, priest, and king of his church, in the estate both of his humiliation and exaltation.

Q. 43. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?

A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in his revealing to the church, in all ages, by his Spirit and word, in divers ways of administration, the whole will of God, in all things concerning their edification and salvation.

Q. 44. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?

A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering himself a sacrifice without spot to God, to be a reconciliation for the sins of the people; and in making continual intercession for them.

Q. 45. How doth Christ execute the office of a king?

A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in calling out of the world a people to himself, and giving them officers, laws, and censures, by which he visibly governs them; in bestowing saving grace upon his elect, rewarding their obedience, and correcting them for their sins, preserving and supporting them under all their temptations and sufferings, restraining and overcoming all their enemies, and powerfully ordering all things for his own glory, and their good; and also in taking vengeance on the rest, who know not God, and obey not the gospel.

Using the three-fold office, how can we interpret passages like Hebrews 1:1-3?

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Closing:

Words hold power to bring life or death.  To build up or to destroy.  If appropriate, you could share words that have held power in your life for building up, or tearing down.  (I suspect that all of us have had experiences of both.) 

Prophets used words.  Jesus is the Word made flesh.  What words from Jesus and the Bible do you need to hear today?  Feel free to share favorite bible passages or promises.  

Close with prayer for one another.

October 3, 2021

Message: “Brought Near“

Series: “Ephesians: Union and Unity”

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near 

by the blood of Christ.”

~ Ephesians 2:13

Opening

Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we were created to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.  We talked about “general” good works and “specific” good works.  How do these differ? What do you think some of those good works might be?  What good works you are currently seeking to do?

Digging Deeper

Read Ephesians 2:11-22

Did you ever live separate…excluded…a foreigner…without hope… and without God in the world?  Share a time when you felt like an outsider, or just far from a relationship with God.

“But now…”  How does looking at the cross tear down our dividing walls of hostility?  

Jesus’ mission was to make one new humanity.  What dividing walls do you see in the world today?  What walls do you see in the church today?  How can we tear down walls and make peace with God and people?

Paul expresses our union and unity in several ways: we are fellow citizens, members fo the household of God, built on the foundation, a holy temple.  Which of these images, or how do these images, speak to you?

Living It

We are now the dwelling place, the temple, where God lives by his Spirit. How will you live in light of being a temple of the Holy Spirit and the place where God shows up on earth?

September 26, 2021

Message: “Grace Alone“

Series: “Ephesians: Union and Unity”

“8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—

and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—”

~ Ephesians 2:8

Opening

George started with a story about dramatic testimonies.  What’s your testimony?  Were you someone pretty far from God in the past?  Or were you raised in the church?

Digging Deeper

Read Ephesians 2:1-10

According to this passage all of us have a pretty dramatic testimony.  We were dead in sin but made alive in Christ!

Verses 1-3 tell us that we were lead astray and disobedient because of three things: the world, the spirit of the air (the devil) and the flesh.  How have you been lead into sin by these three forces?  How have you resisted?

The result is the same for all people, whether we are good, bad or something in between.  We are objects of wrath.  What does this mean and how is is connected to original sin?

Verse 4-7 tells us that we can be saved by the great love of God.  Why are the words “But God…” the two best words?  How does Paul describe our salvation?

Verse 8-10 are simply magnificent!  How would you define or describe grace?  How might you illustrate or tell a story to help someone understand God’s grace?  What is the connection of grace and faith, and how is faith itself a work of grace?

What does it mean to be God’s handiwork?  How does this help us to understand God’s grace?

Living It

Next week we’ll get into the works we’re created to do.  For now discuss how we can simply live into God’s amazing grace.

September 19, 2021

Message: “Hope. Inheritance. Power.”

Series: “Ephesians: Union and Unity”

“18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, 

the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 

19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”

~ Ephesians 1:18-19

Opening

This quote from Marianne Williamson that has made the rounds:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

What do you think?  Are you more frightened of your potential power, or your inadequacy?

Digging Deeper

Read Ephesians 1:14-23

Pauls begins with thanks and prayer.  Not a bad way to approach life and ministry!  What is your current state of, or practice of, gratitude?  What about your prayer life and practice?  

The heart of Paul’s prayer for the saints is that they might “know him (Jesus) better.”

How can this become the heart of our prayers, for ourselves and for others?

Paul says he’s praying for three things: Hope.  Inheritance.  Power.

What is Christian hope?  How is it different from wishful thinking?  How is Jesus the heart of our hope?  What does it mean to have the eyes of our heart opened?

Paul is also praying that we know the riches of his glorious inheritance in us, the saints.  What is our inheritance?  How is it already in us? How might we begin to live our of our inheritance, even as we wait for Jesus’ return?

Pauls then prays for his incomparably great power for us who believe, and then write more about that power.  So let’s talk about power.  It’s a dirty word in many circles. But it’s still craved by most people.  What is the power Paul is talking about?  How is it different, or similar, to other powers?  Ultimately it is the same source of power that rose Christ from the dead that is at work in us.  Is this the power of the Holy Spirit?  Would you say you are a Spirit-filled, powerful Christian?

For more context on Paul, Ephesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit read Acts 19 and discuss the outpouring of the Spirit, speaking in tongues, and being empowered for ministry.

Living It

Pray for yourselves and one another for hope, inheritance and power.  Specially pray for the filling of the Holy Spirit for one another.

September 12, 2021

Series: Ephesians- Union and Unity

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

~ Ephesians 1:3

Opening

You walk into an event.  You are asked to put on a name tag.  But you can’t write your name.  What do you write? “I am ____________.”

Identity and purpose are vital to our existence.  Ephesians will outline an identity fund in Christ (union) and a purpose to be lived out the church (unity).  Before we get into Ephesians how would you define or describe union and unity?

Digging Deeper

Read Ephesians 1:1-14

Keep your bibles open, and a study bible close.  This will have a lot of information on the author, audience, background, outline, theological themes, etc.

Introduction, verses 1-2

Paul addresses the letter to the saints or Holy Ones.  Do you identity yourself as a sinner or a saint? How might your identity as a saint impact your life and understanding of yourself?

The first words are “grace and peace to you.”  How might this be an example to us and our interactions with others- family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, church members?

Spiritual Blessings, verses 3-14

This run-on sentence or prayer and praise expounds upon the blessings of union with Jesus.  Count hoe many times we read “in him” or “in Christ” or “in the one.”  What do we have in Christ in each occurrence?

Read this passage again and take not of the trinitarian language.  Where do we see reference to God the Father, Jesus the son, and the Holy Spirit?

Verses 3-6: Predestined for Adoption

While it is difficult, or even unwise, to try and break up or categorize this prayer of praise, it does help us to see and understand the themes within.  In the verse 4 verses we learn that we are chosen, predesigned, by the will of God, to be holy and blameless, adopted into the family of God.

What do you make of God’s choosing before the creation of the world?  What about being predestined for adoption?  Read Romans 8:29-30, “The Golden Thread” of election.  (foreknown, predestined, called, justified, glorified).  Does the revelation of God’s election bring you comfort, or confusion?  Where do you see yourself on the thread of free will and predestination?  How do we hold seemingly contradictory ideas in harmony (The fancy word is “Antinomy”?)

Verse 4 tells us that God predestined us “in love.”  Why is that so easily missed but so vital to understand who God is and how God works?  Do you sense God chasing you in love?  DO you have confidence that you are part of the “us” Paul is writing?

Verses 7-10: Redeemed for Unity

Pauls employs the language of the Exodus.  Why is it so important to see the work of Jesus through the Old Testament?  How does the exodus foreshadow the work of Jesus, and how does Jesus fulfill the work of exodus?  

We have the riches of God’s grace lavished on us. How does that make you feel? What difference should that make in your life?

Verses 11-14: Sealed with the Spirit

There it is again, predestined.  Gos is working everything out according to his will.  What does this tells us about our lives and God’s world?  

The first to hope were the people of Israel. Now we, Gentiles, are being chosen and called.  When did you hear?  When did you believe?  What there a moment when everything changed, or was your salvation more of a process?  

Let’s get personal, and real.  Would you profess to be marked and sealed by the Holy Spirit?  What does this mean for your life- past, present and future?  What does it mean to wait for our redemption and our inheritance when we have already been redeemed (v. 7)?  

Application

We’ve covered a lot, and have probably just scratched the surface.  So let’s go back to the start. How would you answer the question, “Do you believe in predestination?”  

Remember, whatever God does He does in love.

Series: Signs of Belonging

Message: Giver

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 

~ Malachi 3:10

Opening

• What is the greatest gift you were ever given?
• What was the greatest gift you ever gave?

Discuss

Read Malachi 3:6-10

6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.

“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’

8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

• This passage starts out with a great promise. “I the Lord do not change.”  Why is that so vital to our faith?
• The passage then gives us a great hope.  “Return to me, and I will return to you.”  Have you ever strayed and then returned to God?  Share that experience. 
• Whom do want to return to the Lord?  How can your group pray for and encourage you?

• How is all giving ultimately “returning” or “re-gifting” to God?
• Can we really rob God?
• What is the connection between returning, robbing and tithing?

George mentioned 7 possible “relationships” with money.  Which one describes you:

• Stockpiler: Save money for a rainy day.
• Idealist: Money is a necessary part of life, but it’s not your motivation.
• Hedonist: Mo money mo fun!
• Celebrity: Money is status.  Stuff shows standing.
• Conquerer: Money is power.  It would also mean freedom.
• Nurturer: Money will help you to help others.

• The seventh is Steward: You are a manager of God’s stuff, and you will be held accountable. How can you become a better steward in regard to your disposition toward money?

This passage is ultimately about honoring God with our tithes and offerings.  And this message is ultimately inviting you to become a Giver to God through the church.

• God wants His house full of food.  What does this mean both physically and spiritually?
• God says to test, or trust Him in this.  What does trusting God with your stuff look like or mean to you? Is it hard to trust God?  Why, or why not?

• What is your understanding of tithing?
• What is the difference between tithing and offering?
• Without any judgement in your group, do you practice tithing?  What is your history of giving to God as an act of worship?

Apply

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

• Are you a cheerful giver?
• What have you decided, or what will you decide, to give to God?
• How do we grow as we give to God?