Category: Connection Group Questions

February 28, 2021

Series: The King’s Gambit

Message: The Counterintuitive Invitation to Finding Yourself

“34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: 

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves 

and take up their cross and follow me. 

35 For whoever wants to save their life[b] will lose it, 

but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.”

~ Mark 8:34-35

Open

Call it the counterintuitive invitation.  Or the paradoxical path of discovery.  We find our life by losing it to Jesus. And that’s our gambit!  If we surrender our position, our very lives, we will in win life and secure our position with Jesus.

All people are on some journey of self examination and discovery.  Did you ever go out to “fin yourself?”  Did you succeed?  Are you still looking, or in what ways are you still looking to figure out you and your life?

Discuss

Read Mark 8:27-39

Last week’s passage had three movements (Mark 1:9-15):

FIRST- Jesus is baptized and his identity revealed.

SECOND- Jesus is immediately send by the spirit into the desert to be tested and tempted by Satan in spiritual warfare.

THIRD- Jesus goes into mission mode declaring the good news- “The kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe!”

Today’s reading has three parallel movements:

FIRST- As Mark hit his halfway point he tells whey Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say I am?”  We have for the first time the disciples declaring you are the Messiah, or as we more often say, the Christ.

SECOND- We immediately see Jesus going into spiritual battle once again. He gives them the new definition of the Christ- the suffering servant. Peter wants nothing to do with that and actually rebukes Jesus, whom he just called the Messiah!  And Jesus says get behind me Satan!

THIRD- Jesus immediately goes back to the people and declares the good news in a new way- “WHOEVER wants to be any disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.”

What does this deeper revelation of Jesus, that he is the Messiah, tell us about the man and his mission?

Why does Peter rebuke Jesus?  Why does Jesus in turn rebuke Peter and add get behind me Satan?  That’s pretty harsh.  So why was it necessary?

Jesus calls “whoever” to be his disciple.  Why is this such good news?  Who are the whoever’s in your life that need to hear good news?  How would you define or explain discipleship?  Maybe try to come up with an elevator pitch- In 30 seconds what is a disciple?

“Deny yourself.”  We’ve been in denial.  We’ve denied ourselves some things.  But what does complete self-denial mean and look like in your life?

“Take up your cross.”  We’ve turned the cross into jewelry and decoration, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  What does “the cross” mean?  How do we make enough (not too much, not too little) of the cross?  Have you ever picked up a metaphorical cross to follow Jesus, and if so, what?

“Follow me.”  Where has following Jesus led you?  Where is following Jesus taking you?

Finally, Jesus promises that “whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.”  Have you experienced the counterintuitive key to finding your life by losing it to Jesus?  Perhaps share about a time or an example where you really did seem to lose yourself in Jesus.

Apply

What can you do this week and leading up to Easter to be a more faithful disciple of Jesus?  How might you deny yourself/. What cross might you carry?  Where could following Jesus take you?

Commit to a daily devotion of losing your life to Jesus- his will, his way; always, Lord willing!

Series: The King’s Gambit

Message: King’s Pawn

“At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness”

~ Mark 1:12

Open

It’s Lent.  Did you grow up with Lent?  Do you do Lent?  Are you giving up anything for Lent?  No wrong answers, just share.

George shared that he didn’t grow up with Lent, but came to appreciate ordering and directing his life around the church calendar and religious seasons.  Share your thoughts, practices or experiences, if any.

Last Opener.  We’re calling this series “The King’s Gambit.”  A gambit is a chess opening in which a player sacrifices material, usually a pawn, with the hope of achieving an advantageous position.  If you’re a chess player feel free to expound on this, or set us straight!

Discuss

Read Mark 1:9-15

Mark is the fast paced, action oriented Gospel. He skips Christmas and goes right to Jesus’ ministry.  In the span of 7 verses he covers Jesus’ baptism, 40 days in the desert, and launch into ministry.  Why the urgency?  What does this tell us about Jesus and his mission?

Jesus’ baptism is a beautiful picture of the Trinity: God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  How do you understand the Trinity?  How would you explain this to someone?

The Father declares of Jesus,“You are men son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”  What does this tells about Jesus’ identity?  Why is our identity in Christ so important, so foundational, to our life and calling?  How would you describe or define your core identity?  What does God declare about you?

The heavens are torn open, just at the temple curtain will be torn open, top to bottom, in Mark 15.  What does this mean regarding the Holy Spirit and our lives as Christians?

Mark will use the word translated at once or immediately 47 times.  Why the urgency?

The Spirit led Jesus to the wilderness to be tempted.  We see God leading his people, preparing leaders, in the wilderness.  Often for 40 days, or even for 40 years!  Why does God use the wilderness?  How does God use the wilderness?  How has God shaped you in the wilderness?

George said that Lent is less about giving up “dessert” and more about going to the “desert” where there is no dessert, no water, no food, no anything!  How might you willingly go to the desert to be equipped for mission and ministry?

Jesus began preaching a message that was summarized, Mark 1:15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

What is the kingdom of God?  How is it near?  How does one repent and believe?  Why is this good news?  How can we make this our mission and message as individuals and as the church?

Apply

So, what do we think of Lent now?  Can God use 40 days devoted to Him in a unique way in your life?  Is there a sacrifice you might make to grow closer to your Lord?  Maybe a fast?  Maybe more time in prayer and scripture?  Discuss and encourage one another to follow the example of Jesus and give yourself to Him as we aim to Easter.

Connection Group Questions

February 14, 2021

Series: God is Good

Message: Good Outcome.  Painful Process.

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good

to accomplish what is now being done,

the saving of many lives.”

~ Genesis 50:20

Open

• Share about at time when God turned a painful experience into something good?

Discuss

Josephs story (Genesis 37-50) teaches us that “good” doesn’t mean “never hard.”  And our own life experiences certainly confirms this.  Sin is real.  Life is hard.  Bad things happen.  But God can turn even evil intentions into something for the greater good of His plan.  Read the following two statements from the Westminster Confession of Faith:

CHAPTER 4: Of Creation

It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, in the beginning, to create, or make of nothing, the world, and all things therein whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days; and all very good.

CHAPTER 5: Of Providence

God the great Creator of all things doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, according to his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his own will, to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy.

• Where do we see the ongoing and eternal goodness of creation?
• How does the goodness of creation and the providence of God intersect? (How are these mutually affirming doctrines?)

Read Genesis 50:15-21

Genesis 50:20 is the central verse of Joseph’s story, and many scholars would also submit that this verse is the central lesson of the book of Genesis.  No matter what people intend or what happens in life- good, evil, or in between- God is working all things toward the good of His plan.  And that plan is for salvation.

• How does this strike you- Encouraging? Confusing? Maddening?

In the midst of the seven years of plenty (Genesis 41) Joseph has two sons.  Here’s the story:

51 Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” 52 The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”

• Manasseh sounds like the Hebrew “forget.”  Has God given you the faith to forget your suffering?
• Do you have faith that God can give birth to “Manasseh” in your life?  Can God bring about a blessing that causes you to forget, or get past, the pain of your troubles?
• What about Ephraim, which sounds like “twice fruitful.” How might God bring about fruitfulness in the land of your suffering?  Give personal examples if you are able.

The stories of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob show us that God is good and that God will bring about His plan for blessing and redemption. They also show us that God’s goodness and plan do not depend on man.

Joseph’s story also shows us that God has a great plan for salvation.  But his story shows us that we can be good and faithful and seek to cooperate with God.  In this way Joseph provides us a role model and exemplar of faith.

Jesus does even more.  Jesus is not only a role model of faith, but the substance of our faith!  Jesus is the one who takes the worst evil the world has ever witnessed (the cross) and turned it into the greatest good the world has ever known (resurrection).

• How does the story of Jesus complete the story of Joseph and show us the way of salvation?

Apply

Where are you going to have faith that God can bring about the birth of “Manasseh” and “Ephraim” in your life?

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. 

And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.”

~ Genesis 1:1 & 31

• February 7, 2021
• Series: God is Good
• Message: God is Still Good

Open

We’re coming on a year into the COVID pandemic.  It’s been hard.  How are you with the following statement,

“God is good, all the time.  All the time, God is good!”

• Are you holding steady in your faith?  Are you a bit shaken?  Or are you finding it hard to keep faith at all? 
• What does it really mean to say, “God is good all the time?”

Discuss

Read Genesis 1

• Read through the first chapter and list the refrains.  What patterns do we find emerging?
• The first three days speak of “forms.”  The fourth through sixth days talk about “filling” the forms.  What does this tell us about creation and God’s plans?
• George mentioned that the creation story, “Doesn’t give us a scientific account of creation, but give us an account of the creation of science.”  What does that mean?
• George never got into the young earth/old earth, literally seven days/day-age theory/figurative seven days (and more) debates.  You don’t have to either.  Of you can!  If you do, please remember that while Christians can debate the method and the means of creation, all Christians have agreed that God created, that God created from nothing, that God created for His pleasure and glory, that men and women are the image-bearers of God, that men and women are called to be stewards of creation, and, among other things, that the creation is good. So remember that while we may disagree on some things, there is much on which we should be able to agree.
• Now let’s get into the “good.”  What does it mean for God to declare that His creation is ultimately “very good?”
• How does a very good creation fit in with the fall and sin?
• George said, “We can declare that much in our world and in our lives stinks.  We dare not call what is evil ‘good.’ But that doesn’t change that fact that God’s creation has been declared good.”  Are you more of a “Life stinks” or a “It’s all good” kind of person?
• Unpack what James, the brother of Jesus, wrote to the church, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  (James 1:17)
• Unpack what Paul wrote to the church in Rome, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 2:28).  
• This verse has been of great comfort to many, but problematic for some.  What is the proper and contextual understanding of this promise that God will work all things together for good?
• George ended with an illustration from the show “Good Bones.”  Where do we see good bones in the midst of broken, abandoned and forsaken parts of creation?

Apply

End with some sharing and praying about the good things you’ve experience, seen or know about God’s creation.  Perhaps even write your own Psalm declaring the goodness of God!

Series: Resolution Redo

Message: Know Christ

“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you 

except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

~ 1 Corinthians 2:2

Open

The etymology of “resolution” is simply “re-solution.”  I’m not sure if this is a profound observation, but it was an enlightening one for me (George).  Often we already know the solution to a problem or a challenge.  We just need to commit to putting the solution into practice and following through.  

• Does this change the way you see come of your past resolutions?
• How might you “re-solution” our four biblical resolutions: seek God.  Stay pure.  Honor God.  Know Christ.

Discuss

Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

2 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

• How would you explain the “foolishness” of the cross?
• Why would God choose weakness and foolishness to fulfill his mission?
• What does, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord,” mean?
• Paul says that his resolution was to know Jesus Christ.  What does this “knowing” mean, or, how might you explain knowing Jesus Christ to someone?
• Would you say that you know, and are known by Jesus Christ?
• George quoted his mother-in-law again, “Remember who you are and whose you are.”  Why is this so important for our identity and understanding of our lives?
• What is a “demonstration of the Spirit’s power?”  Have you experienced the Spirit’s power?  Are you praying for more of the Spirit’s power?
• The Spirit’s power changes our lives, and empowers our efforts to share the gospel.  The question is, do you want to be changed?  And, do you want to share the good news of Jesus Christ?

Apply

Paul went to cities like Corinth with the plan to preach the gospel and plant churches.  In doing this he experienced and lived in the power of the Spirit.  This power allowed him to focus not on his eloquence or arguments or demonstrations of strength, but on Jesus.  He simply resolved to know Jesus Christ and him crucified, and to share the good news of Jesus.

• How might your life change, or look different, if you make this your resolution and your mission- to share the gospel and see Christian community form?

Series: Resolution Redo

Message: Honor God

“And now, you priests, this warning is for you. 

2 If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” 

says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. 

Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.

~ Malachi 2:1-2

Open

Most resolutions are broken and forgotten by the end of January.  Maybe that’s not entirely bad.  As you reflect on the past month is there anything that you really feel led to resolve to do, or quit doing, in 2021?  Remember, you can’t do it all.  So feel free to quit even some “good” things to focus on the “better” things.

Richard Koestner says that for resolutions to stick they need to be specific, you must monitor progress, and they should proceed from an inner transformation.  Do your resolutions measure up to his requirements?

Discuss

Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament.  And to be blunt, it is a harsh book.  It is a warning to Israel, and can serve as a warning to us.  It is an indictment against dead orthodoxy.  God is not interested in half-hearted religion.  In fact, it’s offensive.

To say that Christianity is a “relationship, not a religion,” may not be accurate.  Yes, we are invited into a relationships with God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  But the relationship certainly looks religious by all accounts.  

How would you explain Christianity- a relationship, a religion, something in-between, or something else entirely?

Read Malachi 1:1-2:9

Describe or summarize God’s disputation with Israel.  What are they doing, what offends God, what is the prescribed resolution?

What does it mean to honor God’s name?

Read Matthew 15:1-20

Describe or summarize the message of Jesus in this text.

In George’s sermon the connection was made between our words and the condition of our heart.  Words can be a powerful force to bring life or death. 

How have words shaped your life?  Hurt you or helped you?  Changed you for good, or changed you for the worse?

“Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble. 

~ Yehuda Berg

We were encouraged to examine our words:

Are your words honoring to God?  Or, how have you honored God or dishonored God with your words?

Are your words honoring to others?  How, or how not?

Are your words honoring to yourself?

Apply

Can you go a whole week only using words that honor God, others and yourself?  Try it.  Our “inside” and our “outside” might never align perfectly this side of heaven, but we can seek to honor God more and more, inside and out, every day.