Category: Connection Group Questions

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?

Series: Signs of Belonging

Message: Follow God – The G.P.S. Rules

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.

~ Exodus 13:17-18

Opening

• Have you ever felt so lost that you don’t know how to make any decisions in your life?
• Whom do you usually go for your counsel? God, pastor, parents, spouse, friends, therapist?
• If you have all the options for your decisions, do you prefer to take the shortest and easiest way or the longest and the most challenging way to solve your problem?

Discuss

Exodus 13:20-22

20 After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. 21 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

• Do you believe God is with you the entire time when you are facing difficulties in you lives? Please think about any recent difficulties that you are facing.
• What is your real feeling when you fece difficulties? Overwhelmed, tired, angry, hopeful, want to give up, etc
• Have you experienced God’s guidance when you are facing difficulties? What was your experience? Was it easy or challenging?
• Do you believe that God is with you when you are life is in chaos? Or do you feel that you have to deal with it and move on?

Exodus 14:19-20

19 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20 coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.

• Have you had the experience to be protected by God? How did God protect you?
• What do you expect God to do for your when you are facing temptation, unexpected events in lives, etc?

Exodus 40:36-38

36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. 38 So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.

• Are you good in following direction? Or do you find it is challenging to follow direction?
• What is the level of you being patience when facing with uncertainties? 1 is the least and 10 the most patience. 
• Do you allow God to be in control of your life? Why and why not? Is it difficult or easy for you to surrender to God?