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"Not of My Making" by Pastor Tony

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 Group Discussion Guide

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Thriving in Babylon  Sermon Series
“Not of my Making” by Pastor Tony
Choose the best question(s) for your group:

September 8, 2019
Questions:  Contact Pastor Matt,

Below are some discussion questions relating to a recent sermon. These are provided so that your Life Group can discuss what was shared. Previous Weeks’ Discussion Guides and Sermon Notes are available through the Sermons under the Resources menu. Click on the sermon series and then the sermon you are interested in.  You will see a paper icon under the sermon title. Click the icon to open the sermon notes. To listen to the sermon, click on the speaker icon. 

Texts:  2 Kings 20:12-19;  Daniel 1:1-17

Context: Daniel, because of his service to a faithful God, had the privilege to impact three different kingdoms.  He thrived in his faith even in the midst of difficult cultural pressures.  Just like Daniel, who was a slave who influenced kings, we can resolve to be individuals who influence our culture.

  1. Spend a few moments re-capping the sermon. What thought, concept, text or phrase popped out to you?

  2. How did Hezekiah’s lifestyle choices affect Daniel 100 years and five generations later? (2 Kings 20:12-19)
  • Re-tell the story of Daniel 1. Set the scene of the Babylonian culture. 
  • Put yourself in Daniel’s shoes. How would you feel if this were you – suffering the sins of another? 
  • What would be your attitude to those above you, beside you, and below you? What would your relationship with God look like?
  1. Each one of us are surrounded by people in our sphere of influence, our Oikos, who are watching our responses to situations every day. Our faith and our resolve are on display to those with whom we come into contact.
  • How did this play out in Daniel 1? Who was on the periphery watching as Daniel boldly trusted God?  Who might have been encouraged?  Who might have asked questions?
  • Tell us about an instance when your trust in Christ resulted in your Oikos taking notice.
  • How can we pray this week that this would be the case in your life? 
  1. Think of a time where you’ve experienced being a victim. Share your experience with the group.
  • What was your response?
  • Was it easy or tempting to blame shift (blame God, others, etc.) or complain about the unfairness?
  • Did the question, “Why me?” echo in your mindset?
  • Read Colossians 3. How did you “set your minds on things above, not focusing on earthly things, dwelling on His Word with a thankful attitude?” 
  1. This morning, as we looked at Daniel, Tony challenged us to choose/resolve to live like Daniel.

    Define resolve.  (Tony’s definition:  to choose deeply within)
  • What does it mean to have resolve?
  • Can you give an example of resolve?
  • What is the difference between trust/faith and resolve?
  • What is the role of resolve? What is the role of faith?
  • How can a lack of trust in God lead us into:
  • A victim mentality?
  • Resentment?
  • A loss of identity?
  1. Tony’s four “Take Aways” from Sunday morning’s message:

  1. Not have a victim mindset
  2. Resolve, not get stuck on the “What if’s…”
  3. Fear God more than man
  4. Represent God in both action and attitude

    Is there one of these four concepts that might be more difficult than the others for you?
  • What truth do we need to believe about God?
  • Where do we put our trust?
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“The Cost of Forgiveness” by Pastor Matt

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Group Discussion Guide 

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Anchored  Sermon Series
“The Cost of Forgiveness” by Pastor Matt
Choose the best question(s) for your group 

May 26, 2019
Questions:  Contact Pastor Ric,  

Below are some discussion questions relating to a recent sermon. These are provided so that your Life Group can discuss what was shared. Previous Weeks’ Discussion Guides and Sermon Notes are available through the Sermons under the Resources menu. Click on the sermon series and then the sermon you are interested in.  You will see a paper icon under the sermon title. Click the icon to open the sermon notes. To listen to the sermon, click on the speaker icon. 

Texts:   Matthew 18:21-35, Colossians 2:13-14, Isaiah 43:25, Luke 23:24, Colossians 3:12-14, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 6:9-15

  1. Were there any quotes, thoughts, concepts, or stories spoken this morning that really resonated with you? Why?

  2. Read the texts. Recap any major points Pastor Matt made as you do so.  Were there any questions or concepts you’d like to discuss?

  3. Are you encouraged or discouraged knowing that forgiving others is to be modeled after God’s forgiveness?

  4. How often do others hear you ask, “Will you please forgive me?” Why are these words so difficult to say?

  5. Read Colossians 2:13-14. When you think about the un-payable debt you owed God, and then realize it’s been cancelled – nailed to the cross: 
  • What feelings and thoughts go through your mind?
  • Is that a truth you think about often?
  • Do you live like it’s been forgiven?
  1. As you think through this story, think about a time where you, like the servant, were stingy when it came to showing mercy to someone else and demanded “debt-repayment”, basically imprisoning a person who sinned against you?
  • Share the circumstance.
  • How does self-righteousness (seeing yourself as a pretty good person who is morally better than another) weaken your willingness and ability to forgive?
  1. In Matthew 18:31, the other servant noticed the bitterness and reported it to the King.
  • Talk about how this message of forgiveness can be seen by those around us (our Oikos).
  • What could be caught (by your Oikos) if it’s modeled well?
  • What could be assumed (by your Oikos) if it’s not?
  • Has either happened to you?
  1. To sum it all up – God forgives you based on what condition?

  2. How should we then forgive others? Look at Col. 3:12-14 and Eph. 4:32 

REMEMBER:

A FORGIVEN PERSON IS A FORGIVING PERSON! 

 

Please Note:  This will be the last set of Sermon Questions until Labor Day Weekend in the fall when Life Groups will begin again. Please take the opportunity to enjoy your summer, check out some Summer Interest Groups listed under the CONNECT menu on the LEFC website, and be on the lookout for our Summer Elective Classes in August.

 

Posted by Matt Sowada with

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