Life Group Discussion Guides

"Living Life In Tents" - Pastor Nicholas

Group Discussion Guide

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Below the Surface Sermon Series
Living Life In Tents by Pastor Nicholas
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 February 18, 2018
Questions by 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. 

 TEXT: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

1. Young tents, little groaning…older tents, more groaning! Ha-ha.  What are the things that make us groan as we age (apart from physical and emotional issues)?  What are the things that happen in our temporary lives here on earth, which cause us to long for our eternal home?  How could we use this kind of discussion with members of our Oikos, especially as it relates to the tragic events in South Florida this past week when they are asking about God, “Where have you been?”
   
   
2. In sports, goals and confidence are two key characteristics for success.  The deposit is the hard work that was put into training and preparation. The goals are reached because of the confidence we have in our work as athletes.  As followers of Christ, the Holy Spirit is our deposit, giving us confidence of what lay ahead.  Discuss in your group, the seeds you are planting and any results you have seen.  Take some time to “pray for the harvest” for which God has given you a passion.
   
   
3. Christ is central in our order of life as Christians. Discuss the things that you are hesitant to give up, which cause you to not be living in the confident hope of what is to come.  They may even be religious things. Talk about what living the Christian life of Faith, with Christ central in your life, is like for you NOW in Freedom, not restricted; in Faith, not fear. Pray that God would release us from our fears, living in these temporary tents.
   
   
4. What do you HOPE for? What prevents you from sharing this HOPE with your Oikos? Pray for one another’s hope that it will not fail.

"Jars of Clay: God's Unlikely Treasure Box" by Pastor Tony

Group Discussion Guide

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Below the Surface Sermon Series
Jars of Clay: God’s Unlikely Treasure Box by Pastor Tony
Choose the best question(s) for your group

February 11, 2018
Questions by 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: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6; 7-12; Romans 9:21-23; 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

1. What makes the Good News of the Gospel so glorious? It provides for us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). The world needs to see and experience it in and through us. How do we convey these confident, life-giving, salvation-bringing and transformative characteristics to our Oikos? What is your personal strategy? What is your Life Group’s strategy?
   
   
2. What are some key characteristics of the enemy’s strategies? How can we prevent falling into his traps personally and as a church?
   
   
3. “When God seems farthest from us, he may be doing His most powerful work in us.” This quote from Dr. Larry Crabb seems contradictory. Using what the Word teaches us about being “jars of clay”, how could the quote help us understand why we are going through dark times in life? Do you know of other Scripture to support this?
   
   
4. It is not difficult to understand how we can “lose heart”. A good friend told me recently that she felt like her family had reached bottom with all of the challenges they are facing. What role do we play as Life Groups and friends to partner with each other during the bad times and help one another during the bad times and help one another to not “lose heart”? Discuss how we can do it better.