Category: Connection Group Questions

For Sunday, March 12 2023

Series: Lent 2023- Rescue

Read John 4:1-42

In the Sunday sermon we covered a lot of history between Samaria and Israel.  Summarize what we know about the hatred between these two groups.  How did the division start?  How did it progress?  What can we learn about ourselves in their story?  What warnings can we apply?

(See 2 Kings 17 for more background.)

“Jesus had to go.”  What does this tell us about Jesus and his mission?  What does this mean for the church and our mission?

“He sat down by a well?” In the message the urgency of Jesus’ mission was contrasted with the peace/patience to just sit down. What can we learn about serving Jesus from his example?  Have you ever sensed and urgency in your mission/calling?  Have you ever experience a peace to just sit when others were frantic?

He asked her for a drink.  How can asking for help be a great way to serve and build relationships?  Do you have any examples of asking for help, or being asked for help, and how a relationship and trust grew from that experience?

The conversation reveals, and teaches, many things. And of course Jesus has “inside information” that helps move the conversation, and her conversion, forward.  One notable part is that he states that true worship is in “The Spirit and truth.”  It is not dependent on temple (Religious practice) or mountain (place). 

What does this mean for our worship and the mission of the church?  What does this mean for “Christian Zionism,” that is, a belief that establishing the nation or Israel is required for Christ’s second coming.  Or for “Christian Nationalism,” the belief that the United States is a new Israel, ie, a new promised land required for the fulfillment of prophesy and Christ’s return?

In the end we see two very powerful lessons:

First is Jesus demonstrating, and declaring, that he is the Messiah, the savior of the world.  He is the spring of living water and all people need what only he can provide- salvation.

Second, we see that this woman immediately sets out in mission.  More specifically, she embodies one of our values- Bringer.  She simply shares what Jesus means to her/has done former, and then brings others to Jesus.  Jesus seems to take care of the rest.  As the text says- the people believed not just on her account, but because they too met Jesus.

How might this guide and direct our mission as a church and as individuals?

Close with a time of prayer to drink from Jesus’ offer of salvation, And to pray for opportunities to share the living water with others that they might come to know Jesus too.

From Sunday, January 15, 2023

Series: “Uncluttered”

From the Series Overview-

Given time, we all collect clutter-

Cluttered homes.  Cluttered schedules.  Cluttered lives.

But it does’t have to stay that way.  With some thought, work and discipline we can clear out the clutter and made room for matters.  God.  Relationships.  And spiritual habits that bring blessing.  Join us this winter as we take out the old and bring in the new!

Opening:

Are you hoarder, or a minimalist? (Left to your own will you keep everything, or would you rather throw it all out?)

For the next few weeks we are getting uncluttered. This is about living a godly life. Because an uncluttered life has space-

Space for God…worship…prayer…family…friends…rest…recreation…generosity…serving…

We start with admitting we have clutter. It’s called confession.

Read Isaiah 6:1-7

What does seeing God unveiled do to/in Isaiah?  What is his response to this theophany?

What does God do in response to Isaiah?

Read Psalm 32:1-6

What happened when the Psalmist tried to conceal sin?

What happened when he confessed sin?

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:8-9

Step one to get “uncluttered” is confession. The word “confession” in the Bible comes from the Greek “Homologeo.”  This translates as “Same word.”  What it means is that we’re saying the same word as God. We’re getting into agreement with God.

Confession gives us the opportunity to clear out the clutter and experience the forgiveness of sins and the purity of God.  When we agree that sin is real, and sin separates us from God, confession is how we remove the clutter and grow close God.

A profound practice of confession is the “Prayer of Examen.” Saint Ignatius commended this practice to all followers of Jesus. Twice a day, noon and night, we stop and examine our lives,

Confess our sins,

Receive forgiveness,

And move forward in faith.

For the sake of alliteration and simplicity I’ve re-worked Saint Ignatius’ Examen into three steps:

Review

Repent

Request

Review. You have to get in the right posture of review. So stop. Set down the phone.  Walk away from the desk. Break deeply.  Quiet your soul.  Clear your mind.  Then review your day so far: Have you been aware of the presence of God?  Have you lived out of the filling of the Spirit and displayed His fruits?  For what can you give God thanks?  Don’t rush the review and don’t skimp on the rejoicing (that’s your bonus RE word).

Repent.  Here’s the confession part.  A good way to approach repentance is by examining sins of commission and omission.  Have you committed any sins- You spoke harshly of another person.  You lied. You broke the speed limit (yep, sin.).  Confess it.  Then repent of sins of omission- You did not exend love to a neighbor.  You missed an opportunity to show mercy.  You have not been generous with your resources.  Confess these as well.

Request.  With an honest review and the confession of sins the first thing we can request, and receive, is forgiveness.  Let God’s forgiveness wash over you and renew your faith.  Then feel free to bring all your requests before God.  Pray for yourself, your loved ones, your church…

It doesn’t have to be long.  Five to ten minutes is all it takes.  Of course it can be more.

A journal helps.  Writing our our confessions and our requests is a great way to grow and to track God’s work in your life.

And setting an alert on your phone is a great hack.  It will surprise you. It will come at very inconvenient times.  You will want to postpone of delay your examen.  But by all means possible, do it at that moment.

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.