Life Group Discussion Guides

"Choosing Your Battles: What Hill To Die On" by Pastor Tony

Group Discussion Guide

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Thriving in Babylon  Sermon Series
“Choosing Your Battles:  What Hill to Die On” by Pastor Tony
Leaders, please choose the best question(s) for your group

November 10, 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 open relationship with the living God.  Last week, Pastor Tony encouraged us to resolve to be individuals who develop credibility by leading through Godly wisdom. This week, we learn how to discern the best conversation to have and how we can speak to hearts focusing on the gospel, instead of becoming bogged down in endless offensive, politically-charged debates.

Sermon Texts: Daniel 1:3-8;  5:11,12;  6:13,19-20;  Mark 12:13-17

Tony’s Take Aways:

1. Keep the good news of Jesus Christ, the gospel, as THE MAIN THING in your life and before others!
   
   
2. Don’t let offense derail the message of the gospel in both your life and in your words.
   
   
3. Let God fight the battles of offense as he does his work to promote his name. [Example: language and even events.]

Let Jesus’ name be the name that matters!

Discussion Questions:

Spend a few moments processing this teaching with your group.  What things impressed or impacted you? How could this make a difference in your life?

1. Talk about why the word “evangelical” conjures up negative emotions for some unbelievers.
   
   
2. What practical steps can we take to avoid getting trapped (Mark 12) in “political” arguments that lose sight of the gospel?
   
   
3. Is it possible to build trusting friendships with those who vehemently disagree with the political persuasion to which you may adhere? How?
   
   
4. What is your plan to process/decide which cultural traditions are simply offensive v. those that defile you? Talk about some of the issues you have identified, both those that are offensive and also those that defile. Have you recently changed your mind about any of these?            

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

1. Talk about a time with your oikos that you made the mistake of choosing to go off on an offense and hinder a relationship/the gospel message. What did you learn from that experience, and how could you have steered the conversation to be more gospel-oriented?

Digging Deeper:

1. Daniel’s Babylonian name Belteshazzar had significance to the culture into which he was thrown. What do we know about the name of Jesus Christ?  When we explore the Greek and Hebrew origins of his name, what do we discover?  How does this name reflect who he is and what he has done for his people?  When considering these things, what scripture verses come to mind?

“The Power of Persuasion by Reputation” by Pastor Tony

Group Discussion Guide

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Thriving in Babylon  Sermon Series
“The Power of Persuasion by Reputation” by Pastor Tony
Leaders, please choose the best question(s) for your group

November 3, 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.  Last week, Pastor Randy spoke of building credibility through mutual respect; and how, just like Daniel, we can be people of influence in a corrupt culture.  Pastor Tony exhorts us this week to resolve to be individuals who master the art of understanding those around us, specifically developing credibility through the power of persuasion through our reputation.

Sermon Texts:  1 Corinthians 9:19-23;  Jeremiah 29:4-7;  Daniel 1:17-20; 2:45-48; 3:30; 4:37; 5:29, 30; 6:1-3

 Discussion Questions:

Sunday morning, Pastor Tony taught us the importance of developing credibility through the power of persuasion by reputation. 

Have a conversation about which of Pastor Tony’s Keys to Persuasive Influence are most challenging for you:

1. A deep love and worship of God
   
   
2. Align your life to God’s principles not culture’s. Have resolve.
   
   
3. Trust God for the outcomes.
   
   
4. Surround yourself with those of the same heart and passion. Don’t go it alone.
   
   
5. Speak truth with gentleness and respect.
   
   
6. Become a master of cultural awareness to serve them. (I Corinthians 9:19-23)
   
   
7. Pursue excellence in your role.

Spend a few moments processing this teaching with your group.  What things impressed you? How will this make a difference in your life?

1. It takes time to do the research, read, interact with, and intelligently understand or “master” our culture. How do busy people make time for this? Do we really consider ourselves as “…a slave to everyone…” as we heed Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians 9?
   
   
2. James 1:19 give helpful advice as we encounter corrupt culture. It reminds us of key attributes of someone who wants to understand and serve. What are they and how do we implement them?
   
   
3. Our culture places high value on young people. Daniel maintained influence and persuasion even in his older years. How did he do this?  How can those of us who are 60+ do this?

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

1. Who are the people in your oikos that the Spirit of God is nudging you to better understand? What steps will you take to accomplish it?
   
   
2. Is your Life Group open to welcoming folks from your oikos?
   
   

Digging Deeper:

1. In Acts 17:22-33, Paul demonstrated an understanding of stoic and epicurean philosophy. We get our theological term, “apologetics” from this passage.  What does that mean to you?
   
   
2. As Christians living in modern day Babylon, how can we identify the false prophets in our day? What are some examples of modern-day false prophets/teachers?  Where in the Bible do we find God’s standards for such an evaluation?