Life Group Discussion Guides

“Sweep the Leg” by Pastor Nicholas

Life Group Discussion Guide

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Thriving in Babylon  Sermon Series
“Sweep the Leg” by Pastor Nicholas
Leaders, please choose only the best question(s) for your group 

November 24, 2019
If you have 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.

Summary and Context:  Our series, Thriving in Babylon is focused on how we can live for God even when the culture around us denies him and belittles/persecutes those who follow him. Daniel, because of his service and confidence in a faithful God, had the privilege of impacting the lives of four different kings and their kingdoms!  He thrived in his faith even in the midst of extreme cultural pressures because of his commitment to and relationship with the living God. As we wrap up this series, we are going to look at success as American culture defines it to contrast it with biblical faith.  Our view of success can distort our understanding of faith and hinder our spiritual growth.  Today, Pastor Nicholas shows us how this is possible and how we can become better people of faith.

Sermon Texts:  Hebrews 11

Discussion Questions:

1. What about Pastor Nicholas’ teaching this morning was troubling, inspiring, convicting, or confusing?
   
   
2. Why should we be interested in the failures of the faithful?
   
   
3. As a Life Group, come up with a definition of the word “idol.” Is there a difference between hobbies and idolatry?
   
   
4. Has the idol of “success” affected the church in America? How? 

Each one of us are surrounded by people in our relational world, our Oikos, who are watching our responses to situations every day.   

1. How could OUR personal, religious, or cultural idolatry challenge our witness to those in our oikos? 

Digging Deeper:

1. Go to the gospels and discover the stories of Jesus. How did he deal with his spiritual battles? What are the characteristics of his strategies?

“The Seen and Unseen Battle” by Pastor Tony

Life Group Discussion Guide 

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Thriving in Babylon  Sermon Series
“The Seen and Unseen Battle” by Pastor Tony
Leaders, please choose only the best question(s) for your group

November 17, 2019
If you have 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.

Summary and Context:  Our series, Thriving in Babylon, is focused on how we can live for God even when the culture around us denies him and belittles/persecutes those who follow him. Daniel, because of his service and confidence in a faithful God, had the privilege of impacting the lives of four different kings and their kingdoms!  He thrived in his faith even in the midst of extreme cultural pressures because of his commitment to and relationship with the living God. As we wrap up this series, we are going to see the reality of spiritual battles within the culture.  These battles, many times, reveal themselves through human conflict, but the source is much more sinister.  Daniel’s story today reveals that sinister side, and its troubling effects upon him.  It also reveals how Daniel dealt with the unseen battle and how God gave him victory.

Sermon Texts:  Daniel 10:1-3, 12, 13; 14-11:1; Hebrews 1:14; Ephesians 6:10-17. 2 Kings 6:11-17

Discussion Guide:  

We can become so easily distracted with relational conflict and forget that spiritual warfare is real.  The truth is that the battle is more UNseen than seen—it is happening in the spiritual realm. How does a typical believer fight against the unseen?  By using the weapons provided us in Ephesians 6:13-17 

1. Belt of truth.
2. Breastplate of righteousness.
3. Feet ready for sharing the gospel of peace.
4. Shield of faith.
5. Helmet of salvation
6. Sword of the Spirit.

Discussion Questions:

1. Discuss the six weapons (above) given to protect the believer in spiritual warfare. What exactly are they and how does a believer use them? How does prayer play a key part?
   
   
2. What is the biggest mistake we can make as we face a spiritual battle?
   
   
3. How much do the demands of an excessive culture affect our ability to utilize the weapons available to us? How do we counter that?
   
   
4. Depression/Anxiety is a growing problem, especially among young people, affecting many in our culture. How can we discern what is physical, emotional and/or spiritual? 
   
   
5. What part could a Life Group play in the spiritual battles of its members?

Each one of us are surrounded by people in our relational world, our Oikos, who are watching our responses to situations every day. 

1. What strategy of the enemy is most effective, in your opinion, to adversely affect our oikos relationships? What is the best weapon to overcome it?

Digging Deeper:

1. Go to the gospels and discover the stories of Jesus and how he dealt with his spiritual battles. What are the characteristics of his strategies?