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Opening Discussion

• What is something you bought thinking it would be great, but it ended up being a bad purchase?

Read and Discuss

Luke 8:1a

1 Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God.

• What is Jesus doing in this verse?
  • How might this differ from how you typically picture Jesus?
• What is the kingdom of God?
• What are some practical ways you can proclaim and preach the kingdom of God in your life?

Extra Questions

• What keeps people from sharing about Jesus with others?
• What are some barriers that keep you from sharing your faith with others?
• What can you do daily to live in and expand the kingdom of God?

Luke 8:1b-3

1b The twelve were with Him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.

• Why did Luke list these women by name?
• What were some of the roles women took part in pertaining to Jesus’ ministry?
• Why did these women give to Jesus’ ministry?
• When you give to a Christ-centered organization, how can that help others hear about the kingdom of God?

Extra Questions

• When it comes to supporting the work of Jesus with finances and resources, what are some hang-ups people have?
  • Why is it hard for people to let go of their resources?
• What might you need to do this week to work on giving the Lord control of your finances?

Discipleship Questions

• What is one thing you can do each day this week to proclaim and preach the kingdom of God?
• What is the Lord calling you to give toward this week?

Memorize it!

Luke 8:1a

1 Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God.

Prayer TACOS!

Thanksgiving- Give thanks to Jesus for establishing a ministry that continued passing on His message from generation to generation

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His generosity

Confess a time this week when you were not generous

Others- Ask the Lord to show you someone who needs to hear about His kingdom. Pray for an opportunity to share about His kingdom with them.

Self- Pray that the Lord would soften your heart when it comes to giving and finances. Ask Him to show you ways to be generous this week.

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Opening Discussion

• If someone gave you $100 that you had to spend on yourself, what would you buy?

Read and Discuss

Titus 3:1-3

1 Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. 3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.

• What does it look like to submit to rulers and authorities?
• Read verse 2 again. How did you exhibit those characteristics this past week?
  • Where did you fall short?
• Why does Paul bring up past sins and lifestyles?
• How can you use the story of your past to point others to Jesus?

Extra Questions

• Using the grid of verses 1 & 2, think about the political season we are in. Did the way you conducted yourself line up with these verses?
  • Did your social media posts, conversations (arguments?), yard signs, etc. show the lifestyle presented in the first two verses or verse 3?
• Is there anyone you may should apologize to and ask for forgiveness from?
• Think of some other areas of your life that cause anger or stress. What can you do this week to bring those areas under the authority of the Lord?

Titus 3:4-8

4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 5 he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. 8 This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone.

• Why does Paul say that verses 4-7 are a trustworthy saying?
• Why can’t our good works save us?
• What role should good works have in your life?
• How can you make sure your good works aren’t about you trying to earn favor with God, but about showing God’s mercy to those around you?

Extra Questions

• What does it mean to be an heir in God’s Kingdom?
  • If you are an heir with Jesus, how does your daily life reflect that reality?
• What role does the Holy Spirit have in your life?
  • What do you need to do today to start listening more to the Holy Spirit and letting Him direct your good works?

Memorize it!

Titus 3:1-2

1 Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people.

Prayer TACOS!

Thanksgiving- Give thanks to Jesus for giving us a way back into relationship with Him that isn’t based on our good works

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His mercy

Confess a time this week when you said or did something you shouldn’t have

Others- Ask the Lord to show you someone you need to ask for forgiveness. Pray for the boldness to do that this week.

Self- Pray that you would use your good works to lead others to Jesus. Ask for a proper perspective from God for the good works you do.

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Opening Discussion

• If you could create your own holiday, what would it celebrate, and how would people celebrate it?

Read and Discuss

John 18:33-38

33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

34 Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?”

35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”

Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”

1. Understanding Jesus’ Kingdom:
2. What does Jesus mean when He says, “My kingdom is not of this world”?
3. How does this statement shape our understanding of His role and authority?
4. Applying Jesus’ Example:
5. Jesus doesn’t fight for earthly power, even in the face of oppression. What does this tell us about how we should respond to political and cultural issues?
6. How can Jesus’ peaceful yet impactful approach help guide us in today’s politically charged culture?
7. Engagement with Society:
8. Jesus was aware of the political landscape yet remained focused on His mission. How does this inform the balance between our spiritual life and civic responsibilities?
9. In what ways can we stay true to our faith and still engage meaningfully with our society?
10. The Truth of Jesus:
11. What does it mean to “hear” the truth of Jesus’ message?
12. How can we discern when we are aligning our actions with God’s kingdom rather than earthly priorities?

Extra Questions

1. How might knowing Jesus as King help us find peace in turbulent political times?
2. How does our identity as citizens of Jesus’ kingdom shape the way we view our national identity?
3. How do Jesus’ teachings challenge us to love people with different perspectives or political views?

Application and Reflection

1. Biblical Perspective Assignment: This week, read Romans 12 and 13. Reflect on how these chapters encourage us to relate to governing authorities and to each other as part of God’s kingdom.
2. Consider Jesus’ View on Human Dignity: Reflect on how Jesus viewed the value of human life. How does this shape our approach to issues where human dignity is at stake?
3. Self-Reflection Question: How might Jesus’ approach to government and authority inspire you to respond to current events with love and understanding rather than fear or anger?

Memorize It!

John 18:36

“My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight…”

Prayer TACOS!

• Thanksgiving – Thank Jesus for being a King who values love and peace over earthly power.
• Adoration – Praise God for the kingdom that is not of this world and offers eternal peace.
• Confession – Confess any ways we’ve allowed earthly conflicts to overshadow our peace in Christ.
• Others – Pray for those who struggle to see God’s kingdom perspective, especially in times of division.
• Self – Ask God to reveal areas where we need to better reflect His kingdom values in our interactions with others.

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Opening Discussion

• If you could be a judge on a competition show, which show would you choose and why?

Read and Discuss

John 11:25-26

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. 26 Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

• What did Jesus believe about Himself?
• Why does Jesus get to genuinely declare that He is the resurrection?
• Do you believe that everyone who believes in Jesus will never die?
  • Why do you believe that?

Extra Questions

• What does Jesus mean that if someone that believes in Him dies, they will live?
• How does the truth of this passage influence the way you live your life?
• Who is someone that maybe struggling with this truth that you can talk to about this week?

John 5:18-30

18 This is why the Jews began trying all the more to kill him: Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal to God.

19 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son likewise does these things. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing, and he will show him greater works than these so that you will be amazed. 21 And just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to whom he wants. 22 The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all people may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

24 “Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

25 “Truly I tell you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he has granted to the Son to have life in himself. 27 And he has granted him the right to pass judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done good things, to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked things, to the resurrection of condemnation.

30 “I can do nothing on my own. I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

• What does Jesus believe happens after we die?
• What do we learn about Jesus from this passage?
• How can we help those who are “dead” hear the voice of Jesus?
• Who can you talk to this week about Jesus?

Extra Questions

• Why do some people hear Jesus’ words but don’t believe?
• Why does Jesus get to pass judgment after we die?
  • What does Jesus say needs to happen to get out from under that judgment?
• How can you make sure that your actions line up with your beliefs?
• What area of your life do you need to submit to the leadership of Jesus?
• What are some small steps you can take this week to do that?

Memorize it!

John 5:24

24 “Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

Prayer TACOS!

Thanksgiving- Give thanks for Jesus taking the judgment out from under us

Adoration- Worship the Father for showing the Son how to live

Confess a time this week when you did things your way instead of trusting Jesus’ ways and teachings

Others- Pray for someone who is dead in their sin. Ask the Lord to give you an opportunity to share life with them

Self- Ask the Lord to show you any areas that are out of line with his word.

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New Format! Instead of having two separate sections (Shortened Version and Extended Edition) we are just going to put the extra questions below the normal questions. Some of your groups meet for different amounts of time, so we’ve included extra questions if your group meets longer.

Opening Discussion

• Who is someone who has helped you when had a problem? Why did they help you?

Read and Discuss

Luke 9:22

…“It is necessary that the Son of Man suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.”

Colossians 1:19-20

19 ​​For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

• Why did Jesus say it was necessary for Him to suffer and be killed?
• What does it mean that God reconciled everything to Himself through Jesus?
• How does the work Jesus did on the cross, and His resurrection give you peace?

Extra Questions

• Why did the elders, chief priests, and scribes reject Jesus?
• What are some reasons people reject Jesus today?
• How can you share the peace of Christ with others?

Colossians 1:21-23

21 Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds as expressed in your evil actions. 22 But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before him— 23 if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a servant of it.

• Why does Paul say we were alienated, hostile, and had evil actions?
  • Why do some people not believe this?
• According to Paul, how do we become blameless before God?
• Why might some people believe in Jesus, but then shift away from that hope?

Extra Questions

• Are there any areas of your life where you feel like you are shifting away from the Lord?
  • What do you need to do to get back on the right track?
• What would it look like to be a servant of the gospel?

Discipleship Questions

• What are some ways you remained grounded and steadfast in your faith?
• How can you help others see their sin and need for Jesus without it feeling like you are saying you are better than them?
• Who can you share the good news of Jesus with this week?

Memorize it!

Colossians 1:19-20

19 ​​For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for giving us peace through His death and resurrection

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His provision

Confess the times you’ve tried to do good things to make up for your sin instead of accepting Jesus’ gift of salvation

Others- Pray for a friend who is struggling with sin. Ask the Lord for an opportunity to speak with them about how Jesus rescues us from that

Self- Ask the Lord to help you to remain grounded and steadfast in your faith

View Details

New Format! Instead of having two separate sections (Shortened Version and Extended Edition) we are just going to put the extra questions below the normal questions. Some of your groups meet for different amounts of time, so we’ve included extra questions if your group meets longer.

Opening Discussion

• If you had an hour of free time, what would you do?

Read and Discuss

Luke 11:11-13

11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

• Jesus is talking to His disciples about prayer. Why does he call them evil?
  • What does this show us about how Jesus viewed people?
• How can you ask for more of the Holy Spirit this week?

Extra Questions

• How can a person do good things but still be evil at the same time?
• What does the Holy Spirit do to get rid of the evil within us?
• What does this passage show us about God’s relationship to us?

Colossians 1:19-23

19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds as expressed in your evil actions. 22 But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before him— 23 if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a servant of it.

• What does it mean that Jesus reconciled everything to himself?
• What were some ways you were alienated and hostile towards the Lord before you became a follower of Him?
• How did Jesus reconcile you to the Father?

Extra Questions

• Once you have been reconciled, what should your life look like?
• What are some things you do to remain grounded and steadfast in your faith?
• How can you proclaim the gospel this week?

Extra Scripture

Romans 7:15-19

15 For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. 19 For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do.

• Why do we still sin even after we have made a commitment to follow Christ?
• What was Paul’s belief about humans and sin?
• What are some things you do to fight against that sin nature?
• What Bible verses can you quote to help you when you are tempted?
• How would you answer someone who says people are basically good?

Memorize it!

Luke 11:13

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for living a life without giving into temptation

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His perfection

Confess your sin to the Lord

Others- Pray for an opportunity to talk to a follower of Jesus who may be heading down a path that leads into sin. Ask for wisdom in how to approach that conversation.

Self- Ask the Lord to show you any areas of your life that don’t line up with Him. Then ask for wisdom in how to get those areas under His control.

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Opening Discussion

• What’s your favorite pet that you have owned? If you’ve never owned a pet, what’s the weirdest pet someone you know has owned?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Matthew 6:25-30

25 “Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? 27 Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? Observe how the wildflowers of the field grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. 30 If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t he do much more for you—you of little faith?

• Why does God care about all of creation?
• What did Jesus believe about nature and humans?
• What are some ways God provides for you every day?

Genesis 1:26-28

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.”

27 So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female. 28 God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.”

• What was God’s original design for humans in the order of created things?
  • Why does this matter
• What does it look like for humans to rule over creation?
• How does God’s view of humanity shape how you view humanity?

Discipleship Questions

• How do you show love to others around you?
• When you struggle to love someone, what is something you can do to remind yourself of how Jesus viewed and loved people?
• Who can you talk to this week to share about the good news of Jesus?

Extended Edition

Read and Discuss

Matthew 6:25-30

25 “Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? 27 Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? Observe how the wildflowers of the field grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. 30 If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t he do much more for you—you of little faith?

• Why does God care about all of creation?
• What did Jesus believe about nature and humans?
• What are some ways God provides for you every day?
• Why does Jesus say that humans are worth more than birds?
• What does the current culture say about the value of human life?
• What can followers of Jesus do to raise the value of human life in our culture?
• Does your view of people line up with Jesus’ view of people?

Genesis 1:26-28

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.”

27 So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female. 28 God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.”

• What was God’s original design for humans in the order of created things?
  • Why does this matter
• What does it look like for humans to rule over creation?
• How does God’s view of humanity shape how you view humanity?
• Why might those who don’t follow Jesus have a problem with this passage?
• How can you show others that they bear the image of God?
• What can you do everyday to remember that you are made in the image of God?

Discipleship Questions

• How do you show love to others around you?
• When you struggle to love someone, what is something you can do to remind yourself of how Jesus viewed and loved people?
• Who can you talk to this week to share about the good news of Jesus?

Memorize it!

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for valuing us

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His love for us

Confess to the times you’ve not treated people the way you should

Others- Pray for an opportunity to talk with someone who doesn’t understand their worth because they don’t view Jesus properly

Self- Ask the Lord to show you any areas where you don’t value people the way He does. Ask Him for the right perspective on humanity.

View Details

Opening Discussion

• Where is the most beautiful place you have visited? What makes it so special?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Mark 10:2-9

2 Some Pharisees came to test him, asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

3 He replied to them, “What did Moses command you?”

4 They said, “Moses permitted us to write divorce papers and send her away.”

5 But Jesus told them, “He wrote this command for you because of the hardness of your hearts. 6 But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. 7 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother 8 and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

• What does this passage show us about how Jesus viewed creation?
• Why does it matter what Jesus thinks about how this world started and the nature of humans?
• How does what you believe about creation influence the way you live your life and treat others?

Colossians 1:16

For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him.

• What does this tell us about creation?
• What does this teach us about the Creator?
• How can you learn more about the Lord this week by spending time in His creation?

Discipleship Questions

• How can you share the love of Jesus with others this week?
• What is one way you can spend time in God’s creation this week?

Extended Edition

Read and Discuss

Mark 10:2-9

2 Some Pharisees came to test him, asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

3 He replied to them, “What did Moses command you?”

4 They said, “Moses permitted us to write divorce papers and send her away.”

5 But Jesus told them, “He wrote this command for you because of the hardness of your hearts. 6 But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. 7 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother 8 and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

• What does this passage show us about how Jesus viewed creation?
• Why does it matter what Jesus thinks about how this world started and the nature of humans?
• How does what you believe about creation influence the way you live your life and treat others?
• Why does Jesus emphasize the male and female part of God’s creation?
• If someone believes that there is no creator, how might they view people and the world around them?
• How do we make sure that we view people the way Jesus viewed people?

Colossians 1:16

For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him.

• What does this tell us about creation?
• What does this teach us about the Creator?
• How can you learn more about the Lord this week by spending time in His creation?
• How did Jesus treat people while He was on this earth?
• What are some ways you treat people like Jesus treated people?
• What are some ways you could improve on how you treat others?

Genesis 1:1

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

• Why do some people call this the most controversial verse in the Bible?
• If God is the creator, what does that mean about His authority over our lives?
• What are some ways you can remind yourself of Jesus’ authority over your life each day?
• What are some arguments people come up with for not believing God is the Creator?
• Are there any areas of creation you struggle with?
  • Who can you talk to this week about those things?

Discipleship Questions

• How can you share the love of Jesus with others this week?
• What is one way you can spend time in God’s creation this week?

Memorize it!

Colossians 1:16

For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for showing us His power through the created world around us

Adoration- Worship the Lord for being the Creator

Confess to the times you’ve not treated His creation (including people) the way that Jesus taught us to treat them

Others- Pray for an opportunity to talk with someone that doubts that God is the Creator. Ask for wisdom in how to speak with them.

Self- Pray that God would show you different aspects of His character this week through creation.

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What are some ways you have heard other people describe Jesus?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

John 18:37-38

37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked.

“You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

38 “What is truth?” said Pilate.

• What is Jesus claiming about himself in this passage?
• Why does Pilate respond the way he does?
• What are some ways people dismiss the claims of Jesus?

Mark 1:1,11

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

11 And a voice came from heaven:“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.”

• What did Mark believe about Jesus?
  • Why did he believe that?
• What do you believe about Jesus?
  • Why do you believe those things?

Discipleship Questions

• If you truly believe that Jesus is God, what personal actions should it inspire?
  • How should it affect the way you view the world?
• What’s something you can do this week to dig deeper into the teachings of Jesus?

Extended Edition

John 18:37-38

37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked.

“You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

38 “What is truth?” said Pilate.

• What is Jesus claiming about himself in this passage?
• Why does Pilate respond the way he does?
• What are some ways people dismiss the claims of Jesus?
• What parts of Jesus’ teachings do people who don’t follow Jesus usually agree with?
  • What parts do they disagree with?
• How do you deal with some of the harder parts of Jesus’ teachings?
• Who can you talk to about those things that you don’t understand in Jesus’ teachings?

Mark 1:1,11

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

11 And a voice came from heaven:“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.”

• What did Mark believe about Jesus?
  • Why did he believe that?
• What do you believe about Jesus?
  • Why do you believe those things?
• How do people who don’t follow Jesus talk about Him?
• Why do some people say Jesus was a great teacher, but then discount many of the things He taught?

Discipleship Questions

• If you truly believe that Jesus is God, what personal actions should it inspire?
  • How should it affect the way you view the world?
• What’s something you can do this week to dig deeper into the teachings of Jesus?

Memorize it!

Mark 1:11

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

11 And a voice came from heaven:“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.”

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for something good that happened in your life this week

Adoration- Worship the Lord for coming to earth

Confess to the times you’ve not lived by the truth

Others- Pray for an opportunity to talk with someone who claims Jesus was a good teacher, but not actually the Lord

Self- Ask the Lord to show you any areas where you may have trouble with His teachings. Ask for wisdom in those areas of your life.

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What was something you experienced that changed the way you think about the world around you?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

John 17:37-38a

37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked.

“You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

38 “What is truth?” said Pilate.

• Why did Jesus use this opportunity to speak to Pilate about truth?
• What are some ways people try to find the truth and develop their worldview?
• Do you think worldviews can be held consciously or unconsciously?
  • Consistently or inconsistently?
  • Can they be true, partially true, or false?

1 Corinthians 15:12–14

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, “There is no resurrection of the dead”? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain, and so is your faith.

• What is Paul saying to the Corinthians about how they should view the world?
• Why is the resurrection so crucial to a Christ-centered worldview?
• What are some problems people have with a Christ-centered worldview?
• When you have questions about the Bible or living a Christ-centered worldview, where do you get answers?

Discipleship Questions

• What areas of your life do not line up with the Bible?
  • How does this challenge your worldview?
• How did you come to believe the truth about Jesus?
• What would need to happen so that you felt comfortable about having a conversation with someone about their worldview?

Extended Edition

John 17:37-38a

37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked.

“You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

38 “What is truth?” said Pilate.

• Why did Jesus use this opportunity to speak to Pilate about truth?
• What are some ways people try to find the truth and develop their worldview?
• Do you think worldviews can be held consciously or unconsciously?
  • Consistently or inconsistently?
  • Can they be true, partially true, or false?

1 Corinthians 15:12–14

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, “There is no resurrection of the dead”? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain, and so is your faith.

• What is Paul saying to the Corinthians about how they should view the world?
• Why is the resurrection so crucial to a Christ-centered worldview?
• What are some problems people have with a Christ-centered worldview?
• When you have questions about the Bible or living a Christ-centered worldview, where do you get answers?

Discipleship Questions

• What areas of your life do not line up with the Bible?
  • How does this challenge your worldview?
• How did you come to believe the truth about Jesus?
• What would need to happen so that you felt comfortable about having a conversation with someone about their worldview?

John 17:37-38a

37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked.

“You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

38 “What is truth?” said Pilate.

• Why did Jesus use this opportunity to speak to Pilate about truth?
• What are some ways people try to find the truth and develop their worldview?
• Do you think worldviews can be held consciously or unconsciously?
  • Consistently or inconsistently?
  • Can they be true, partially true, or false?
• How would you respond if someone asked you “What is truth?”
• What are ways you can discern Jesus’ voice of truth amongst all the other voices out there?
• How can you start listening more to Jesus today?

1 Corinthians 15:12–14

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, “There is no resurrection of the dead”? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain, and so is your faith.

• What is Paul saying to the Corinthians about how they should view the world?
• Why is the resurrection so crucial to a Christ-centered worldview?
• What are some problems people have with a Christ-centered worldview?
• When you have questions about the Bible or living a Christ-centered worldview, where do you get answers?
• Paul says that if Jesus didn’t raise from the dead then their faith in Christ is in vain. What would Paul say to those who don’t believe that Jesus came back to life?
• How can you talk to someone about their worldview not being right, but in a way that helps them to see the truth instead of pushing them away?

Discipleship Questions

• What areas of your life do not line up with the Bible?
  • How does this challenge your worldview?
• How did you come to believe the truth about Jesus?
• What would need to happen so that you felt comfortable about having a conversation with someone about their worldview?

Memorize it!

John 17:37b- Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for giving us truth

Adoration- Worship God for being personal and loving

Confess to the times you’ve not lived by the Biblical worldview you claim

Others- Pray for an opportunity to talk with someone about their worldview this week. Ask the Lord for wisdom in how to speak with them.

Self- Ask the Lord to show you any areas of your life that don’t line up with a Christ centered worldview. Ask for His help in changing your thinking about those areas.

View Details

Opening Discussion: What was an event that changed the way you thought about something? (This can be humorous, like the time you learned Buffalo wings were actually made with chicken, or something more serious

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Daniel 1:3-7

3 The king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the Israelites from the royal family and from the nobility— 4 young men without any physical defect, good-looking, suitable for instruction in all wisdom, knowledgeable, perceptive, and capable of serving in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the Chaldean language and literature. 5 The king assigned them daily provisions from the royal food and from the wine that he drank. They were to be trained for three years, and at the end of that time they were to attend the king. 6 Among them, from the Judahites, were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 The chief eunuch gave them names; he gave the name Belteshazzar to Daniel, Shadrach to Hananiah, Meshach to Mishael, and Abednego to Azariah.

• What were some tactics the Babylonians used to change the culture of the Israelite captives?
• Why did they change the names of the Israelites?
• What are some names or labels that the world tries to put on people?
• How can you remember what God calls you when you’re bogged down by the world? Hint: See Ephesians 5:1-2- 1 Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, 2 and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

Daniel 1:8-20

8 Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank. So he asked permission from the chief eunuch not to defile himself. 9 God had granted Daniel kindness and compassion from the chief eunuch, 10 yet he said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and drink. What if he sees your faces looking thinner than the other young men your age? You would endanger my life with the king.”

11 So Daniel said to the guard whom the chief eunuch had assigned to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then examine our appearance and the appearance of the young men who are eating the king’s food, and deal with your servants based on what you see.” 14 He agreed with them about this and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of ten days they looked better and healthier than all the young men who were eating the king’s food. 16 So the guard continued to remove their food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables.

17 God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams of every kind. 18 At the end of the time that the king had said to present them, the chief eunuch presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king interviewed them, and among all of them, no one was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they began to attend the king. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king consulted them about, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and mediums in his entire kingdom.

• How did Daniel remain in the culture but still stay faithful to God’s Kingdom?
• What happened as a result of Daniel’s faithfulness?
• In the places you’re in, school, work, home, social settings, how can you stay steady in God’s kingdom even when people are living for the world?

Discipleship Questions

• Who are the people around you that help you stay grounded in a Biblical Worldview?
• What excuses do you (or other people) give for not reading the Bible?
• What are some ways you can learn the Bible more this week?

Extended Edition

Read and Discuss

Daniel 1:3-7

3 The king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the Israelites from the royal family and from the nobility— 4 young men without any physical defect, good-looking, suitable for instruction in all wisdom, knowledgeable, perceptive, and capable of serving in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the Chaldean language and literature. 5 The king assigned them daily provisions from the royal food and from the wine that he drank. They were to be trained for three years, and at the end of that time they were to attend the king. 6 Among them, from the Judahites, were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 The chief eunuch gave them names; he gave the name Belteshazzar to Daniel, Shadrach to Hananiah, Meshach to Mishael, and Abednego to Azariah.

• What were some tactics the Babylonians used to change the culture of the Israelite captives?
• Why did they change the names of the Israelites?
• What are some ways that we allow the culture to change our worldview if we aren’t careful? (constant scrolling on social media, watching whatever without filtering anything, taking what the world says is good as fact, etc)
• What are some names or labels that the world tries to put on people?
• Why doesn’t the enemy want you to remember who you are?
• How can you remember what God calls you when you’re bogged down by the world? Hint: See Ephesians 5:1-2- 1 Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, 2 and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

Daniel 1:8-20

8 Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank. So he asked permission from the chief eunuch not to defile himself. 9 God had granted Daniel kindness and compassion from the chief eunuch, 10 yet he said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and drink. What if he sees your faces looking thinner than the other young men your age? You would endanger my life with the king.”

11 So Daniel said to the guard whom the chief eunuch had assigned to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then examine our appearance and the appearance of the young men who are eating the king’s food, and deal with your servants based on what you see.” 14 He agreed with them about this and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of ten days they looked better and healthier than all the young men who were eating the king’s food. 16 So the guard continued to remove their food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables.

17 God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams of every kind. 18 At the end of the time that the king had said to present them, the chief eunuch presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king interviewed them, and among all of them, no one was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they began to attend the king. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king consulted them about, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and mediums in his entire kingdom.

• How did Daniel remain in the culture but still stay faithful to God’s Kingdom?
• What happened as a result of Daniel’s faithfulness?
• In the places you’re in, school, work, home, social settings, how can you stay steady in God’s kingdom even when people are living for the world?
• Who is someone you meet with regularly to hold you accountable? If you don’t meet with anyone regularly, who can you start meeting with?
• What position are you in right now that you could help show others the love of Christ by how you treat them?
• How have you seen God use you when you have remained faithful to Him?

Discipleship Questions

• Who are the people around you that help you stay grounded in a Biblical Worldview?
• What excuses do you (or other people) give for not reading the Bible?
• What are some ways you can learn the Bible more this week?

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for giving us the Bible

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His faithfulness

Confess to the times you’ve allowed the culture around you to determine your beliefs instead of the Bible

Others- Pray for someone who needs to follow Jesus. Ask the Lord for an opportunity to talk with them this week.

Self- Ask the Lord for boldness in finding someone to hold you accountable. Or thank the Lord for those who do hold you accountable.

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What is something that you have heard about your generation that you agree with? Disagree with?

Shortened Version

Read Psalm 145:4-7

4 One generation will declare your works to the next and will proclaim your mighty acts.

5 I will speak of your splendor and glorious majesty and your wondrous works.

6 They will proclaim the power of your awe-inspiring acts, and I will declare your greatness.

7 They will give a testimony of your great goodness and will joyfully sing of your righteousness.

• What is David, the author of this Psalm, saying about the importance of generations when it comes to faith?
• Why is it important that we talk to the next generation about God’s goodness and the great things He has done?
• If you were to talk to someone from a previous generation about what God has done in your life, what things would you make sure to tell them?

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

• What does this proverb mean?
• Why is it important to start training children to follow Jesus and not wait until they are older?
• What are some beliefs and practices that the world is training children to follow?

Discipleship Questions

• What are some simple ways you can pass your faith on to the next generation?
• How can you remind yourself this week about the awe-inspiring acts God has done in your life?
• Who was someone in an older generation that helped you trust and follow Jesus?

Extended Edition

Read Psalm 145:4-7

4 One generation will declare your works to the next and will proclaim your mighty acts.

5 I will speak of your splendor and glorious majesty and your wondrous works.

6 They will proclaim the power of your awe-inspiring acts, and I will declare your greatness.

7 They will give a testimony of your great goodness and will joyfully sing of your righteousness.

• What is David, the author of this Psalm, saying about the importance of generations when it comes to faith?
• Why is it important that we talk to the next generation about God’s goodness and the great things He has done?
• If you were to talk to someone from a previous generation about what God has done in your life, what things would you make sure to tell them?
• How often do you take time to remind yourself of those great and mighty acts the Lord has done?
• When you read your Bible this week, how can you remind yourself to look for those mighty works God did in the Bible?
• Who is someone from the next generation that you can tell about Jesus?

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

• What does this proverb mean?
• Why is it important to start training children to follow Jesus and not wait until they are older?
• What are some beliefs and practices that the world is training children to follow?
• What’s the difference between a promise and a principle?
  • How is this proverb more of a principle than a promise?
• If you have kids, what are some ways you have trained your children in the way they should go?
• What are some ways your parents/guardians trained you to follow Jesus?

Discipleship Questions

• What are some simple ways you can pass your faith on to the next generation?
• How can you remind yourself this week about the awe-inspiring acts God has done in your life?
• Who was someone in an older generation that helped you trust and follow Jesus?

Memorize it!

Psalm 145:4

4 One generation will declare your works to the next and will proclaim your mighty acts.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for putting people in your life that helped train you to follow Him

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His splendor, His awe-inspiring acts, and His wondrous works

Confess to the times you’ve spoken negatively of the next generation instead of helping them follow Jesus

Others- Pray for the next generation to have a deep faith in Christ

Self- Ask the Lord for an opportunity to share with someone about His love for them

View Details

Opening Discussion

• How has being in community with other followers of Jesus helped you in some way?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Luke 15:1-2

1 All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

• Why did tax collectors and sinners want to approach Jesus?
• Is the church today a place that “sinners” feel welcome to come to?
• What can our church do to be better at welcoming people, both into our church and our lives?

Luke 15:3-7

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, 6 and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’ 7 I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance.

• Why would a shepherd leave ninety nine sheep in safety to pursue just one that had gotten lost?
• Why did the shepherd throw a party?
• What does Jesus want people to learn from this parable?

Discipleship Questions

• Who is someone that doesn’t know Jesus that you pray for?
• How can you show love to someone who is living in a way that doesn’t line up with the Bible?
• What area of your life do you need to turn over to the Lord?

Extended Edition

Read and Discuss

Luke 15:1-2

1 All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

• Why did tax collectors and sinners want to approach Jesus?
• Why did the Pharisees complain?
• Is the church today a place that “sinners” feel welcome to come to?
• What can our church do to be better at welcoming people, both into our church and our lives?
• What is difficult about welcoming sinners?
• What does it look like to welcome people who are living in contradiction to God’s word?
• How can we show love without compromising the need for repentance?

Luke 15:3-7

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, 6 and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’ 7 I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance.

• Why would a shepherd leave ninety nine sheep in safety to pursue just one that had gotten lost?
• Why did the shepherd throw a party?
• What does Jesus want people to learn from this parable?
• What did Jesus mean by “people who don’t need repentance?”
• How does this apply to your life right now?

Discipleship Questions

• Who is someone that doesn’t know Jesus that you pray for?
• How can you show love to someone who is living in a way that doesn’t line up with the Bible?
• What area of your life do you need to turn over to the Lord?

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for coming after us when we were lost

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His never giving up, never stopping, always and forever love

Confess to the times you’ve not welcomed sinners

Others- Pray for someone who has wandered off that you know. Ask the Lord to give you an opportunity to talk to them this week

Self- Ask the Lord for wisdom in helping those far from God.

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What is a chore you hate to do?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

John 13:12-17

12 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you.

16 “Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

• What were some things Jesus was teaching His disciples by washing their feet?
• What would be a modern form of footwashing?
• How could you “wash feet” this week?

John 13:31-36

31 When he had left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so now I tell you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’

34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

36 “Lord,” Simon Peter said to him, “where are you going?”

Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow later.”

• Why did Jesus want the disciples to know He was going to be gone from them?
• What is easy about Jesus’ command to love one another?
  • What is difficult about loving others?
• What does it look like to show the love of Christ to someone you don’t agree with?

Discipleship Questions

• What are some practical ways you can show love to others so that they know you follow Jesus?
• Who is one person you can show the love of Jesus to this week?
• What can you do to grow closer to Jesus this week?

Extended Version

Read and Discuss

John 13:12-17

12 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you.

16 “Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

• What were some things Jesus was teaching His disciples by washing their feet?
• How is Jesus’ model of leadership different from the world?
• Who helped mentor you and taught you to serve others?
• Who are you serving and teaching to serve others?
• What would be a modern form of footwashing?
• How could you “wash feet” this week?

John 13:31-36

31 When he had left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so now I tell you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’

34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

36 “Lord,” Simon Peter said to him, “where are you going?”

Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow later.”

• Why did Jesus want the disciples to know He was going to be gone from them?
• Why is loving one another central to the way disciples of Jesus live?
• Would you consider yourself a disciple of Jesus? Why or why not?
• What is easy about Jesus’ command to love one another?
  • What is difficult about loving others?
• What does it look like to show the love of Christ to someone you don’t agree with?

Leviticus 19:17-18

17 “Do not harbor hatred against your brother. Rebuke your neighbor directly, and you will not incur guilt because of him. 18 Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.

• How was the Lord teaching the Israelites to love others?
• What does it mean to “rebuke your neighbor”?
• How can you rebuke someone because of their sin, but still show love?
• What is the current culture’s thought on disagreeing with someone, especially on how they choose to live?
• How can followers of Jesus help others deal with conflict while still showing love?

Discipleship Questions

• What are some practical ways you can show love to others so that they know you follow Jesus?
• Who is one person you can show the love of Jesus to this week?
• What can you do to grow closer to Jesus this week?

Memorize it!

John 13:34-35

34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for His servant leadership

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His love

Confess to the times you’ve not loved others

Others- Pray for a person that you have trouble showing love to. Ask the Lord for a moment this week where you can serve them in a way that shows His love to them

Self- Ask the Lord to give you wisdom in how you can show love to others whom you disagree with

View Details

Opening Discussion:

• Where is a place you haven’t visited before that you want to go to?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

John 13:1-3

1 Before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 Now when it was time for supper, the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray him. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, that he had come from God, and that he was going back to God.

• This was Jesus’ last time with His disciples before His crucifixion. Why did He choose to have a meal with them?
• What does it mean that the Father had given everything into Jesus’ hands?
• What authority has God given to you?

John 14:15, 21a

15 If you love me, you will keep my commands.

21 The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.

• Why does Jesus want His disciples to keep His commands?
• How do keeping Jesus’ commands show that we love Him?
• Is there anyone whom you’ve wronged?
• What do you need to do to restore peace?

John 13:3-5

3 Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, that he had come from God, and that he was going back to God. 4 So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around himself. 5 Next, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around him.

• What was Jesus teaching His disciples about power and love in this moment?
• How is love tied into serving?
• Are there any areas that God is calling you to serve in at…the church?
  • …your job?
  • …your family?
  • …your circles of influence?

Extended Version

Read and Discuss

John 13:1-3

1 Before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 Now when it was time for supper, the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray him. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, that he had come from God, and that he was going back to God.

• This was Jesus’ last time with His disciples before His crucifixion. Why did He choose to have a meal with them?
• How did Jesus love His disciples to the end?
• What were some reasons Jesus could have given for walking away from His disciples or at least calling them out?
• What does it mean that the Father had given everything into Jesus’ hands?
• What authority has God given to you?

John 14:15, 21a

15 If you love me, you will keep my commands.

21 The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.

• Why does Jesus want His disciples to keep His commands?
• How do keeping Jesus’ commands show that we love Him?
• What should you do when you break Jesus’ commands?
• Is there anyone whom you’ve wronged?
• What do you need to do to restore peace?

John 13:3-5

3 Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, that he had come from God, and that he was going back to God. 4 So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around himself. 5 Next, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around him.

• What was Jesus teaching His disciples about power and love in this moment?
• How is love tied into serving?
• How did Jesus view those around Him?
• Why didn’t Jesus make one of the disciples wash everyone’s feet?
• Is there anyone that you have “power” over (co-worker, your kids, waiter, worker at a store, etc.)?
  • How can you serve them?
• Are there any areas that God is calling you to serve in at…the church?
  • …your job?
  • …your family?
  • …your circles of influence?

Discipleship Questions

• Is there anyone that you are withholding love or forgiveness from?
• What could you do this week to work toward forgiveness?
  • How could you show them love?
• Is there anyone you need to ask forgiveness from?
• What can you do to serve them this week and show them you love them?

Memorize it!

John 14:15

15 If you love me, you will keep my commands.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for showing us how to love others

Adoration- Worship the Lord for the freedom He gives

Confess to the times you’ve withheld love and forgiveness from others

Others- Pray for a person that you have been unkind to. Ask the Lord for boldness to make things right with them this week.

Self- Ask the Lord to help you to forgive someone who has wronged you. Maybe they haven’t asked for forgiveness or even admitted they are wrong. Ask the Lord to soften your heart so that you can walk in the freedom and forgiveness He offers.

View Details

Opening Discussion

• If you had one meal left to eat, what would you have?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

1 The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:

2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”

3 What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?
4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.
5 The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises.

6 The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.
7 All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again.

8 All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing.
9 What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
10 Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.
11 No one remembers the former generations, and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them.

• What are some of the things Solomon observes about life?
• What does Solomon mean when he says, “The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing?”
• When have things felt meaningless in your life?
• How has God provided purpose and meaning in your life?

1 John 2:17

17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
1 John 4:11-12

11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

• What are some of the desires of the world?
• How does living out the love of God make His love complete?
• How does God’s love drive out worldly desires?

Discipleship Questions

• What are some earthly desires in your life that need to come under the love of Jesus?
• Who is someone that may get on your nerves that you need to show God’s love to this week?
  • How will you do that?

Extended Edition

Read and Discuss

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

1 The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:

2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”

3 What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?
4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.
5 The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises.

6 The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.
7 All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again.

8 All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing.
9 What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
10 Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.
11 No one remembers the former generations, and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them.

• What are some of the things the teacher observes about life?
• What does the teacher mean when he says, “The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing?”
• When have things felt meaningless in your life?
• How has God provided purpose and meaning in your life?
• The teacher uses the phrase “under the sun” often throughout the book of Ecclesiastes. How does that phrase differ from the other phrase he uses “under the heavens?”
• How can you make sure your life is centered around the Lord and not things that will fade away?

1 John 2:17

17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
1 John 4:11-12

11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

• What are some of the desires of the world?
• How does living out the love of God make His love complete?
• How does God’s love drive out worldly desires?
• What is difficult about loving others?
• What do you do when you encounter someone who is hard to love?
• How do you determine what God’s will is?

Discipleship Questions

• What are some earthly desires in your life that need to come under the love of Jesus?
• Who is someone that may get on your nerves that you need to show God’s love to this week?
  • How will you do that?

Memorize it!

1 John 2:17

17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for His love for us

Adoration- Take time to worship the Lord for His perfection

Confess to the times you’ve chased the desires of the world, instead of the Lord’s will

Others- Pray for someone who is difficult to love. Ask for ways to show them the love of Jesus this week.

Self- Pray that you will desire the things of the Lord more than the things of the world

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What is your favorite Bible story?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Judges 19:1a

In those days, when there was no king in Israel…

Judges 21:25

25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him.

• What are some ways the Israelites rejected God as their King?
• Without the Lord guiding us, why is what seems right to us actually wrong?
• What are some ways you see this being played out in our culture today?
• How can you make sure that you are relying on the Holy Spirit to guide you and not what just seems right to you?

Judges 19:16-30

16 In the evening, an old man came in from his work in the field. He was from the hill country of Ephraim, but he was residing in Gibeah where the people were Benjaminites. 17 When he looked up and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, “Where are you going, and where do you come from?”

18 He answered him, “We’re traveling from Bethlehem in Judah to the remote hill country of Ephraim, where I am from. I went to Bethlehem in Judah, and now I’m going to the house of the Lord. No one has taken me into his home, 19 although there’s straw and feed for the donkeys, and I have bread and wine for me, my concubine, and the servant with us. There is nothing we lack.”

20 “Welcome!” said the old man. “I’ll take care of everything you need. Only don’t spend the night in the square.” 21 So he brought him to his house and fed the donkeys. Then they washed their feet and ate and drank. 22 While they were enjoying themselves, all of a sudden, wicked men of the city surrounded the house and beat on the door. They said to the old man who was the owner of the house, “Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him!”

23 The owner of the house went out and said to them, “Please don’t do this evil, my brothers. After all, this man has come into my house. Don’t commit this horrible outrage. 24 Here, let me bring out my virgin daughter and the man’s concubine now. Abuse them and do whatever you want to them. But don’t commit this outrageous thing against this man.”

25 But the men would not listen to him, so the man seized his concubine and took her outside to them. They raped her and abused her all night until morning. At daybreak they let her go. 26 Early that morning, the woman made her way back, and as it was getting light, she collapsed at the doorway of the man’s house where her master was.

27 When her master got up in the morning, opened the doors of the house, and went out to leave on his journey, there was the woman, his concubine, collapsed near the doorway of the house with her hands on the threshold. 28 “Get up,” he told her. “Let’s go.” But there was no response. So the man put her on his donkey and set out for home.

29 When he entered his house, he picked up a knife, took hold of his concubine, cut her into twelve pieces, limb by limb, and then sent her throughout the territory of Israel. 30 Everyone who saw it said, “Nothing like this has ever happened or has been seen since the day the Israelites came out of the land of Egypt until now. Think it over, discuss it, and speak up!”

• Why is this story included in the Bible?
• How had the Benjamites slipped so far away from God that this seemed justifiable in their eyes?
• Is there anyone in your life that is taking steps away from the Lord?
  • How can you help them get back on the right path?

Discipleship Questions

• How do you know when the Holy Spirit is speaking to you instead of just your own thoughts or whims?
• Is there anything in your life that you are doing because it feels right to you, but you know it goes against God’s plan?
  • What needs to change in your life to submit that area to Jesus?
  • Who can help you do this?
• What can you do to make sure you are following the Lord and not the culture?

Extended Edition

Read and Discuss

Judges 19:1a

In those days, when there was no king in Israel…

Judges 21:25

25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him.

• What are some ways the Israelites rejected God as their King?
• Without the Lord guiding us, why is what seems right to us actually wrong?
• What are some ways you see this being played out in our culture today?
• How can you make sure that you are relying on the Holy Spirit to guide you and not what just seems right to you?
• Who is the King of your life?
  • How do you know?

Judges 19:16-30

16 In the evening, an old man came in from his work in the field. He was from the hill country of Ephraim, but he was residing in Gibeah where the people were Benjaminites. 17 When he looked up and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, “Where are you going, and where do you come from?”

18 He answered him, “We’re traveling from Bethlehem in Judah to the remote hill country of Ephraim, where I am from. I went to Bethlehem in Judah, and now I’m going to the house of the Lord. No one has taken me into his home, 19 although there’s straw and feed for the donkeys, and I have bread and wine for me, my concubine, and the servant with us. There is nothing we lack.”

20 “Welcome!” said the old man. “I’ll take care of everything you need. Only don’t spend the night in the square.” 21 So he brought him to his house and fed the donkeys. Then they washed their feet and ate and drank. 22 While they were enjoying themselves, all of a sudden, wicked men of the city surrounded the house and beat on the door. They said to the old man who was the owner of the house, “Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him!”

23 The owner of the house went out and said to them, “Please don’t do this evil, my brothers. After all, this man has come into my house. Don’t commit this horrible outrage. 24 Here, let me bring out my virgin daughter and the man’s concubine now. Abuse them and do whatever you want to them. But don’t commit this outrageous thing against this man.”

25 But the men would not listen to him, so the man seized his concubine and took her outside to them. They raped her and abused her all night until morning. At daybreak they let her go. 26 Early that morning, the woman made her way back, and as it was getting light, she collapsed at the doorway of the man’s house where her master was.

27 When her master got up in the morning, opened the doors of the house, and went out to leave on his journey, there was the woman, his concubine, collapsed near the doorway of the house with her hands on the threshold. 28 “Get up,” he told her. “Let’s go.” But there was no response. So the man put her on his donkey and set out for home.

29 When he entered his house, he picked up a knife, took hold of his concubine, cut her into twelve pieces, limb by limb, and then sent her throughout the territory of Israel. 30 Everyone who saw it said, “Nothing like this has ever happened or has been seen since the day the Israelites came out of the land of Egypt until now. Think it over, discuss it, and speak up!”

• Why is this story included in the Bible?
• Why didn’t the Levite cry out to the Lord to stop this injustice?
• How had the Benjamites slipped so far away from God that this seemed justifiable in their eyes?
• Is there anyone in your life that is taking steps away from the Lord?
  • How can you help them get back on the right path?
• This story is similar to another story in the Bible. (See Genesis 19:1-11)

Genesis 19:1-11

The two angels entered Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in Sodom’s gateway. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them. He bowed with his face to the ground 2 and said, “My lords, turn aside to your servant’s house, wash your feet, and spend the night. Then you can get up early and go on your way.”

“No,” they said. “We would rather spend the night in the square.” 3 But he urged them so strongly that they followed him and went into his house. He prepared a feast and baked unleavened bread for them, and they ate.

4 Before they went to bed, the men of the city of Sodom, both young and old, the whole population, surrounded the house. 5 They called out to Lot and said, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Send them out to us so we can have sex with them!”

6 Lot went out to them at the entrance and shut the door behind him. 7 He said, “Don’t do this evil, my brothers. 8 Look, I’ve got two daughters who haven’t been intimate with a man. I’ll bring them out to you, and you can do whatever you want to them. However, don’t do anything to these men, because they have come under the protection of my roof.”

9 “Get out of the way!” they said, adding, “This one came here as an alien, but he’s acting like a judge! Now we’ll do more harm to you than to them.” They put pressure on Lot and came up to break down the door. 10 But the angels reached out, brought Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. 11 They struck the men who were at the entrance of the house, both young and old, with blindness so that they were unable to find the entrance.

• What are some similarities between these two stories?
• What are some differences?
• In the Judges account, why didn’t the Levite cry out to the Lord?
• How had the Benjamites become like the people of Sodom?
• What are some ways that some Christians have allowed the culture to shape them?
• How can we make sure that our church, and us as individuals, are following God’s word, and not just what we think is right?

Discipleship Questions

• How do you know when the Holy Spirit is speaking to you instead of just your own thoughts or whims?
• Is there anything in your life that you are doing because it feels right to you, but you know it goes against God’s plan?
  • What needs to change in your life to submit that area to Jesus?
  • Who can help you do this?
• What can you do to make sure you are following the Lord and not the culture?

Memorize it!

Judges 21:25

25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for rescuing us out of a life of depravity

Adoration- Take time to worship the Lord

Confess to the times you’ve allowed the culture to determine your morality

Others- Pray for someone who is heading down the wrong path. Ask the Lord to help you talk to them this week about His goodness

Self- Ask the Lord to show you any areas of your life that lean more towards the culture instead of the Lord

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What are your top three songs or musical artists?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Judges 4:15-21

15 The Lord threw Sisera, all his charioteers, and all his army into a panic before Barak’s assault. Sisera left his chariot and fled on foot. 16 Barak pursued the chariots and the army as far as Harosheth of the Nations, and the whole army of Sisera fell by the sword; not a single man was left.

17 Meanwhile, Sisera had fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there was peace between King Jabin of Hazor and the family of Heber the Kenite. 18 Jael went out to greet Sisera and said to him, “Come in, my lord. Come in with me. Don’t be afraid.” So he went into her tent, and she covered him with a blanket. 19 He said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink for I am thirsty.” She opened a container of milk, gave him a drink, and covered him again. 20 Then he said to her, “Stand at the entrance to the tent. If a man comes and asks you, ‘Is there a man here?’ say, ‘No.’” 21 While he was sleeping from exhaustion, Heber’s wife, Jael, took a tent peg, grabbed a hammer, and went silently to Sisera. She hammered the peg into his temple and drove it into the ground, and he died.

• What stands out about this passage?
• How did the Lord use Jael to rescue Israel?
• What are some ways the Lord has used you to help people around you?

Judges 5:24-30

24 Most blessed of women is Jael,
the wife of Heber the Kenite;
she is most blessed among tent-dwelling women.
25 He asked for water; she gave him milk.
She brought him cream in a majestic bowl.
26 She reached for a tent peg,
her right hand, for a workman’s hammer.
Then she hammered Sisera—
she crushed his head;
she shattered and pierced his temple.
27 He collapsed, he fell, he lay down between her feet;
he collapsed, he fell between her feet;
where he collapsed, there he fell—dead.

28 Sisera’s mother looked through the window;
she peered through the lattice, crying out:
“Why is his chariot so long in coming?
Why don’t I hear the hoofbeats of his horses?”
29 Her wisest princesses answer her;
she even answers herself:
30 “Are they not finding and dividing the spoil—
a girl or two for each warrior,
the spoil of colored garments for Sisera,
the spoil of an embroidered garment or two for my neck?”

• How is this song different from other worship songs you’ve heard?
  • How is it similar?
• What are some ways you can worship in the midst of hardship?
  • What are some ways you can worship during times of triumph in your life?

Discipleship Questions

• What is the Lord calling you to do that will require you to have faith in Him?
• Who are the influences in your life that are drawing you closer to the Lord?
• What can you do this week to worship the Lord through the normal happenings of life?

Extended Edition

Read and Discuss

Judges 4:15-21

15 The Lord threw Sisera, all his charioteers, and all his army into a panic before Barak’s assault. Sisera left his chariot and fled on foot. 16 Barak pursued the chariots and the army as far as Harosheth of the Nations, and the whole army of Sisera fell by the sword; not a single man was left.

17 Meanwhile, Sisera had fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there was peace between King Jabin of Hazor and the family of Heber the Kenite. 18 Jael went out to greet Sisera and said to him, “Come in, my lord. Come in with me. Don’t be afraid.” So he went into her tent, and she covered him with a blanket. 19 He said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink for I am thirsty.” She opened a container of milk, gave him a drink, and covered him again. 20 Then he said to her, “Stand at the entrance to the tent. If a man comes and asks you, ‘Is there a man here?’ say, ‘No.’” 21 While he was sleeping from exhaustion, Heber’s wife, Jael, took a tent peg, grabbed a hammer, and went silently to Sisera. She hammered the peg into his temple and drove it into the ground, and he died.

• What stands out about this passage?
• How did the Lord use Jael to rescue Israel?
• What are some ways the Lord has used you to help people around you?
• When have people pretended to be your friend, but really didn’t have your best interest in mind?
  • How did you handle that situation?
• Heber the Kenite had befriended the enemy. What are some ways we give the enemy influence in our life?
• How can you fight against the enemy and his schemes this week?

Judges 5:24-30

24 Most blessed of women is Jael,
the wife of Heber the Kenite;
she is most blessed among tent-dwelling women.
25 He asked for water; she gave him milk.
She brought him cream in a majestic bowl.
26 She reached for a tent peg,
her right hand, for a workman’s hammer.
Then she hammered Sisera—
she crushed his head;
she shattered and pierced his temple.
27 He collapsed, he fell, he lay down between her feet;
he collapsed, he fell between her feet;
where he collapsed, there he fell—dead.

28 Sisera’s mother looked through the window;
she peered through the lattice, crying out:
“Why is his chariot so long in coming?
Why don’t I hear the hoofbeats of his horses?”
29 Her wisest princesses answer her;
she even answers herself:
30 “Are they not finding and dividing the spoil—
a girl or two for each warrior,
the spoil of colored garments for Sisera,
the spoil of an embroidered garment or two for my neck?”

• How is this song different from other worship songs you’ve heard?
  • How is it similar?
• What are some ways you can worship in the midst of hardship?
  • What are some ways you can worship during times of triumph in your life?
• If you were to write a worship song about events happening in your life, what would you include in that song?
• Do you find it easier to worship during hard times or good times?
• What can you do to make sure you are worshiping all the time?

Discipleship Questions

• What is the Lord calling you to do that will require you to have faith in Him?
• Who are the influences in your life that are drawing you closer to the Lord?
• What can you do this week to worship the Lord through the normal happenings of life?

Memorize it!

Judges 4:21 While he was sleeping from exhaustion, Heber’s wife, Jael, took a tent peg, grabbed a hammer, and went silently to Sisera. She hammered the peg into his temple and drove it into the ground, and he died.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for being there for us in good and bad times

Adoration- Take time to worship the Lord for rescuing us

Confess to the times you’ve allowed the enemy to have a louder voice in your life than the Lord

Others- Pray for someone who is having a hard time. Ask the Lord to show you ways to comfort them in the Lord.

Self- Ask the Lord to show you how to worship Him no matter what

View Details

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What is a weird talent or quirk you have? (Double jointed, juggling, can fold your tongue in half, etc.)

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Judges 3:12, 14-19

12 The Israelites again did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. He gave King Eglon of Moab power over Israel, because they had done what was evil in the Lord’s sight.

14 The Israelites served King Eglon of Moab eighteen years.

15 Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjaminite, as a deliverer for them. The Israelites sent him with the tribute for King Eglon of Moab.

16 Ehud made himself a double-edged sword eighteen inches long. He strapped it to his right thigh under his clothes 17 and brought the tribute to King Eglon of Moab, who was an extremely fat man. 18 When Ehud had finished presenting the tribute, he dismissed the people who had carried it. 19 At the carved images near Gilgal he returned and said, “King Eglon, I have a secret message for you.” The king said, “Silence!” and all his attendants left him.

• Why did the Israelites turn away from the Lord again?
• What was unique about Ehud?
• What are some unique things about you that the Lord can use to build His kingdom?

Judges 3:20-23,26-30

20 Then Ehud approached him while he was sitting alone in his upstairs room where it was cool. Ehud said, “I have a message from God for you,” and the king stood up from his throne. 21 Ehud reached with his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh, and plunged it into Eglon’s belly. 22 Even the handle went in after the blade, and Eglon’s fat closed in over it, so that Ehud did not withdraw the sword from his belly. And the waste came out. 23 Ehud escaped by way of the porch, closing and locking the doors of the upstairs room behind him.

26 Ehud escaped while the servants waited. He passed the Jordan near the carved images and reached Seirah. 27 After he arrived, he sounded the ram’s horn throughout the hill country of Ephraim. The Israelites came down with him from the hill country, and he became their leader. 28 He told them, “Follow me, because the Lord has handed over your enemies, the Moabites, to you.” So they followed him, captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Moab, and did not allow anyone to cross over. 29 At that time they struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all stout and able-bodied men. Not one of them escaped. 30 Moab became subject to Israel that day, and the land had peace for eighty years.

• Why does the Bible include all the gross details of Eglon’s death?
• How did the Lord provide everything that Ehud needed to succeed?
• What is the Lord providing in your life right now that you can use to further His kingdom?

Discipleship Questions

• What are some hardships that you’ve been through that the Lord has used to help others?
• Who is someone that is having trouble seeing how God can use them?
  • What can you say to them this week to encourage them in the Lord?

Extended Edition

Judges 3:12, 14-19

12 The Israelites again did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. He gave King Eglon of Moab power over Israel, because they had done what was evil in the Lord’s sight.

14 The Israelites served King Eglon of Moab eighteen years.

15 Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjaminite, as a deliverer for them. The Israelites sent him with the tribute for King Eglon of Moab.

16 Ehud made himself a double-edged sword eighteen inches long. He strapped it to his right thigh under his clothes 17 and brought the tribute to King Eglon of Moab, who was an extremely fat man. 18 When Ehud had finished presenting the tribute, he dismissed the people who had carried it. 19 At the carved images near Gilgal he returned and said, “King Eglon, I have a secret message for you.” The king said, “Silence!” and all his attendants left him.

• Why did the Israelites turn away from the Lord again?
• What was unique about Ehud?
• What are some unique things about you that the Lord can use to build His kingdom?
• What was it about the carved images at Gilgal that reminded Ehud of God’s faithfulness?
  • See Joshua 4:4-7 for a reminder
  • 4 So Joshua summoned the twelve men he had selected from the Israelites, one man for each tribe, 5 and said to them, “Go across to the ark of the Lord your God in the middle of the Jordan. Each of you lift a stone onto his shoulder, one for each of the Israelite tribes, 6 so that this will be a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 7 you should tell them, ‘The water of the Jordan was cut off in front of the ark of the Lord’s covenant. When it crossed the Jordan, the Jordan’s water was cut off.’ Therefore these stones will always be a memorial for the Israelites.”
• What are some things in your life that reminds you of the Lord’s faithfulness?

Judges 3:20-23,26-30

20 Then Ehud approached him while he was sitting alone in his upstairs room where it was cool. Ehud said, “I have a message from God for you,” and the king stood up from his throne. 21 Ehud reached with his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh, and plunged it into Eglon’s belly. 22 Even the handle went in after the blade, and Eglon’s fat closed in over it, so that Ehud did not withdraw the sword from his belly. And the waste came out. 23 Ehud escaped by way of the porch, closing and locking the doors of the upstairs room behind him.

26 Ehud escaped while the servants waited. He passed the Jordan near the carved images and reached Seirah. 27 After he arrived, he sounded the ram’s horn throughout the hill country of Ephraim. The Israelites came down with him from the hill country, and he became their leader. 28 He told them, “Follow me, because the Lord has handed over your enemies, the Moabites, to you.” So they followed him, captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Moab, and did not allow anyone to cross over. 29 At that time they struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all stout and able-bodied men. Not one of them escaped. 30 Moab became subject to Israel that day, and the land had peace for eighty years.

• Why does the Bible include all the gross details of Eglon’s death?
• How did the Lord provide everything that Ehud needed to succeed?
• What is the Lord providing in your life right now that you can use to further His kingdom?
• How did Ehud provide godly leadership when it was missing from Israel?
• Who do you look to for godly leadership in your life?
• Who can you provide godly leadership to?

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”

Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

• How did Paul rely on the Lord when he felt weak?
• What are ways God’s power is made perfect in our weaknesses?
• Where do you feel weak in your life now?
  • What might the Lord be doing in that area?
• When you face hardships this week, what can you do to remind yourself of Christ’s power residing in you?

Discipleship Questions

• What are some hardships that you’ve been through that the Lord has used to help others?
• Who is someone that is having trouble seeing how God can use them?
  • What can you say to them this week to encourage them in the Lord?

Memorize it!

Judges 3:21-22

21 Ehud reached with his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh, and plunged it into Eglon’s belly. 22 Even the handle went in after the blade, and Eglon’s fat closed in over it, so that Ehud did not withdraw the sword from his belly. And the waste came out.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Give thanks to the Lord for using our weirdness to further His kingdom

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His strength

Confess to the times that you have turned away from the Lord instead of trusting Him

Others- Pray for someone who needs to be reminded that God can use them where they are now. Ask Him for an opportunity to talk to them this week.

Self- Pray that the Lord would show you ways to serve in His kingdom this week

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What is something you have been scared to do, but did it anyway?

Shortened Edition

Read and Discuss

Judges 6:11-16

11 The angel of the Lord came, and he sat under the oak that was in Ophrah,which belonged to Joash, the Abiezrite. His son Gideon was threshing wheat in the winepress in order to hide it from the Midianites. 12 Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “The Lord is with you, valiant warrior.”

13 Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened? And where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about? They said, ‘Hasn’t the Lord brought us out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to Midian.”

14 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the grasp of Midian. I am sending you!”

15 He said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I deliver Israel? Look, my family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s family.”

16 “But I will be with you,” the Lord said to him. “You will strike Midian down as if it were one man.”

• What does the Lord see in Gideon that Gideon doesn’t even see in himself?
• How did the Lord respond to Gideon’s doubts and frustrations about God?
• What is a challenge you are facing?
  • How can you lean on the Lord’s strength to get you through it?

Judges 7:13-18

13 When Gideon arrived, there was a man telling his friend about a dream. He said, “Listen, I had a dream: a loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp, struck a tent, and it fell. The loaf turned the tent upside down so that it collapsed.”

14 His friend answered, “This is nothing less than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has handed the entire Midianite camp over to him.”

15 When Gideon heard the account of the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship. He returned to Israel’s camp and said, “Get up, for the Lord has handed the Midianite camp over to you.” 16 Then he divided the three hundred men into three companies and gave each of the men a ram’s horn in one hand and an empty pitcher with a torch inside it in the other hand.

17 “Watch me,” he said to them, “and do what I do. When I come to the outpost of the camp, do as I do. 18 When I and everyone with me blow our rams’ horns, you are also to blow your rams’ horns all around the camp. Then you will say, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!’”

• Even after the Lord had given Gideon many signs that He was with him, why did Gideon still doubt?
• Why does Gideon make everyone yell, “For the Lord and for Gideon,” instead of “For the Lord?”
• What are some ways you’ve relied on the Lord for something, but once you’re through that challenge, you’ve thought that it was somehow your power that got you through it?

Discipleship Questions

• What are some daily things you have to rely on the Lord for?
• What is something you are too afraid to do?
• How can you remind yourself daily of the things the Lord is doing for you?

Extended Edition

Read and Discuss

Judges 6:11-16

11 The angel of the Lord came, and he sat under the oak that was in Ophrah,which belonged to Joash, the Abiezrite. His son Gideon was threshing wheat in the winepress in order to hide it from the Midianites. 12 Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “The Lord is with you, valiant warrior.”

13 Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened? And where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about? They said, ‘Hasn’t the Lord brought us out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to Midian.”

14 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the grasp of Midian. I am sending you!”

15 He said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I deliver Israel? Look, my family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s family.”

16 “But I will be with you,” the Lord said to him. “You will strike Midian down as if it were one man.”

• What does the Lord see in Gideon that Gideon doesn’t even see in himself?
• How did the Lord respond to Gideon’s doubts and frustrations about God?
• When you feel frustrated with God, why might it be difficult for you to repent?
• What are some ways we try to operate in our own strength?
• When you are afraid, what do you do?
• What is a challenge you are facing?
  • How can you lean on the Lord’s strength to get you through it?

Judges 7:13-18

13 When Gideon arrived, there was a man telling his friend about a dream. He said, “Listen, I had a dream: a loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp, struck a tent, and it fell. The loaf turned the tent upside down so that it collapsed.”

14 His friend answered, “This is nothing less than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has handed the entire Midianite camp over to him.”

15 When Gideon heard the account of the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship. He returned to Israel’s camp and said, “Get up, for the Lord has handed the Midianite camp over to you.” 16 Then he divided the three hundred men into three companies and gave each of the men a ram’s horn in one hand and an empty pitcher with a torch inside it in the other hand.

17 “Watch me,” he said to them, “and do what I do. When I come to the outpost of the camp, do as I do. 18 When I and everyone with me blow our rams’ horns, you are also to blow your rams’ horns all around the camp. Then you will say, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!’”

• Even after the Lord had given Gideon many signs that He was with him, why did Gideon still doubt?
• When Gideon hears the fear of the Midianites, while in the middle of the enemy camp, his first response is to worship. When you receive good news what is your first response?
• What are some practices you can start implementing that will help you turn to the Lord first in worship, no matter the circumstances?
• Why does Gideon make everyone yell, “For the Lord and for Gideon,” instead of “For the Lord?”
• What are some ways you’ve relied on the Lord for something, but once you’re through that challenge, you’ve thought that it was somehow your power that got you through it?

Discipleship Questions

• What are some daily things you have to rely on the Lord for?
• What is something you are too afraid to do?
• How can you remind yourself daily of the things the Lord is doing for you?

Memorize it!

Judges 6:12 Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “The Lord is with you, valiant warrior.”

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Give thanks to the Lord for seeing what we can become, not just who we are now

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His victory over the enemy

Confess to the times that you haven’t trusted the Lord and relied on your own strength

Others- Pray for someone who is struggling with a tough situation. Ask the Lord to give you the words to encourage them this week.

Self- Pray that the Lord would give you strength and that you would walk daily with Him.

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What is a promise you made that you didn’t keep? (This can be light hearted)

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Judges 10:6-7

6 Then the Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They worshiped the Baals and the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, Sidon, and Moab, and the gods of the Ammonites and the Philistines. They abandoned the Lord and did not worship him. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel, and he sold them to the Philistines and the Ammonites.

Judges 10:10

10 so they cried out to the Lord, saying, “We have sinned against you. We have abandoned our God and worshiped the Baals.”

Judges 10:13-16

13 But you have abandoned me and worshiped other gods. Therefore, I will not deliver you again. 14 Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them deliver you whenever you are oppressed.”

15 But the Israelites said, “We have sinned. Deal with us as you see fit; only rescue us today!” 16 So they got rid of the foreign gods among them and worshiped the Lord, and he became weary of Israel’s misery.

• When things are going well, why do the Israelites turn back to idol worship and detestable practices?
• How do the Israelites show repentance in this passage?
• What are some ways you’ve let your relationship with the Lord slide during good times and cried out to him during tough times?
• How can we remain faithful to the Lord no matter what our circumstances are?

Judges 11:29-31

29 The Spirit of the Lord came on Jephthah, who traveled through Gilead and Manasseh, and then through Mizpah of Gilead. He crossed over to the Ammonites from Mizpah of Gilead. 30 Jephthah made this vow to the Lord: “If you in fact hand over the Ammonites to me, 31 whoever comes out the doors of my house to greet me when I return safely from the Ammonites will belong to the Lord, and I will offer that person as a burnt offering.”

Judges 11:34-40

34 When Jephthah went to his home in Mizpah, there was his daughter, coming out to meet him with tambourines and dancing! She was his only child; he had no other son or daughter besides her. 35 When he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, “No! Not my daughter! You have devastated me! You have brought great misery on me. I have given my word to the Lord and cannot take it back.”

36 Then she said to him, “My father, you have given your word to the Lord. Do to me as you have said, for the Lord brought vengeance on your enemies, the Ammonites.” 37 She also said to her father, “Let me do this one thing: Let me wander two months through the mountains with my friends and mourn my virginity.”

38 “Go,” he said. And he sent her away two months. So she left with her friends and mourned her virginity as she wandered through the mountains. 39 At the end of two months, she returned to her father, and he kept the vow he had made about her. And she had never been intimate with a man. Now it became a custom in Israel 40 that four days each year the young women of Israel would commemorate the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite.

• Why would Jephthah make such a harmful vow to the Lord?
• How did Jephthah allow the practices and culture around him to influence his worship of the one true God?
• How did Jephthah try to bargain with God?
• What are some ways secular practices have influenced the way people worship at church and in their own personal lives?

Discipleship Questions

• Have you ever tried to make a bargain with God?
• How can we make sure that the way we worship the Lord is what He wants, and not what the world around us has told us?
• Why is knowing the Bible so important to our daily lives?
• What is one way you can grow in your knowledge and practice of the Bible this week?
  • Who can help you do this?

Extended Edition

Judges 10:6-7

6 Then the Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They worshiped the Baals and the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, Sidon, and Moab, and the gods of the Ammonites and the Philistines. They abandoned the Lord and did not worship him. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel, and he sold them to the Philistines and the Ammonites.

Judges 10:10

10 so they cried out to the Lord, saying, “We have sinned against you. We have abandoned our God and worshiped the Baals.”

Judges 10:13-16

13 But you have abandoned me and worshiped other gods. Therefore, I will not deliver you again. 14 Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them deliver you whenever you are oppressed.”

15 But the Israelites said, “We have sinned. Deal with us as you see fit; only rescue us today!” 16 So they got rid of the foreign gods among them and worshiped the Lord, and he became weary of Israel’s misery.

• When things are going well, why do the Israelites turn back to idol worship and detestable practices?
• How do the Israelites show repentance in this passage?
• What are some ways you’ve let your relationship with the Lord slide during good times and cried out to him during tough times?
• How can we remain faithful to the Lord no matter what our circumstances are?
• What are some idols that people have in their lives?
• What are some idols you have in your life?
• What could you do today to get rid of those things?

Judges 11:29-31

29 The Spirit of the Lord came on Jephthah, who traveled through Gilead and Manasseh, and then through Mizpah of Gilead. He crossed over to the Ammonites from Mizpah of Gilead. 30 Jephthah made this vow to the Lord: “If you in fact hand over the Ammonites to me, 31 whoever comes out the doors of my house to greet me when I return safely from the Ammonites will belong to the Lord, and I will offer that person as a burnt offering.”

Judges 11:34-40

34 When Jephthah went to his home in Mizpah, there was his daughter, coming out to meet him with tambourines and dancing! She was his only child; he had no other son or daughter besides her. 35 When he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, “No! Not my daughter! You have devastated me! You have brought great misery on me. I have given my word to the Lord and cannot take it back.”

36 Then she said to him, “My father, you have given your word to the Lord. Do to me as you have said, for the Lord brought vengeance on your enemies, the Ammonites.” 37 She also said to her father, “Let me do this one thing: Let me wander two months through the mountains with my friends and mourn my virginity.”

38 “Go,” he said. And he sent her away two months. So she left with her friends and mourned her virginity as she wandered through the mountains. 39 At the end of two months, she returned to her father, and he kept the vow he had made about her. And she had never been intimate with a man. Now it became a custom in Israel 40 that four days each year the young women of Israel would commemorate the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite.

• Why would Jephthah make such a harmful vow to the Lord?
• How did Jephthah try to bargain with God?
• How did Jephthah allow the practices and culture around him to influence his worship of the one true God?
• Why didn’t anyone try to stop Jephthah from going through with it?
• What was his daughter’s response?
• How would you have responded?
• What are some ways secular practices have influenced the way people worship at church and in their own personal lives?
• Has there been anything in your life that you thought was right until you read the Bible and found out otherwise?
• What are some ways you’ve had to pay for the mistakes of the decisions of those in leadership?
• How can you make sure that the decisions you make as you lead line up with God’s plan?

Micah 6:6-8

6 “What should I bring before the Lord when I come to bow before God on high? Should I come before him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? 7 Would the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or with ten thousand streams of oil? Should I give my firstborn for my transgression, the offspring of my body for my own sin? 8 Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.”

• What does this passage tell us about what we have to offer God?
• How can we make sure our service to the Lord is out of love and not trying to gain bargaining chips?
• What can you do to serve the Lord out of love and not obligation?

Discipleship Questions

• Have you ever tried to make a bargain with God?
• How can we make sure that the way we worship the Lord is what He wants, and not what the world around us has told us?
• Why is knowing the Bible so important to our daily lives?
• What is one way you can grow in your knowledge and practice of the Bible this week?
  • Who can help you do this?

Memorize it!

Micah 6:8 Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank God for freely giving us freedom from sin without trying to earn his forgiveness

Adoration- Praise the Lord for His faithfulness

Confess those times you’ve tried to bargain with God

Others- Pray for someone who tries to earn their forgiveness by doing good things. Ask the Lord for an opportunity to talk to them this week

Self- Pray that your service to the Lord will come from your love for Him

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What is something you do to unwind and fill your bucket?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Judges 14:1-4

Samson went down to Timnah and saw a young Philistine woman there. 2 He went back and told his father and his mother, “I have seen a young Philistine woman in Timnah. Now get her for me as a wife.”

3 But his father and mother said to him, “Can’t you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines for a wife?”

But Samson told his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” 4 Now his father and mother did not know this was from the Lord, who wanted the Philistines to provide an opportunity for a confrontation. At that time, the Philistines were ruling Israel.

• What does this passage show us about Samson?
• Why don’t Samsons’ parents want him to marry a Philistine?
• How did Samson’s eyes lead him to sin?
• What are some ways we allow our eyes to lead us away from what the Lord desires for our lives?

Judges 16:18-22

18 When Delilah realized that he had told her the whole truth, she sent this message to the Philistine leaders: “Come one more time, for he has told me the whole truth.” The Philistine leaders came to her and brought the silver with them.

19 Then she let him fall asleep on her lap and called a man to shave off the seven braids on his head. In this way, she made him helpless, and his strength left him. 20 Then she cried, “Samson, the Philistines are here!” When he awoke from his sleep, he said, “I will escape as I did before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.

21 The Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes. They brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles, and he was forced to grind grain in the prison. 22 But his hair began to grow back after it had been shaved.

• This was the fourth attempt for Delilah to deceive Samson. Why did he give in this time?
• How did Samson’s pride lead to his downfall?
• What are some ways pride can hurt your relationship with the Lord?

Discipleship Questions

• Who is someone you can confess your sin to in order to repent and grow closer to Jesus?
  • If you don’t have anyone that you do this with regularly, who is someone you trust that you could ask to hold you accountable?
• Is there any relationship that has been damaged because of your pride?
  • What do you need to do this week to make it right?

Extended Edition

Read and Discuss

Judges 14:1-4

Samson went down to Timnah and saw a young Philistine woman there. 2 He went back and told his father and his mother, “I have seen a young Philistine woman in Timnah. Now get her for me as a wife.”

3 But his father and mother said to him, “Can’t you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines for a wife?”

But Samson told his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” 4 Now his father and mother did not know this was from the Lord, who wanted the Philistines to provide an opportunity for a confrontation. At that time, the Philistines were ruling Israel.

• What does this passage show us about Samson?
• Why don’t Samsons’ parents want him to marry a Philistine?
• How did Samson’s eyes lead him to sin?
• What are some ways we allow our eyes to lead us away from what the Lord desires for our lives?
• What are some barriers that you put in place to help you protect your eyes from sin? (Lust is a big one, but often when scrolling through Instagram, or just looking at other people’s lives, we can often think we don’t have enough, aren’t as put together, or not as good as those we compare ourselves to)

Judges 16:18-22

18 When Delilah realized that he had told her the whole truth, she sent this message to the Philistine leaders: “Come one more time, for he has told me the whole truth.” The Philistine leaders came to her and brought the silver with them.

19 Then she let him fall asleep on her lap and called a man to shave off the seven braids on his head. In this way, she made him helpless, and his strength left him. 20 Then she cried, “Samson, the Philistines are here!” When he awoke from his sleep, he said, “I will escape as I did before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.

21 The Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes. They brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles, and he was forced to grind grain in the prison. 22 But his hair began to grow back after it had been shaved.

• This was the fourth attempt for Delilah to deceive Samson. Why did he give in this time?
• How did Samson’s pride lead to his downfall?
• Samson most likely broke 2 of the 3 tenants of the Nazarite vow. Getting his haircut was the final vow he hadn’t broken until this point. Why did his strength leave him after breaking this vow and not the others?
• What are some ways pride can hurt your relationship with the Lord?
• Is there any sin that is unchecked in your life right now?
• Often our pride makes us think we can fix it on our own or pray enough and it’ll go away. That rarely happens. What is pride keeping you from?

Judges 16:28-30

28 He [Samson] called out to the Lord, “Lord God, please remember me. Strengthen me, God, just once more. With one act of vengeance, let me pay back the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29 Samson took hold of the two middle pillars supporting the temple and leaned against them, one on his right hand and the other on his left. 30 Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” He pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the leaders and all the people in it. And those he killed at his death were more than those he had killed in his life.

• How did Samson show repentance in his prayer?
• How did he show his pride was still there?
• What are some ways pride can lead to getting revenge on those who have wronged us?
• Is there anyone in your life who you rejoice when bad things happen to them?
  • What would it take for you to work towards forgiving them this week?

Discipleship Questions

• Who is someone you can confess your sin to in order to repent and grow closer to Jesus?
  • If you don’t have anyone that you do this with regularly, who is someone you trust that you could ask to hold you accountable?
• Is there any relationship that has been damaged because of your pride?
  • What do you need to do this week to make it right?

Memorize it!

Judges 16:28 He [Samson] called out to the Lord, “Lord God, please remember me. Strengthen me, God, just once more. With one act of vengeance, let me pay back the Philistines for my two eyes.”

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Give thanks to the Lord for still using us to fulfill His purposes even when we mess up

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His patience

Confess your pride that keeps you from letting go of sin and getting the help you need

Others- Pray for someone who you’ve hurt because of your pride. Ask the Lord for an opportunity to apologize and seek forgiveness this week.

Self- Pray that the Lord would show you any areas of your life that are blindspots that if you don’t start paying attention, it could lead to worse things.

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What was a phrase or warning your parents or guardians use to always say when you were growing up?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Judges 2:1-13

The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bochim and said, “I brought you out of Egypt and led you into the land I had promised to your ancestors. I also said: I will never break my covenant with you. 2 You are not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of this land. You are to tear down their altars. But you have not obeyed me. What have you done? 3 Therefore, I now say: I will not drive out these people before you. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a trap for you.” 4 When the angel of the Lord had spoken these words to all the Israelites, the people wept loudly. 5 So they named that place Bochim and offered sacrifices there to the Lord.

6 Previously, when Joshua had sent the people away, the Israelites had gone to take possession of the land, each to his own inheritance. 7 The people worshiped the Lord throughout Joshua’s lifetime and during the lifetimes of the elders who outlived Joshua. They had seen all the Lord’s great works he had done for Israel.

8 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110. 9 They buried him in the territory of his inheritance, in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. 10 That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the Lord or the works he had done for Israel.

11 The Israelites did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. They worshiped the Baals 12 and abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed other gods from the surrounding peoples and bowed down to them. They angered the Lord, 13 for they abandoned him and worshiped Baal and the Ashtoreths.

• Things were going well in Joshua’s lifetime, so why did the Israelites fail after Joshua died?
• Why did the Israelites turn so quickly to idols instead of following the Lord?
• How can the church help the next generation to know and follow the Lord?
• Who helped you understand what following Jesus was all about?
  • How can you do that for the next generation?

Romans 15:4

4 For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.

1 Corinthians 10:6

6 Now these things took place as examples for us, so that we will not desire evil things as they did.

• What ways does the passage from Judges 2 encourage us and give us endurance?
  • How does it give us examples to not do what the Israelites did?
• When you read the Bible are you looking for instructions on how to live a life fully centered on Jesus?
• If you read the Bible looking for the things talked about in these verses, how might it change how you read the Bible?

Discipleship Questions

• If you aren’t currently reading the Bible daily or almost every day, what keeps you from doing that?
• If you do make a regular practice of reading the Bible, how could you enhance that time you spend with the Lord?
• What is one way this week you can start teaching the next generation about Jesus?

Extended Edition

Read and Discuss

Judges 2:1-13

The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bochim and said, “I brought you out of Egypt and led you into the land I had promised to your ancestors. I also said: I will never break my covenant with you. 2 You are not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of this land. You are to tear down their altars. But you have not obeyed me. What have you done? 3 Therefore, I now say: I will not drive out these people before you. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a trap for you.” 4 When the angel of the Lord had spoken these words to all the Israelites, the people wept loudly. 5 So they named that place Bochim and offered sacrifices there to the Lord.

6 Previously, when Joshua had sent the people away, the Israelites had gone to take possession of the land, each to his own inheritance. 7 The people worshiped the Lord throughout Joshua’s lifetime and during the lifetimes of the elders who outlived Joshua. They had seen all the Lord’s great works he had done for Israel.

8 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110. 9 They buried him in the territory of his inheritance, in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. 10 That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the Lord or the works he had done for Israel.

11 The Israelites did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. They worshiped the Baals 12 and abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed other gods from the surrounding peoples and bowed down to them. They angered the Lord, 13 for they abandoned him and worshiped Baal and the Ashtoreths.

• Things were going well in Joshua’s lifetime, so why did the Israelites fail after Joshua died?
• Why did the Israelites turn so quickly to idols instead of following the Lord?
• How can the church help the next generation to know and follow the Lord?
• Who helped you understand what following Jesus was all about?
  • How can you do that for the next generation?
• What are some idols we have in our culture today?
  • What are some ways people worship those idols?
• What can the church do to help people trust and follow Jesus instead of idols?

Romans 15:4

4 For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.

1 Corinthians 10:6

6 Now these things took place as examples for us, so that we will not desire evil things as they did.

• What ways does the passage from Judges 2 encourage us and give us endurance?
  • How does it give us examples to not do what the Israelites did?
• When you read the Bible are you looking for instructions on how to live a life fully centered on Jesus?
• If you read the Bible looking for the things talked about in these verses, how might it change how you read the Bible?
• What does the Old Testament instruct us about idols?
• What are some evil things people desire?
• What do you need to do to turn away from evil desires?
• Who can help you with that this week?

Discipleship Questions

• If you aren’t currently reading the Bible daily or almost every day, what keeps you from doing that?
• If you do make a regular practice of reading the Bible, how could you enhance that time you spend with the Lord?
• What is one way this week you can start teaching the next generation about Jesus?

Memorize it!

Judges 2:10

10 That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the Lord or the works he had done for Israel.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Give thanks to the Lord for remaining faithful when we are not

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His steadfast love

Confess to those times you’ve given into your evil desires instead of trusting the Lord

Others- Pray for insight on what the Lord wants you to do to reach the next generation

Self- Pray that the Lord would show you any idols in your life that you’ve put before Him, and the courage to get rid of them

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What is a subject you know a lot about?
  • What did you do to learn about that thing?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Judges 1:1-7, 27-29

1 After the death of Joshua, the Israelites inquired of the Lord, “Who will be the first to fight for us against the Canaanites?”

2 The Lord answered, “Judah is to go. I have handed the land over to him.”

3 Judah said to his brother Simeon, “Come with me to my allotted territory, and let’s fight against the Canaanites. I will also go with you to your allotted territory.” So Simeon went with him.

4 When Judah attacked, the Lord handed the Canaanites and Perizzites over to them. They struck down ten thousand men in Bezek. 5 They found Adoni-bezek in Bezek, fought against him, and struck down the Canaanites and Perizzites.

6 When Adoni-bezek fled, they pursued him, caught him, and cut off his thumbs and big toes. 7 Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to pick up scraps under my table. God has repaid me for what I have done.” They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

27-29

27 At that time Manasseh failed to take possession of Beth-shean and Taanachand their surrounding villages, or the residents of Dor, Ibleam, and Megiddoand their surrounding villages; the Canaanites were determined to stay in this land. 28 When Israel became stronger, they made the Canaanites serve as forced labor but never drove them out completely.

29 At that time Ephraim failed to drive out the Canaanites who were living in Gezer, so the Canaanites have lived among them in Gezer.

• What did the Israelites do right after Joshua’s death?
• How does the story of Adoni-bezek foreshadow what’s about to happen in the rest of Judges?
• Why didn’t the Israelites drive the Canaanites out of the land like the Lord had commanded?
• Why is it difficult for us to get rid of the things in our lives that we know are bad for us?

2 Corinthians 7:8-10

8 For even if I grieved you with my letter, I don’t regret it. And if I regretted it—since I saw that the letter grieved you, yet only for a while— 9 I now rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn’t experience any loss from us. 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly grief produces death.

• Why does Paul care so much about repentance?
• In the book of Judges we will see a pattern of the Israelites disobeying, then turning back to God, He rescues them, and then they go back to doing what they did before, or worse! Why is this not repentance?
• What is godly grief?

Discipleship Questions

• What is a way you can turn toward God this week?
• What is something in your life that you need to repent of? (If you don’t feel comfortable sharing with the group, who is someone you can share this with?)
• Is there someone you need to talk to this week who is heading in the wrong direction?

Extended Edition

Read and Discuss

Judges 1:1-7, 27-29

1 After the death of Joshua, the Israelites inquired of the Lord, “Who will be the first to fight for us against the Canaanites?”

2 The Lord answered, “Judah is to go. I have handed the land over to him.”

3 Judah said to his brother Simeon, “Come with me to my allotted territory, and let’s fight against the Canaanites. I will also go with you to your allotted territory.” So Simeon went with him.

4 When Judah attacked, the Lord handed the Canaanites and Perizzites over to them. They struck down ten thousand men in Bezek. 5 They found Adoni-bezek in Bezek, fought against him, and struck down the Canaanites and Perizzites.

6 When Adoni-bezek fled, they pursued him, caught him, and cut off his thumbs and big toes. 7 Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to pick up scraps under my table. God has repaid me for what I have done.” They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

27-29

27 At that time Manasseh failed to take possession of Beth-shean and Taanachand their surrounding villages, or the residents of Dor, Ibleam, and Megiddoand their surrounding villages; the Canaanites were determined to stay in this land. 28 When Israel became stronger, they made the Canaanites serve as forced labor but never drove them out completely.

29 At that time Ephraim failed to drive out the Canaanites who were living in Gezer, so the Canaanites have lived among them in Gezer.

• What did the Israelites do right after Joshua’s death?
• How does the story of Adoni-bezek foreshadow what’s about to happen in the rest of Judges?
• Why didn’t the Israelites drive the Canaanites out of the land like the Lord had commanded?
• Why did the Lord want the Canaanites removed?
• Why is it difficult for us to get rid of the things in our lives that we know are bad for us?
• Are there any relationships in your life now that hinder your relationship with God?
  • What would it look like to submit to the Lord in that relationship?

Read Judges 21:25

25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

• Why did not having a king hurt the Israelites?
• What are some ways people today do what is right in their own eyes?
• How does having good leadership help people make better decisions?
• Who is under your leadership?
  • What do you do to help them make wise, godly decisions?
• What are some ways you do what is right in your own eyes?
• Who is someone who helps you when you are making unwise decisions?

Read 2 Corinthians 7:8-10

8 For even if I grieved you with my letter, I don’t regret it. And if I regretted it—since I saw that the letter grieved you, yet only for a while— 9 I now rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn’t experience any loss from us. 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly grief produces death.

• Why does Paul care so much about repentance?
• In the book of Judges we will see a pattern of the Israelites disobeying, then turning back to God, He rescues them, and then they go back to doing what they did before, or worse! Why is this not repentance?
• How would you define repentance?
• What is godly grief?
• What is the difference between godly grief and worldly grief?
• How can you grieve how God wants you to grieve?

Discipleship Questions

• What is a way you can turn toward God this week?
• What is something in your life that you need to repent of? (If you don’t feel comfortable sharing with the group, who is someone you can share this with?)
• Is there someone you need to talk to this week who is heading in the wrong direction?

Memorize it!

Judges 21:25

25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Give thanks to the Lord for allowing us to repent and be in right relationship with Him

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His forgiveness

Confess to those times you’ve done what is right in your own eyes

Others- Pray for someone who is living life for themselves. Ask the Lord to help you talk to them about following Jesus.

Self- Pray that you would follow Jesus in all areas of your life.

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What’s the top item on your bucket list?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Hebrews 9:27-28

27 And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment— 28 so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

• Why does the author of Hebrews want to remind people that they will die and face judgment?
• How do we live with the end in mind (death and judgment), while still being productive with our daily tasks?
• When thinking about facing judgment, why is it important to also remember that Christ came the first time to bear our sin?

Luke 23:39-43

39 Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

40 But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? 41 We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

43 And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

• How did the criminal know that Jesus had done nothing wrong?
• What did the criminal mean by “your kingdom”?
• What are some ways Jesus offers paradise to us in the midst of our pain?

Discipleship Questions

• What is one way you can live more intentionally in your faith?
• What would it look like to live with the end in mind?
  • Would anything change in your daily life?
• Who is someone you could talk to this week that hasn’t been thinking about what happens after this life?

Extended Edition

Read and Discuss

Hebrews 9:27-28

27 And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment— 28 so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

• Why does the author of Hebrews want to remind people that they will die and face judgment?
• How do we live with the end in mind (death and judgment), while still being productive with our daily tasks?
• When thinking about facing judgment, why is it important to also remember that Christ came the first time to bear our sin?
• Why don’t people like to think about dying?
• What are some ways the Bible deals with the end of this life?
• What does it say about the life to come after our time on earth ends?
• What does it mean that Jesus will come a second time to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him?
• What is a way you can wait for Jesus?

Luke 23:39-43

39 Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

40 But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? 41 We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

43 And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

• What do we learn about Jesus’ character from this story?
• How did the criminal know that Jesus had done nothing wrong?
• What did the criminal mean by “your kingdom”?
• What are some ways Jesus offers paradise to us in the midst of our pain?
• How do you respond when people insult you?
  • How did Jesus respond?

1 Corinthians 15:58

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Colossians 3:17

17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

• Why does our work here on earth matter?
• How do you balance thinking about heaven and the end of life here, with doing what we need to do on a daily basis?
• What is the Lord’s work?
• How can you use your words and actions to worship God?

Discipleship Questions

• What is one way you can live more intentionally in your faith?
• What would it look like to live with the end in mind?
  • Would anything change in your daily life?
• Who is someone you could talk to this week that hasn’t been thinking about what happens after this life?

Memorize it!

1 Corinthians 15:58

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Give thanks to the Lord for creating paradise for us to live in with Him forever

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His steadfast love

Confess any selfish motives you have for how you live your daily life

Others- Pray for someone who struggles believing in heaven and life after this. Ask the Lord for an opportunity to talk with them this week.

Self- Pray that your daily work would be pleasing to the Lord as well as point others to end of this life.

View Details

Opening Discussion

• When you picture heaven, what are some things that come to mind?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

John 21:9-14

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. 10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus told them. 11 So Simon Peter climbed up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish—153 of them. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.

12 “Come and have breakfast,” Jesus told them. None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

• What are some things that stand out about Jesus’ interaction with His disciples?
• Jesus had recently been raised from the dead. Why did He spend His time like this?
• What insights can we learn about heaven based on this interaction?

Ephesians 3:14-21

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

• What does this passage tell us about the life to come, and the life we are to live now?
• What is the role of the Holy Spirit according to this passage?
• Why is a Christ-centered community important now?
• What is a way you engage with other followers of Jesus?

Discipleship Questions

• Why is how you live now important for the life to come?
• What is something you could do this week to help point others to the Kingdom of God?
• How is the power of Christ at work within you?

Extended Edition

Read and Discuss

John 21:9-14

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. 10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus told them. 11 So Simon Peter climbed up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish—153 of them. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.

12 “Come and have breakfast,” Jesus told them. None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

• What are some things that stand out about Jesus’ interaction with His disciples?
• Why did Jesus want to have breakfast with the disciples?
• Jesus had recently been raised from the dead. Why did He spend His time like this?
  • Why was this so important to Jesus?
• What insights can we learn about heaven based on this interaction?
• How can we focus on eternity with Jesus, but yet still be present with the people around us now?
• What is one way you can focus on heaven this week?
• What is one way you can focus on the people around you?

Ephesians 3:14-21

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

• What does this passage tell us about the life to come, and the life we are to live now?
• What is the role of the Holy Spirit according to this passage?
• Why is a Christ-centered community important now?
• What is a way you engage with other followers of Jesus?
• Why does the love of Christ surpass all knowledge?
• How can you help others understand that love?

Discipleship Questions

• Why is how you live now important for the life to come?
• What is something you could do this week to help point others to the Kingdom of God?
• How is the power of Christ at work within you?

Memorize it!

Ephesians 3:16- I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being…

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Give thanks to the Lord for wanting to have a relationship with us

Adoration- Worship God for being worthy of worship for all eternity

Confess the times when you haven’t lived the way you know you should

Others- Pray for someone who doesn’t know Jesus. Ask the Lord for an opportunity to share His love with them this week

Self- Pray that you would live your life on this earth in light of the life to come. Ask the Lord for strength to live daily for Him.

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What is a favorite memory you have of your mom or a mother figure?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

John 21:1-14

1 After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples were together.

3 “I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them.

“We’re coming with you,” they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus. 5 “Friends,” Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?”

“No,” they answered.

6 “Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” he told them, “and you’ll find some.” So they did, and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish. 7 The disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer clothing around him (for he had taken it off) and plunged into the sea. 8 Since they were not far from land (about a hundred yards away), the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish.

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. 10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus told them. 11 So Simon Peter climbed up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish—153 of them. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.

12 “Come and have breakfast,” Jesus told them. None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

• What are some things you learn about Jesus’ character from this passage?
• How did they know it was Jesus on the shore when He told them to fish on the other side of their boat?
• How do you know when Jesus is speaking to you?

Read John 21:15-19

15 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.”

“Feed my lambs,” he told him. 16 A second time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.”

“Shepherd my sheep,” he told him.

17 He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”

“Feed my sheep,” Jesus said. 18 “Truly I tell you, when you were younger, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” 19 He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After saying this, he told him, “Follow me.”

• How did Jesus bring restoration to Peter after Peter denied him three times?
• Why does Jesus talk to Peter about these things after eating a meal?
• When someone sins against you, what can you learn from this story about restoring the relationship?

Discipleship Questions

• What is something that Jesus is asking you to do that is out of your comfort zone?
• Who is someone you have an issue with?
  • What can you do this week to bring healing to that relationship?

Extended Edition

John 21:1-14

1 After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples were together.

3 “I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them.

“We’re coming with you,” they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus. 5 “Friends,” Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?”

“No,” they answered.

6 “Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” he told them, “and you’ll find some.” So they did, and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish. 7 The disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer clothing around him (for he had taken it off) and plunged into the sea. 8 Since they were not far from land (about a hundred yards away), the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish.

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. 10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus told them. 11 So Simon Peter climbed up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish—153 of them. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.

12 “Come and have breakfast,” Jesus told them. None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

• What are some things you learn about Jesus’ character from this passage?
• How did they know it was Jesus on the shore when He told them to fish on the other side of their boat?
• Why do you think John included the exact number of fish, 153, they caught?
• Why did Jesus have breakfast with the disciples?
• What are some ways you spend time with Jesus?
• What is something you can do this week to spend time with Jesus in a way you normally don’t? (Going on a walk in the woods, writing out a prayer, fasting a meal, etc.)
• How do you know when Jesus is speaking to you?
  • What is something you can do to learn to discern His voice in your life over the other voices?

Read John 21:15-17

15 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.”

“Feed my lambs,” he told him. 16 A second time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.”

“Shepherd my sheep,” he told him.

17 He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”

“Feed my sheep,” Jesus said.

• How did Jesus bring restoration to Peter after Peter denied him three times?
• Why does Jesus talk to Peter about these things after eating a meal?
• Why didn’t Jesus bring up Peter’s denial of Him?
• What does Jesus mean when He tells Peter to shepherd and feed His sheep?
• When someone sins against you, what can you learn from this story about restoring the relationship?
• What are ways that we can shepherd and feed people?

Discipleship Questions

• What is something that Jesus is asking you to do that is out of your comfort zone?
• Who is someone you have an issue with?
  • What can you do this week to bring healing to that relationship?
• Who is someone you can help shepherd and feed this week?

Memorize it!

John 21:16 A second time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.”

“Shepherd my sheep,” he told him.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Give thanks to the Lord for restoring us back to a right relationship with Him

Adoration- Worship God for His comfort

Confess to the times when you have not listened to the Lord and His leading in your life

Others- pray for someone whom you are struggling with. Ask the Lord for the ability to forgive them and if possible, have a conversation with them to bring restoration.

Self- Ask the Lord to show you ways to shepherd the people around you who need to know Jesus

View Details

Opening Discussion

• When have you doubted something, but then later found out it was true?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

John 20:19-23

19 When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

20 Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” 22 After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

• How do you think the disciples felt at this moment?
• What happened to the disciples as a result of this encounter?
• When was there a moment when everything in your life changed for the better?

John 20:24-31

24 But Thomas (called “Twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

26 A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.”

28 Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

• Why did Thomas not believe the other disciples’ story about Jesus?
• Was Thomas being realistic or stubborn?
• When you have doubts about something, what proof would help you believe?

Discipleship Questions

• What doubts did you have to overcome before following Jesus?
• When you have doubts or questions about your faith where or who do you turn to?
• What can you do this week to share the love of Christ with others?

Extended Version

Read and Discuss

John 20:19-23

19 When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

20 Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” 22 After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

• How do you think the disciples felt at this moment?
• What happened to the disciples as a result of this encounter?
• When was there a moment when everything in your life changed for the better?
• How does the Holy Spirit impact your daily life?
• What are some ways you can live out the peace that Jesus gives?

John 20:24-31

24 But Thomas (called “Twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

26 A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.”

28 Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

• Why did Thomas not believe the other disciples’ story about Jesus?
• Was Thomas being realistic or stubborn?
• Why did Thomas want to touch the wounds of Christ?
  • Why wasn’t just seeing Jesus enough for Thomas?
• What are some proofs that people want today that Jesus came back to life?
• When you have doubts about something, what proof would help you believe?
• What proof is there that Jesus actually did come back to life?
• What are some resources that you could look at or point people to who may have doubts about Jesus and Him coming back to life?

Discipleship Questions

• What doubts did you have to overcome before following Jesus?
• When you have doubts or questions about your faith where or who do you turn to?
• What can you do this week to share the love of Christ with others?

Memorize it!

John 20:31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Give thanks to the Lord for loving us through our doubts

Adoration- Worship God for being personal and loving

Confess to the times when you have used doubt as an excuse to sin

Others- pray for someone who is having trouble believing in Jesus. Ask that He would give you an opportunity to talk with them this week

Self- Ask the Lord to help you to seek Him when you have doubts.

View Details

Opening Discussion

• Tell a light-hearted story about how a simple miscommunication led to an interesting outcome. (ie- a text that had the wrong info or a weird autocorrect word, saying something that was taken wrong by the other person, etc.)

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

John 20:21-22

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” 22 After saying this, Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Genesis 1:1-2

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

• What is the role of the Holy Spirit?
• During the creation of the world, why was the Holy Spirit hovering over the waters?
• What’s the significance of Jesus’ proclamation of peace over the disciples before telling them to receive the Holy Spirit?
• How does someone receive the Holy Spirit?

Read Exodus 29:41-43, 45

41 You are to offer the second lamb at twilight. Offer a grain offering and a drink offering with it, like the one in the morning, as a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the Lord. 42 This will be a regular burnt offering throughout your generations at the entrance to the tent of meeting before the Lord, where I will meet you to speak with you. 43 I will also meet with the Israelites there, and that place will be consecrated by my glory.

45 I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.

• In the Old Testament, where did the presence of the Lord reside?
• Why did the Lord want to have a meeting place for His people?
• Why was a sacrifice necessary for the people to come into the Lord’s presence?
• What are some things you do to prepare yourself to meet with the Lord?

Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

19 Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.

2 Corinthians 3:16-18

16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

• What does Paul mean that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?
• Why did Jesus’ death and resurrection give us access for the Holy Spirit to now dwell within us?
• What are some ways you are being transformed into the image of God?

Discipleship Questions

• When was a time the Holy Spirit guided you?
• What are some ways you can live in the freedom of God’s Spirit this week?

Extended Edition

Read and Discuss

John 20:21-22

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” 22 After saying this, Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Genesis 1:1-2

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

• What is the role of the Holy Spirit?
• During the creation of the world, why was the Holy Spirit hovering over the waters?
• What’s the significance of Jesus’ proclamation of peace over the disciples before telling them to receive the Holy Spirit?
• When we are sent by God, why do we need the Holy Spirit?
• How does someone receive the Holy Spirit?

Read Exodus 29:41-43, 45

41 You are to offer the second lamb at twilight. Offer a grain offering and a drink offering with it, like the one in the morning, as a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the Lord. 42 This will be a regular burnt offering throughout your generations at the entrance to the tent of meeting before the Lord, where I will meet you to speak with you. 43 I will also meet with the Israelites there, and that place will be consecrated by my glory.

45 I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.

• In the Old Testament, where did the presence of the Lord reside?
• Why did the Lord want to have a meeting place for His people?
• Why was a sacrifice necessary for the people to come into the Lord’s presence?
• What are some things you do to prepare yourself to meet with the Lord?
• How often throughout the week do you take time to be in the Lord’s presence?
• What are some things that distract you from your time with God?
• What are some things that help you connect with the Lord?

Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

19 Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.

2 Corinthians 3:16-18

16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

• What does Paul mean that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?
• Why did Jesus’ death and resurrection give us access for the Holy Spirit to now dwell within us?
• What are some ways you are being transformed into the image of God?
• How can you glorify God with your body?
• What are some ways the Holy Spirit gives freedom?

Discipleship Questions

• When was a time the Holy Spirit guided you?
• What are some ways you can live in the freedom of God’s Spirit this week?

Memorize it!

2 Corinthians 3:17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Give thanks for the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life

Adoration- Worship God for sending us a Helper

Confess to the times you haven’t listened to the Holy Spirit and did things your way

Others- Pray for someone who needs to receive the Holy Spirit. Ask the Lord for an opportunity to talk to them this week.

Self- Ask the Lord to show you what it means to live in the freedom of the Spirit.

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What’s something you enjoy doing in the springtime?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

John 20:19-23

19 When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

20 Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” 22 After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

• Why does Jesus announce twice to the disciples, “Peace be with you?”
• Where was Jesus sending the disciples?
• What authority does Jesus give the disciples?
• How do you use the authority that Jesus gives you through the Holy Spirit?

John 14:15-17

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.

1 John 2:1

My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one.

• What are some qualities of the Holy Spirit?
• Why does keeping the Lord’s commands show that we love Him?
• What does it mean that Jesus is our advocate with the Father?

Discipleship Questions

• What is something you can do this week to listen to the Holy Spirit?
• Are there any ways you are disobeying God’s commands?
  • How can you walk in obedience in one of those areas?

Extended Edition

Read and Discuss

John 20:19-23

19 When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

20 Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” 22 After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

• Why does Jesus announce twice to the disciples, “Peace be with you?”
• Where was Jesus sending the disciples?
• What authority does Jesus give the disciples?
• How do you use the authority that Jesus gives you through the Holy Spirit?
• What does verse 23 mean?
• What are some things that are easy to forgive?
• What are some things that are hard to forgive?
• Is there anyone you are having trouble forgiving?
  • How could you rely on the Holy Spirit this week to help you work towards forgiveness?

John 14:15-17

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.

1 John 2:1

My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one.

• What are some qualities of the Holy Spirit?
• Why does keeping the Lord’s commands show that we love Him?
• What does it mean that Jesus is our advocate with Father?
• Why does John address his audience as little children?
• What is the role of a counselor?
• How does having the Counselor with us forever change us?
• Do you access the Holy Spirit (Counselor) on a daily basis?
  • If not, what can you do to live that way?

Discipleship Questions

• What is something you can do this week to listen to the Holy Spirit?
• Are there any ways you are disobeying God’s commands?
  • How can you walk in obedience in one of those areas?

Memorize it!

John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Give thanks for giving us the Holy Spirit

Adoration- Worship God for being the Counselor forever

Confess a way that you disobeyed God this week. Ask for forgiveness.

Others- Pray for someone who needs to turn their life over to Jesus. Ask for an opportunity to talk to them about Jesus this week.

Self- Pray that you would listen more to the Holy Spirit this week and operate your life according to His leading

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What are some things that people find purpose in apart from Christ?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

1 Corinthians 15:13-14

13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain, and so is your faith.

• Why is the resurrection so important to Paul?
• Why is our faith void if the resurrection doesn’t exist?
• What else would happen if there was no resurrection?
• How can you know that Jesus really did come back to life?

John 4:34

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.

John 6:29

Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

John 6:38

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

Luke 4:43

But He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.”

Luke 10:16

“The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”

• These verses all talk about Jesus being sent for a specific purpose. What were the things Jesus was sent to do?
• What does it mean for you to be sent by God?
• What are some things you are to do as a part of God’s kingdom?
  • What obstacles will you face?

Discipleship Questions

• Who was sent into your life to tell you about Jesus?
• Who is someone you could have a Christ-centered conversation with this week?
• How can you live in the freedom of Christ coming back from the grave this week?

Extended Version

Read and Discuss

1 Corinthians 15:13-14

13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain, and so is your faith.

• Why is the resurrection so important to Paul?
• Why is our faith void if the resurrection doesn’t exist?
• What else would happen if there was no resurrection?
• How can you know that Jesus really did come back to life?

John 20:19-20

19 When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

20 Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

• Why were the disciples living in fear?
• How does Jesus’ message of peace contradict the disciples’ current circumstances and feelings?
• What are ways you can have Jesus’ peace even in the midst of hardship and turmoil in life?
• Why did Jesus offer proof to the disciples that it was really Him?
• What proof do we have that Jesus came back to life?

John 4:34

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.

John 6:29

Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

John 6:38

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

Luke 4:43

But He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.”

Luke 10:16

“The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”

• These verses all talk about Jesus being sent for a specific purpose. What were the things Jesus was sent to do?
• What does it mean for you to be sent by God?
• What are some things you are to do as a part of God’s kingdom?
• What obstacles will you face from others as you do God’s work?
  • What obstacles might come from your own shortcomings?
• Where are some places God has sent you? (This doesn’t mean mission trips only. This could be where you work, your neighborhood, your church, school, places you regularly visit.)
• How can you teach others about the Lord wherever you are?

Discipleship Questions

• Who was sent into your life to tell you about Jesus?
• Who is someone you could have a Christ-centered conversation with this week?
• How can you live in the freedom of Christ coming back from the grave this week?

Memorize it!

John 4:34

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Give thanks for the Lord accomplishing what He was sent here for

Adoration- Worship God for sending Jesus to this earth to restore our relationship with Him

Confess the times you haven’t lived the life God has called you to live

Others- Thank God for the other people in your life who have helped you in your faith

Self- Ask the Lord to send you somewhere this week where you can tell someone about Him

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What’s your favorite work of art and why?

Shortened Version

Read John 20:11-18

11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there,but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

• What does this Bible passage show us about Mary’s relationship with Jesus?
  • Why does their relationship matter enough for John to include it in this pivotal moment in the life of Christ?
• Why do both the angels and Jesus ask why Mary is crying?
• How should Jesus rising from the dead give you a different outlook on life?
• What is one way you could live out the full life that Jesus offers us?

Read Hebrews 2:14-18

14 Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil—15 and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. 16 For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring. 17 Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.18 For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

• What does this passage tell us about why Jesus had to come to earth as a human?
• What does it mean to make atonement for the sins of the people?
  • Why could only Jesus do that?
• When you are tempted, what are some ways you could turn to Jesus?

Discipleship Questions

• Who are some people in your life that can help you with temptation?
• Why is it important to confess our sins to the Lord and a trusted person or small group of people?
• If you don’t have a regular time of confession to a group of trusted people, what do you need to do this week to start doing that?
  • What excuses might you make for not doing this?

Extended Edition

Read John 20:11-18

11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there,but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

• What does this Bible passage show us about Mary’s relationship with Jesus?
  • Why does their relationship matter enough for John to include it in this pivotal moment in the life of Christ?
• Why do both the angels and Jesus ask why Mary is crying?
• How should Jesus rising from the dead give you a different outlook on life?
• What does Jesus mean by “don’t hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father?”
• Why does Jesus say “my Father and your Father?”
  • How did this show how the relationship between God and humanity had changed?
• How do you pursue Jesus with your life?
• What is one way you could live out the full life that Jesus offers us?

Read Hebrews 2:14-18

14 Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil—15 and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. 16 For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring. 17 Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.18 For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

• What does this passage tell us about why Jesus had to come to earth as a human?
• What does it mean to make atonement for the sins of the people?
  • Why could only Jesus do that?
• Why does it matter that Jesus was fully human?
• What are some ways people are held in slavery metaphorically?
• How does Jesus break the bonds of slavery to sin?
• When you are tempted, what are some ways you could turn to Jesus?

Discipleship Questions

• Who are some people in your life that can help you with temptation?
• Why is it important to confess our sins to the Lord and a trusted person or small group of people?
• If you don’t have a regular time of confession to a group of trusted people, what do you need to do this week to start doing that?
  • What excuses might you make for not doing this?

Memorize it!

Hebrews 2:18- For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

PRAYER TACOS!

Thanksgiving- Give thanks to the Lord for knowing our name

Adoration- Worship the Lord because He is the defeater of death

Confess- Is the Lord laying anything on your heart to confess to the group?

Others- Ask the Lord for someone you can talk to this week to confess sin and grow in your faith

Self- Pray that God would direct you in every area of your life

View Details

Opening Discussion

• When have you had an encounter with the Lord that shaped or changed your life?

Shortened Version

Read John 20:1-10

1 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him!”

3 At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. 5 Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then, following him, Simon Peter also came. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 7 The wrapping that had been on his head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. 8 The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then also went in, saw, and believed. 9 For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying.

• What are some elements of this story that show the realistic responses of Mary Magdalene and the disciples?
• At first, why didn’t Jesus’ closest followers understand that He had risen from the dead?
• Why do some people doubt the resurrection actually happened?
• How does this account of the resurrection point to it being true?

Read John 20:11-18

11 But Mary stood outside the tomb,crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 She saw two angels in white sitting where Jesus’s body had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“Because they’ve taken away my Lord,” she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put him.”

14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus. 15 “Woman,”Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it that you’re seeking?”

Supposing he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve carried him away, tell me where you’ve put him, and I will take him away.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!”—which means “Teacher.”

17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus told her, “since I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what he had said to her.

• What were some things that had to happen for Mary to believe that Jesus really had come back from the dead?
• It wasn’t until Jesus said Mary’s name that she recognized Him. Why do you think that is?
• Are there any doubts or questions you have about the resurrection of Jesus?
• What can you do this week to seek out those answers like Mary did?

Discipleship Questions

• How does the resurrection of Christ set Christianity apart from every other religion?
• What are some ways Jesus coming back to live should change your everyday life?
• Who can you talk to about Jesus coming back to life this week?

Extended Version

Read John 20:1-10

1 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him!”

3 At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. 5 Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then, following him, Simon Peter also came. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 7 The wrapping that had been on his head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. 8 The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then also went in, saw, and believed. 9 For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying.

• What are some elements of this story that show the realistic responses of Mary Magdalene and the disciples?
• At first, why didn’t Jesus’ closest followers understand that He had risen from the dead?
• Why do some people doubt the resurrection actually happened?
• How does this account of the resurrection point to it being true?
• Why didn’t the disciples understand the scriptures about Jesus rising from the dead?
• What do you do when you don’t understand what you read in the Bible?
• How can you seek out answers to things you don’t understand?
• What’s one question about the Bible that you can start looking for answers for this week?

Read John 20:11-18

11 But Mary stood outside the tomb,crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 She saw two angels in white sitting where Jesus’s body had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“Because they’ve taken away my Lord,” she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put him.”

14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus. 15 “Woman,”Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it that you’re seeking?”

Supposing he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve carried him away, tell me where you’ve put him, and I will take him away.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!”—which means “Teacher.”

17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus told her, “since I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what he had said to her.

• What were some things that had to happen for Mary to believe that Jesus really had come back from the dead?
• It wasn’t until Jesus said Mary’s name that she recognized Him. Why do you think that is?
• What are some ways people have missed God working in their lives?
• When have you felt abandoned by the Lord, but then looking back you can see how He was working through that situation?
• Are there any doubts or questions you have about the resurrection of Jesus?
• What can you do this week to seek out those answers like Mary did?

Discipleship Questions

• How does the resurrection of Christ set Christianity apart from every other religion?
• What are some ways Jesus coming back to live should change your everyday life?
• Who can you talk to about Jesus coming back to life this week?

Memorize it!

John 20:1

On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.

Prayer

This week for prayer time, spend some time worshiping the Lord for coming back to life. Thank Him for those things in your life that are now different and free because of His death, burial, and return to life.

View Details

Opening Discussion

• When is a time you’ve been humbled?

Read and Discuss

Shortened Version

Proverbs 2:1-5

1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 listening closely to wisdom and directing your heart to understanding; 3 furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, 4 if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.

• What does the author say about wisdom?
• Why do we have to seek our wisdom instead of it just coming naturally?
• How does knowledge and wisdom lead to understanding the fear of the Lord?
• What is something you can do to seek out wisdom?

Matthew 21:1-3

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.” If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.

Deuteronomy 17:16

The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.”

Proverbs 16:18

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Zechariah 9:9

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

• How do wisdom and humility go hand in hand?
• How did Jesus show humility by choosing to ride on a donkey?
• What are some ways Jesus was not the king that the Israelites were expecting, even though the prophecies pointed to a humble King?

Discipleship Questions

• What are some ways you are prideful?
• What are some ways you can practice humility this week?
• How did Jesus show humility when He was on earth?
  • How can you follow in His footsteps in this area?

Extended Edition

Proverbs 2:1-5

1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 listening closely to wisdom and directing your heart to understanding; 3 furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, 4 if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.

• What does the author say about wisdom?
• Why do we have to seek our wisdom instead of it just coming naturally?
• How does knowledge and wisdom lead to understanding the fear of the Lord?
• What are some things you pursue and chase in your life?
• What happens if you don’t search for wisdom?
• What is something you can do to seek out wisdom?

Matthew 21:1-3

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.” If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.

Deuteronomy 17:16

The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.”

Proverbs 16:18

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Zechariah 9:9

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

• Why did Jesus choose this moment to ride into town on an animal instead of just walking?
• How did Jesus show humility by choosing to ride on a donkey?
• How do wisdom and humility go hand in hand?
• What are some ways you have seen pride go before destruction?
• Why would Zechariah’s prophecy have been surprising to the Israelites?
• What are some ways Jesus was not the king that the Israelites were expecting, even though the prophecies pointed to a humble King?

Discipleship Questions

• What are some ways you are prideful?
• What are some ways you can practice humility this week?
• How did Jesus show humility when He was on earth?
  • How can you follow in His footsteps in this area?

Memorize it!

Proverbs 16:18

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Give thanks for the Lord’s example of how to live a humble life

Adoration- Praise the Lord for being the humble King

Confess the times you’ve been prideful and not humble

Others- Ask the Lord for wisdom on how to deal humbly with other people, especially those who annoy you

Self- Ask the Lord for humility

View Details

Opening Discussion

• Who are two or three people that were instrumental in you giving your life to Jesus?

Shortened Version

Read Matthew 28:16-17

16 The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted.

• Why did some of the eleven disciples still doubt?
• How can you worship through your doubts?
• When you have doubts about your faith, what do you do?

Read Matthew 28:18-20

18 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

• Why does Jesus start by saying “all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth?”
  • What does this establish?
• Jesus tells the disciples to make disciples and teach them what He taught them. Why does He add baptism in there as something disciples should do?
• What are some ways you make disciples or teach others about Jesus in your own life?

Discipleship Questions

• If you haven’t been baptized, what is keeping you from making that step?
  • If you have been baptized, what led you to that decision?
• What is something you can do this week to make disciples?
  • Who will help you do that?

Extended Version

Read Matthew 28:16-17

16 The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted.

• Why did some of the eleven disciples still doubt?
  • What do you think helped them get past their doubt?
• How can you worship through your doubts?
• What are some things people have doubts about when it comes to faith?
• When you have doubts about your faith, what do you do?
• What’s one doubt or question you have now about your faith?
  • What can you do this week to seek wisdom from God’s Word, other people, and other resources this week?

Read Matthew 28:18-20

18 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

• Why does Jesus start by saying “all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth?”
  • What does this establish?
• Jesus tells the disciples to make disciples and teach them what He taught them. Why does He add baptism in there as something disciples should do?
• What are some ways you make disciples or teach others about Jesus in your own life?
• Why is it important to remember that Jesus is with us always?
  • How would your life be different if you lived in constant recognition that Jesus is always with you?

Discipleship Questions

• If you haven’t been baptized, what is keeping you from making that step?
  • If you have been baptized, what led you to that decision?
• What is something you can do this week to make disciples?
  • Who will help you do that?

Memorize it!

Matthew 28:20b “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank Jesus always being with us

Adoration- Worship the Lord for defeating death

Confess the times you’ve not been intentional about making disciples

Others- Ask the Lord to show you a person you could start helping to make a disciple

Self- Pray that you would live your life with Jesus at the center of everything you do

View Details

Opening Discussion

• How have you benefited from someone else’s generosity?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Proverbs 3:9-10

9 Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled completely, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

• How can you honor the Lord with your wealth?
• What does it mean to honor the Lord with the firstfruits of all your crops?
  • What would that look like in your life?
• What are some ways you’ve seen the Lord’s generosity?

Read the following Proverbs

Proverbs 11:25

A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water.

Proverbs 22:9

A generous person will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

Proverbs 14:31

The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker, but one who is kind to the needy honors him.

Proverbs 19:17

Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord, and he will give a reward to the lender.

Proverbs 19:6

Many seek a ruler’s favor, and everyone is a friend of one who gives gifts.

Proverbs 21:13

The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered.

Proverbs 28:27

The one who gives to the poor will not be in need, but one who turns his eyes away will receive many curses.

Proverbs 29:7

The righteous person knows the rights of the poor, but the wicked one does not understand these concerns.

• What is a common theme in these Proverbs?
• What are the Lord’s feelings towards the poor based on these verses?
• What are the Lord’s feelings towards…those who help the poor?
  • …those who don’t help the poor?

Discipleship Questions

• What is one way you can be more generous this week?
  • Who is someone that can hold you accountable to this?
• How can you look for the Lord’s generosity in your life?
• What do you need to pray for this week?

Extended Edition

Proverbs 3:9-10

9 Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled completely, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

• How can you honor the Lord with your wealth?
• What does it mean to honor the Lord with the firstfruits of all your crops?
  • What would that look like in your life?
• What are some ways you’ve seen the Lord’s generosity?
• Does this mean that if you are a generous person that God will give you lots of wealth?
  • Why or why not?
• What are some other ways the Lord blesses people besides wealth?

Read the following Proverbs

Proverbs 11:25

A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water.

Proverbs 22:9

A generous person will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

Proverbs 14:31

The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker, but one who is kind to the needy honors him.

Proverbs 19:17

Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord, and he will give a reward to the lender.

Proverbs 19:6

Many seek a ruler’s favor, and everyone is a friend of one who gives gifts.

Proverbs 21:13

The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered.

Proverbs 28:27

The one who gives to the poor will not be in need, but one who turns his eyes away will receive many curses.

Proverbs 29:7

The righteous person knows the rights of the poor, but the wicked one does not understand these concerns.

• What is a common theme in these Proverbs?
• What are the Lord’s feelings towards the poor based on these verses?
• What are the Lord’s feelings towards…those who help the poor?
  • …those who don’t help the poor?
• What are practical ways we can help the poor?
• When it comes to giving and generosity, why does it often say that there will be a return on investment for the one who is generous?
• How have you seen this to be true in your life?

Discipleship Questions

• What is one way you can be more generous this week?
  • Who is someone that can hold you accountable to this?
• How can you look for the Lord’s generosity in your life?
• What do you need to pray for this week?

Memorize it!

Proverbs 3:9-10

9 Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled completely, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for His blessing in your life

Adoration- Spend some time worshiping the Lord for His generosity

Confess the times you’ve not been generous with your wealth, especially towards the poor

Others- Ask the Lord to show you a way to reach out to the poor this week.

Self- Ask the Lord to help you be a generous person.

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What’s the worst job you ever had?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Proverbs 11:1, 16:11, 20:10, 20:23

11:1- Dishonest scales are detestable to the Lord, but an accurate weight is his delight.

16:11- Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are his concern.

20:10- Differing weights and varying measures—both are detestable to the Lord.

20:23- Differing weights are detestable to the Lord, and dishonest scales are unfair.

• How does honest work honor the Lord?
• What are some ways people try to cheat the system at work or school?
• How might being dishonest at work play out in other areas of your life?
• What is a way you could be more honest with your work?

Read Proverbs 24:30-34

30 I went by the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of one lacking sense.

31 Thistles had come up everywhere, weeds covered the ground, and the stone wall was ruined.

32 I saw, and took it to heart; I looked, and received instruction:

33 a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest,

34 and your poverty will come like a robber, and your need, like a bandit.

Proverbs 20:13

Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor; open your eyes, and you’ll have enough to eat.

Proverbs 26:13

The slacker says, “There’s a lion in the road—a lion in the public square!”

• What do these verses say about hard work and laziness?
• What are some ways you balance work and rest?
• How can you make sure you aren’t becoming lazy?

Discipleship Questions

• How can doing your job well show others you follow Jesus?
• What is one way you can improve in your work this week?
• Who is one person that you work (or go to school with) that you can pray for this week?

Extended Version

Read and Discuss

Proverbs 11:1, 16:11, 20:10, 20:23

11:1- Dishonest scales are detestable to the Lord, but an accurate weight is his delight.

16:11- Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are his concern.

20:10- Differing weights and varying measures—both are detestable to the Lord.

20:23- Differing weights are detestable to the Lord, and dishonest scales are unfair.

• How does honest work honor the Lord?
• What are some ways people try to cheat the system at work or school?
• How might being dishonest at work play out in other areas of your life?
• What is a way you could be more honest with your work?
• Why would people be dishonest in their work?
  • What might be a price they pay for their dishonesty?

Read Proverbs 24:30-34

30 I went by the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of one lacking sense.

31 Thistles had come up everywhere, weeds covered the ground, and the stone wall was ruined.

32 I saw, and took it to heart; I looked, and received instruction:

33 a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest,

34 and your poverty will come like a robber, and your need, like a bandit.

Proverbs 20:13

Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor; open your eyes, and you’ll have enough to eat.

Proverbs 26:13

The slacker says, “There’s a lion in the road—a lion in the public square!”

• What do these verses say about hard work and laziness?
• What are some ways you balance work and rest?
• How can you make sure you aren’t becoming lazy?
• What does Proverbs 26:13 mean?
  • What would be a modern day equivalent of this saying?

Discipleship Questions

• How can doing your job well show others you follow Jesus?
• What is one way you can improve in your work this week?
• Who is one person that you work (or go to school with) that you can pray for this week?

Memorize it!

Proverbs 11:1- Dishonest scales are detestable to the Lord, but an accurate weight is his delight.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for allowing work to be a form of worship

Adoration- Spend some time worshiping the Lord

Confess the times you’ve been lazy or dishonest in your work

Others- Pray for someone at your work that could use encouragement this week.

Self- Ask the Lord to help you set the example at work by your integrity.

View Details

Opening Discussion

• Who were some of your mentors growing up?
  • What kind of things did they teach you or instill in you?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Proverbs 3:11-12

11 Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe his discipline; 12

for the Lord disciplines the one he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.

Hebrews 12:5-11

5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons:

My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly or lose heart when you are reproved by him, 6 for the Lord disciplines the one he loves and punishes every son he receives.

7 Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline—which all receive—then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but he does it for our benefit, so that we can share his holiness. 11 No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

• Why is it important to frame God’s discipline of us in the context of being His sons?
• What does it mean to endure suffering as discipline?
• What are some things God’s discipline does in our lives?
  • How have you seen this to be true?
• Is there anything you’re going through right now that could be the Lord disciplining you?

Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9

4 “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children.Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates.

• Why does Jesus consider verse 4 & 5 the greatest of all the commandments?
• What are some practical ways we can grow in our relationship with Jesus based on these verses? (sitting in your house, walking along the road, when you lie down and get up, writing them on the doorposts of your house, etc.)
  • From that list you made, what is one area you could improve in this week?
  • How will this help you grow in your relationship with Jesus?
  • What will you do specifically?

Discipleship Questions

• Why are daily disciplines important in our relationship with Jesus?
• What story does your life tell?
• What is one thing you do daily that you could add a spiritual habit to? (brushing teeth, showering, driving to work/school, going to bed, etc.)

Extended Version

Read and Discuss

Proverbs 3:11-12

11 Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe his discipline; 12

for the Lord disciplines the one he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.

Hebrews 12:5-11

5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons:

My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly or lose heart when you are reproved by him, 6 for the Lord disciplines the one he loves and punishes every son he receives.

7 Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline—which all receive—then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but he does it for our benefit, so that we can share his holiness. 11 No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

• Why is it important to frame God’s discipline of us in the context of being His sons?
• What does it mean to endure suffering as discipline?
  • Does this mean anything bad in life is God disciplining us?
• What are some things God’s discipline does in our lives?
  • How have you seen this to be true?
• Is there anything you’re going through right now that could be the Lord disciplining you?
• What are ways that God’s discipline helps us to be more disciplined in daily life?

Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9

4 “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children.Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates.

• Why does Jesus consider verse 4 & 5 the greatest of all the commandments?
• What are some practical ways we can grow in our relationship with Jesus based on these verses? (sitting in your house, walking along the road, when you lie down and get up, writing them on the doorposts of your house, etc.)
  • From that list you made, what is one area you could improve in this week?
  • How will this help you grow in your relationship with Jesus?
  • What will you do specifically?
• What gets in the way of following Jesus?
• Why is it important to remember that it’s a relationship with Jesus, not a list of rules?

Read Proverbs 13:1 A wise son responds to his father’s discipline, but a mocker doesn’t listen to rebuke.

Proverbs 15:31 One who listens to life-giving rebukes will be at home among the wise.

• When someone corrects you or rebukes you, how do you respond?
  • Do you receive it better from someone you know well or someone you don’t know very well?
• Why are daily spiritual disciplines important?
• How do those disciplines help you fall more in love with Jesus?

Discipleship Questions

• Why are daily disciplines important in our relationship with Jesus?
• What story does your life tell?
• What is one thing you do daily that you could add a spiritual habit to? (brushing teeth, showering, driving to work/school, going to bed, etc.)

Memorize it!

Proverbs 3:11-12

11 Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe his discipline; 12

for the Lord disciplines the one he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for loving us enough to have a relationship with us

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His discipline

Confess the times you’ve rejected the Lord’s discipline and ran from Him

Others- Pray for someone you know who is not listening to or following the Lord. Ask the Lord to give you an opportunity to share with them this week.

Self- Ask the Lord to help you have a good relationship with your kids so that you can show them the way to live.

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What was something you got in trouble for as a kid, that you laugh about now that you’re older?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Proverbs 1:8

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction And do not forsake your mother’s teaching;

Proverbs 13:24

He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Proverbs 19:18

Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death.

Proverbs 29:17

Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; He will also delight your soul.

Proverbs 22:15

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.

Proverbs 23:13

Do not hold back discipline from the child, Although you strike him with the rod, he will not die.

Proverbs 29:15

The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother

Proverbs 22:5

Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

• What are some themes that Solomon (and the other authors) give about raising children?
• What is the difference between authoritarian parenting and authoritative parenting?
• Even if you aren’t a parent, what are some ways you can be more disciplined in your life this week?

Read Psalm 103:13

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

Proverbs 3:11-12

My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His reproof, For whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 15:5

A fool rejects his father’s discipline, But he who regards reproof is sensible.

• When have you rejected discipline?
• What are some ways the Lord disciplines us?
• How has the Lord disciplined you recently and what did you do about it?

Discipleship Questions

• What is one area you can focus on being disciplined this week?
  • What will you do specifically?
• Who is someone that is disciplined? What can you learn from them?
• What is a spiritual discipline you could start practicing this week?

Extended Edition

Read and Discuss

Proverbs 1:8

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction And do not forsake your mother’s teaching;

Proverbs 13:24

He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Proverbs 19:18

Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death.

Proverbs 29:17

Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; He will also delight your soul.

Proverbs 22:15

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.

Proverbs 23:13

Do not hold back discipline from the child, Although you strike him with the rod, he will not die.

Proverbs 29:15

The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother

Proverbs 22:5

Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

• What are some themes that Solomon (and the other authors) give about raising children?
• What is the difference between authoritarian parenting and authoritative parenting?
• Even if you aren’t a parent, what are some ways you can be more disciplined in your life this week?
• Why is proper correction so important in parenting?
• What are some ways you’ve failed in the way you have disciplined as a parent?
• What were some ways your parents disciplined you growing up that were helpful?
• How do you practice discipline when no one is around to guide you?

Read Psalm 103:13

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

Proverbs 3:11-12

My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His reproof, For whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 15:5

A fool rejects his father’s discipline, But he who regards reproof is sensible.

• When have you rejected discipline?
• What are some ways the Lord disciplines us?
• How has the Lord disciplined you recently and what did you do about it?
• Who are some people in your life that might correct you now?
• How do you receive corrections and constructive criticism?
• How do you handle criticism from people you don’t get along with?

Discipleship Questions

• What is one area you can focus on being disciplined this week?
  • What will you do specifically?
• Who is someone that is disciplined? What can you learn from them?
• What is a spiritual discipline you could start practicing this week?

Memorize it!

Proverbs 15:5

A fool rejects his father’s discipline, But he who regards reproof is sensible.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for discipling us to help make us more like Him

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His guidelines

Confess the times you’ve rejected correction and lived how you wanted to live

Others- Pray for someone you know who is struggling with raising their kids. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom on how to help them this week.

Self- Ask the Lord to help with raising your kids to follow after Him. If you don’t have kids, pray for discipline in your daily life.

View Details

Opening Discussion

• How is marriage viewed in our society?
  • What are some factors that make people view it that way?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Proverbs 5:18; 18:22; 19:14

5:18 Let your fountain be blessed, and take pleasure in the wife of your youth.

18:22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.

19:14 A house and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

• What does Solomon say is good about marriage?
• How were these views of the wives different from the cultural norms of that time period?
• If you aren’t married, what are some ways you can find out if a man or woman is wise before marriage?
• If you are married, what are you doing in your marriage to maintain the vows you committed to?

Read these verses from Proverbs 31

10 Who can find a wife of noble character? She is far more precious than jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good. 12 She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of her life.

15 She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and portions for her female servants. 16 She evaluates a field and buys it; she plants a vineyard with her earnings.

20 Her hands reach out to the poor, and she extends her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all in her household are doubly clothed. 22 She makes her own bed coverings;

her clothing is fine linen and purple.

26 Her mouth speaks wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also praises her: 29 “Many women have done noble deeds, but you surpass them all!” 30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised. 31 Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates.

• What are some things that stick out to you about the description of a wife of noble character?
• Why does the book of Proverbs end this way?
• When people describe you, would they start by saying you were a person of noble character? Why or why not?

Discipleship Questions

• Who do you know that has a good marriage? What can you do this week to gain wisdom from them?
• What is one thing you can do this week to become a person of noble character?
• What can you do this week to show your spouse you appreciate them? How can you do this continually?
• What is something the Lord is teaching you this week?

Extended Version

Read and Discuss

Proverbs 5:18; 18:22; 19:14

5:18 Let your fountain be blessed, and take pleasure in the wife of your youth.

18:22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.

19:14 A house and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

• What does Solomon say is good about marriage?
• How were these views of the wives different from the cultural norms of that time period?
• If you aren’t married, what are some ways you can find out if a man or woman is wise before marriage?
• If you are married, what are you doing in your marriage to maintain the vows you committed to?
• How does God view marriage?
• What are some things you can do this week to enjoy your marriage and spouse more?

Read Proverbs 31:10-31

10 Who can find a wife of noble character? She is far more precious than jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good. 12 She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax and works with willing hands.14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from far away. 15 She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and portions for her female servants. 16 She evaluates a field and buys it; she plants a vineyard with her earnings. 17 She draws on her strength and reveals that her arms are strong. 18 She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night. 19 She extends her hands to the spinning staff, and her hands hold the spindle. 20 Her hands reach out to the poor, and she extends her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all in her household are doubly clothed. 22 She makes her own bed coverings;

her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes and sells linen garments; she delivers belts to the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. 26 Her mouth speaks wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also praises her: 29 “Many women have done noble deeds, but you surpass them all!” 30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised. 31 Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates.

• Why does the book of Proverbs end this way?
• What are some things that stick out to you about the description of a wife of noble character?
• “Her mouth speaks wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.” Who are some people you know like this?
  • How can you speak wisdom and loving instruction to those around you?
• How can you use your words this week to encourage your spouse, kids, friends, co-workers?
  • What can you start doing to make this a habit?
• When people describe you, would they start by saying you were a person of noble character? Why or why not?

Discipleship Questions

• Who do you know that has a good marriage? What can you do this week to gain wisdom from them?
• What is one thing you can do this week to become a person of noble character?
• What can you do this week to show your spouse you appreciate them? How can you do this continually?
• What is something the Lord is teaching you this week?

Memorize it!

Proverbs 31:26 Her mouth speaks wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for creating marriage

Adoration- Worship the Lord for wanting to have an intimate relationship with us

Confess the times you’ve not been a person of noble character

Others- Pray for someone who is struggling in their marriage. Ask the Lord to give you an opportunity to talk to them this week.

Self- Ask the Lord to help you in your marriage. If you aren’t married, ask the Lord to help you be content in Him.

View Details

This week’s huddle may be a difficult, and highly personal topic for some people. Please respect people’s privacy, and if people do share stories, please don’t use names.

Opening Discussion

• What are some boundaries you’ve set up in your relationships?
• What are some boundaries you might need to set up?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Read Proverbs 7:6-9

6 At the window of my house I looked through my lattice. 7 I saw among the inexperienced, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking sense. 8 Crossing the street near her corner, he strolled down the road to her house 9 at twilight, in the evening, in the dark of the night.

• Why did the young man lack sense?
• What could he have done differently?
• What are some ways people head towards unfaithfulness and maybe aren’t aware of it?
• What are some ways you can set guardrails in your relationships?

Read Proverbs 2:16; 5:3-4; 7:5

2:16 It will rescue you from a forbidden woman, from a wayward woman with her flattering talk…

5:3-4 Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her words are smoother than oil, 4 in the end she’s as bitter as wormwood and as sharp as a double-edged sword.

7:5 She will keep you from a forbidden woman, a wayward woman with her flattering talk.

• How does Solomon describe the speech of the adulteress?
• How do words lead people astray?
• Why is what we say so important in our relationships?
• What are some ways you can encourage and speak words of affirmation to your spouse, kids, family, and friends this week?

Read Proverbs 2:18-19; 6:32-33

2:18 …for her house sinks down to death and her ways to the land of the departed spirits.19 None return who go to her; none reach the paths of life.

6:32 The one who commits adultery lacks sense; whoever does so destroys himself. 33 He will get a beating and dishonor, and his disgrace will never be removed.

• What are some possible consequences of adultery?
• Why do you think infidelity is on the increase in our society?
• Why does cheating hurt so much?
• How is it different from other sins?

Discipleship Questions

• What are healthy boundaries you can set to stay on the wise path in your relationships?
• Who are one or two other people that can ask you the tough questions about your relationships?
  • What would it take to set up a regularly scheduled time with them to help hold you accountable?

Extended Edition

Read and Discuss

Read Proverbs 7:6-9

6 At the window of my house I looked through my lattice. 7 I saw among the inexperienced, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking sense. 8 Crossing the street near her corner, he strolled down the road to her house 9 at twilight, in the evening, in the dark of the night.

• Why did the young man lack sense?
• What could he have done differently?
• What are some ways people head towards unfaithfulness and maybe aren’t aware of it?
• What are some ways you can set guardrails in your relationships?
• Is there anyone you see currently heading in an unhealthy direction with their relationships? What can you say to them this week to warn them?

Read Proverbs 2:16; 5:3-4; 6:23-24; 7:5

2:16 It will rescue you from a forbidden woman, from a wayward woman with her flattering talk…

5:3-4 Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her words are smoother than oil, 4 in the end she’s as bitter as wormwood and as sharp as a double-edged sword.

6:23-24 For a command is a lamp, teaching is a light, and corrective discipline is the way to life. 24 They will protect you from an evil woman, from the flattering tongue of a wayward woman.

7:5 She will keep you from a forbidden woman, a wayward woman with her flattering talk.

• How does Solomon describe the speech of the adulteress?
• How do words lead people astray?
• Why is what we say so important in our relationships?
• How are love and respect important to marital faithfulness?
• What are some ways you can encourage and speak words of affirmation to your spouse, kids, family, and friends this week?

Read Proverbs 2:18-19; 5:4-5; 6:32-33; 7:22-27

2:18 …for her house sinks down to death and her ways to the land of the departed spirits.19 None return who go to her; none reach the paths of life.

5:4 …but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.

6:32 The one who commits adultery lacks sense; whoever does so destroys himself. 33 He will get a beating and dishonor, and his disgrace will never be removed.

7:22 He follows her impulsively like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding toward a trap 23 until an arrow pierces its liver, like a bird darting into a snare—he doesn’t know it will cost him his life. 24 Now, sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words from my mouth. 25 Don’t let your heart turn aside to her ways; don’t stray onto her paths. 26 For she has brought many down to death; her victims are countless. 27 Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.

• What does Solomon say is in store for those who commit adultery?
• What are some possible consequences of adultery?
• Why might some people think it will be different for them and their infidelity will turn out okay?
• Why do you think infidelity is on the increase in our society?
• Why does cheating hurt so much?
  • What are some ways people have been hurt by this?
• How is sexual sin different from other sins?

Discipleship Questions

• What are healthy boundaries you can set to stay on the wise path in your relationships?
• Who are one or two other people that can ask you the tough questions about your relationships?
  • What would it take to set up a regularly scheduled time with them to help hold you accountable?

Memorize it!

Proverbs 6:32 The one who commits adultery lacks sense; whoever does so destroys himself.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for giving us warnings of what might happen should we not stay on His path of wisdom for our marriage and relationships

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His faithfulness to us even when we stray

Confess the times you’ve made unwise choices in your relationships

Others- Pray for someone you know who is heading down unhealthy paths in their relationships. Ask the Lord for an opportunity, and boldness to speak the truth in love to them.

Self- Ask the Lord to show you any way you may be straying onto an unwise path. Ask Him to put people in your life to help you when you don’t see the danger coming your way.

View Details

Hey Huddle Leader! The top section of the Huddle is designed to complete in about 10-15 minutes. The second part will include the top section, but with more discussion questions and possibly some more verses. The prayer portion will be at the end so if you do the top portion you will have to scroll down to the prayer section. At One Life we evaluate everything for continual improvement, so if you have suggestions for the Huddle please email chrischaudoin@onelifechurch.org.

Opening Discussion

• What’s a decision you made that added up to a good benefit over time?
• If you could travel back in time what one decision would you change?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Proverbs 3:13-18

13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding,

14 for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold.

15 She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire can equal her.

16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left, riches and honor.

17 Her ways are pleasant, and all her paths, peaceful.

18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who hold on to her are happy.

• What are some characteristics of wisdom that stick out to you?
• Why are the sayings in Proverbs considered principles and not promises?
• What are some ways you’ve seen wisdom do the things in this passage?
  • When are times it didn’t quite turn out the way described in the passage?

Read Proverbs 4:10-15,18-19

10 Listen, my son. Accept my words, and you will live many years. 11 I am teaching you the way of wisdom; I am guiding you on straight paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; when you run, you will not stumble. 13 Hold on to instruction; don’t let go. Guard it, for it is your life. 14 Keep off the path of the wicked; don’t proceed on the way of evil ones. 15 Avoid it; don’t travel on it. Turn away from it, and pass it by.

18 The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. 19 But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they don’t know what makes them stumble.

• What are some ways wisdom can keep us on straight paths?
• Why does the path of the wicked have appeal even though we know it doesn’t lead anywhere good?
• What’s one thing you can do this week to stay (or get onto) the path of wisdom?

Discipleship Questions

• Who is someone in your life that can help you stay on the path of wisdom?
• When do you have the biggest tendency toward the path of the wicked?
• What is one thing you can do each morning to start your day on the path of wisdom?

Extended Version

Read and Discuss

Proverbs 3:13-18

13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding,

14 for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold.

15 She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire can equal her.

16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left, riches and honor.

17 Her ways are pleasant, and all her paths, peaceful.

18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who hold on to her are happy.

• What are some characteristics of wisdom that stick out to you?
• Why are the sayings in Proverbs considered principles and not promises?
• How has wisdom made you happy?
• How has wisdom set you on a peaceful path?
• What are some ways you’ve seen wisdom do the things in this passage?
  • When are times it didn’t quite turn out the way described in the passage?

Read the following Proverbs

Proverbs 23:17-18

17 Don’t let your heart envy sinners; instead, always fear the Lord. 18 For then you will have a future, and your hope will not be dashed.

Proverbs 15:16-17

16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure with turmoil.

17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.

Proverbs 16:8

8 Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.

Proverbs 13:23

23 The uncultivated field of the poor yields abundant food, but without justice, it is swept away.

• What is Solomon saying about life?
• Why might followers of Jesus envy a sinner?
  • How can we remind ourselves of the goodness of Christ in those moments?
• Are there any areas of your life where you have a lot, but it has cost you peace and happiness?
• What are some wise ways you can strike a good balance in life?

Read Proverbs 4:10-15,18-19

10 Listen, my son. Accept my words, and you will live many years. 11 I am teaching you the way of wisdom; I am guiding you on straight paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; when you run, you will not stumble. 13 Hold on to instruction; don’t let go. Guard it, for it is your life. 14 Keep off the path of the wicked; don’t proceed on the way of evil ones. 15 Avoid it; don’t travel on it. Turn away from it, and pass it by.

18 The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. 19 But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they don’t know what makes them stumble.

• What are some ways wisdom can keep us on straight paths?
• Why does the path of the wicked have appeal even though we know it doesn’t lead anywhere good?
• Is the direction your life is heading on the path of wisdom or destruction?
  • How would you know if you were on the path of destruction?
• What’s one thing you can do this week to stay (or get onto) the path of wisdom?

Read Matthew 7:13-14

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. 14 How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.

• How does Jesus reiterate what Solomon said about the path of our lives?
• Why is the road that leads to life narrow and difficult?
• What are some ways the path to destruction is easy?
• Why do people choose destruction over life?
• How do people get deceived and go down the wrong path?
• What are some ways you can help guide people to the right path?

Discipleship Questions

• Who is someone in your life that can help you stay on the path of wisdom?
• When do you have the biggest tendency toward the path of the wicked?
• What is one thing you can do each morning to start your day on the path of wisdom?

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for showing us the path to life and how to stay on it

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His wisdom

Confess the times you’ve envied the wicked and followed them instead of the Lord.

Others- Pray for someone you know who is heading down the path of destruction. Ask the Lord for boldness as you talk to them this week.

Self- Ask the Lord to show you any areas where your life is heading in the wrong direction. Pray that He would put people in your life to help you get or stay on the path to life.

View Details

Hey Huddle Leader! The top section of the Huddle is designed to complete in about 10-15 minutes. The second part will include the top section, but with more discussion questions and possibly some more verses. The prayer portion will be at the end so if you do the top portion you will have to scroll down to the prayer section. At One Life we evaluate everything for continual improvement, so if you have suggestions for the Huddle please email chrischaudoin@onelifechurch.org.

Opening Discussion

• What is something you are skilled at, and how have you used that skill?

Short Version

Proverbs 8:1-6, 8:22-31

1 Doesn’t wisdom call out? Doesn’t understanding make her voice heard? 2 At the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads, she takes her stand. 3 Beside the gates leading into the city, at the main entrance, she cries out: 4 “People, I call out to you; my cry is to the children of Adam. 5 Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced; develop common sense, you who are foolish. 6 Listen, for I speak of noble things, and what my lips say is right.

22 “The Lord acquired me at the beginning of his creation, before his works of long ago. 23 I was formed before ancient times, from the beginning, before the earth began. 24 I was born when there were no watery depths and no springs filled with water. 25 Before the mountains were established, prior to the hills, I was given birth— 26 before he made the land, the fields, or the first soil on earth.

27 I was there when he established the heavens, when he laid out the horizon on the surface of the ocean,

28 when he placed the skies above, when the fountains of the ocean gushed out, 29 when he set a limit for the sea so that the waters would not violate his command, when he laid out the foundations of the earth.

30 I was a skilled craftsman beside him. I was his delight every day, always rejoicing before him. 31 I was rejoicing in his inhabited world, delighting in the children of Adam.

• Why does Solomon portray wisdom as a woman crying out to people?
• How does creation and wisdom fit together?
• What is something you can learn about wisdom from this passage?

The following section deals with work. To most, this will mean their job and going to work. However, help them dig a little deeper. If they are in school, this could be homework. If they don’t have a job, it could be housework. Overall though, it’s about working hard in all that we do. So whether it’s a job we get paid for, a volunteer position, or just being part of a family or group, help people see why their work and work ethic is important.

Read Proverbs 13:11; 14:23; 18:2; & 22:29

Proverbs 13:11

11 Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle, but whoever earns it through labor will multiply it.

Proverbs 14:23

23 There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 22:29

29 Do you see a person skilled in his work? He will stand in the presence of kings. He will not stand in the presence of the unknown.

• What wisdom does Solomon want us to know about work?
• When it comes to your work, what are some wise decisions you’ve made? Unwise?
• How was the Lord wise about His work when He made the world?
• How can you gain wisdom with how you work this week?

Discipleship Questions

• How can you use your work to tell others about Jesus?
• Why does your work ethic matter?
• What is one thing you can do this week to show integrity with your work?

Extended Version

Proverbs 8:1-6, 8:22-31

1 Doesn’t wisdom call out? Doesn’t understanding make her voice heard? 2 At the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads, she takes her stand. 3 Beside the gates leading into the city, at the main entrance, she cries out: 4 “People, I call out to you; my cry is to the children of Adam. 5 Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced; develop common sense, you who are foolish. 6 Listen, for I speak of noble things, and what my lips say is right.

22 “The Lord acquired me at the beginning of his creation, before his works of long ago. 23 I was formed before ancient times, from the beginning, before the earth began. 24 I was born when there were no watery depths and no springs filled with water. 25 Before the mountains were established, prior to the hills, I was given birth— 26 before he made the land, the fields, or the first soil on earth.

27 I was there when he established the heavens, when he laid out the horizon on the surface of the ocean,

28 when he placed the skies above, when the fountains of the ocean gushed out, 29 when he set a limit for the sea so that the waters would not violate his command, when he laid out the foundations of the earth.

30 I was a skilled craftsman beside him. I was his delight every day, always rejoicing before him. 31 I was rejoicing in his inhabited world, delighting in the children of Adam.

• Why does Solomon portray wisdom as a woman crying out to people?
• How does creation and wisdom fit together?
• What is something you can learn about wisdom from this passage?
• Why does wisdom delight in the children of Adam?
  • What does that teach us about God?
• What are some ways people say that the world wasn’t designed wisely?
• How can showing the wisdom of creation to others help point others to the Creator?
• This week, how can you spend some time in God’s creation learning from His wisdom?

The following section deals with work. To most, this will mean their job and going to work. However, help them dig a little deeper. If they are in school, this could be homework. If they don’t have a job, it could be housework. Overall though, it’s about working hard in all that we do. So whether it’s a job we get paid for, a volunteer position, or just being part of a family or group, help people see why their work and work ethic is important.

Read Proverbs 13:11; 14:23; 18:2; & 22:29

Proverbs 13:11

11 Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle, but whoever earns it through labor will multiply it.

Proverbs 14:23

23 There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 22:29

29 Do you see a person skilled in his work? He will stand in the presence of kings. He will not stand in the presence of the unknown.

• What wisdom does Solomon want us to know about work?
• When it comes to your work, what are some wise decisions you’ve made? Unwise?
• How was the Lord wise about His work when He made the world?
• Besides a paid job, what are some other forms of work you do?
• Are there any areas of your life where you are just talking about what you need to do and not actually doing it?
  • What can you do this week to take a step towards that thing you need to accomplish?
• How can you gain wisdom with how you work this week?

Proverbs 18:2

2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions.

James 3:17-18

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

• What are some ways people want to show off their own opinions instead of understanding?
  • How can you know if you are that kind of person?
• What stands out to you about how James describes Godly wisdom?
• What are some ways Godly wisdom goes against our current culture?
• How can you show godly wisdom to those around you this week?

Discipleship Questions

• How can you use your work to tell others about Jesus?
• Why does your work ethic matter?
• What is one thing you can do this week to show integrity with your work?
• Who is someone that has godly wisdom who can help you with these things?

Memorize it!

Proverbs 18:2

2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for giving meaning to work

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His wise creation. Tell Him specific things in creation that show His wisdom.

Confess the times you’ve delighted in yourself and ignored God’s wisdom

Others- Pray for those you work/volunteer/go to school with. Ask the Lord to use your work ethic to show how you are different from the way the world works.

Self- Ask the Lord for wisdom and good work ethic.

View Details

Hey Huddle Leader! The top section of the Huddle is designed to complete in about 10-15 minutes. The second part will include the top section, but with more discussion questions and possibly some more verses. The prayer portion will be at the end so if you do the top portion you will have to scroll down to the prayer section. At One Life we evaluate everything for continual improvement, so if you have suggestions for the Huddle please email chrischaudoin@onelifechurch.org.

Opening Discussion

• What is something lighthearted you did this week that people wouldn’t deem as very wise? (i.e. stayed up too late wasting time, walking into a parked car, showing up to something at the complete wrong time, etc.)

Shorter Version

Read and Discuss

Read Proverbs 1:1-7

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 2 for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; 3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; 4 for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— 5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— 6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Read James 1:5

5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.

• Why does the Bible make such a big deal about wisdom?
• What does Solomon mean by “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge?”
• What can you do to get wisdom this week?

Read Proverbs 2:1-6

1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 listening closely to wisdom and directing your heart to understanding; 3 furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, 4 if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

• What are some ways we can search for wisdom and understanding?
• What does it mean to fear the Lord and why is it linked to wisdom?
• When directing your heart to understanding, how can you make sure that you are following the Lord’s wisdom and not the worlds?

Discipleship Questions

• What are some ways you can seek God’s wisdom through reading the Bible this week?
• What is one thing you can do this week to grow in wisdom?
• Who is someone you can talk to about this to help you in your wisdom searching?

Extended Version

Read and Discuss

Read Proverbs 1:1-7

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 2 for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; 3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; 4 for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— 5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— 6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Read James 1:5

5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.

• Why does the Bible make such a big deal about wisdom?
• What does Solomon mean by “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge?”
• What can you do to get wisdom this week?

Read Proverbs 2:1-6

1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 listening closely to wisdom and directing your heart to understanding; 3 furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, 4 if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

• What are some ways we can search for wisdom and understanding?
• What does it mean to fear the Lord and why is it linked to wisdom?
• When directing your heart to understanding, how can you make sure that you are following the Lord’s wisdom and not the world’s version of wisdom?

Jeremiah 17:9-10

9 The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it? 10 I, the Lord, examine the mind, I test the heart to give to each according to his way, according to what his actions deserve.

• Solomon tells us to direct our heart to understanding, but the Lord says our heart is deceitful. What are some ways to make sure our heart lines up with the Lord’s wisdom?
• If we aren’t careful how can godly wisdom drift back into worldly, selfish wisdom?
  • What are some ways you’ve seen this happen in your life or in someone around you?

Read Proverbs 10:17

The one who follows instruction is on the path to life, but the one who rejects correction goes astray.

Read Proverbs 12:1

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but one who hates correction is stupid.

• What do these proverbs tell us about the importance of choosing instruction, discipline, and wisdom?
• Why might some people not want to be corrected?
• How do you respond when someone tries to correct you?
• What are some key ingredients in being able to be corrected by someone else?
• When you correct someone, what are some things you can do to help them to hear what you are saying?
• How might the Lord be trying to correct you this week?
  • What can you do to listen?

Discipleship Questions

• What are some ways you can seek God’s wisdom through reading the Bible this week?
• What is one thing you can do this week to grow in wisdom?
• Who is someone you can talk to about this to help you in your wisdom searching?

Memorize it!

Proverbs 12:1

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but one who hates correction is stupid.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for living out wisdom on the earth

Adoration- Worship the Lord for giving wisdom to those who ask

Confess the times you’ve not listened to the Lord’s correction

Others- Pray for someone who you need to correct. Ask for the Lord’s wisdom in how to approach the situation. Pray that they would receive it.

Self- Ask the Lord for humility in the things you need to be corrected in. Then ask for His wisdom.

View Details

Hey Huddle Leader! We are trying a few new things with the Huddle. The top section is designed to complete in about 10-15 minutes. The second part will include the top section, but with more discussion questions and possibly some more verses. The prayer portion will be at the end so if you do the top portion you will have to scroll down to the prayer section. At One Life we evaluate everything for continual improvement, so if you have suggestions for the Huddle please email chrischaudoin@onelifechurch.org.

Opening Discussion

• What are some life hacks that have worked for you?
• Tell about a life hack that backfired or did not work for you.

Shorter version

Read and Discuss

Read Proverbs 1:1 CSB The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:…

Read 1 Kings 3:4-15

4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there because it was the most famous high place. He offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask. What should I give you?”

6 And Solomon replied, “You have shown great and faithful love to your servant, my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, righteousness, and integrity. You have continued this great and faithful love for him by giving him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today.

7 “Lord my God, you have now made your servant king in my father David’s place. Yet I am just a youth with no experience in leadership. 8 Your servant is among your people you have chosen, a people too many to be numbered or counted. 9 So give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?”

10 Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had requested this. 11 So God said to him, “Because you have requested this and did not ask for long life or riches for yourself, or the death of your enemies, but you asked discernment for yourself to administer justice, 12 I will therefore do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you before and never will be again. 13 In addition, I will give you what you did not ask for: both riches and honor, so that no king will be your equal during your entire life. 14 If you walk in my ways and keep my statutes and commands just as your father David did, I will give you a long life.”

15 Then Solomon woke up and realized it had been a dream. He went to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant, and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he held a feast for all his servants.

• What do you learn about the Lord’s character from this encounter?
• Why did Solomon choose wisdom out of all the things he could have had?
• If the Lord asked you, “What should I give you?” what would you ask for? (Dig deep on this one, because it seems the right answer is wisdom, but would you really ask for that?)

Read James 1:5

5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.

• What is the difference between Godly wisdom and earthly wisdom?
• How would you know when God answered your prayer?
• What area of your life do you need some Godly wisdom in right now?

Discipleship Questions

• Who are some wise people you learn from?
• What can you do to gain wisdom?
• When can you set aside a few minutes each day to pray and ask the Lord for wisdom?
• How can you use your wisdom to help others and tell them about Jesus?

Extended Version

Read and Discuss

Read Proverbs 1:1 CSB The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:…

Read 1 Kings 3:4-15

4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there because it was the most famous high place. He offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask. What should I give you?”

6 And Solomon replied, “You have shown great and faithful love to your servant, my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, righteousness, and integrity. You have continued this great and faithful love for him by giving him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today.

7 “Lord my God, you have now made your servant king in my father David’s place. Yet I am just a youth with no experience in leadership. 8 Your servant is among your people you have chosen, a people too many to be numbered or counted. 9 So give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?”

10 Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had requested this. 11 So God said to him, “Because you have requested this and did not ask for long life or riches for yourself, or the death of your enemies, but you asked discernment for yourself to administer justice, 12 I will therefore do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you before and never will be again. 13 In addition, I will give you what you did not ask for: both riches and honor, so that no king will be your equal during your entire life. 14 If you walk in my ways and keep my statutes and commands just as your father David did, I will give you a long life.”

15 Then Solomon woke up and realized it had been a dream. He went to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant, and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he held a feast for all his servants.

• What do you learn about the Lord’s character from this encounter?
• Why did the Lord give Solomon an opportunity to have anything he wanted?
• Why did Solomon choose wisdom out of all the things he could have had?
• What do you learn about Solomon’s character from this encounter?
• Why did God give Solomon more than he asked for?
• Solomon felt inexperienced for the task ahead. Where are some areas you feel inexperienced in?
  • What do you need to gain confidence in those areas?
  • How could the Lord’s wisdom help you in those situations?
• If the Lord asked you, “What should I give you?” what would you ask for? (Dig deep on this one, because it seems the right answer is wisdom, but would you really ask for that?)
• Why does the Lord give Solomon the promise of long life but with a stipulation of walking in the Lord’s ways and keeping His statues and commands?
• Even though it was a dream, how would Solomon know if it was real or not?
• When we present our requests to the Lord, how is humility an important part of our prayers?

Read 1 Kings 3:16-28

16 Then two women who were prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 One woman said, “Please, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was in the house. 18 On the third day after I gave birth, she also had a baby and we were alone. No one else was with us in the house; just the two of us were there. 19 During the night this woman’s son died because she lay on him. 20 She got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while your servant was asleep. She laid him in her arms, and she put her dead son in my arms. 21 When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, I discovered he was dead. That morning, when I looked closely at him I realized that he was not the son I gave birth to.”

22 “No,” the other woman said. “My son is the living one; your son is the dead one.”

The first woman said, “No, your son is the dead one; my son is the living one.” So they argued before the king.

23 The king replied, “This woman says, ‘This is my son who is alive, and your son is dead,’ but that woman says, ‘No, your son is dead, and my son is alive.’” 24 The king continued, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought the sword to the king. 25 And the king said, “Cut the living boy in two and give half to one and half to the other.”

26 The woman whose son was alive spoke to the king because she felt great compassion for her son. “My lord, give her the living baby,” she said, “but please don’t have him killed!”

But the other one said, “He will not be mine or yours. Cut him in two!”

27 The king responded, “Give the living baby to the first woman, and don’t kill him. She is his mother.” 28 All Israel heard about the judgment the king had given, and they stood in awe of the king because they saw that God’s wisdom was in him to carry out justice.

• What are some ways this account shows the Lord answered Solomon’s prayer for wisdom and discernment to lead God’s people?
• How did Solomon know this would work?
• When you are in a situation that doesn’t have a clear solution or answer, what do you do?
• How can you turn to the Lord first instead of your own thoughts and ways of doing things?
• When Solomon made the ruling about which lady was the mother, why were the people in awe?
• Why did the Israelites attribute Solomon’s wisdom to God?
• Is there anyone in your life that you can see the wisdom of God in them?
  • What can you do this week to learn from them?

Read James 1:5

5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.

• What is the difference between Godly wisdom and earthly wisdom?
• How would you know when God answered your prayer for wisdom?
  • What might look different in your day to day life?
• What area of your life do you need some Godly wisdom in right now?
• What prevents you from asking the Lord for wisdom?

Discipleship Questions

• Who are some wise people you learn from?
• What can you do to gain wisdom?
• When can you set aside a few minutes each day to pray and ask the Lord for wisdom?
• How can you use your wisdom to help others and tell them about Jesus?

Memorize it!

James 1:5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for answering prayers

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His great wisdom

Confess the times you’ve operated in your own thoughts and not God’s wisdom

Others- Pray for someone who is having a difficult time and needs Godly wisdom. Ask the Lord for an opportunity to talk to them this week.

Self- Ask the Lord to give you His wisdom today to help others in need.

View Details

Happy New Year! We are trying a few new things with the Huddle. The top section is designed to complete in about 10-15 minutes. The second part will include the top section, but with more discussion questions and possibly some more verses. The prayer portion will be at the end so if you do the top portion you will have to scroll down to the prayer section. At One Life we evaluate everything for continual improvement, so if you have any suggestions for the Huddle better please email chrischaudoin@onelifechurch.org.

Opening Discussion

• What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish in 2024?
• What are some steps you can take this week to work towards that goal?

Shorter Version

Read and Discuss

Colossians 4:2-4 CSB

2 Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains, 4 so that I may make it known as I should.

• What did Paul want the Colossian church to know about prayer?
• What does it mean to “devote yourselves to prayer?”
• What’s something you could do to elevate prayer and God’s word in your life in 2024?

1 Peter 4:7-10

7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer. 8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

• Why does Paul start this section with “the end of all things is near?”
• What does it look like to be alert and sober-minded for prayer on a daily basis?
• If you aren’t using your gift or know what your gift is, what can you do this week to start using it?
  • (Check out the One Life app for a spiritual gifts test if you aren’t sure what yours is.)

Discipleship Questions

• What are some things you enjoy about your prayer life?
• What are some areas of your prayer life that need improvement?
• How can you devote yourself to prayer tomorrow?

Longer Version

Read and Discuss

Colossians 4:2-4 CSB

2 Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains, 4 so that I may make it known as I should.

• What did Paul want the Colossian church to know about prayer?
• Why does prayer matter?
• What does it mean to “devote yourselves to prayer?”
• Why is thanksgiving an important part of prayer?
• What is the “mystery of Christ?”
• What was Paul’s attitude toward preaching God’s word to people?
• When it comes to God’s word, how concerned are you that other people hear it?
• Do you make God’s word known to others?
• What’s something you could do to elevate prayer and God’s word in your life in 2024?

1 Peter 4:7-10

7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer. 8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

• Why does Paul start this section with “the end of all things is near?”
• What does it look like to be alert and sober-minded for prayer on a daily basis?
• How could prayer help you love others?
• How could prayer help you use your gift to serve others?
• If you aren’t using your gift or know what your gift is, what can you do this week to start using it?
  • (Check out the One Life app for a spiritual gifts test if you aren’t sure what yours is.)

1 Timothy 2:1-8

1 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.

7 For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

8 Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.

• What are a few key points that Paul wants to make sure Timothy is living out in his faith?
• What are petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings?
  • Why are those important parts of our prayer life?
• What does a “tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” look like?
  • Would you use that phrase to describe your life?
  • What would it take to get there?
• Why does Paul desire people in every place praying?
• How could anger and arguing derail someone’s prayer life?
• Why does Paul want us to lift holy hands when we pray?
  • Why does he call our hands holy?
• When could you spend some time lifting holy hands in prayer this week?

Discipleship Questions

• What are some things you enjoy about your prayer life?
• What are some areas of your prayer life that need improvement?
• How can you devote yourself to prayer tomorrow?

Memorize it!

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.

Prayer Time

Instead of normal prayer TACOS this week, try something different with your group. In 1 Timothy, Paul talks about lifting holy hands during prayer. Encourage your group to assume a different prayer posture than they normally do. Maybe kneeling, lifting hands, looking up, just something to change up how they normally pray. Then lead the group in a prayer exercise. The leader should say a phrase, and then people can just time in with a few words completing that phrase. Encourage them to say more than just one thing. Some people call this “popcorn prayer.” Below are the prayer prompts.

• “Lord, right now I just want to thank you for…”
• “Jesus, today we worship you for…”
• “Lord, I want to confess…” (You can tell people that this one may be more on their own instead of saying it outloud. However, if there is sin they need to confess, encourage them to find someone they can talk to about it instead of just keeping it inside.)
• “Father, I know there are some people who are hurting and in need. Right now I want to pray for…”
• “Lord, this week I need you to help me with…”

View Details

Due to it being the week between Christmas and New Year’s and many groups and teams take a break, this will be an abbreviated version of the normal Huddle. At One Life we evaluate everything for continual improvement, so if you have any feedback on how to make the Huddle better please email chrischaudoin@onelifechurch.org.

Opening Discussion

• When it comes to Christmas decorations are you a minimalist or a maximalist?

Luke 2:8-15

8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!

15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

• Out of all the people, why would God send the angels to announce the birth of Jesus to shepherds?
• How did the shepherds respond to the birth announcement?
• Why would the term savior have been significant to the shepherds?
• What are some ways you need a savior?
• When did you realize you needed rescue from your sinful ways?
• How can you share that hope and rescue with others this week?

Discipleship Questions

• Who is someone you are praying for that needs a savior?
• What are you doing to help them?
• What is one thing you can do this week to connect with them and let them know you are praying for them?

Memorize it!

Luke 2:11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for coming to the world as a baby

Adoration- Worship the Lord for being the Savior

Confess the times you’ve tried to be your own savior

Others- Pray for someone who needs Jesus to transform their life

Self- Ask the Lord to help you point people to Him every day.

View Details

Hey Huddle leader! Just wanted to let you know of a few changes you will be seeing to the huddle. The top section is designed for those of you who use this as a tool to connect with your team. It should take you about 10-15 minutes to complete. The second part will include the top section, but with more discussion questions and possibly some more verses. The prayer portion will be at the end so if you do the top portion you will have to scroll down to the prayer section. At One Life we evaluate everything for continual improvement, so if you have any feedback on how to make the Huddle better please email chrischaudoin@onelifechurch.org.

Opening Discussion

• If you could only eat one food for a whole year, what would you eat?

Shorter Version

Read Exodus 16:2-5,23-23,31CSB

Exodus 16:2-5

2 The entire Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by pots of meat and ate all the bread we wanted. Instead, you brought us into this wilderness to make this whole assembly die of hunger!” 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. This way I will test them to see whether or not they will follow my instructions. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.”

Exodus 16:21-23, 31

21 They gathered it every morning. Each gathered as much as he needed to eat, but when the sun grew hot, it melted. 22 On the sixth day they gathered twice as much food, four quarts apiece, and all the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. 23 He told them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil, and set aside everything left over to be kept until morning.’”

31 The house of Israel named the substance manna. It resembled coriander seed, was white, and tasted like wafers made with honey.

• Why would God only provide one type of food instead of a variety?
• Why do people feel like they don’t have to rely on God in their life?
• What are some ways you have to rely on God everyday?

Read Numbers 11:4-6; Deuteronomy 8:3

Numbers 11:4-6

4 The riffraff among them had a strong craving for other food. The Israelites wept again and said, “Who will feed us meat? 5 We remember the free fish we ate in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. 6 But now our appetite is gone; there’s nothing to look at but this manna!”

Deuteronomy 8:3

3 He humbled you by letting you go hungry; then he gave you manna to eat, which you and your ancestors had not known, so that you might learn that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

• Why did the Israelites focus on what they didn’t have, instead of what they did have?
• What does it mean that “man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord?”
• What is something you can do this week to live more on every word that comes from God (the Bible)?

Discipleship questions

• When it comes to reading the Bible,what hang-ups do you have or obstacles do you face?
• How can you develop a practice of looking for ways God provides for you daily?
• Who are some people that you can engage in Bible study with?
  • When can you do that this week with them?

Longer Version

Read Exodus 16:2-5,23-23,31CSB

Exodus 16:2-5

2 The entire Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by pots of meat and ate all the bread we wanted. Instead, you brought us into this wilderness to make this whole assembly die of hunger!” 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. This way I will test them to see whether or not they will follow my instructions. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.”

Exodus 16:21-23, 31

21 They gathered it every morning. Each gathered as much as he needed to eat, but when the sun grew hot, it melted. 22 On the sixth day they gathered twice as much food, four quarts apiece, and all the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. 23 He told them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil, and set aside everything left over to be kept until morning.’”

31 The house of Israel named the substance manna. It resembled coriander seed, was white, and tasted like wafers made with honey.

• After all the miracles the Israelites had seen the Lord do, why did they still grumble and complain, instead of asking the Lord to provide?
• Why would God only provide one type of food instead of a variety?
• Why didn’t God allow them to store the manna from day to day?
• What are some ways people feel like they have provided for themselves, but it’s actually God’s provision?
• Why do people feel like they don’t have to rely on God in their life?
• Do you feel like you have to rely on God for His provision for you everyday? Why or why not?
• What are some things you provide for yourself everyday?
• How can you shift your perspective to looking for the things God provides for you everyday?
  • Example: Maybe you bought your own food with your own money from a job you worked hard to get. What are some ways God equipped you to get that job?

Read Numbers 11:4-6; Deuteronomy 8:3

Numbers 11:4-6

4 The riffraff among them had a strong craving for other food. The Israelites wept again and said, “Who will feed us meat? 5 We remember the free fish we ate in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. 6 But now our appetite is gone; there’s nothing to look at but this manna!”

Deuteronomy 8:3

3 He humbled you by letting you go hungry; then he gave you manna to eat, which you and your ancestors had not known, so that you might learn that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

• How did the riffraff lead the Israelites astray?
• Why did the Israelites focus on what they didn’t have, instead of what they did have?
• What are some things in your life that it is easier to focus on what you don’t have instead of looking at what you do have?
• How have riffraff in your life led you down a negative path?
• When are some moments that it has been easy for you to become the riffraff?
• What was God trying to teach the Israelites through the manna?
• What does it mean that “man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord?”
• Do you view the Bible as something that you need to take in daily? Why or why not?
• What is something you can do this week to live more on every word that comes from God (the Bible)?

Read John 6:26-36

26 Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled. 27 Don’t work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set his seal of approval on him.”

28 “What can we do to perform the works of God?” they asked.

29 Jesus replied, “This is the work of God—that you believe in the one he has sent.”

30 “What sign, then, are you going to do so that we may see and believe you?” they asked. “What are you going to perform? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, just as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”

32 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, Moses didn’t give you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34 Then they said, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

35 “I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again. 36 But as I told you, you’ve seen me, and yet you do not believe.

• Why was the crowd looking for Jesus?
• What are some ways you might approach Jesus just wanting the benefits He gives, but not wanting to live how He asks you to?
• When the people asked what they had to do to work their way into God’s presence, how was Jesus’ response different from what they were expecting?
• The crowd had just eaten at the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 the day before. Why did the people want more evidence from Jesus than what they had already seen and benefited from?
• What new perspective did Jesus give about manna?
• What does Jesus mean by, “I am the bread of life?”
• How can you learn to rely on Jesus more everyday?
• What might change in your life if you treated Jesus like the bread of life?

Discipleship questions

• When it comes to reading the Bible,what hang-ups do you have or obstacles do you face?
• How can you develop a practice of looking for ways God provides for you daily?
• Who are some people that you can engage in Bible study with?
  • When can you do that this week with them?

Memorize it!

John 6:35 “I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for providing for you every day

Adoration- Worship the Lord for being a rescuer and provider

Confess those times when you have forgotten what the Lord has done for you

Others- Pray for someone who has forgotten or never known the Lord to provide. Ask the Lord for an opportunity to talk to them this week.

Self- Ask the Lord to help you see his daily provision for you.

View Details

Hey Huddle leader! Just wanted to let you know of a few changes you will be seeing to the huddle. The top section is designed for those of you who use this as a tool to connect with your team. It should take you about 10-15 minutes to complete. The second part will include the top section, but with more discussion questions and possibly some more verses. The prayer portion will be at the end so if you do the top portion you will have to scroll down to the prayer section. If you have any feedback on how to make the Huddle better please email chrischaudoin@onelifechurch.org.

Opening Discussion

• What are some ways you’ve benefited from those who have gone before you?

Shorter Version

Read and Discuss

Read Exodus 19:3-6 CSB

3 Moses went up the mountain to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain: “This is what you must say to the house of Jacob and explain to the Israelites: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you will carefully listen to me and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples, although the whole earth is mine, 6 and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.”

• Why does the Lord have to keep reminding the Israelites of how He rescued them from the Egyptians?
• Why is it sometimes easy to forget the good things God has done for us?
• In your community of Christ followers, how can you work to remind each other of the good things the Lord has done for you?

Read Exodus 25:1-9 NIV

The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give. 3 These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze; 4 blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; 5 ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather; acacia wood; 6 olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; 7 and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

8 “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. 9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.

• Why did God want the offering to be prompted by their heart?
• Why is it hard for some followers of Jesus to give Him control of the financial part of their life?
• What does it look like in your own life to be prompted by the Lord to give?

Discipleship Questions

• What parts of your life do you find difficult to give to God?
• What is one specific area you can take steps towards giving the Lord complete control over?
• What step will you take this week and who can help you with that?

Longer Version

Read and Discuss

Read Exodus 19:3-6 CSB

3 Moses went up the mountain to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain: “This is what you must say to the house of Jacob and explain to the Israelites: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you will carefully listen to me and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples, although the whole earth is mine, 6 and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.”

• Why does the Lord have to keep reminding the Israelites of how He rescued them from the Egyptians?
• Why is it sometimes easy to forget the good things God has done for us?
• Why did the Lord choose the Israelites out of all the different people groups?
• What does God mean that the Israelites will be a kingdom of priests?
  • What was the role of the priests?
• In your community of Christ followers, how can you work to remind each other of the good things the Lord has done for you?
• What would it look like today to listen carefully to the Lord and keep his covenant?

Read Exodus 25:1-9 NIV

The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give. 3 These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze; 4 blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; 5 ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather; acacia wood; 6 olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; 7 and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

8 “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. 9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.

• Why did God want the offering to be prompted by their heart?
• What is interesting or surprising about the list of things that the Lord is asking for?
  • Why is the Lord asking for more than just money?
• When it comes to giving we often think it’s just money that we should give. Is there anything that a neighbor, family member, friend, or the church needs that you have that you could give?
• What does it look like in your own life to be prompted by the Lord to give?
• If you never feel prompted to give, what should you do?
• What is one way you could give this week?
• These were the plans for the tabernacle which would be the place of worship for many years for the Israelite nation. How is what you are investing in today going to benefit the next generation of Jesus followers?

Read Deuteronomy 8:17-18 CSB

17 You may say to yourself, ‘My power and my own ability have gained this wealth for me,’ 18 but remember that the Lord your God gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm his covenant he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.

• Why did God need to remind the Israelites of this?
• What are some ways people think their own abilities earn them wealth?
• In what ways has God helped you to gain wealth?
• Why is it important to remember that the Lord is the one who gives us the wealth or the ability to gain the wealth?
• Why is it hard for some followers of Jesus to give Him control of the financial part of their life?
• When it comes to giving and generosity, what’s a way you can improve in that area this week?

Discipleship Questions

• What parts of your life do you find difficult to give to God?
• What is one specific area you can take steps towards giving the Lord complete control over?
• What step will you take this week and who can help you with that?

Memorize it!

Deuteronomy 8:18a- …but remember that the Lord your God gives you the power to gain wealth…

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for providing people who have gone before you who are part of your faith journey and you may not even know it

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His power over the whole earth

Confess those times when you have let money and wealth control your actions instead of relying on the Lord

Others- Pray for someone who is in need during this season. Ask the Lord to show you how you can help.

Self- Ask the Lord to help you in an area of your life that is hard for you to give Him control.

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Opening Discussion

• Do you feel a closer sense of community around Christmas time? Why or why not?

Read and Discuss

Read Exodus 14:9-14

9 The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, his horsemen, and his army—chased after them and caught up with them as they camped by the sea beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.

10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and there were the Egyptians coming after them! The Israelites were terrified and cried out to the Lord for help. 11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt: Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

13 But Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation that he will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you must be quiet.”

• Even though the Israelites had seen God do incredible miracles, why were they still afraid of the Egyptian army?
• What are some ways our circumstances may hinder us from trusting in God?
• When life seems like it’s falling apart around us, why is it hard to be quiet and let the Lord fight the battle?
• Moses tells the Israelites not to be afraid. How had they let fear dictate their response?
• Who is someone in your life who brings you back to reality when fear, or other emotions, may have gotten the better of you?
• Why is Christ-centered community so important in times of trials in your life?
• Sometimes in our community, we can get in a negative space and start grumbling together. How did Moses lead them in the midst of their negativity?
• When you find yourself being negative, what can you do to combat that?
  • How can you involve your Christ-centered community to help you with that?
• What are some of the ways you can address the concerns and issues you have, while at the same time not souring those around you?
• Who are the Moses’ in your life that give you proper perspective when times are tough?
• Is there anyone in your life who is going through a tough time that needs to be reminded that the Lord is fighting for them?
  • If so, when will you remind them of that?

Read Exodus 35:30-36:1

30 Moses then said to the Israelites, “Look, the Lord has appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 31 He has filled him with God’s Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every kind of craft 32 to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, 33 to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every kind of artistic craft. 34 He has also given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. 35 He has filled them with skill to do all the work of a gem cutter; a designer; an embroiderer in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen; and a weaver. They can do every kind of craft and design artistic designs.

36:1 Bezalel, Oholiab, and all the skilled people are to work based on everything the Lord has commanded. The Lord has given them wisdom and understanding to know how to do all the work of constructing the sanctuary.”

• What does this passage teach us about the character of God?
• Why does the Bible give an account of these people and their skills?
• How is the community of God supposed to function together and use their skills to glorify God?
• What are some things you are good at?
  • How can you use those things in your Christ-centered community to glorify God?
• Why is it important for all of us to use our gifts and talents to work together?
• How does working in our gifting to glorify God help us to get out of the negative space we may be in?
• How can serving on a team or being part of a group help us?

Apply it!

• What can you do this week to use your spiritual gifts to build up the community God has placed you in? (This can be both inside and outside of the church)
• If you don’t know what your spiritual gifts are, there is a spiritual gifts assessment on the One Life app.

Memorize it!

Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you, and you must be quiet.”

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for the people in your life that strengthen you in tough times

Adoration- Worship the Lord for fighting for you

Confess those times when you have let negativity determine your steps instead of the Lord

Others- Pray for someone who is going through a tough time. Ask the Lord how you can help them this week.

Self- Ask the Lord to show you ways that you can step up in your gifting to help build up the Body of Christ

Closing Thoughts

In the church world it can become easy to start complaining about how the church you attend does things.

“It’s the same 3 songs every week.”

“I just don’t get anything out of the sermons.”

“No one talks to me.”

“They just don’t have a good ______ (insert name of area you don’t like).”

Now, some of these things may be legit concerns and every church has areas of improvement. But many times what I’ve observed is those complaining the loudest are doing the least. They can see all the ways people within the church are failing to meet their needs, but not doing anything to meet the needs of others.

Our journey through Exodus has been a good reminder for me that if I’m frustrated with something in the community of my church, then I need to help work for a solution by listening to the Lord and His leading. Maybe I need to encourage others to step up in certain areas, or maybe, just maybe, the Lord is calling me to step up in some areas. Spend time in prayer this week figuring out where the Lord is wanting you to step up.

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Opening Discussion

• Are you an introvert or extrovert?
  • If you are an introvert, how do you handle being in community with other followers of Jesus?
  • If you are an extrovert, how can you include and give space to introverts in your community?

Read & Discuss

Read Exodus 12:1-8,11

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2 “This month is to be the beginning of months for you; it is the first month of your year. 3 Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month they must each select an animal of the flock according to their fathers’ families, one animal per family. 4 If the household is too small for a whole animal, that person and the neighbor nearest his house are to select one based on the combined number of people; you should apportion the animal according to what each will eat. 5 You must have an unblemished animal, a year-old male; you may take it from either the sheep or the goats. 6 You are to keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembly of the community of Israel will slaughter the animals at twilight. 7 They must take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses where they eat them. 8 They are to eat the meat that night; they should eat it, roasted over the fire along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

11 Here is how you must eat it: You must be dressed for travel, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. You are to eat it in a hurry; it is the Lord’s Passover.

• Why was it important that the sacrifice was unblemished?
• What are some ways we may give God things that are blemished?
• Why did the Lord want the animal to live with the Israelites for four days before the slaughter?
• What was the purpose of having the whole community participate in the slaughter of the animals?
• Why did God want to start this tradition with the Israelites?
  • What was it important for them to remember?

Read Exodus 12:12-27

12 “I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night and strike every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, both people and animals. I am the Lord; I will execute judgments against all the gods of Egypt. 13 The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a distinguishing mark for you; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will be among you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

14 “This day is to be a memorial for you, and you must celebrate it as a festival to the Lord. You are to celebrate it throughout your generations as a permanent statute.15 You must eat unleavened bread for seven days. On the first day you must remove yeast from your houses. Whoever eats what is leavened from the first day through the seventh day must be cut off from Israel. 16 You are to hold a sacred assembly on the first day and another sacred assembly on the seventh day. No work may be done on those days except for preparing what people need to eat—you may do only that.

17 “You are to observe the Festival of Unleavened Bread because on this very day I brought your military divisions out of the land of Egypt.You must observe this day throughout your generations as a permanent statute. 18 You are to eat unleavened bread in the first month, from the evening of the fourteenth day of the month until the evening of the twenty-first day. 19 Yeast must not be found in your houses for seven days. If anyone eats something leavened, that person, whether a resident alien or native of the land, must be cut off from the community of Israel. 20 Do not eat anything leavened; eat unleavened bread in all your homes.”

21 Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go, select an animal from the flock according to your families, and slaughter the Passover animal. 22 Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and brush the lintel and the two doorposts with some of the blood in the basin. None of you may go out the door of his house until morning. 23 When the Lord passes through to strike Egypt and sees the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts, he will pass over the door and not let the destroyer enter your houses to strike you.

24 “Keep this command permanently as a statute for you and your descendants. 25 When you enter the land that the Lord will give you as he promised, you are to observe this ceremony. 26 When your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ 27 you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when he struck the Egyptians, and he spared our homes.’” So the people knelt low and worshiped.

• Why was blood the distinguishing mark that kept the Israelites from death?
• What is the significance of yeast (leaven)?
• Why was eating something with leaven in it during the days of the festival, punishable by excommunication?
• What are some ways this ceremony points to Jesus?
• The Passover festival was a way for the Israelites to teach their kids about what the Lord had done for them. What traditions do you have that help you to pass the message of the Lord to the next generation?

Read 1 Corinthians 5:6-8

6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough? 7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new unleavened batch, as indeed you are. For Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore, let us observe the feast, not with old leaven or with the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Ephesians 1:7-8

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.

• How do these verses shed light on the Passover celebration?
• Often in the Bible, yeast was used as a way to represent sin because just a little leaven would permeate the whole batch of dough. What are some ways a little sin can infect a whole person?
• What are some ways the community of Christ-followers around you can help with the sin that entangles us?
• What are some practices you do to help fight against temptation?
• Who are some people in your community who you could meet with regularly for accountability?

Apply it!

• What is one way you can join in Christ-centered community with others this week?

Memorize it!

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace…

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank God for providing the Passover Lamb (Jesus) for us

Adoration- Say a word or short phrase of some characteristics of God

Confess those times when you have let sin into your life

Others- Pray for someone who needs community. Ask the Lord to show you ways to get them involved

Self- Ask the Lord to help you resist temptation

Closing Thoughts

The idea behind Passover was to remind the Israelites where they had been, and remind them of their Rescuer. It was also a way to point to a future rescue and restoration through Jesus. The meal and week long celebration was rich with meaning (and still is), to remind the Israelites of God’s goodness. It was also a reminder to follow Him and not get entangled in sin.

As we enter the Christmas season which is rich with tradition and stories, think of ways to use those traditions to tell others, especially the next generation, about God’s goodness. Tell them about what Jesus has done for you, and how He continues to work in your life. When we do this, we remember God’s goodness, and help to make sure those stories continue on.

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Opening Discussion

• What are some ways the people around you, your community, have helped you recently?
  • If you are having trouble answering the previous question, what are some ways you could better connect to people around you?

Read and Discuss

Exodus 15:1-3,13 (This song takes place after the Israelites finally escaped the Egyptians and crossed through the Red Sea)

1 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord. They said:

I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted; he has thrown the horse and its rider into the sea.
2 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
3 The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.

13 With your faithful love, you will lead the people you have redeemed; you will guide them to your holy dwelling with your strength.

• What are some of the attributes of God the Israelites sing about?
  • What are some ways you’ve experienced these attributes in your life?
• Why was worshiping together so important for the Israelites?
• What are some things you enjoy about worshiping together with others?
• What is something you could do to help lead others or engage more in group worship?

Read Exodus 15:22-24; 16:2-3; 17:3

15:22 Then Moses led Israel on from the Red Sea, and they went out to the Wilderness of Shur. They journeyed for three days in the wilderness without finding water. 23 They came to Marah, but they could not drink the water at Marah because it was bitter—that is why it was named Marah. 24 The people grumbled to Moses, “What are we going to drink?”

16:2 The entire Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by pots of meat and ate all the bread we wanted. Instead, you brought us into this wilderness to make this whole assembly die of hunger!”

17:3 But the people thirsted there for water and grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you ever bring us up from Egypt to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”

• Here we have three instances of the Israelites grumbling, complaining, and whining about their circumstances. The first instance was just three days after their miraculous exodus from Egypt! In each instance how could the community have turned to the Lord instead of complaining?
• Why were they so quick to forget what the Lord had done for them?
• What are some ways you forget the good things the Lord has done when life starts to be overwhelming?
• The Israelites had been without water for three days right after the escape from the Egyptians. Why did the Lord test them in this way?
• What are some dry spells you’ve experienced in your relationship with God?
  • What do you do in the midst of those times to strengthen your faith?
• Instead of focusing on the good things the Lord has done, why is it easier to look at the bad things in our life?
  • What can you do to remember the Lord in your hardships?
• Would anything have changed in these instances if a few people in the community had stood up and reminded the people of God’s provision?
• What are some ways you can help people in your circles of influence look for the good the Lord is doing in their lives?
• How can you show gratitude to the Lord?

Read Exodus 15:26-27

26 He said, “If you will carefully obey the Lord your God, do what is right in his sight, pay attention to his commands, and keep all his statutes, I will not inflict any illnesses on you that I inflicted on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.”

27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy date palms, and they camped there by the water.

• After three days the Lord provided water, then He led them to Elim. What does this show us about the Lord’s character?
• After you’ve experienced seasons of hardship, what were some ways the Lord blessed you after that?
• Why is it sometimes difficult to thank God for who He is, instead of just thanking Him for what He’s done for us?
• How can the community of believers around you help you be grateful when things are going well?
  • …when things are going poorly?
  • …in times when you feel like the Lord is distant?

Apply it!

• Who is one person this week that you can encourage and help them to thank the Lord in their tough circumstances?

Memorize it!

Exodus 15:3 The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank God for ways He showed up for you in tough times

Adoration- Worship the Lord for who He is. Use Exodus 15:1-18 if you need help.

Confess those times when you have grumbled and complained instead of choosing to worship.

Others- Pray for someone who is experiencing hardship and ask the Lord to put you in their life this week to encourage them.

Self- Ask the Lord to help you to turn to Him when you feel like grumbling

Closing Thoughts

Choosing to be thankful in the midst of hard times is not an easy task. It also doesn’t mean you overlook the bad things and put on a fake positive attitude. It means that you stop and think about the Lord, who He is and what He has done in the past. Remind yourself of His goodness and His love for you. Read Exodus 15 or Psalm 100 to help remind you of His character.

When we choose thankfulness instead of grumbling or complaining, we are choosing to change our perspective. For me personally, the things I get upset about in the day to day are usually things that have inconvenienced me or not gone my way. They are usually selfish things that when I choose to be thankful, I see the way the Lord has provided for me or helped me when I didn’t see it before.

This is a lot easier to do when I am in a group of fellow followers of Jesus who help me to have the proper perspective of life. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you and help you to see the ways to be thankful. Choose thankfulness this week!

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Opening Discussion

• Who is someone who annoyed you at first, but as you got to know them, you became friends?

Read and Discuss

Exodus 3:1-10

1 Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire within a bush. As Moses looked, he saw that the bush was on fire but was not consumed. 3 So Moses thought, “I must go over and look at this remarkable sight. Why isn’t the bush burning up?”

4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from the bush, “Moses, Moses!”

“Here I am,” he answered.

5 “Do not come closer,” he said. “Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”6 Then he continued, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God.

7 Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people in Egypt, and have heard them crying out because of their oppressors. I know about their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and to bring them from that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the territory of the Canaanites, Hethites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. 9 So because the Israelites’ cry for help has come to me, and I have also seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them, 10 therefore, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”

• Why was Moses in the wilderness?
• Why did God use a burning bush to get Moses’ attention?
• What was the significance of Moses removing his sandals?
• Why did God bring up Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?
• What do we learn about God’s character from this interaction?
• What are some ways God speaks to us today?

Read Exodus 3:11-17

11 But Moses asked God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

12 He answered, “I will certainly be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I am the one who sent you: when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will all worship God at this mountain.”

13 Then Moses asked God, “If I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what should I tell them?”

14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the Israelites: The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.

16 “Go and assemble the elders of Israel and say to them: The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to me and said: I have paid close attention to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt. 17 And I have promised you that I will bring you up from the misery of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, Hethites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.

• Why did God choose Moses to rescue the Israelites from the Egyptians?
• Why didn’t Moses think he was qualified for the job?
• What does God’s response to Moses’ doubts show us about God?
• When you have doubts, how do you discuss them with God?
• How had God been working behind the scenes to build the community of the Israelites?
• What are some reasons Moses might not have wanted to go back to Egypt?
• When you separate yourself from the community of others, why might you not want to go back into that community?
• What is significant about God’s name, I AM WHO I AM?
• Why was it important for God to establish a community of people set apart from the rest of the world?
• What ways are you part of that community today?
• What are some ways the community of followers of Jesus is helpful to the world around us?
• What are some ways the community of followers of Jesus can improve?

Read Romans 12:18

18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

• How had Moses not lived at peace with the Egyptians and the Israelites?
• What is easy to live out about this verse?
  • What is difficult about this verse?
• Are there any situations in which you are avoiding peace with someone?
  • What is keeping you from that forgiveness?
• God walked Moses back to the people he had run from because of his sin. Who is God calling you back to that you may have run away from?

Apply it!

• What do you need to do this week to help restore peace to a situation you are involved with?
  • Who will you talk to about it?
  • When will you do this?

Memorize it!

Romans 12:18- If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Spend a few moments as a group just praying for things you are thankful for.

Adoration- Worship the Lord for taking us while we were still sinners and bringing us into community with Him and others

Confess those times when you have not made peace with others. Also confess those times when you have purposefully hurt others.

Others- Pray that the Lord would put someone in your life that you can invite into your community this week

Self- Ask the Lord for courage to talk to someone whom you need to make peace with

Closing Thoughts

Moses saw his people, the Israelites, being abused. Even though he grew up as Egyptian royalty, he knew he had to do something to help his oppressed people. So he took matters into his own hands and killed an Egyptian. As a result, the Israelites now saw Moses as a murderer and not as a rescuer.

Sin always separates. Whenever we try to do things by our own power and our own ways, instead of the Lord’s way, it separates us from the community around us. But that’s what is awesome about God’s community, it’s about restoration.

God met Moses where he was at, a shepherd in the wilderness trying to hide who he was. Moses resisted, but God answered his every doubt. When we feel separated from the community, an outcast, unworthy of love, God meets us where we are. When we feel separated from the community because we feel superior to those around us, better than them, God meets us where we are. He reminds us not of who we are, but who He is. I AM WHO I AM.

Once we realize in whose presence we are standing, we bow down in worship. It’s in this place of reverence, and realization that we are sinful, that the Lord starts to work in our hearts. He restores us to Him through Jesus’ death on the cross and rising from the dead, then restores us to the community around us. This restoration is not only for our benefit but also to be an example to those around us so that they too can see their is a place for them in the body of Christ.

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Opening Discussion

• What is a fun community event you have attended or helped put on?
  • What did you enjoy about it?

Read & Discuss

Luke 24:44-53

44 He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, 47 and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”

50 Then he led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 And while he was blessing them, he left them and was carried up into heaven. 52 After worshiping him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they were continually in the temple praising God.

• What were some of the things written about Jesus in the Law, Prophets, and Psalms?
• Why was it important that Jesus had witnesses to His death and coming back to life?
• What are some ways people try to discount the resurrection of Jesus?
• What would you say to someone who has trouble with Jesus’ resurrection?
• Why did the disciples continually praise God in the temple?
• How did Jesus’ rising from the dead strengthen the community of Jesus’ followers?
• How has being part of a Christ-centered community helped your faith journey?

Acts 1:1-3, 12-15a

1 I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.14 They all were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters—the number of people who were together was about a hundred twenty…

• Why did Luke write the Book of Acts, instead of just stopping at the end of Luke?
• Luke wants to make it clear that Jesus really did rise from the dead. How can we emphasize that truth often with those around us?
• What does it mean to be “continually united in prayer?”
  • Why was it important for the disciples and earlier followers to do that?
• What was significant about the small community of 120 believers?
• What are some ways you can utilize the community around you in your pursuit of knowing Christ and making disciples?

Apply it!

• Who are some people you can gather around you this week and be united in prayer with them?

Memorize it!

Acts 1:14a They all were continually united in prayer…

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- What is something you can thank the Lord for today?

Adoration- Worship the Lord for giving us community with Him

Confess those times when you have taken the Christ-centered community around you for granted

Others- Pray that the Lord would put someone in your life that you can invite into your community this week

Self- Ask the Lord for boldness as you ask people to unite with you in prayer this week

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Opening Discussion

• When you doubt something in life, what do you do to find clarity about the situation?

Read and Discuss

Luke 24:1-12

1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground.

“Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. 6 “He is not here, but he has risen! Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” 8 And they remembered his words.

9 Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. 10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. 11 But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths. So he went away, amazed at what had happened.

• Why had the women forgotten the words of Jesus?
• Why did the disciples not believe the women?
• What are some ways people might miss Jesus in day to day life?
• Why is it sometimes hard to remember the words of Jesus?
• What is something you could do this week to remember God’s promises to you?

Luke 24:13-20, 25-35

13 Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. 15 And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them. 16 But they were prevented from recognizing him. 17 Then he asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged.

18 The one named Cleopas answered him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?”

19 “What things?” he asked them.

So they said to him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet powerful in action and speech before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him…

25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.

28 They came near the village where they were going, and he gave the impression that he was going farther. 29 But they urged him, “Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

30 It was as he reclined at the table with them that he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33 That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together, 34 who said, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

• Why had these two men missed the message of Jesus’ resurrection?
• Why didn’t they believe the women who said Jesus was alive?
• What was the significance of Jesus breaking the bread that made them realize it was Jesus who was with them the whole time?
• Why didn’t Jesus let them know who He was while they were walking down the road?
• What are some things in your life that you had to figure out the truth on your own, even though people had told you the truth?
• What are some things you are skeptical of?
• When it comes to your faith, how do you deal with doubts or skepticism?

Luke 24:36-49

36 As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 “Why are you troubled?” he asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” 40 Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 But while they still were amazed and in disbelief because of their joy, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 So they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence.

44 He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, 47 and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”

• Why does Jesus lead the conversation with “peace to you?”
• Even after being told by the women, Peter, and the two men on the road that Jesus was alive, why were the disciples still doubtful?
• How did Jesus handle their doubts?
• Why did Jesus ask them for something to eat?
• Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. What are some ways we can understand the Bible today?
  • What would it look like for Jesus to help you understand the scriptures?
• Why does Luke show us that there was so much doubt from Jesus’ closest friends surrounding His resurrection?
• What are some doubts or questions you have about Jesus?

Apply it!

• This week, what can you do to find information about your questions and doubts?
• Who will you talk to about these things?

Memorize it!

Luke 24:46 He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, 47 and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- What is something you can thank the Lord for today?

Adoration- Worship the Lord for rising from the dead

Confess those times when you haven’t taken God’s Word seriously

Others- Who can you tell about the love of Jesus this week? Pray for them and that opportunity.

Self- Ask the Lord to put someone in your life this week that you can share your faith with

Closing Thoughts

A few years ago a good friend of mine, and a student small group leader, came to me and said he had doubts about Jesus’ resurrection. He couldn’t grasp someone coming back from the dead. We talked about it some, and it didn’t come up much after that. But then one day he called and said he just couldn’t believe anymore. It felt disingenuous to him to show up at church, go through the motions, lead a small group, and not believe the one thing that made Christianity set apart from every other religion, Jesus’ resurrection.

We kept in touch for awhile after that, and I suggested some books and videos which I don’t know if he ever read. We still talk on occasion but it’s mainly about superficial things. After this week’s message I feel like I need to reach out to him again.

Growing up in the church and hearing often about Jesus coming back to life, sometimes makes it not seem as miraculous as it really was. Maybe you have a friend or two that struggles with the resurrection. What can you do to reach out to them and help them find a place to talk and wrestle with their doubts?

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Opening Discussion

• What was something you didn’t believe at first, but then when you got more information about it, you believed it?

Read and Discuss

Luke 23:26-31

26 As they led him away, they seized Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd of people followed him, including women who were mourning and lamenting him. 28 But turning to them, Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and your children. 29 Look, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the women without children, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

• Why did Simon have to carry the cross?
  • What does this show us about the physical state Jesus was in?
• Even though Jesus was in excruciating pain, why does He tell the women following Him not to weep for Him, but for themselves?
• What do we learn about Jesus’ character from this interaction with the women?

Luke 23:32-38

32 Two others—criminals—were also led away to be executed with him. 33 When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided his clothes and cast lots.

35 The people stood watching, and even the leaders were scoffing: “He saved others; let him save himself if this is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him. They came offering him sour wine 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!”

38 An inscription was above him: This Is the King of the Jews.

• Why does Jesus forgive those who are responsible for His crucifixion?
• How does Jesus forgiving others point to the fact that He was fully God and fully man?
• Why were people mocking and making fun of Jesus?
• What are some things you can learn from Jesus in this passage?
• Is there anyone you are having trouble forgiving right now?
  • What can you do to forgive them this week?

Luke 23:44-49

44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three, 45 because the sun’s light failed. The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. 46 And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.” Saying this, he breathed his last.

47 When the centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify God, saying, “This man really was righteous!” 48 All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests. 49 But all who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

• What was the significance of the curtain of the sanctuary splitting in two?
• How did Jesus remain faithful to the end of His life?
• The centurion had probably seen hundreds of crucifixions. What made Jesus’ death different from the other ones?
• Why did the crowds feel remorse after Jesus died?
• How do all of these passages point to Jesus really dying?
• Why does it matter that Jesus really died?

Apply it!

• What is one way you can live more like Jesus based on this passage?

Memorize it!

Luke 23:34a Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.”

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- What is something you can thank the Lord for today?

Adoration- Worship God for sending Jesus to die in our place

Confess to those times you have taken Jesus death and resurrection for granted

Others- Who can you tell about the love of Jesus this week? Pray for them and that opportunity.

Self- What are some doubts you have? Ask the Lord to help you find someone to talk to about that this week

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Opening Discussion

• What are your top two pet peeves?

Read and Discuss

Luke 22:39-42 (This takes place immediately after the last supper, when Jesus knows He is about to be arrested and crucified)

39 He went out and made his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 When he reached the place, he told them, “Pray that you may not fall into temptation.” 41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

• What temptations are the disciples about to face that Jesus wants them to pray against?
• What did Jesus mean by asking God to “take this cup away from me?”
• Why didn’t Jesus want to go through what He was about to go through?
• How did Jesus still trust God even in this difficult moment in His life?
• How does Jesus’ reaction show us His human side?
• Why do you think Luke included this experience about Jesus?
• What are some experiences in your life when you felt like Jesus did in this passage?
• How did you trust God through that experience?

Luke 22:43-46

43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. 44 Being in anguish, he prayed more fervently, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he got up from prayer and came to the disciples, he found them sleeping, exhausted from their grief. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you won’t fall into temptation.”

• What do these verses teach you about Jesus?
• Why was prayer so important to Jesus?
• What experiences in your life have led you to prayer more fervently?
• Part of Jesus’ experience was that an angel from heaven shows up and gives Him strength. Have you ever had a supernatural experience?
• Why does Luke include the embarrassing part of the disciples falling asleep?
• What’s an embarrassing moment that happened in church or around church people?
• Why is it important to be real with people when it comes to our experiences?
• Talk about a time you had an experience with God.

1 John 1:1-3

1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— 3 what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

• Why does John want his readers to know that he observed all these things?
• What are some real life things the Bible points to so that we know it’s true?
• Why are our experiences important to our faith?
• How can you use your experiences with Jesus to tell others about Him?
• Why is it important to also know scripture and not just have experiences?

Apply it!

• What is a way you can experience the Lord this week?
• What is a step you can take to deepen your faith this week?

Memorize it!

Luke 22:40 When he reached the place, he told them, “Pray that you may not fall into temptation.”

Prayer TACOS (Leaders, this may be a guided prayer where you don’t pray out loud, but prompt your group to pray through these things on their own. You give them a prompt, then sit in silence and let them pray on their own for a little bit, then give the next prompt. You can close in prayer at the end if you wish.)

Thanksgiving- What do you need to thank the Lord for today?

Adoration- Worship the Lord for allowing us to have experiences with Him

Confess any sin that is holding you back from experiencing Jesus fully

Others- Who is someone you can pray for this week that has not yet experienced Jesus?

Self- What do you need from the Lord this week? Ask in faith with pure motives for that thing you need from Him.

Closing thoughts

My experiences are going to be different from yours. How I experience the presence of God, a worship service, a passage of scripture, and life in general is going to be different. Because we are different people. That’s what is awesome about God. He knows us all intimately and so He knows the best way to communicate with us and to help us grow in our relationship with Him.

All our experiences need to be grounded in the Bible because that’s how we know Him. Our experiences stem from those things we learn about God in scripture. Jesus quoted scripture all the time. It was His roadmap for life. Jesus also prayed…a lot. Sometimes after before or after big moments, times of grief, joy, after healing people, night time, day time, before dawn, He would get alone. He would be in the presence of His Father.

As you reflect back on your experiences with Jesus, think ahead to what you will continue to do to make time to be in the presence of the Father. Why not do something today to lean into Him just a little bit more?

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Opening Discussion

• What’s a rule your parents had that was hard for you to follow?
• What are some silly rules or laws you’ve heard about?

Read and Discuss

Psalm 96:1-6

1 Sing a new song to the Lord; let the whole earth sing to the Lord.

2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; proclaim his salvation from day to day.

3 Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples.

4 For the Lord is great and is highly praised; he is feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

• Why does the psalmist tell people to sing a new song?
  • When you do something new, what steps do you take?
• What attributes of God are talked about in this Psalm?
• What does the psalmist say about other gods?
• Why is it important to know that God is the Creator?
  • What are some ways creation draws us to worship?

Psalm 96:7-9

7 Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; bring an offering and enter his courts.
9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him.

• What does “ascribe” mean and why is it important in worship?
• What are some reasons the psalmist gives to why we should worship the Lord?
• How does the Lord reign?
• What areas of your life do you have trouble letting the Lord reign in?

Psalm 96:10-13

10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns. The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken. He judges the peoples fairly.”

11 Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and all that fills it resound.
12 Let the fields and everything in them celebrate. Then all the trees of the forest will shout for joy
13 before the Lord, for he is coming—for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with his faithfulness.

• When it comes to the Lord’s fair judgment, what are some ways you are for it, and what are some ways it is scary?
• How does the psalmist describe how God will judge, and what does this teach us about God’s character?
• How does having a sense of right, wrong, and fairness point to God?
• Why do we have to have rules and laws in order for there to be justice?
• What are some of the rules and laws God has established?

(Side note: The longest chapter in the whole Bible is Psalm 119. It is a psalm of deep worship, with the main subject being God’s laws and rules.)

Psalm 119:1-6

1 How happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk according to the Lord’s instruction!

2 Happy are those who keep his decrees and seek him with all their heart.

3 They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways.

4 You have commanded that your precepts be diligently kept.

5 If only my ways were committed to keeping your statutes!

6 Then I would not be ashamed when I think about all your commands.

• How do rules help us in our relationships with others?
• Why does the psalmist praise God for His rules and laws?
• When was the last time you thanked God for rules?
  • Does it seem weird to thank God for His rules? Why or why not?
• How do laws point to a lawmaker?
• Why does our relationship with the Lord go better when we are keeping the laws He has made for us?

Apply it!

• What is one way you could worship God for His rules and laws this week?

Memorize it!

Psalm 96:10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns. The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken. He judges the peoples fairly.”

Prayer TACOS

Thank the Lord for His laws, rules, and commandments!

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His holiness and being the only one worthy of giving the perfect law.

Confess to the times you have not obeyed the Lord’s commands.

Others- Pray for those who have turned from, or never followed God’s laws. Ask the Lord to give you an opportunity this week to talk to someone about His goodness.

Self- Ask the Lord to show you how following His ways is the best way to live. Pray against temptations that lead you down the wrong path.

Closing thoughts

When I started driving and had a curfew, I would always let my parents know where I was going, and if I was going to be late. Sometimes I would even ask for a later curfew if my friends and I were watching a movie or in the middle of something. Often, they would let me stay later. My parents hadn’t set a curfew because they wanted to make me miserable, but because they loved me.

God doesn’t make up rules and laws to make our lives terrible, He does it out of love. He knows that if we follow Him, and obey Him, life will go better for us. We can look around at the rules and see people breaking them all the time. And when they do, we know that justice needs to be done to right the wrongs. That feeling of injustice and something being wrong when the rules are broken, points back to God. It shows us that there is a lawmaker who has established a set of rules. This week, pay attention to the rules God has set in place, and look at them as an act of His love towards us.

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Opening Discussion

• What is something you’ve wasted a lot of time on?
  • What was the original purpose of that thing in your life?

Read and Discuss

Colossians 1:15-17 CSB

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.

• What does this passage tell us about who Jesus is?
• How does creation show us that God had a design and purpose for what He made?
• What does it mean that Jesus holds all things together?
• Why does it matter that not only did God create all things, but He is still involved with His creation?

Colossians 1:18-20

18 He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

• Why did Paul remind the Colossians that Jesus was the head of the church?
• What are some ways we need to be reminded that Jesus is the head of the church today?
• What does it look like to have Jesus as the first place in everything in your life?
• What does it mean to reconcile?
• How did Jesus reconcile both us and all of creation through His death on the cross?

Colossians 1:21-23

21 Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds as expressed in your evil actions. 22 But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless,and blameless before him— 23 if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a servant of it.

• Did you ever see yourself as alienated and hostile towards God?
  • Why or Why not?
• Why does Paul remind the Colossians, and us, that we were alienated, hostile, and had evil actions?
• Through Jesus’s death, we are now holy, faultless, and blameless before God. Why might it be hard for some people to think of themselves in that way?
• What are some ways you remain grounded and steadfast in your faith in Christ?
• What are some things that shift people away from the hope of the gospel?
• Since God created the world with purpose and reason, what purpose has He given you?

Apply it!

• How can you live each day with purpose and putting Christ first in everything you do?
• What is one thing you can do today or tomorrow to start walking more fully for that purpose?

Memorize it!

Colossians 1:18- He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.

Prayer TACOS

Thank God for giving you a purpose while on this earth

Adoration- Worship Jesus for holding all things together

Confess to those times when you found your purpose in things other than Jesus

Others- Ask for the Lord to give you an opportunity to tell someone about their worth in Christ this week

Self- Ask the Lord to help you put Him first in your life

Closing Thoughts

Creation points to a Creator. However, it could just be that a being created all of this, then walked away. Jesus is proof that our Creator is still involved with Creation. Part of the reason that Jesus’ ministry attracted people was that it showed the brokenness of the world being restored back to its original state. Sin not only brought separation between us and God, but it infected all of creation.

When we follow Jesus, the head of the Church, those around us should see the restoration of all things back to God. Now, we aren’t going to be perfect because we are still living in this broken world. However, when we mess up, it gives us an opportunity to ask for forgiveness and move forward. It’s through Jesus that everything is being reconciled back to God. This includes creation, and our relationship with Him. May your life point others to Jesus this week.

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What is something you made that you were proud of?
• When it comes to creating or making something, what do you enjoy about the process?
  • What is difficult about the process?

Read and Discuss

Psalm 33:1-9 CSB

1 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous ones; praise from the upright is beautiful.

2 Praise the Lord with the lyre; make music to him with a ten-stringed harp.

3 Sing a new song to him; play skillfully on the strings, with a joyful shout.

4 For the word of the Lord is right, and all his work is trustworthy.

5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the Lord’s unfailing love.

6 The heavens were made by the word of the Lord, and all the stars, by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathers the water of the sea into a heap; he puts the depths into storehouses.
8 Let the whole earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

9 For he spoke, and it came into being; he commanded, and it came into existence.

• Why does the Psalmist (we will assume it’s David) tell people to praise the Lord with music?
• What are some reasons David says the Lord is worthy of worshiping?
• What is it about creation that sets God apart?
• How have you found verse 4 to be true in your life?
• How does worship music help you connect with God?
• In what ways does singing a new song help us connect with the Creator?
• Why does it matter that God created the heavens and the earth?
• What are some ways people discount God as the Creator?
  • When someone denies God as the Creator, how does that make it easier for them to deny Him as the Savior?
• What questions do you have about God being the Creator?
  • Where do you go, or where can you go, to find answers for those questions?
• What is one way you can connect with God this week through His creation?

John 1:1-3

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.

• Why does John start his gospel this way?
• Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” What does John reveal about Jesus by pointing back to this verse?
• Why is it important to know that Jesus is the cause of all things?
  • Since Jesus is the creator of all things, how should we respond to Him with the way we live?
• What are some ways we push back against God as Creator?
• Why might some people struggle with God being the Creator?
• How is God’s creation evident in everything around you?

Apply it!

• What is one way you can worship God this week in a new way than you’ve done before?
  • Who will help you do this?

Memorize it!

Psalm 33:4 For the word of the Lord is right, and all his work is trustworthy.

Prayer TACOS

Thank the Lord being our Creator

Adoration- Worship the Lord by telling Him how awesome His creation is

Confess to those times when you haven’t respected God as the Creator and thought that you knew better than He did how life works best

Others- Pray for someone you know who is struggling with their relationship with God. Ask Him to give you an opportunity to speak with them this week

Self- Ask the Lord to help you see the works of His creation in everything around you

Closing Thoughts

I love board games. I’m not talking Monopoly, Sorry, or Candyland, but really in-depth, hour long board games. One particular board game that my friends and I played several times seemed like a good concept, but we really didn’t enjoy it as much as we had hoped. So we tried something new and changed the rules a bit. It did not go well for us. Then I went back to the rulebook and realized they had thought of the way we wanted to play and had a rule set for it. Their version of it was a lot better than what we had tried to come up with. It’s the same with our relationship with Jesus.

Whenever I share the gospel, I start with, “Since God is the Creator, He knows how life works best.” God being the cause of all things means that He gets to set the rules. If you don’t start with Him as Creator, then none of the rest of it makes sense. We want to set the rules, change the rules, bend the rules, or just throw out the rules and make it up as we go along. But in the end, it never quite works the way we expect.

So this week when you are walking outside, driving along the road, eating, working, talking with others, take a moment to pause and realize how awesome God’s creation really is. Think about how He made everything to have purpose, and how we can derive joy from those things, if we also submit to His rule set for those things. It’s not about a strict rule maker who is trying to keep us from having fun. It’s about a loving Father, who wants us to have life, and that to the fullest. Go and enjoy His creation!

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Opening Discussion

• What is something you used to be unsure of but became more confident in overtime?

Read and Discuss

Luke 19:45-48 CSB

45 He went into the temple and began to throw out those who were selling, 46 and he said, “It is written, my house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves!”

47 Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people were looking for a way to kill him, 48 but they could not find a way to do it, because all the people were captivated by what they heard.

• Why did Jesus react so strongly in this situation?
• What does this show us about how followers of Jesus should treat the church gathering time?
• Why did the leaders want to kill Jesus?
• Why was Jesus’ teaching captivating to those who wanted to listen?
• Why didn’t the leaders hear the same thing the other people heard when Jesus taught?
• When you read about Jesus and His teachings, what are some ways that builds your faith?

Luke 20:1-8

1 One day as he was teaching the people in the temple and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the scribes, with the elders, came 2 and said to him, “Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Who is it who gave you this authority?”

3 He answered them, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me, 4 was the baptism of John from heaven or of human origin?”

5 They discussed it among themselves: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us, because they are convinced that John was a prophet.” 7 So they answered that they did not know its origin.

8 And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

• Why do the leaders want to know where Jesus gets His authority?
• Why doesn’t Jesus answer their question directly?
• What does Jesus want the leaders to understand about Him and His authority?
• What are some ways people still have trouble with the authority of Jesus today?
• Is there an area of your life you have trouble giving Jesus authority over? (Family, money, relationships, etc.)
• What would it take for you to trust Jesus with that area of your life?

Luke 20:19-26

19 Then the scribes and the chief priests looked for a way to get their hands on him that very hour, because they knew he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people.

20 They watched closely and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, so that they could catch him in what he said, to hand him over to the governor’s rule and authority. 21 They questioned him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach correctly, and you don’t show partiality but teach truthfully the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

23 But detecting their craftiness, he said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?”

“Caesar’s,” they said.

25 “Well then,” he told them, “give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

26 They were not able to catch him in what he said in public, and being amazed at his answer, they became silent.

• Why were the leaders against Jesus?
• Where did Jesus’ confidence come from to stand up to the leaders who were out to get Him at every chance?
• Why was Jesus’ response to the tax question so astonishing?
• How do people try to undermine Jesus’ authority today?
• Why are people more concerned about having confidence in themselves than in Jesus?

Apply it!

• What are some ways you put confidence in yourself instead of the Lord?
• What is one thing you can do this week to place more confidence in Christ?

Memorize it!

Luke 20:25 “Well then,” he told them, “give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Prayer TACOS

Thank the Lord for showing us how to live confidently in His kingdom

Adoration- Worship the Lord for being the same yesterday, today, and forever

Confess to those times you put your trust in yourself and not God

Others- Pray for someone you know who has not put their trust in the Lord. Ask God for an opportunity to have a Christ-centered conversation with them this week.

Self- Ask Jesus to be your source of confidence. Ask for boldness to tell others about Him this week.

Closing Thoughts

Often my confidence comes because of things I can see and that I think I can control. My job, money, marriage, and friendships are things I will put my hope and trust in. Unfortunately, those things don’t last. They are temporary and will go away. Some years ago, I loved my job, the leadership recognized my potential, and was setting me up for success. I had built a good team around me and things were going well. But then the leader had a moral failing, and when a new leader came into that position, he had different ideas and ways of doing things.

The things I had placed my confidence in were now gone. During that time I had to learn what it meant to place my confidence in the things of the Lord. It was a slow process, but eventually I leaned into His leading and direction instead of my own. It took a few years, but I got a new job with a great team. I know now that things won’t always be great. There will be ups and downs, but my confidence is no longer in my job, my team, or my success. It’s in the Lord. But yes, I still have those moments where I want to but my trust in myself.

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Opening Discussion

• What is something you like about going to church?

Read and Discuss

Exodus 22:21 NIV

21 “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.”

• Why was this important for God to include in His instructions to the Israelites?
• How were the Israelites mistreated in Egypt?
• When was a time you felt like an outsider when you were around other people?
• What are some ways people may feel like an outsider when it comes to going to church (especially if it’s their first time)?
• How can you help others who come to church to feel welcome and accepted?
• What are some ways you can help those around you in other areas of your life feel welcome and loved when they are around you?

1 Peter 4:7-11

7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer. 8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

• Why does Peter want the readers of his letter to be alert and sober-minded for prayer?
• How does prayer lay the groundwork for healthy relationships with God and others?
  • In what way does that build the church?
• Why is maintaining constant love for one another of vital importance?
• How can you be hospitable to others?
• What gift have you received from God that you can serve others with?
  • If you don’t know your gift, what would the people around you say your gift might be?
• If we lived these verses out, how might your job/school/home look different?
• How is our church a reflection of these verses?
• Where does our church fall short in these things?
  • How can you help the church improve in those areas we lack?
• A miniature conversion is when you have an eye opening experience that changes the way you view your faith.
• What are some miniature conversion experiences you’ve had?
  • What event led you to have those conversions?

Apply it!

• What is a way you can serve someone this week?
  • How can you use that service to have a conversation with them about Jesus?

Memorize it!

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Prayer TACOS

Thank the Lord for hearing and answering our prayers

Adoration- Use 1 Peter 4:11 as a starting point for worshiping God- 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Confess to the times you haven’t been loving to those around you.

Others– Ask God to send someone in your life this week that you could serve in the name of Jesus

Self- Ask the Lord for boldness to share the Good News of Jesus with others.

Closing Thoughts

It’s easy to get in the “church bubble”. You have your church friends, small group, and time at church. You may have non-Christian co-workers, neighbors, or classmates, but you don’t do much with them outside of interacting with them when necessary. So how can you start to change that this week?

Maybe you need to figure out the gift God has given you to help you reach others for His kingdom. There are spiritual gift tests online, and on the One Life app. If you already know your gift, how are you using that to serve others both inside and outside of the church?

God has granted us all gifts in order to glorify Him and build His kingdom. Our church should be a place where people can come to find love unlike anywhere else. And our lives should reflect that love no matter where we are. When our life is like that, there will be natural conversations that happen to help people make steps in their faith. As we do that, we bring glory to God and point people to Him in everything we do.

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Opening Discussion:

• Tell a brief story about how being in a group or team helped you or a time when you wished you had a group of people to help you.

Read and Discuss:

Acts 2:37-47

37 When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation!” 41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them.

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. 44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

• Why were the people pierced to the heart when they heard Peter’s sermon?
• Why does Peter want them to repent and get baptized?
• After becoming followers of Jesus, why did they start meeting together?
• How would you define fellowship?
  • How is it more than just hanging out?
• Where do you find fellowship and community?
• What are some ways you can help the groups you are in devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching, eating together, and to fellowship?
• Who is someone that you could reach out to this week to encourage them to join your group?

1 Corinthians 12:12-14

12 For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink. 14 Indeed, the body is not one part but many.

• What are some ways the Church functions as a body?
• How should the body of Christ be working as one in the world around us?
• Do you see other people’s gifts and functions within the church as better than yours? Why or why not?
• What are some ways people get jealous of others’ gifts or roles in the church?
• What is your part within the body?
• How can being part of a group help you to contribute to the body of Christ?
• What are some excuses you might use for not using your gifts?

Apply it!

• What ways can you help others this week through what God has gifted you with?
• When will you do this?

Prayer

Thank God for the people He has put in your life. If you feel like you don’t have a good group of Christ-followers around you, pray that He would open your eyes to the people around you that you could have a great community with.

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Opening Discussion

• How did someone help you in your faith journey when you were a child?

Read and Discuss

Matthew 19:13-15

13 Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.14 Jesus said, “Leave the little children alone, and don’t try to keep them from coming to me, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 After placing his hands on them, he went on from there.

• Why did parents bring their kids to Jesus?
• What did the response of the disciples show about their worldview towards children?
• What does Jesus mean when He says about children that the “kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these?”
  • What are some qualities of children that people tend to overlook?
  • How did Jesus’ view of children differ from the disciples’ view of children?
• What’s something you’ve learned about your faith from observing kids?
• How is a kid’s faith in God sometimes different from an adult’s faith in God?
• What are some ways you can help children experience Jesus?

Matthew 19:16-22

16 Just then someone came up and asked him, “Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?”

17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” he said to him. “There is only one who is good. If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

18 “Which ones?” he asked him.

Jesus answered: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; 19 honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself.

20 “I have kept all these,” the young man told him. “What do I still lack?”

21 “If you want to be perfect,” Jesus said to him, “go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 When the young man heard that, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

• What is the young man asking Jesus?
• Why does Jesus tell him that there is only one who is good?
• What can you learn about the worldview of the man based on his questions?
• Why does Jesus only list half of the ten commandments and not all of them?
  • Jesus also only lists the commandments that deal with our relationship with others and not our relationship with God? Why does He do this?
• How does the young man’s question, “What do I still lack?” show that he felt something was still off in his life?
• What are some things people do to try to earn their way into heaven?
• Why can’t we earn our way to heaven?
• If you have a worldview that lets you earn your way to heaven, who is your life centered around?
• How does Jesus’ command to the rich young man to sell his possessions, give to the poor, then follow Jesus, point out his lack of following the commandments to not have other gods and not to make idols?
• What are some ways people make idols or have other gods today?
• How can doing good deeds be worshiping a false god?
• What was the young man’s response to Jesus?

Apply it!

• What might Jesus ask you to give up in order to follow Him better?
• What holds you back from giving that thing up?

Memorize it!

Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Leave the little children alone, and don’t try to keep them from coming to me, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Prayer TACOS

Thank the Lord for not making us earn our way into heaven

Adoration- Worship the Lord for doing the work for us so we don’t have to earn our way into heaven

Confess to those times when you thought your good works gave you a higher standing with God, or that He owed you something for the good things you had done for Him

Others- Pray for someone you know who is struggling with earning their way into heaven. Ask the Lord to give you an opportunity to talk to them this week.

Self- Ask the Lord to help you die to yourself daily. Pray against the things you do to try to give yourself a better standing with God. Ask Him to help you let go of those things that are keeping Him from being the center of your life.

Closing Thoughts

Everything pushes a worldview. From the products you buy, to the movies you watch, and the church that you attend, an underlying worldview is being presented. Your worldview is shaping how you interact with the people around you, and how you view yourself. A worldview is the lens through which you view the world around you, and the actions you take based on what you believe.

At One Life, we teach a Christ-centered worldview because the Christian faith is total truth, not just “personal truth.” If I claim to have a Christ-centered worldview, that means all my decisions, my interactions with others, and how I spend my time is all dictated by my desire to keep Christ at the center of my life. When I make choices that contradict that (sin!), then I have to reevaluate my worldview. Do I actually believe that Christ at the center of my life is the best way to live?

This is not an easy task. The rich young man was faced with that choice. Do I give up everything that I thought was making me happy and secure to follow Jesus? His answer was no. My hope is that one day, he turned away from the wealth and money to pursue Jesus, but the Bible never says what happened. So is there anything that God is asking you to give over to Him? Anything that is holding you back from true surrender? If so, what would it take to make a step towards giving that over to the Lord?

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Opening Discussion Give the elevator pitch (short!) of how you became a follower of Jesus. If you aren’t a follower of Jesus, what are some questions you have, or things that hold you back from becoming a follower? Read and Discus Matthew 3:13-17 CSB 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, […]

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Opening Discussion What is something you were trusted with that you did a good job at? What is something you were trusted with that you failed at? Read and Discuss Luke 19:11-14 11 As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem, and they thought the […]

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Opening Discussion Who is someone who went out of their way to reach out to you when others seemed to step away? Read and Discuss Luke 19:1-5 CSB 1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 He […]

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Opening Discussion What’s one of your most embarrassing moments? What’s the difference between humility and humiliation? Read and Discuss Philippians 1:1-11 CSB 1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons. 2 Grace to you and peace from God our […]

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Opening Discussion Why does it matter that we learn about the end times? Read and Discuss Luke 21:34-36 NIV 34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all […]

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Opening Discussion What is something you are looking forward to in the future? What is something that scares you about the future? Read and Discuss Luke 21:5-11 CSB 5 As some were talking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, 6 “These things that you […]

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Opening Discussion Just for fun: If you were to build a doomsday bunker, what three things would you have to have in there? Read and Discuss Luke 17:26-30 CSB 26 “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man: 27 People went on […]

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Opening Discussion: What was something you planned, but it got canceled or delayed? Read and Discuss: Luke 17:22-25 NIV 22 Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. 23 People will tell […]

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Opening Discussion: What is something you planned in advance for, or you are currently planning for? What steps did you take to prepare? Read and Discuss Luke 21:25-29 25 “Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and there will be anguish on the earth among nations bewildered by the roaring of […]

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Opening Discussion When you think about the end times, what’s one question, fear, or doubt that you have? Read and Discuss Luke 17:20-25 CSB 20 When he was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming with something observable; 21 no one […]

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Opening Discussion What’s the best piece of advice your dad, or a father figure, gave you? Read and Discuss Luke 11:1-2 [Jesus] was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.” 2 He said to […]

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Opening Discussion When is it easy to say thank you to someone? When is it hard to say thank you to someone? Read and Discuss Luke 17:11-18 CSB 11 While traveling to Jerusalem, he passed between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten men with leprosy met him. They stood at a […]

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Opening Discussion

• How has someone served you in a meaningful way?

Read and Discuss

Luke 17:1a; 7-10

1 He said to his disciples… 7 “Which one of you having a servant tending sheep or plowing will say to him when he comes in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 Instead, will he not tell him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, get ready, and serve me while I eat and drink; later you can eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did what was commanded? 10 In the same way, when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we’ve only done our duty.’”

• Why does Jesus want his disciples to know this?
• What is the role of the servant in this parable?
  • How does that relate to our relationship with Jesus?
• What is the role of the master in this parable?
  • How does this relate to our relationship with Jesus?
• When it comes to following Jesus what are some of the commands we have been given?
• Why shouldn’t we expect anything for doing what God has called us to do?
  • On the other hand, what do we get in return for following God?
• What are some ways we might expect something from God for doing what He has told us to do?

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

9 Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.

• Why did Paul need to remind the Corinthians that their bodies were temples of the Holy Spirit? (Hint: Why do we need that reminder every day as well?)
• What does it mean that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?
  • How can we live that out each day?
• How does the phrase, “you are not your own” go against modern culture?
  • What might be some things that bother people about that phrase?
• If God bought us for a price, who owned us before God purchased us?
• Why is there no middle ground of us owning ourselves?
• What are some ways you can honor God with your body?

Apply it!

• What’s one thing you can do this week to live as a servant of Christ?
• How can you remind yourself daily of the duty we owe to Jesus?
• Who can help you to do these things?

Memorize it!

Luke 17:10 “In the same way, when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we’ve only done our duty.’”

Prayer TACOS

Thank the Lord for purchasing us with the price of His own life

Adoration- worship the Lord for allowing His presence to dwell in us

Confess to those times that you have thought you were your own master

Others- Pray for someone you know who is living life like they are their own master. Ask the Lord for insight into how to share with them about His love and why He is a better master.

Self- Pray that you would die to yourself daily and let the Lord lead you to do your duty each day for Him

Closing thoughts

When people are encroaching on his job and doing things the wrong way, I have a co-worker who says, “I am the captain!” To which his boss replies, “But I’m the admiral.” While this is done jokingly, in the real world, we all struggle with wanting to be our own boss.

When we feel someone is trying to tell us what to do or control us, we have a tendency to say, “I’m the captain.” We want to feel in control, like we are calling the shots. But there is always someone standing over us saying, “Good for you, but I’m the admiral.”

So when Jesus busts on the scene and says that we are all slaves, but we get to choose our master, part of us wants to fight against that. We want to be in charge, we want to be the masters of our lives. But unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. Jesus calls us to a different way of living, to live like He did on this earth, in complete submission to God.

Every word, action, thought, and passion is done in submission to God’s will for our lives. This is no easy task. But the reminder that we are God’s temple, the dwelling place of God Himself, can help us to do the duty that Jesus calls us to. Our service to God, the Master, isn’t done out of anger, hatred, or obligation. It’s done out of love. Love because He bought us at a price and rescued us from bondage to sin.

So we don’t serve the Lord to earn something from Him, He’s already given it to us. We don’t work for the Lord so that He owes us something in return; as if we could pay back the price He paid for us. No, we work for the Lord because we love Him and want others to know that love. So may we serve Him faithfully and when we are done be able to say as the servant in Jesus’ parable said, “We are unworthy servants; we’ve only done our duty.”

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Opening Discussion:

• Who were your biggest influences in your life when you were a kid?
  • Were there anyways these people helped your relationship with Jesus?

Read and Discuss

Judges 2:1-3 CSB

1 The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bochim and said, “I brought you out of Egypt and led you into the land I had promised to your ancestors. I also said: I will never break my covenant with you. 2 You are not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of this land. You are to tear down their altars. But you have not obeyed me. What have you done? 3 Therefore, I now say: I will not drive out these people before you. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a trap for you.”

• Why did the Israelites not listen to the Lord’s instructions?
• What may have been appealing to the Israelites about the lifestyles of the people around them who followed false gods?
• What are some ways people stray from God’s teaching today?
• How has the younger generation fallen prey to some of the thorns and traps of our society?

Judges 2:6-10 CSB

6 Previously, when Joshua had sent the people away, the Israelites had gone to take possession of the land, each to his own inheritance. 7 The people worshiped the Lord throughout Joshua’s lifetime and during the lifetimes of the elders who outlived Joshua. They had seen all the Lord’s great works he had done for Israel.

8 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110. 9 They buried him in the territory of his inheritance, in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. 10 That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the Lord or the works he had done for Israel.

• What did Joshua and the elders fail to do to pass on their faith to the next generation?
• The next generation had seen the Lord’s great works, but why didn’t that translate into a relationship with God?
• What could the elders have done to help connect the things they knew about God to the way they lived?
• What were creative ways adults connected the Word of God to you as a kid?
• What are you currently doing to help the next generation trust and follow Jesus?
• Is there something you can do this week to invest in the next generation?

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

4 “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart.

7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates.

• When Jesus is asked what commandment is the greatest, why does He quote this passage?
• What does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul, and strength?
• Why are the words that God gives them to be in their hearts?
• God gives them a list of ways to pass on faith to the next generation (their children specifically). What are some practical ways we can pass on faith to the next generation in our normal, everyday lives?
• Why do you think it can be difficult for adults to invest in the next generation?
• Who invested in your spiritual development as you were growing up?
  • How did they do that?

Apply it!

• What do you need to do this week to invest your time, talent, and treasure in the next generation?

Memorize it!

Deuteronomy 6:7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Prayer TACOS

Thank the Lord for the people that invested in your faith.

Adoration Worship the Lord for His Word that has been passed down from generation to generation

Confess to those times you have not passed on the Lord’s faithfulness or the stories He has given you to the next generation

Others- Pray for a student or a child you know. Ask the Lord to put someone in their life that will point them to Him.

Self- Pray that the Lord would use you to carry on His truth and love to the next generation. Pray that He would show you specifically what He wants you to do.

Closing Thoughts

My faith is my own in the sense that I had to make a personal decision to follow Jesus. That decision, and my spiritual growth both before and after that decision can be attributed to about ten people I can name right now. If I took the time to make a list I could probably come up with dozens of names of people who impacted my faith. There were student ministry leaders, interns, and small group leaders who taught me what it meant to follow Jesus with others, and have a great time doing it. There were volunteers, including my parents, who invested their time in serving behind the scenes making food, planning, writing curriculum, gathering supplies, making sets and costumes, coming up with games, and many other things to help out. They taught me the importance of serving. I think back to my Sunday school teachers who, from an early age, taught me the importance of learning and applying God’s Word to my life.

My faith is a tapestry of many people who have had big and small roles in shaping my faith. My goal is to do that for others, and to bring people along on this journey as we reach the next generation and teach them to follow Jesus.

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Opening Discussion

• When was the last time you remember being truly happy?

Read and Discuss

Matthew 13:44

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field.

• What is Jesus telling people about the kingdom of heaven in this parable?
• Once the man realized the importance of what he had found, what did he do to make sure he got the treasure?
  • What did it cost the man to get that treasure?
• The man was not actively searching for buried treasure. How might some people accidentally stumble upon the kingdom of God?
• In your story of becoming a follower of Jesus, what was a way you stumbled upon the kingdom of God when you weren’t expecting it? (a friend invited you to church, found a Bible when you were cleaning and read it, etc.)
• Why was the man joyful in selling everything he had?
• What might others have thought of the man’s behavior?
• How can you approach the kingdom of God with joy and not obligation?

Matthew 13:45-46

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. 46 When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it.

• What are some differences between the two men in these parables?
• What are some similarities between the two parables?
• Why was the man willing to give up everything he had to get the pearl?
• What are some things people might give up in order to pursue happiness?
• What are some things people pursue to find happiness?
• Why might people outside of the kingdom of heaven think that it’s silly or foolish to pursue Jesus?
• What are you pursuing to try to find happiness and fulfillment?
  • Does it line up with what God says?

Apply it!

• What is one way you can pursue God this week?

Memorize it!

Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field.

Prayer TACOS

Thank the Lord for making His kingdom worth pursuing

Adoration- Worship the Lord for allowing us access into His kingdom

Confess to the times you have pursued things other than the Lord to find happiness and fulfillment

Others- Pray for someone you know who is searching for true happiness but is looking in all the wrong places. Ask God to give you an opportunity to speak with them this week.

Self- Ask the Lord to make the pursuit of Him and His kingdom the desire of your life

Closing Thoughts

When I read these parables, I have to admit I get a bit frustrated. Why don’t I see God’s kingdom as Jesus describes it? Whether I accidentally stumble upon it or have been pursuing it for a long time, it should be of great value to me. Actually, more than just valuable, it’s worth my life to pursue fulfillment in Christ and His kingdom. But yet every day, I pursue things that aren’t valuable, or even worthy of my time. I spend hours scrolling through YouTube and social media. I’ll watch TV or play video games.

The kingdom of heaven isn’t just in the future, because I’m part of His kingdom now. I should live like the men in this parable, but I don’t. So what would it take for followers of Jesus to actually live in the kingdom of God on the daily? First there has to be a realization that nothing is better than Jesus and living life with Him. After that comes a denying of ourselves and giving everything to follow Jesus. When I start living in that manner, I’m realizing the importance of a Christ-centered life. It’s easier said than done, but the more I pursue Jesus, the easier it will be. So what is stopping you from living out the kingdom life God has for us?

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Opening Question

• What are some things that have helped shape your identity?

Read and Discuss

Genesis 15:5-6 CSB

5 He [God] took him [Abram] outside and said, “Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “Your offspring will be that numerous.”

6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

• What was God’s promise to Abram?
• Why did Abram believe what God told him?
• Is there anything in your life right now that you are having trouble believing that God will do what He said He’ll do?

Genesis 16:1-6

Abram’s wife, Sarai, had not borne any children for him, but she owned an Egyptian slave named Hagar. 2 Sarai said to Abram, “Since the Lord has prevented me from bearing children, go to my slave; perhaps through her I can build a family.” And Abram agreed to what Sarai said. 3 So Abram’s wife, Sarai, took Hagar, her Egyptian slave, and gave her to her husband, Abram, as a wife for him. This happened after Abram had lived in the land of Canaan ten years. 4 He slept with Hagar, and she became pregnant. When she saw that she was pregnant, her mistress became contemptible to her. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for my suffering! I put my slave in your arms, and when she saw that she was pregnant, I became contemptible to her. May the Lord judge between me and you.”

6 Abram replied to Sarai, “Here, your slave is in your power; do whatever you want with her.” Then Sarai mistreated her so much that she ran away from her.

• Why did Sarai have trouble trusting in God’s plan?
• What happened as a result of Sarai making up her own plan?
• What were some things Sarai was finding her identity in apart from God?
• Why did Abram go along with Sarai’s plan?
• When are times in your life that it’s been hard to trust God’s plan?
• Is there anything you’ve been praying for for a long time?
  • Why might it be hard to trust God when you have to wait a long time for an answer?

Genesis 16:7-10,13 NET

7 The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring of water in the wilderness—the spring that is along the road to Shur. 8 He said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” She replied, “I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai.”

9 Then the angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her authority. 10 I will greatly multiply your descendants,” the angel of the Lord added, “so that they will be too numerous to count.”

13 So Hagar named the Lord who spoke to her, “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “Here I have seen one who sees me!”

• Why does the Lord question Hagar?
• When you find yourself in a place of hurt, what are some questions the Lord might ask you?
• Why did God want her to go back and submit to Sarai who had been mistreating her?
• How did Hagar’s identity change with this encounter?
  • How did she see God differently after this?
• What are some ways the Lord has used hardship to shape your identity in Him?

Apply it!

• What is a difficult circumstance you or someone you know is walking through right now?
• How can knowing God sees you help you through that?
• What is one thing you can do this week to follow His plan through this time?

Memorize it!

Genesis 15:6

Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Prayer TACOS

Thank the Lord for being the God who sees you, in the good and bad times.

Adoration- worship the Lord for being near to us

Confess to the times you’ve tried your own plans instead of God’s

Others- Pray for someone you know is going through a hard time. Ask the Lord for ways to talk to them this week and point them to the God who sees them.

Self- Ask the Lord to help you follow Him even when it takes awhile and even when you don’t understand His plan

Closing Thoughts

It’s easy to try to find our identity in the things we do or think we should be. But when those things go away, we start to feel like we don’t even know who we really are. In those moments we can turn to the Lord, or turn to something else that brings temporary identity and fulfillment.

For me, I struggle with finding my identity in the approval of others. When someone puts me down or is disappointed in me, if I let it, it can devastate me. It’s difficult for me at times to remember that God sees me, with all my faults and flaws, and still loves me. When I focus on that, then I can be around people, not for their approval, but to hopefully point them to Jesus.

What are the things for you that can take you on a path away from the God who sees you? What do you need to do to head back towards Him?

View Details

Opening Discussion:

• What was something you were really into but your interest or availability to do that thing has faded over time?
  • Why did that thing fade away?

Read and Discuss

Luke 9:18-22

18 While he was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 They answered, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, that one of the ancient prophets has come back.” 20 “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.” 21 But he strictly warned and instructed them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “It is necessary that the Son of Man suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.”

• Why did Jesus first ask his disciples who other people thought He was?
• How does Peter know that Jesus is the Messiah?
• Who do people that don’t follow Jesus say He is?
• Who do you say Jesus is?
• Why is it important to know Jesus’ identity?
• If there are people around you who don’t know who Jesus is, how could you help them understand?

Luke 9:23-26

23 Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it. 25 For what does it benefit someone if he gains the whole world, and yet loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and that of the Father and the holy angels.

• What is Jesus telling people about following Him?
• What does it mean to deny yourself?
• How can you take up your cross daily?
• Why does someone who saves their life actually lose it?
• When it comes to your identity, why is it scary to deny yourself?
• What is one way you can deny yourself this week?

Galatians 5:24-26

24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

• What does Paul say about the identity of those who belong to Christ?
• How can you live by the Spirit and keep in step with Him?
• If we are striving to live by the Spirit, how might being conceited, provoking others, and envying sneak in to that?
• What are some ways you can make sure your passions and desires are from the Lord and not your own flesh?

Apply it!

• What is one way your identity can line up more with Jesus this week?

Memorize it!

Galatians 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Prayer TACOS

Thank the Lord for giving us a new identity in Him

Adoration- Worship the Lord for being the Messiah

Confess to the times you’ve tried to find your identity in things other than Jesus

Others- Pray for those trying to find meaning, purpose, and their identity in the things of the world. Ask the Lord to let you have a conversation with someone this week who is struggling with their identity.

Self- Ask the Lord to help you deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Him.

Closing thoughts

Why is it so hard for me to find my identity in Christ? In my head, I know He is the Creator so He knows how life works best. But I fight it. There is a part of me that wars against giving God complete control. What makes me so afraid?

Part of it is fear of missing out. There is a lie in my brain that a life surrendered to Christ is boring. So I tell myself that I’ll have some fun first, then completely follow Jesus.

Another part that makes me afraid is what people will think of me. Will they still like me if I’m Christ-centered in all I do?

The third thing that makes me afraid is I feel like I will lose who I am if I deny myself, die to myself, and let Christ be in control.

Deep down I know these things aren’t true. Actually, a life lived in full surrender to Jesus is a more real, fulfilling life than anything I can come up with on my own. So it boils down to selfishness. Belief that I can do better than God can. Yet, the more I chase my identity in anything other than Jesus Christ Himself, the more empty and unfulfilled I become.
Lord, help me to surrender completely to You. Take away my fear. Take away these doubts. I give my life to You. Take and do with me what You will. Amen.

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Opening Discussion

• What show, book, movie, song, or YouTube video made you question something you believed?

Read and Discuss

Matthew 11: 25-27 CSB

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants. 26 Yes, Father, because this was your good pleasure. 27 All things have been entrusted to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son desires to reveal him.

• What did the Lord hide from the wise and intelligent?
• What kept the wise and intelligent from seeing the truth about the kingdom of God?
• What are some ways we can get to know Jesus?
• How can you seek out the truth about life?

Colossians 2:6-10

6 So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, 7 being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.

8 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ. 9 For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, 10 and you have been filled by him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

• What was Paul wanting the readers of this letter to know about Jesus?
• What are some ways people get taken captive by worldly things today?
• How can you continue to walk with Jesus on a daily basis?
• Why does God get to set the standards for how we live?

Genesis 1:26-28

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.”

27 So God created man in his own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. 28 God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth,and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.”

Matthew 19:4-6

4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that he who created them in the beginning made them male and female, 5 and he also said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

• What do these two passages tell us about how God created humanity?
• How is this teaching unpopular today?
• What does it mean that we our made in the image of God?
• What are the things God has called man and woman to do?
• Why is marriage sacred to God?
• What are some ways you can reflect the image of God to others?

Apply it!

• What is one thing you can do this week to draw closer to the Lord?

Memorize it!

Colossians 2:8

Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ.

Prayer TACOS

Thank God for giving us His Word so we have a guide for what is true

Adoration Worship the Lord for creating us in His image

Confess to the times you’ve allowed the world’s way of thinking to take precedence over what God says

Others Pray for someone who is lost in their thinking. Ask the Lord for wisdom on how you can speak to them in love this week

Self Ask the Lord to show you any areas of your life where your ideas and actions don’t line up with His truth

Closing Thoughts

The week after Easter, a church who had been meeting in other places, finally opened a building of their own. The Evansville 411 Facebook page made a post about it with pictures of the new facility, talking about the plans of having a community center within the church building so people can come during the week to enjoy the coffee shop and indoor playground. The comments section was interesting to say the least.

However, one individual picture from the post got several comments, while no one commented on the other pictures. It was a picture of the outside of the restrooms with the typical male/female bathroom symbols indicating which side was for guys and which was for girls. Several comments were removed, but there were negative comments about the church being against transgender people because they were affirming only two genders. One comment said, “Is there a gender neutral or family option, since one of the photos they picked is of the bathroom? Seems pointed…”

I’m not sure that this church was trying to make a political statement with their bathroom picture, but it turned into one. Increasingly the teaching and culture of the world is becoming more accepted, and the things of God are decreasing. For the Bible to say, “God created them male and female,” in some circles would be considered hate speech.

As Paul warned the Colossians to not be taken up by empty philosophies of the world, we should take this to heart. What is the world teaching about sexuality, identity, and reality? Do these things line up with what God, our Creator says? If not, what is different? And then the bigger question: How do followers of Jesus speak the truth in love to those who teach against God’s Word?

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Opening Discussion

• How has someone helped you carry a burden in your life?

Read and Discuss

Colossians 2:2-4 CSB

2 I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ. 3 In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with arguments that sound reasonable.

• Why does Paul say that Christ is God’s mystery?
• If all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ, how do we uncover those treasures?
• What are some ways that worldly arguments, or ways of thinking, may sound reasonable to others?
• How can knowing the Bible help you when other arguments sound reasonable?
• Why did Paul want the Colossians to have their hearts encouraged and joined together in love?
• Why is it important for followers of Jesus to be encouraged and have their hearts joined together in love?
• What can you do this week to encourage and love others?

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

• What does this passage teach us about Jesus’ character?
• What is a yoke?
• What are some ways that walking with Jesus is easy and His burden light?
• How are people around you weary and burdened?
  • How can you help them?
• Why is Jesus able to provide rest for our souls?
• What are some ways you try to solve your burdens apart from Jesus?
• How can we follow Jesus’ example of being gentle and humble in heart when it comes to helping people who are weary and burdened?

Apply it!

• What burden have you been carrying that you need to bring to Jesus this week?

Memorize it!

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Prayer TACOS

Thank God for giving us Jesus so that we can know His mysteries

Adoration– Worship the Lord for being gentle and humble

Confess to those times when you have tried to figure out your burdens on your own. Ask for forgiveness for the times you haven’t been gentle and humble with those who are struggling with sin.

Others- Ask the Lord to show you someone who is burdened that you can share His love with this week

Self- Pray that the Lord would help you to rest in Him this week and that you would give Him all your burdens and things that make you weary.

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Opening Discussion

• What are some things that make you happy?
• What are some things that make you unhappy?

Read and Discuss

Luke 6:20-23 CSB

20 Then looking up at his disciples, he said: Blessed are you who are poor, because the kingdom of God is yours.
21 Blessed are you who are hungry now, because you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, because you will laugh.
22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and slander your name as evil because of the Son of Man.

23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy. Take note—your reward is great in heaven, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the prophets.

• According to the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament: “The special feature of the word BLESSED in the NT is that it refers overwhelmingly to the distinctive religious joy which accrues to man from his share in the salvation of the Kingdom of God.”
• How is Jesus’ version of happiness different from the world’s version?
• Why does Jesus tell the disciples to be happy if they are poor, hungry, weeping, excluded, insulted, slandered and hated?
• How does having an eternal perspective on happiness versus a temporary perspective change how you view happiness?
• What can you do this week to find your happiness in eternal things?

Luke 6:24-26 CSB

24 But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your comfort.

25 Woe to you who are now full, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who are now laughing, for you will mourn and weep.

26 Woe to you when all people speak well of you, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the false prophets.

• Why does Jesus give this warning?
• What is Jesus wanting us to do based on this passage?
• What are some ways people search for temporary happiness today?
• How could pursuing temporary happiness actually lead to long-term unhappiness?
• If someone were to ask you how to find true happiness, what would you tell them?

Apply it!

• Pick one or two of those things you said made you happy earlier. What is a way you could center those things on Jesus this week?

Memorize it!

Luke 6:20 Then looking up at his disciples, he said: Blessed are you who are poor, because the kingdom of God is yours.

Prayer TACOS

Thank God for creating ways for us to be happy in Him.

Adoration- Worship the Lord for being the source of all joy

Confess the times you have traded a temporary feeling of happiness for long term happiness in Christ

Others- pray for someone you know who is caught up in temporary happiness and needs to turn to the Lord

Self- Ask the Lord to remind you daily that true happiness is found in Him alone

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Opening Discussion

• When you think about the afterlife or heaven, what comes to mind?

Read and Discuss

John 20:19-21

19 When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

20 Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.”

• What do you think the disciples were feeling and discussing before Jesus showed up?
• Why does Jesus say two times, “Peace be with you?”
• Why does Jesus’ resurrected body still have scars?
  • How did showing the disciples His scars help them believe it was really Jesus?
• Do you think we will have our scars in the afterlife?
  • If so, how will having those things redeemed actually help us worship more?
• What are some reasons people have trouble believing in the resurrection of Jesus?

John 21:1-14

1 After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way:

2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana of Galilee,Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples were together.

3 “I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them.

“We’re coming with you,” they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus. 5 “Friends,” Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?”

“No,” they answered.

6 “Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” he told them, “and you’ll find some.” So they did, and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish. 7 The disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer clothing around him (for he had taken it off) and plunged into the sea. 8 Since they were not far from land (about a hundred yards away), the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish.

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. 10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus told them. 11 So Simon Peter climbed up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish—153 of them. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.

12 “Come and have breakfast,” Jesus told them. None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

• Why had the disciples returned to fishing?
• What are some things we can learn about Jesus’ resurrected body from this passage?
• What does this tell us about how our bodies may be in the next life?
• When you hear Jesus say, “Come and have breakfast,” what emotions and feelings does that stir up?
• What glimpses of heaven can we gather from this passage?

Apply it!

• Who can you talk to this week about what happens after you die?
  • What are some ways you can approach this conversation in a hopeful way?

Memorize it!

John 20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.”

Prayer TACOS

Thank God for giving us a glimpse of heaven through Jesus’ resurrection.

Adoration- Worship the Lord for coming back to life and defeating death

Confess any doubts you may have about the resurrection and ask the Lord to help you with those things

Others- pray for someone you know who has trouble believing that Jesus came back to life.

Self- Ask the Lord to give you an opportunity to share with someone this week the good news of Jesus

View Details

Opening Discussion

• What hobby or leisure activity do you spend a lot of money on?

Read and Discuss

The Israelites were in slavery under the Egyptians. They had cried out to God to rescue them, and God sent Moses and Aaron to talk to Pharaoh. Instead of listening to them, Pharaoh made it even harder for the Israelites. So God sent plagues to convince Pharaoh to listen. The first nine plagues devastated the Egyptians and their livelihood, yet Pharaoh still wouldn’t let the Israelites go. Moses even told Pharaoh that the final plague would wipe out all the firstborn males of all the people and animals in Egypt. The Lord gave the Israelites special instructions to be protected from the upcoming devastation.

Exodus 12:3-6 CSB

3 Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month they must each select an animal of the flock according to their fathers’ families, one animal per family. 4 If the household is too small for a whole animal, that person and the neighbor nearest his house are to select one based on the combined number of people; you should apportion the animal according to what each will eat. 5 You must have an unblemished animal, a year-old male; you may take it from either the sheep or the goats. 6 You are to keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembly of the community of Israel will slaughter the animals at twilight.

• What were some of the regulations that God was establishing for the feast that would become known as Passover?
• Why did God want the Israelites to keep the animal with them for four days before they slaughtered it?
• Why did God want this to be done with families and neighbors?
• What are some ways you can live out your faith in community with other Jesus followers?
• What are some barriers to having a faith community?
• What step can you take this week to live out your faith in community with others?

Exodus 12:7-13

7 They must take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses where they eat them. 8 They are to eat the meat that night; they should eat it, roasted over the fire along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 9 Do not eat any of it raw or cooked in boiling water, but only roasted over fire—its head as well as its legs and inner organs. 10 You must not leave any of it until morning; any part of it left until morning you must burn. 11 Here is how you must eat it: You must be dressed for travel, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. You are to eat it in a hurry; it is the Lord’s Passover.

12 “I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night and strike every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, both people and animals. I am the Lord; I will execute judgments against all the gods of Egypt. 13 The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a distinguishing mark for you; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will be among you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

• What was the significance of putting blood on the doorposts and doorframe?
• Why did the blood of the lamb or goat protect the Israelites?
• Why did this particular meal become an ongoing tradition for the Israelites?

Matthew 26:26-28

26 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

• How did Jesus bring a new perspective to the unleavened bread, wine, and the blood that was associated with Passover?
• Why was Jesus’ blood able to forgive sins permanently when the animal sacrifices were only able to forgive temporarily?

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• How was Jesus able to pay the price of sin?
• What are ways people try to earn that eternal life?
• Why are human efforts unable to pay the price of sin?
• Why do people have trouble receiving this gift?

Apply it!

• What things are you doing in your own life to try to earn your forgiveness instead of just receiving the gift God has given us through Jesus?
• What can you do this week to let others know of the freedom that comes through the blood of Jesus?

Memorize it!

Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Prayer TACOS

Thank the Lord for being the sacrificial lamb that paid the price for our sin

Adoration- Worship the Lord for creating a way for us to be in His presence

Confess to the times you have tried to earn your forgiveness through other means than the blood of Jesus

Others- Pray for those who need to find forgiveness in Christ. Ask the Lord to give you boldness to talk to someone this week about the freedom Christ has given you.

Self- Ask the Lord to help you to rest in Him and His salvation

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Opening Discussion

• What is something silly you’ve had to ask for forgiveness for? (i.e. leaving the toilet seat up, being annoying, etc.)

Read and Discuss

Luke 17:1-2 NASB 1995

1 He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble.

• Why does Jesus want His disciples to hear this?
• Why shouldn’t we be surprised when people within the church sin against us or others?
• What can you do to to avoid being a stumbling block for others?
• When you are a stumbling block to someone, what can you do to correct the situation?
• Why is Jesus so harsh to those who cause “little ones” (children, and those new in their faith in Christ) to stumble?

Luke 17:3-6 CSB

3 Be on your guard. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

6 “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,” the Lord said, “you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

• Why does Jesus give the warning, “Be on your guard?”
• What should rebuking sin look like?
• Jesus uses the word “brother” meaning a follower of Jesus. Why is that distinction important when it comes to rebuking sin?
• Is there any sin in a brother or sister in Christ, that you are letting slide? How could you deal with it this week?
• How do you deal when someone calls you out for your sin?
  • What needs to happen so you can get to a place of repentance when that happens?
• If someone sinned against you seven times in one day, but then asked for forgiveness each time, what would you think by the seventh time?
  • Why does Jesus tell us to forgive them anyway?
• Why do the apostles ask for an increase of faith instead of patience, wisdom, or even a bigger capacity to forgive?
• How does Jesus’ response show us that forgiving is possible?
• How could having some people in your life who hold you accountable help you in this area?
• What do you find hardest about forgiving others?

Apply it!

• Who is someone you need to forgive?
  • What can you do this week to forgive them?
• Who is someone you need to ask for forgiveness from?
  • What can you do this week to have that conversation?

Memorize it!

Luke 17:3 Be on your guard. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.

Prayer TACOS

Thank the Lord for forgiving you for ALL your sin

Adoration- Worship the Lord for providing freedom through forgiveness

Confess to the times you have let sin slide in the lives of others, as well as not forgiving like you should

Others- Pray for someone that you have hurt. Ask the Lord to help you talk to them this week and ask for forgiveness

Self- Ask the Lord to help you to forgive others and to increase your faith.

Closing thoughts

There was a time when someone started something with me, and I responded without thinking. The result of that response ended in damaged property and hurt feelings. I apologized and talked it over with the people involved. However, they didn’t see that they had done anything wrong. None of it would have happened if they hadn’t done what they did, but they didn’t see it that way. So I had to pay for all the damage, and take the blame for all that had happened.

I don’t know if I ever said that I didn’t forgive them, but my thoughts and attitude towards them showed otherwise. I don’t think I ever realized it until maybe a year later when I was doing a prayer exercise where I wrote a letter to someone who I needed to forgive. When I thought about who I needed to forgive, these two people came to mind right away. As I wrote that letter, I felt free. They didn’t know I was still mad about the situation, and I’m sure they weren’t carrying around bitterness like I was. I didn’t give them the letter, because it really wasn’t for them. It was between me and the Lord, and that day He increased my faith.

I learned something important about forgiveness that day. Sometimes people aren’t going to ask for forgiveness. We need to forgive anyway. When we allow unforgiveness to stay in our lives, it grows into something more. It changes from anger to bitterness. So how do you know if you harbor unforgiveness towards someone? If you rejoice when someone gets hurt, has a bad day, or fails, then that’s a good sign there is bitterness there. Take time this week to release that anger and bitterness. Maybe you write a letter to them telling them you forgive them. Not so you can hand it to them, but so that the Lord can do a work in your life and increase your faith. I suggest burning that letter when you’re done.

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Opening Discussion

• Tell a story about a time when a language barrier made it hard for you to communicate with someone. Or when you were trying to communicate in a different language and said something you didn’t mean to.

Read and Discuss

Acts 2:1-8 CSB

1 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they [the disciples] were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.

5 Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, devout people from every nation under heaven. 6 When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were astounded and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 How is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language?

• What was the significance of the Holy Spirit appearing as fire above their heads?
• Why did the Holy Spirit give the disciples the ability to speak in different languages?
  • How was God bringing healing to the brokeness started back in Genesis? (See Gen. 11:5-9)
  • Genesis 11:5-9 5 Then the Lord came down to look over the city and the tower that the humans were building. 6 The Lord said, “If they have begun to do this as one people all having the same language, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let’s go down there and confuse their language so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So from there the Lord scattered them throughout the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 Therefore it is called Babylon, for there the Lord confused the language of the whole earth, and from there the Lordscattered them throughout the earth.
• Why was the crowd astounded?
• What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit?
• What are some ways you listen to the Holy Spirit?

Acts 2:32,36,37-42

32 “God has raised this Jesus; we are all witnesses of this.

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

37 When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation!” 41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them.

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

• Why were the hearts of the people in the crowd pierced?
• Why were the crowds listening now, when they hadn’t listened to Jesus?
• What does it mean to repent?
• Why does Peter tell them to get baptized?
• What does receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit look like?
• What did the people do after repenting and being baptized?
• If you’ve repented of your sin and been baptized, how is your daily life different than what it was before?
• If you’ve repented of your sin and not been baptized, what is keeping you from being baptized?
• If you haven’t repented of your sin, what holds you back?

Apply it!

• What is something you can do each day to listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance?

Memorize it!

Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer TACOS

Thank God for providing a way for us to get back to Him despite our disobedience.

Adoration- Worship the Lord for giving the Holy Spirit

Confess to the times when you haven’t listened to the Holy Spirit

Others- Pray that the Lord would put someone in your life this week in which you can share about His love with them

Self- Ask the Lord to help you listen to the Holy Spirit every day and follow His guidance.

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Opening Discussion

• What’s your favorite fiction book and why?

Read and Discuss

Luke 16:19-24 CSB

19 “There was a rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day. 20 But a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, was lying at his gate. 21 He longed to be filled with what fell from the rich man’s table, but instead the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torment in Hades, he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off, with Lazarus at his side. 24 ‘Father Abraham!’ he called out, ‘Have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this flame!’

• What was the rich man’s life like when he was alive?
• What was the poor man’s life like when he was alive?
• This is the only parable where Jesus gives someone in the parable a name. Why do you think He names Lazarus in this parable?
• In verse 24, the rich man asks for Lazarus by name, showing that the rich man knew him in life, yet did nothing about it. What should the rich man have done during his life with his wealth?
• How could the rich man have shown mercy with his wealth?
• What’s a way you can show mercy with your wealth?
  • What one thing can you do this week to take a step towards that?

Luke 16:25-31

25 “‘Son,’ Abraham said, ‘remember that during your life you received your good things, just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, while you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those who want to pass over from here to you cannot; neither can those from there cross over to us.’

27 “‘Father,’ he said, ‘then I beg you to send him to my father’s house—28 because I have five brothers—to warn them, so that they won’t also come to this place of torment.’

29 “But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’

30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said. ‘But if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

31 “But he told him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.’”

• What reasons does Abraham give for not being able to comfort the rich man?
• Why does the rich man think that Moses and the prophets are sufficient enough to turn his brothers from their selfish ways?
• How can living a comfortable life with all your needs met be a dangerous thing?
• What is interesting about Abraham’s response to sending someone back from the dead?
• Why might people not repent even after seeing someone come back from the dead?

John 12:9-11 (This is the account of what the Pharisees wanted to do with a real person named Lazarus who was raised from the dead by Jesus)

9 Then a large crowd of the Jews learned he was there. They came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, the one he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests had decided to kill Lazarus also, 11 because he was the reason many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus.

• Why would the Pharisees want to kill Lazarus?
• Why didn’t people believe in Jesus after seeing Him in the flesh after He came back to life?
• The rich man’s reasoning for sending someone from the dead in verse 30 is that he wants his brothers to repent. What made you repent from your sins?
• Why do you think people resist repentance?
• What is something in your life that you need to repent of? (If you don’t want to answer out loud, that’s okay)
  • Who is someone you can confide in this week about that thing?

Memorize it!

Luke 16:25 “‘Son,’ Abraham said, ‘remember that during your life you received your good things, just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.

Prayer TACOS

Thank God for giving us the chance to repent and change from our selfish ways.

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His mercy

Confess to the times you have not been merciful with the wealth He has given you

Others- Pray that the Lord would put someone in your life this week that you can show mercy to with your wealth

Self- Ask the Lord to make you more merciful with the way you live

Closing Thoughts

When I drive past certain neighborhoods and look at the houses, the cars, and the families, I often think, “What would make those people think they need Jesus?” They have everything they want. They’ve achieved success by the world’s standards. And now they should go to church and give their hard earned money to the Lord? It seems absurd.

But I fall into the same thinking. “Why should I give my stuff away? Those people on the street holding signs should go get a job. Everyone’s hiring these days. They are just lazy.”

I don’t ask them about it. I just judge them and make assumptions. This parable from today is not easy. It once again shows us how wealth can deceive us, make us comfortable, and then in the end, take everything away. We are not merciful to those in need. Well, maybe you are, but I, more than I’d like to admit, am not. Start asking the Lord for ways that you can show mercy to those around you. Not just with money, but with your life. Ask, listen, and watch. He will show you the way. And when you mess up, ask for forgiveness, and look for opportunities the next day. After all, His mercies are new every morning.

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Opening Discussion:

• What was a subject you thought you knew well, but then you took a class or watched some videos, and discovered there was a lot you didn’t know?

Read and Discuss

Acts 18:24-26a NASB 1995

24 Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; 26 and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue.

• What are some ways Luke, the author of Acts, describes Apollos?
• How was the baptism of John different from the baptism of Jesus?
• Why didn’t Apollos know about Jesus’ baptism?
• What does this show you about teaching and sharing the gospel with others?
• Even though you may not know everything about the Bible, who is someone you can have a Christ-centered conversation with this week?

Acts 18:26b-28

But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

• Why didn’t Priscilla and Aquila stop Apollos from teaching when he didn’t have the full story?
• What role did Priscilla and Aquila play in Apollos’ training?
• Where are some areas of the Bible and your faith that you feel you don’t know much about?
• Over the past couple of months, what is something you have been learning about Jesus that has taken your relationship with Him deeper?
• Who are some people that are further along in their faith that could help explain the way of God more accurately to you?

Apply it!

• Who are some people you can gather with on a regular basis to learn the ways of God more accurately with?
  • If you’re already in a group, what are some ways you can dig deeper into the scriptures with them?
• Who are some people that you can gather around you to explain the way of God more accurately to them?
  • What are some inaccuracies you feel when it comes to teaching others about the ways of Jesus?
• What is one step you can take this week to start helping others learn more about Jesus? (helping lead in kids or students, starting a Bible study at school or work, etc.)

Memorize it!

Acts 18:26b

But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Prayer TACOS

Thank God for the people He has put in your life that have taught you about Him

Adoration- Worship the Lord for giving us ways to know Him

Confess to the times you haven’t been willing to share God’s truth with others

Others- Pray that the Lord would send people in your life that you can share His truth with

Self- Pray that the Lord would make you bold, eloquent, and mighty in the scriptures like Apollos was

Closing thoughts

When I was in middle school there was a man named Dave who was an intern at my church. He was a college student studying to be a youth pastor. On Wednesday’s a group of middle school guys would gather at his house and play old school Atari games and then study the Bible. It was here that I learned what it meant to do life in groups.

When I was a high school student, I was given the opportunity to lead a small group of middle school boys. I didn’t have it all figured out, but it had been modeled to me, so I just did what I had been taught. My Bible knowledge needed improvement, my leadership skills weren’t the best, but there were older men and women teaching me and helping me as I did that for the younger generation.

Often when it comes to teaching the younger generation about God’s word and truth, we think it is the job of the youth and children’s pastor. We let them do that, because after all, that’s why we pay them and they’ve had training. But what is God calling you to do for the next generation? Is it time for you to step up and take on a group of middle school boys who are awkward, goofy, and looking for a place to belong? Maybe God is pointing you to step into the lives of a group of high school girls who are searching for identity in the things of the world and need a gentle nudge in the direction of Jesus. Or maybe, just maybe there is a group of children who are figuring out what God is like, and you have the opportunity on a Sunday morning to talk to them about their life and Jesus.

Don’t wait until you are a Bible scholar. Don’t wait until you can speak, read, and interpret Greek and Hebrew accurately. Do it now. There are people out there right now who need the word of God explained to them more accurately. Don’t miss your opportunity!

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Opening Discussion:

• Talk about a time when you misjudged someone. What changed your opinion? Why did you have a wrong view of them in the first place?

John 1:15 NIV

15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”)

Matthew 11:2-3 NIV

2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

• Why is John the Baptist confident of who Jesus is at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, but having doubts in the Matthew passage?
• What was it about Jesus’ deeds that made John question the validity of Jesus?
• How could John’s circumstances of being in prison and relying on other people’s information played into his doubts?
• What circumstance in your life right now makes you question God’s truth and goodness?
• What did John do to seek the truth for his questions?
• When you have doubts or concerns about your faith, how do you go about finding the truth?

Matthew 11:4-10

4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way before you.’

• How did Jesus respond to John’s doubt?
• What does Jesus mean by the phrase, “blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me?”
• Why is Jesus a stumbling block for some?
• Jesus points John’s disciples to what they can see and hear. What can you point someone to today who may doubt Jesus?
• Why wasn’t Jesus upset that John was having doubts?
• How did Jesus show honor to John?
• Who is someone in your life that has some doubts about Jesus? How can you show them honor?

Apply it!

• When you or someone you know has doubts, what is one thing you can do to walk through that in a healthy way?

Memorize it!

Matthew 11:4-5

4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.

Prayer TACOS

Thank the Lord for walking us through our doubts instead of condemning us

Adoration- Worship the Lord for being a personal God that we can know

Confess to those times when you have dismissed people because of their doubts, or didn’t help walk them through it

Others- Pray for those who are doubting and struggling with their faith. Ask the Lord to show you how you can help them walk through those doubts.

Self- Ask the Lord to send godly people in your life that will help you in your times of doubt.

Closing Thoughts

Doubts aren’t bad. In 1 John 4:1-2 we are told, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God…”

We are to have a healthy level of doubt and skepticism, especially when it comes to things that go against the word of God.

On the other hand, we need to handle our doubts in a healthy manner. Don’t deal with your doubts alone. Talk to people who are further along in their faith journey than you. Look for answers instead of just letting your doubts linger. Pray through the process. Seek the Lord’s wisdom in your doubts.

Do the same for others. For those who are doubting, help them walk through it. Do so with humility and not just dismissing their doubts, but helping them navigate through it. When we do this for one another, we will come through to the otherside with a much deeper and richer faith.

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Opening Discussion:

• When you hear the word “revival” what comes to your mind?
• What aspects of revival can be positive?…negative?

Read and Discuss

Acts 19:1-10 NASB

1 Now it happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “On the contrary, we have not even heard if there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

8 And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, having discussions and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took the disciples away with him, and had discussions daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

• Why did Paul first find some disciples before he did anything else in Ephesus?
• What was the difference between John’s baptism and Jesus’ baptism?
  • Is there an equivalent to this today?
• Why did some become hardened and disobedient after hearing about the Kingdom of God for three months?
• What are some ways people harden their hearts against the Gospel today?
• When Paul was met with opposition for preaching God’s truth, what did he do?
• Why did Paul keep preaching even though he was opposed?
• What opposition do you face to presenting the Gospel?
• What disciples can you surround yourself with to continue to be bold in the call God has on your life?
• If you don’t feel you are living out that calling, what do you need to do to take a step in that direction?

Acts 19:11-20

11 God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. 13 But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to use the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had the evil spirits, saying, “I order you in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches!” 14 Now there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, doing this. 15 But the evil spirit responded and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know of Paul, but who are you?” 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit, pounced on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. 18 Also many of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. 19 And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they added up the prices of the books and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord was growing and prevailing mightily.

• What stands out to you about this passage?
• How does this contrast the intellectual classroom and synagogue teaching of the previous passage?
• Why is it important to have the intellect and spiritual power?
• What happens when you only have one and not the other?
• How was revival happening in Ephesus?
• What were some of the outward signs that showed people’s repentance?
• In what ways, if any, do you see the word of the Lord growing and prevailing mightily?

Apply it!

• What is one thing you can do to worship the Lord with your intellect this week?
• What’s one thing you can do to worship the Lord with the spiritual power that He gives?

Memorize it!

Acts 19:20 So the word of the Lord was growing and prevailing mightily.

Prayer TACOS

Thank the Lord for being the God of miracles

Adoration– Worship the Lord for being holy yet knowable

Confess to the times you’ve held back worship for fear of what others may think

Others- ask the Lord to show you someone this week who you can have a conversation with that may be struggling with their faith

Self- Pray that you would worship the Lord with both intellect and spiritual power.

Closing Thoughts

John 4:24 says, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth.”

Spirit and truth. There must be a grounding in God’s word, because that is the truth. And there also must be room for the supernatural working of God in people’s lives. If you have one without the other, then you get one side with a legalistic desire for truth that leaves no room for miracles. On the other side you get a group of people doing weird things in the name of the “spirit” but there is no Biblical evidence for what they claim. But Jesus says it has to be both. You can’t have one without the other.

When I hear the word “revival” I picture large crowds of people, dancing, yelling, speaking in tongues, while a sweaty man in a suit keeps yelling a phrase over and over from the stage. Something like, “Jesus wants to pour out a new wine here tonight! Is your wineskin ready?” Then he casts out evil spirits from people who are up on stage shaking real bad by pushing on their forehead and they fall over and someone catches them. In my mind, it’s very much on the Spirit side, without much truth.

Imagine my surprise when I walked into the chapel at Asbury College this past week where revival is happening, and it was a bunch of people of all ages, and races, just worshiping the Lord. Some had hands raised, some sang loud and clapped, some kneeled, some went forward and prayed. There was one odd moment where a man yelled out the last words of Jesus on the cross. “Jesus said, ‘It is finished!’” He said this a couple of times, and then the worship leader made it into a song, and it ended up being a cool moment. Aside from that moment, it was orderly and peaceful. I didn’t want to leave, because for me, it was a glimpse of heaven.

So when you worship, do so in truth. But don’t forget the spiritual power that the Lord gives. Ask for miracles and look for them.

So when you worship, do so in Spirit. But don’t forget the truth that comes from God’s word. Ask if what you and those around you are doing lines up with the truth of scripture.

Go, be worshipers in Spirit and in truth.

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Opening Discussion:

• What was something you believed as a kid that you found out later wasn’t true?

Read and Discuss

Genesis 3:1-7 CSB

1 Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’?”

2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden. 3 But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, ‘You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.’”

4 “No! You will certainly not die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 The woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

• What were some things the devil did to deceive Eve and Adam?
• Why did Adam and Eve give in to the temptation?
• Why did Adam and Eve doubt God’s goodness and provision?
• What are some reasons people today doubt God’s goodness and provision?
• What are some reasons people give for walking away from their faith in Jesus?
• When you’ve had doubts, what have you done to walk through those things?
• What could Adam have done to help Eve out in this situation?
• Do you know anyone who is deconstructing their faith? How can you help them this week?

Matthew 4:1-11 CSB

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 Then the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written:

He will give his angels orders concerning you,

and they will support you with their hands

so that you will not strike

your foot against a stone.”

7 Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you will fall down and worship me.”

10 Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and began to serve him.

• When Jesus was tempted by Satan, how did Jesus respond?
• What were some things the deceiver did to try to trick Jesus?
• Why didn’t Jesus doubt God’s goodness and provision?
• How does Satan try to twist scripture, both in this passage, and in modern times?
• When someone questions God’s Word, or when you have your own doubts, how do you find the truth?
• Often when people go through deconstruction, why do they start with the premise that God, the Bible, and/or the church is at fault, instead of starting with the premise that God is the source of all truth?

Apply it!

• What is something that you’ve had a problem with that deals with your faith in Christ? (This could be being hurt by the church, a passage in the Old Testament that makes you question the Bible’s validity, a trauma in your life that’s made you doubt God’s goodness, etc.)
  • Who is someone you could talk to about your doubts and problems?
  • When will you do that this week?
  • What prayer and study on your own do you need to do to work through this?

Memorize it!

Matthew 4:4 He [Jesus] answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Prayer TACOS

Thank the Lord for not giving into temptation, but showing us how to combat it when it comes our way.

Adoration- Spend time worshiping the Lord for being the way, the truth, and the life

Confess to those times that you let what the world says influence your beliefs more than what God says

Others- Pray that the Lord would allow you to have a conversation with someone this week that is walking through doubts in their faith

Self- Pray that the Lord would help you with doubts and problems you’ve been having with your own faith

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Opening Discussion:

• How has someone shown you generosity recently?
• How did you respond to their generosity?

Read and Discuss

1 Timothy 6:2b-10 NIV

These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

• What were some false teachings that were going on in the early church?
• What are some ways people twist the scriptures today to make it say what they want?
• What does Paul mean that “godliness with contentment is great gain?”
• In what areas of your life do you feel discontent?
• Why does Paul say money won’t bring the contentment like we think it will?
  • Why is this hard for people to believe?
• How is the love of money a root of all kinds of evil?
• As a follower of Jesus, what is a practical way you can (or currently) fight against the pull of getting rich?

1 TImothy 6:17-19

17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

• What does Paul want people to understand about wealth?
• How does this teaching on money and wealth go against what the world says about these things?
• What does it look like… to be rich in good deeds?
  • …to be generous and willing to share?
• What could you do to lay up treasures for the coming age?

Apply it!

• What is one way you could be more generous this week?

Memorize it!

1 Timothy 6:6-7

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

Prayer TACOS

Thank God for providing for you, even when times are tough.

Adoration- Praise God for His generosity

Confess to those times when you’ve allowed money and wealth to be more important than what the Lord says you should do.

Others- Ask the Lord to put someone in your path this week that you can show generosity towards

Self- Ask the Lord to provide what you need and to help you be rich in good deeds and willing to share.

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Opening Discussion

• Research shows that the highest predictor of a meaningful, happy, and fulfilled life, is deep, loving relationships. How have you seen this to be true in your own life?
• Why might some people push back against this?

Read and Discuss

John 13:31-33 CSB

31 When he [Judas] had left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so now I tell you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’

• This conversation takes place during the last meal that Jesus would share with His disciples before His death.
• Why does Jesus mention glory so much in this passage?
• What is Jesus wanting the disciples to know?
• If you knew you were about to die, what would you say to your closest friends and family?

John 13:34-35

34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

• Why does Jesus say this is a new commandment?
• What were some ways that Jesus loved His disciples?
• Why will people know Jesus’ disciples by their love for one another?
• When it comes to loving others, how would you rate yourself?
• If people outside of the church were to describe followers of Jesus, do you think they would talk about how they love one another?
  • If not, why do you think that is?
• Within your group of friends, how do you show love to one another?

Apply it!

• If you are currently part of a group or team, what is one way you can grow deeper in relationship with one another?
• If you aren’t currently in a group or team, what would it take for you to join one?
  • Who can you talk to this week to make it happen?

Memorize it!

John 13:34-35

34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Prayer TACOS

Thank God for giving us an example in Jesus to follow on how to love one another.

Adoration- Worship the Lord for creating ways for us to grow in our faith in Him through friendships

Confess to those times when you have done a poor job of loving others and ask for His forgiveness

Others- Pray for someone who needs to be part of your group or team. Pray for boldness to ask them to join you this week.

Self- Ask the Lord to surround you with followers of Jesus to help you grow in your faith, and to put people who are not yet followers in your path so that you can show them the love of Jesus.

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Opening Discussion

• What is a hobby that you get excited about and look forward to?

Read and Discuss

Luke 24:44-45 CSB

44 He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

• Why is it important to know the Old Testament if we want to know Jesus?
• What are some ways the Old Testament points to Jesus?
• When you read something in the Bible you don’t understand, what do you do to help understand it?
• How often do you pray about understanding Scripture?
  • What can you do to make praying for understanding part of your habit of Bible engagement?

Psalm 119:103-105

103 How sweet your word is to my taste—sweeter than honey in my mouth.

104 I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every false way.

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

• How does the psalmist describe God’s Word?
• When it comes to engaging with the Bible, are you excited to jump in and read, or do you read because it’s something you know you’re supposed to do?
• How does God want you to see His Word?
• What does it mean that God’s word is a lamp for your feet and a light on your path?
• What’s something you could do this week to start using God’s word as a light for your path?
  • How could that help change your view of your Bible reading time?

Apply it!

• What will you do this week to fix any misconceptions you have about engaging in God’s word?
• If you have trouble looking forward to your time engaging in God’s word, what activity could you pair with it to add some excitement to make you look forward to it?

Memorize it!

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Prayer TACOS

Thank God for His word that guides your steps

Adoration- Worship the Lord for giving us His word so that we can know Him

Confess to the times when you’ve neglected getting to know God and His word

Others- Pray for someone who is struggling to read God’s Word. Pray that the Lord would put you in their path this week to encourage them

Self- Pray that the Lord would open your mind to understand the Scriptures

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Opening Discussion

• What’s a good habit you have and how did you start it?

Read and Discuss

Proverbs 6:6-8 (NLT)

6 Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! 7 Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, 8 they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.

• Why would Solomon want people to watch ants and their work habits?
• What are some ways ants work to get food and build their colony?
• When it comes to change in your own life and starting good habits, what can the ant teach you?
• Thinking about engaging with the Bible on a daily basis, what’s a simple way to start or continue that habit?

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 NIV

18 When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. 19 It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees 20 and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.

• Why would God want the king of Israel to write a copy of the law?
• How would learning the law and living it out have kept the king humble?
• Why is it necessary not to just hear God’s word, but put it into practice?
• Have you ever tried writing out scripture like the passage suggests?
  • If so, what did you learn from it?
• What is one verse you could write down each day this week with the intention of learning it and applying it to your life?

John 17:1-3 NIV

1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

• According to Jesus, what is eternal life?
• What are some ways you can get to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ?
• What habits or practices do you currently have in place to grow in your relationship with God?
• What is one habit you want to start when it comes to engaging in Bible reading?
• Engaging in the Bible is more than just reading it, but applying it to your life. How can you make sure you put into practice what you read?

Apply it!

• Who are some people you could engage in Bible reading with?
• When can you talk to them about meeting up to discuss the Bible?
• How often and when will you meet?
• If you already do this, who can you invite to join you?

Memorize it!

John 17:3- Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

Prayer TACOS

Thank God that He has given us His Word as a way to know Him.

Adoration- Worship the Lord for sending Jesus as the living Word.

Confess to those times you have ignored the Bible or read it only to check it off a list

Others- Pray that God would put someone in your life this week that you could invite to a time of studying and living out the Bible together

Self- Pray that you would develop a habit of engaging in God’s word on a daily basis

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I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.

I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me.

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Psalms 119:99–105 NIV Read More

Back in the late 1900s, a bunch of us were doing a City-Serve type project on a house. I think we were peeling wallpaper and hauling trash out of someone’s house. The lady carried on and on about how thankful she was and how much she wanted to pay us or do something for us, but she didn’t have anything to give.

Then I overheard Ann Gries tell her, “If you want to do something, how about if you promise to read your Bible every day for a week.”

I thought it was genius.

Whatever problems that lady was having — before the statistics of The Move research — Ann knew this lady’s life would change if she’d consider reading the Bible seriously.

It was around that time that several of us asked a question: what if instead of talking about movies and complaining about our jobs, we just talked about the Bible? And if we didn’t have anything to talk about, what if we read the Bible out loud until we did?

Many of those people have been in full-time ministry, or at least write the NextGen content for One Life in their spare time.

Bible engagement is a thing.

I am signing off from the daily Bible readings but passing you off into good hands. Follow the scripture link above and you’ll find more reading plans and Bible translations than you could ever consume in a lifetime.

Get some friends together and talk about it. Talk about it to strangers. Talk about it to the Lord. He loves to answer the prayers that ask for things He told us to ask for. He’ll be in it. He loves to show off in your life.

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Starting in January of 2023, we want to move everyone over to the engaging reading plans in the YouVersion Bible App. Search your App Store for “YouVersion Bible” or click the scripture reference above to load it on your phone.

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For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this.

First he says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”

Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”

And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

Hebrews 10:14–18 NIV Read More

Did you notice the order of events up there?

It was a scandal when Jesus told people that their sins were forgiven. “Only God can forgive sins!” the religious folks said.

Even more scandalous was the teaching of the Apostle Paul when he quoted King David and said “blessed is the man whose sins don’t count against him.”

Here, the author of Hebrews quotes Psalms also.

It’s hard to imagine God not remembering something, especially our sin. Especially when we remember our sins so well. Even if not in detail, sometimes we remember the results of our sins better than the act.

But God doesn’t remember them.

So if I gave you a special pass and you’d never get a speeding ticket, ever — not even pulled over — how fast would you drive? 90? 120?

I tried that once many years ago. I drove my car as fast as I could down a highway. I was on a roadtrip and I really wanted to burn up the miles and get to my destination. I was easily doing 90 miles an hour when my wheels, for maybe an eighth of a second, did that little squeal bark slide thing. For that short moment, I was completely out of control on a Smokey Mountain highway.

It got my attention. I also realized that I had spend the last few hours as tense and anxiety-laden as I had ever been in my life. To slow down was a big relief.

A lot of people’s first reaction to “your sins don’t count against you” is to drive 120 miles per hour. That’s what Jesus and Paul were both accused of. Licentiousness. Unrestrained ability to do whatever you want.

But that’s the thing. First, the Holy Spirit changes what you want. It’s kind of like a Twilight Zone episode. You make a deal with God to be able to do whatever you want for the rest of your life, but first He’s going to transform you so that you only want to do good and obey Him from the depths of your soul.

So yes, you can do whatever you want, but first, God Himself is going to live inside of you and satisfy your every need, so whatever you want turns out to be His will.

Sure, you won’t be perfect at it. You’ll mess up. You’ll make mistakes and sometimes not see that God fulfills all of your needs. But all of that has been forgiven. You’re free now to drive, live, and even die, in peace. God didn’t want you to live by limits. He wants you to live by His life.

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Starting in January of 2023, we want to move everyone over to the engaging reading plans in the YouVersion Bible App. Search your App Store for “YouVersion Bible” or click the scripture reference above to load it on your phone.

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‘then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. ‘

Hebrews 10:9-14 ESV Read More

Have you ever washed your storm door, looked at how beautiful and clean it was, and then watched your spouse walk up and say “Oh, great, I’ve been meaning to clean this.” and then they spray windex all over it and clean it like it had never been cleaned?

That’s never happened to me either.

That second cleaning nullified the first. It was like you never even cleaned it after it got cleaned that second time.

That’s a tiny tiny way of looking at what Christ did for us and the Law. The Law of Moses was really good, but Jesus came along and did everything that Law was meant to do. Not only did Jesus carry the effect of the Law into the world, but He carried it into our souls and — with us — into the Heaven of God.

The priests in the temple had to go perform sacrifices every day to cover up sin. Especially on the Day of Atonement to cover all of the sins of all of the people.

But it’s kind of like covering up a cheerio on the floor. It didn’t make it go away. The temple sacrifices put off judgement until the end.

And if you’ve ever stepped on a dry cheerio, you know the judgement is swift. What was one object becomes hundreds!

But when Christ offered Himself, His single sacrifice was complete. There is no chair in the temple or the tabernacle because a priest can never rest from his work. When Jesus finished His work, He sat down because the work was done. No more sacrificing is necessary.

Not by Jesus, who is the High Priest, nor by us, who are His priestly people.

Meditate on that for a little bit. The Bible says everyone who is in Christ has been perfected. By His one single offering, Jesus made you perfect. Sure, you might not always live perfect, but no sin can approach God and the book of Romans says we can go boldly right up to God’s throne!

Jesus is sitting down. His work to make you perfect is all done. The sacrifice office is permanently closed and it’s number one Employee is done sacrificing. He did it completely the first time.

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13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. 16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

Hebrews 6:13–18 ESV Read More

“I swear on my mother’s grave!” The guy told me, drunk with vodka and on his knees begging me for money on a street somewhere in Central Asia.

“Don’t bring your mother into this!” I said, “I’m not giving you any money!”

It sounds like a scene from an awesome crime movie, but it was real, my language was broken, and it tore me up. The dude was drunk and wanted to really pull in some heavy oath in his lie about why he needed money.

That’s what people do. When they really want to show how big and important their statement or commitment is, they swear on something. My wife and I had an odd moment at the Vanderburgh County Courthouse the day we got our marriage certificate. The lady told us to raise our right hands and say “I am” after she read off something in as slurred speech as that drunk guy on the street.

We walked out of the office and I said to my soon-to-be-wife, “I think we just swore an oath, but I’m not sure what we swore on.”

God wanted to make His covenant clear to Abraham. He made a promise and knew that Abraham understood the language of oaths and swearing.

12 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:1–3

That promise was made and would eventually be fulfilled in Jesus. By faith in Jesus, we are all adopted into the family of Abraham because of his great faith.

God will always keep His promises. In this case of the promise to Abraham, one of the greatest promises of all time, He swore upon Himself. God is the only thing in the whole cosmos that will never change. He is faithful. We can trust Him just like Abraham did.

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Starting in January of 2023, we want to move everyone over to the engaging reading plans in the YouVersion Bible App. Search your App Store for “YouVersion Bible” or click the scripture reference above to load it on your phone.

One Life Podcast on iTunes

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Opening Discussion

• What is a new habit you want to develop this year? What steps have you taken, or will take, to start that habit?

Read and Discuss

Psalm 119:15-18 NIV

15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.

16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

17 Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word.

18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

• Why is the psalmist so passionate about God’s law, decrees, precepts (a general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought), and word?
• When you think about the Bible and God’s laws, what words come to mind?
• How does your view of the Bible determine how you engage with the Bible?
• What does it mean to meditate on God’s precepts?
• What is difficult about considering God’s ways over your own?
• What would it take in your life to get to a place of delighting over God’s word like the psalmist does?

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

• Why did Paul want the Roman followers of Jesus to not conform to the world and to be transformed by renewing their minds?
• What does it mean to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice to God?
• What are some patterns of the world that people conform to?
• What ways can you follow God’s will for your life instead of what the world says you should do?
• How could reading the Bible and living it out help with renewing your mind?
• What is an easy step you can take this week to offer yourself as a living sacrifice?

Apply it!

• What spiritual habit can you start this year that will help you engage with God’s Word?
• What are some things that keep you from engaging with the Bible?
• What one simple step can you take each day to engage with the Bible? (Engaging is not just reading, but applying it to your life as well.)
• Who is someone you can take this step with so you have accountability?

Memorize it!

Romans 12:2

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Prayer TACOS!

Thank the Lord for sending Jesus as a living example of what it means to be a living sacrifice.

Adoration- Worship the Lord for giving us His Word so that we may know what His will

Confess to the times you’ve conformed to the world’s ways instead of God’s ways

Others- Ask the Lord to put someone in your life this week that you can share His love with

Self- Pray that the Lord would transform you by the renewing of your mind through His Word.

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7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things–things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 6:7–12 ESV Read More

Certainty or Uncertainty are the most unwelcome elephants in the room at funerals. Certainty can go either way, of course. It can be comforting or very disturbing. Uncertainty can let in some hope.

Have you had that awkward conversation with somebody you used to go to church with? One time I changed churches and it seemed like everybody I ran into thought I had fallen away. It probably didn’t help that my wife’s phone number had changed and whoever got the new number replied (probably joking) to a marketing text message with “Remove me from your list. I’m a Satanist now.” Boy did those rumors fly!

The thing is, as we are each individually trying to grow in our faith and love with Jesus, we are encouraged to see other people grow too. When we see other people stumble and fall, their lives become a cautionary tale for us. We are all in this together. We want to help one another grow and we really do need other’s help in our growth.

That’s where faithfulness and action come in. As we continue to trust and follow Jesus, we act on what we believe. As we act on what we believe, God puts His hand on that work and makes things happen. We don’t need to brag about most of it. It’s evident. Marriages are restored, children grow up and follow the Lord faithfully, the poor and lonely are cared for, and the good news of Jesus spreads across the world. These are the signs of people following Jesus with their whole lives.

The more of this evidence of God at work in us, the more we want to show it off. You really do grow and multiply in whatever path you choose.

Let’s grow in our own certainty of the power of Jesus. That will show off to the whole world and their certainty of His love and power will grow in them too.

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4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. 7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

Hebrews 6:4–8 ESV Read More

There is a way to get ripped off and distracted during your Bible Study and prayer time. Sometimes, when you come across a scripture like this, it’s easy to drift into the controversy. Oh boy, this verse. This is all about the question of whether or not you can lose your salvation. It might even bring someone to mind that was a rock-solid Christian at some point in your life but is now fallen far, far away.

It is totally reasonable to have controversy and to weigh different sides and interpretations of a passage. That’s even good because in reading and studying the history of an interpretation, you make it your own. (Questions about this question of losing your salvation have been going on since this was written down, so if you’re waiting for me to pick a side here, keep reading.)

The bummer is, this wasn’t first written to create a controversy. It was written to clarify and encourage. It was written to teach and warn the readers. So when you get to a Bible verse that is weighted in modern days with controversy, make sure you don’t miss the original point.

If it is impossible to share in the Holy Spirit and the goodness of the word of God, fall away, and then come back, there are 2 simple steps here that motivate me.

1. Share in the Holy Spirit and the goodness of the word of God.What does that mean and how do I do it? If I made that my quest to discover, I wouldn’t care about the doctrine of eternal security, would I? Sure, it might be easier to form an opinion from historical theologians on eternal security, but sharing in the Holy Spirit and the goodness of the word of God sounds a lot more fruitful.

2. Falling away.This might sound stupid, but how about not falling away to test this whole thing? Like jumping on a frozen lake “to see if it would break.” Are you prepared in case it does break? How about throwing a rock on it instead of jumping? This is an encouragement to us to not test God by deliberately falling away. Take action, daily, with some friends, to grow in your faith and mature in you Christian life. That has a better payoff than understanding all of the ins and outs of eternal security.

So if you see a controversy, don’t avoid it, but don’t let it be the pea under the mattress either. There is a lot to offer in every bit of scripture, and God wants to lead us in understanding most of it.

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Opening Discussion:

• What is something you are looking forward to this year?

Read and Discuss

Psalm 90:10-12 CSB

10 Our lives last seventy years or, if we are strong, eighty years. Even the best of them are struggle and sorrow; indeed, they pass quickly and we fly away.

11 Who understands the power of your anger? Your wrath matches the fear that is due you.

12 Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.

• What is Moses saying in this Psalm?
• Why does Moses say our best days are struggle and sorrow?
  • What were some things in Moses’ life that may have led him to that conclusion?
• What does numbering our days carefully mean?
• How could numbering our days carefully develop wisdom?
• What are some ways people may waste their days?
• What is something you could do this week to be intentional about your days?

Read Psalm 119:11-19

11 I have treasured your word in my heart

so that I may not sin against you.

12 Lord, may you be blessed;

teach me your statutes.

13 With my lips I proclaim

all the judgments from your mouth.

14 I rejoice in the way revealed by your decrees

as much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate on your precepts

and think about your ways.

16 I will delight in your statutes;

I will not forget your word.

17 Deal generously with your servant

so that I might live; then I will keep your word.

18 Open my eyes so that I may contemplate

wondrous things from your instruction.

19 I am a resident alien on earth;

do not hide your commands from me.

• What does the Psalmist say about the importance of God’s Word?
• What are some of the benefits of living according to God’s instruction?
• What’s difficult about living according to God’s plan and His ways?
• If you were numbering your days carefully, how would God’s Word fit into that?
• Why is it important to read the Bible and live it out?

Apply it!

• If you already have a practice of reading your Bible regularly, how did you develop that habit?
• If you don’t read your Bible regularly, what is a small step you can take this week to start reading your Bible?
  • When will you read? Where? For how long? What will you read? What will you do to make sure you read it again?
  • Who can help you do this? When will you talk to them?

Memorize it!

Psalm 119:11 I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.

Prayer TACOS

Thank God for His Word.

Adoration- Worship the Lord for giving us guidelines on how to live a fulfilling life in the short time we have.

Confess to the times you have neglected His word and taken it for granted.

Others- Pray for someone that you can connect with this week to read and study the Bible with

Self- Pray that the Lord would continue to show and grow the importance of His Word in your daily life

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6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.

Hebrews 6:1–3 ESV Read More

Isn’t it wild to see this list of “elementary doctrine” after everything we’ve been through in Hebrews?

• Repentance away from dead works and toward faith in God
• Washings (baptism? Washing hands before eating?)
• Laying on of hands (this is related to prayer and blessing, it wasn’t associated with ordination for a few hundred years later)
• Resurrection of the dead
• Eternal judgement

It can be easy for us to talk about all kinds of details in the Christian life and not mention these very much. It could be because we are all so mature that we don’t have to talk about it anymore. It could also be because we’re so immature that we can’t even make it up to this level. Honestly, it’s hard to know what we don’t know sometimes, isn’t it?

I remember when I was learning a foreign language. I was humming along, memorizing my numbers. No big deal, right? I made a little rhythm and rhyme in my head to count to 10, then I worked my way up through the teens. Just like a preschool kid, I nailed counting by tens all of the way to one hundred. There was no 2-digit number I couldn’t conquer.

And then I saw the alphabet.

My keyboard won’t even allow me to show you the strange things I saw. There was a backward letter N with a mark above it and it sounded like {ee}. There was this one letter that had 6 different points like an injured octopus and it made a {sh} sound.

I had no idea what I was getting into.

But without learning that, I wouldn’t be able to function. I wouldn’t even be able to know the difference between a men’s and women’s bathroom. (The 6 legged thing was the letter for Women, even though it looked like a W sitting on top of an M.)

So when the Bible mentions some kind of teaching as explicit as this list, it’s worth paying attention to. The writer here even uses an idiom like we say “learn your ABCs.” It’s not that you have to learn the alphabet, but there are some things about following Jesus and being a Christian that are as foundational as reading letters.

This is the list. I didn’t make it up, I just pulled it from the New Testament itself. It’s worth meditating on and looking up in the Gospels. Take a look at what all Jesus says about this list and you’ll see that it really is the starting point for everything else.

• Repentance away from dead works and toward faith in God
• Washings (baptism? Washing hands before eating?)
• Laying on of hands (this is related to prayer and blessing, it wasn’t associated with ordination for a few hundred years later)
• Resurrection of the dead
• Eternal judgment

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11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

Hebrews 5:11–6:1 ESV Read More

A real key change just happened in this here letter to the Hebrews. We were cruising along for 5 chapters about how great Christ is. He’s better than angels, Moses, the Law, and any priest ever.

Then the author says “There is a lot more to say about this, but you really aren’t going to get it.”

Ouch!

He goes on to say that they should all be teachers at this point, but instead, they need to learn – the literal idiom in the original language – their ABCs. He then tells them that the level of understanding that they at is like a baby that can only drink from a bottle. They aren’t even at a kid-level of understanding of Christianity.

That sounds like a horrible thing. We all want to grow and mature in our faith, not be told after we’re in it for a while that we’re just like spiritual babies. These folks weren’t new believers, but had already come to faith and had time to mature.

How could this happen? I think the answer lies in the previous 5 chapters. If they thought Christianity was all about doing Judaism in a new way without regard for Jesus, they wouldn’t be making any progress.

The evidence sits in how long the writer has spent trying to convince the readers about the greatness of Jesus. All of our faith and religion sits on who Jesus is and getting to know Him. While people argue about how loud the drums should be or what color the cloth should be on a pulpit, Jesus sits by the side saying “Come to me!”

The 12 disciples, and later the 72 sent ones (dare I say Apostles!?) didn’t have any ‘solid food’ of Bible commentaries or ministry certificates to help them on their way. They had time with Jesus.

Any growth in our religion that we do apart from deepening in the love of Jesus is a liquid diet. We might not know it for all of the sugar and nutritional information on the box, but if Jesus isn’t the core and center of what we do, we’re not going to mature or grow.

–

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5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,

“You are my Son,

today I have begotten you”;

6 as he says also in another place,

“You are a priest forever,

after the order of Melchizedek.”

7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 5:5–10 ESV Read More

Church history is full of people approaching God in different ways. Reverence and awe is interpreted culturally, so one dude is regarded as so pious because he walked through the snow to get to church. Another guy prayed while kneeling on dry rice. Priests’ and pastors’ clothing and architecture continue to change to reflect how we want people to draw near to God.

An even better display than all of that, though, is how God changed in order to approach us. Now I know what you’re thinking, the Bible says that God doesn’t change, so I’m committing heresy. Before you go get your gas can, hear me out.

We have just celebrated Christmas, when Jesus was born in difficult circumstances but welcomed and praised by angels. His family was displaced and oppressed by the government. His extended family would suffer a lot in the years after His birth.

He was a little, tiny, snuggly, cooing, cute, baby.

On His path to the cross, He put off all of His divine power and was just a man. Whatever power He had was the power of God the Father that was given to Him as a man – sometimes even temporarily for only for the specific moment or setting.

He suffered grief, temptation, physical pain, weakness, fatigue, and even some disagreement with God the Father! In all of that, He continued to be faithful in obeying God’s direction and commands.

Because He did all of that, He became the perfect priest. You have to remember, our modern-day term for priest was developed out of Roman government and culture in the 200s AD. When the writer of Hebrews talks about priests, they are talking about Levitical priests. They had to be sons of Aaron and had all kinds of sacrifices to offer.

Hebrews goes back before all of that to Abraham. Melchizedek didn’t perform any sacrifices, but simply blessed Abraham. We don’t get a lot of details, but as the Prince of Salem (or Peace!), Melchizedek was the first priest of the Most High God that Abraham met. Something about him moved Abraham so much that Abraham gave a ton of his wealth (10% after slaughtering about 9 armies) to Melchizedek.

Christ is all of those priests wrapped into one man. He has come to be with us. He has suffered with us. And now that the sacrificing is done and complete, His activity is to bless and be in friendship with us.

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For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; he can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness; and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, as for the people, so also for himself.

And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was.

So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You””

Hebrews 5:1–5 NASB1995 Read More

The role of a priest is to do the things that a diety requires on behalf of the people over which the diety rules. There have been priests acting on behalf of various religions around the world for thousands of years.

The Jewish priesthood introduced by Moses in the early 1200s BC involved similar activities. The people would bring things to the priests, the priests would take the things (sacrifices) to God, God would bless the priests, and then the priests would take the blessings back to the people.

There were strict ruled in the temple about how to approach God. If you did it wrong, you might get killed on the spot! (Unless you went to the tent of meeting outside the camp, where you could go meet God anytime.)

It would be prideful and arrogant for a person to declare themself a priest. It was set up to be a calling. It was set up to be something that came by your birth order and placement in the Hebrew family structure.

The writer is comparing Jesus to the High Priest in all of these different ways. Jesus didn’t claim it for Himself, but received the calling and direction from the Father. Jesus could have easily been a counselor or a prophet to a good High Priest, but God wanted Him to be the High Priest Himself.

Jesus also makes a great High Priest because while He was tempted just like every one of us, He never fell into sin. You know how your grandma would pull some turkey or ham right out of the pot with her bare hands and give it to you to snack on while Christmas dinner was cooking? Did you every say “Grandma! Nasty! Wash your hands!”

You’d better not!

Jesus is a go-between for us between God and mankind, but He Himself is the pure and holy God! That doesn’t mean we have to face an angry god on our own, but He’s already being a mediator for us. He is already prepared to welcome us directly.

Since we have this direct access, we also have the “priesthood of all believers” because with our direct access to God, we can be the go-between for other people that don’t know Him yet. Even today, we can be the people that take things to God for people that don’t draw near and then bring back the blessings from Him to share with them.

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14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14–16 ESV Read More

Years ago I flew a couple of times a year for various trips. No matter where I went, one of my favorite parts of the trip was just after the second-to-last flight home. You’d either be in Detroit, Cincinnati, Chicago, or Atlanta and surrounded by huge planes and crowds. Then you’d go down some tiny hallway to the little planes where you’d meet up with 50ish people that were all flying to Evansville.

Chances were high that you’d know one of them.

It would probably be the guy your cousin played basketball with or some old neighbor’s girlfriend’s mom that you talked to once while mowing the grass, but sometimes it would be a friend. That 65-minute puddle-jump of a flight would be full of catching up (that was our Facebook) and then you’d be happier than ever to arrive in Evansville.

When we are tempted to sin, we might feel a lot like Adam in the garden of Eden.

“I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.”

We feel the shame and embarrassment of sin and the devil uses that as a lever. Not only do we feel bad because we sinned, but when we think of God we feel even worse! Not only was my sin bad, but I’m bad! Not only do I feel bad for feeling tempted, but suddenly all the guilt of the last 90 times I gave into that temptation piles on me. What a jerk face I am!

And Jesus looks across terminal 53 B in Atlanta and says, “Hey! Did you play basketball for Harrison in the early 90s?” or “Did you used to live on Monroe by that church?”

And suddenly we’re best friends.

The High Priest is the one that goes between God and humankind to intercede and make sure everything is right. We don’t have to feel any embarrassment about talking to our High Priest Jesus because He knows every temptation we’ve experienced. He doesn’t just know it like He read our diaries – He has experienced it.

He gives us grace and mercy

Every

Single

Time

We need it.

So we never need to be afraid or ashamed to call to Him for help. No matter what it is. No matter how far into the act we’ve traveled. We can draw near to Him with confidence on that flight to Heavensville because He knows us.

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11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Hebrews 4:11–13 ESV Read More

A recurring theme we’ll see in Hebrews is this encouragement to hold on, continue to be faithful, and persevere through troubles. The people reading this letter were Christians that grew up as Jews. They had come to believe in Jesus as the Son of God, therefore equal to Him, which would be considered idolatry by all of their families and the community around them. We may be tempted to give up our faith from doubt or circumstances today, but it was generally much more severe for such Christians in 1st-century Jewish Jerusalem!

You can also see how the theme of Joshua and Caleb among a zillion former Egyptian slaves can fit. When everyone around you has been cursed to fall in the wilderness for their lack of faith, it’s easy to give up and join them.

But we don’t have to fall in the wilderness. We can strive to enter the perfect and complete rest that Jesus offers us every single day – one day of rest at a time.

And we can do that together as we experience the word. The “WORD” isn’t the Bible, though.

Whut?!

The writer of Hebrews most likely didn’t have a written copy of the Gospel of Mark in mind when they said “the word of God is living and active.” He certainly didn’t have in mind the Torah. We’ll read more about that next month.

So what are they talking about? The word “word” here is our good old friend logos that we’ve seen elsewhere in scripture. In John 1, the WORD is creating everything. He was with God in the beginning. (Wait, the WORD is a He?!)

A Greek poet-philosopher first coined the term logos to describe the divine reason or plan that makes the universe make sense around 600 BC. I’m not saying it’s time to go get a Heraclitus tattoo. I’m just saying that he introduced a word and it pretty much held that meaning into the next century when John and the Hebrews writer would use it.

So read that into it.

The reason and plan of God is living and active. God’s meaning and sense of things reveal truths and lies deep in our soul.

So it would be good to experience that as often as we can, right? So while that shows us that the Bible isn’t what the logos is, one way we can experience that logos is by reading the Bible, prayer, discussion with others, service to others, and singing worship songs.

The Logos of God is living and active, and He responds with us when we are living and active with Him.

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8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Hebrews 4:8–13 ESV Read More

After a hopeless 400 years, the Hebrew slaves of Egypt were delivered and given their freedom. They then spent 40 years in which only 2 1/2 people out of a million or so were hoping for a Promised Land. (I count Moses as that half because he was hoping for the Promised Land but messed up his own access.)

For the wanderers in the desert, the Promised Land was heaven. A land flowing with milk and honey meant you were stable and safe enough to grow crops…to feed cows or goats…that would grow healthy enough to milk. For honey, don’t even get me started! You need flowering plants to grow, places for bees to build hives, all kinds of stuff.

Stuff you wouldn’t find out in the wilderness.

The idea of a Promised Land was like the dream of so many refugees in our modern day to live in a cozy suburb with a lawn someday. It seems out of reach – mythical even.

But that is what they got when Joshua finally took that generation into the Promised Land. There were buildings and cities (after they fought off everyone living there anyway) already set up for them to live in. For the first time in 440 years, they were somewhat independent.

But that wasn’t the real Promised Land. There is some kind of rest beyond that place. A rest that Joshua couldn’t give them.

But Jesus can.

The Sabbath rest / Promised Land that God offers is full deliverance from the vain works of trying to make God let us into the Promised Land! We can rest from our works and enjoy God’s creation just like He did. We no longer have to strive in fear of sin and death because Jesus defeated them both.

That is the Sabbath rest we can experience and look forward to. Not like the millions that fell in the wilderness (and Moses) but like Joshua and Caleb. They knew a real rest was coming and that God was fully able to give it to them.

That is what it took for them to receive it, and they did.

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Opening Discussion:

• Fill in the blank: It doesn’t feel like Christmas until my family (or friends) and I ______________.
• Why does that thing make it feel like Christmas to you?

Read and Discuss

Leviticus 23: 39-43 NIV

“‘So beginning with the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the crops of the land, celebrate the festival to the Lord for seven days; the first day is a day of sabbath rest, and the eighth day also is a day of sabbath rest. On the first day you are to take branches from luxuriant trees—from palms, willows and other leafy trees—and rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. . . Live in temporary shelters for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in such shelters so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’”

Deuteronomy 16: 13-15

Celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress. Be joyful at your festival—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites, the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns. For seven days celebrate the festival to the Lord your God at the place the Lord will choose. For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.

• What were some of the details God wanted in the celebration of the Festival of Tabernacles?
  • Who was invited? What did they do? What was the purpose?
• Why was joy and rejoicing a significant part of the celebration?
• What did it mean that the Israelites’ joy would be complete? (Deuteronomy 16:15)
• When does your joy feel complete?
• What is the difference between joy and happiness?

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

• What might a Jewish audience, who grew up celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles, think about God making his dwelling among us?
• Why is it significant that Jesus made His dwelling among us?
• What does it mean that Jesus is full of grace and truth?
• How did the Feast of Tabernacles point to God’s grace and truth?
• How can you show grace and truth to others?

Read John 7:37-38

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

• The festival of Tabernacles reminded the Israelites of the time God provided for them in the wilderness after rescuing them from slavery. How did what Jesus said tie into those years in the wilderness?

For a little background on this see Exodus 17:1-3,5-6

1 The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lordcommanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.”

Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?”

3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”

5 The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.

• What are some ways you can come to Jesus and drink?
• What are some things that prevent you from coming to Jesus to drink and be filled by Him?
• During this Christmas season how can you make sure Jesus is your source of joy?

Apply it!

• What is something you can do this week to help you, your family, and friends to center on Jesus this season?
• What can you do to celebrate Jesus this week?

Memorize it!

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Prayer TACOS

Thank God for using celebrations to point us to Him

Adoration– Spend some time worshiping the Lord for coming to earth as a person and dwelling among us

Confess to the times you have made Christmas more about your wants and needs instead of celebrating Jesus

Others- Pray that the Lord would put someone in your life this week that you can share about the Good News of Jesus.

Self- Pray that you would be full of grace and truth as you talk to people this week.

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3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’ ” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world.

4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.”

5 And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.”

6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience,

7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

Hebrews 4:3–7 ESV Read More

When Joshua led the Hebrews into the promised land, it was a great breakthrough and time of rest for them. Think about it: they were as small as 100ish people when they were the household of Jacob. They came to Egypt under the protection of Joseph. They grew for 400 years and were a slave-class of Pharaoh.

That means they were as far removed from Joseph as we are from Christopher Columbus or Leonardo da Vinci. Yes. We are as far removed from da Vinci today as the parting of the Red Sea was after Jacob seeing Joseph and weeping over him still being alive!

Becoming their own nation and having their own land was way overdue for a God who promised Abraham that they’d be a people and bless the whole world.

Be a nation? We’re all slaves in Egypt.

Through you all nations will be blessed? We’re all slaves in Egypt!

Descendants as vast as the stars in the sky? Pharaoh makes us throw our sons into the river as soon as they are born! We’re all slaves in Egypt!

So you can see that entering the Promised Land was a big deal.

But it wasn’t THE BIG DEAL. It wasn’t even the full rest that God had to offer His people.

When God talked about “His rest,” the context made everyone think it was the Promised Land. But the deliverance from slavery in Egypt, the provision through the wilderness for 40 years, and the entrance into the Promised Land were all real events acting as symbols for our salvation given to us by Jesus.

How can we defeat sin when we continually do what we don’t want to do? We’re slaves to sin!

How can we have any hope for anything good when our bodies are all getting older, weaker, and sicker? We’re slaves to death!

How can we have any hope for becoming Holy like God when we are all sinful and full of doubts and unbelief?

And to all of that, Jesus says,

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Jesus is the REST that all of the events of Moses and Joshua point to. He is the good news of someone giving us the salvation that we couldn’t reach ourselves. Receive His deliverance and salvation and you’ll see it work out.

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16 For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses?

17 And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?

18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient?

19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

4:1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.

2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.

Hebrews 3:16–4:2 ESV Read More

You’ve probably heard the semi-critical comparison about people in churches aren’t necessarily Christian any more than someone at a McDonald’s is a cheeseburger.

I always thought that sounded weird.

Even though McDonald’s is now selling $30 “one-size-fits-all” hoodies that look like a cheeseburger wrapper, that doesn’t mean I want to be one.

If first and second Corinthians offer us all kinds of insight into church discipline and how to deal with sinners in your midst, the book of Hebrews does not. It might sound like it is, but the main focus of Hebrews isn’t what do to about those people at your church.

The focus of Hebrews is what to do about yourself.

Let us fear, not like we are scared, but like there is a reality that we need to prepare for. When the weatherman says a blizzard or a tornado is coming, my kids will amplify my anxiety. If they see me get a flashlight, they’ll get 3. If they see me sit my shoes by the basement door in preparation to go down there, they’ll get their shoes and a book.

That is how some of these warnings in Hebrews go. Just because you were born into a religious family isn’t enough. Just because you heard some message of salvation isn’t enough. You have to believe it.

Every day, people hear things about sugar, fat, tobacco, drugs, software licenses, lustful looks, and finances and while hearing and acknowledging the truth, don’t express that belief in their actions.

While unwise, that is totally ok most of the time with most of those things (not all of them!).

It’s not ok to be that way with Jesus. I have to unite what I’ve heard with Jesus into what I believe about Jesus. Then out of that belief, I act.

Spend the day not looking at other people and how well they are doing this, but tell the Lord, “Lord, I want to believe everything you said. I want to unite what I hear with what I believe.”

And He’ll help you. He loves to answer the prayers for things He told us to believe.

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12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said,

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

16 For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?

Hebrews 3:12–17 ESV Read More

“Take care that no one among you has an evil or unbelieving heart” doesn’t mean that we start kicking people out. If we did that, at some point, I’d be the only one left! (LOL)

The way we keep ourselves free from having evil or unbelief in our midst is to encourage one another to have faith. Encourage one another to follow Jesus with all of our might. What I love about that is that the point isn’t our success in that endeavor, but our efforts.

We can’t control other people. (We can barely control ourselves!) But what we can control is what we ourselves do with one another. If I took up efforts to encourage you in your faith today while you took up efforts to also encourage me towards Jesus today, we would both grow! Even if one (or both) of us have a terrible day, the effort to mutually encourage faith in Jesus would strengthen us in it some way.

It’s kind of like the way that it’s always so easy to tell someone else what they need to do to clean up their office, make their car run better, eat healthier, or get to places on time. Why is it so easy to tell other people such things?

As we are in groups of other people, our sincerity and confidence in Christ is contagious. Our cynicism and critical attitudes can also be contagious. We get to pick.

So make the choice to survive the wilderness today. Thousands of people grumbled against God over food, sunshine, and the ‘Good Old Days’ while God gave them everything they needed. They have become an example of sin and faithlessness for thousands of years!

Don’t be that guy!

The Lord is with us today to work in our moods and in our circumstances. Let’s share that work and encourage others to see God’s work too.

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Opening Question

• What’s the worst Christmas song?

Read and Discuss

Exodus 1:11,13-14 NASB 1995

11 So they appointed taskmasters over them to afflict them with hard labor. And they built for Pharaoh storage cities, Pithom and Raamses. 13 The Egyptians compelled the sons of Israel to labor rigorously; 14 and they made their lives bitter with hard labor in mortar and bricks and at all kinds of labor in the field, all their labors which they rigorously imposed on them.

Exodus 2:23-24

Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God.

• During their time in Egypt, what were things like for the Israelites?
• What role, if any, did celebration play in the Israelite culture while they were in slavery?
• What are some things that make it difficult for you to celebrate?

Leviticus 23:2-4 NLT

2 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. These are the Lord’s appointed festivals, which you are to proclaim as official days for holy assembly. 3 “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of complete rest, an official day for holy assembly. It is the Lord’s Sabbath day, and it must be observed wherever you live. 4 “In addition to the Sabbath, these are the Lord’s appointed festivals, the official days for holy assembly that are to be celebrated at their proper times each year.

• When God was giving the Israelites instructions how to live in freedom, why did He assign days of rest, festivals, and celebrations?
• Why is rest and celebration so important to the Lord?
• What are some ways you rest in the Lord?
• How do you celebrate the Lord?

Colossian 2:16-17 NLT

16 So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17 For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.

• What is Paul telling the Colossians about celebrating?
• How do those celebrations, Sabbaths, and ceremonies point to the reality of Christ?

Apply it!

• What can you do this year, or what do you currently do to keep Christ at the center of your celebrations?
• What can you do this week to take time to rest in the Lord?

Memorize it!