Message & Discussion Questions – Easter Week 7, 6/5/11

Opening:

1. When at the dentist, do you a) refuse anesthesia; b) use local anesthesia; c) get knocked out?

2. What are some of the most amazing, awe-inspiring things you have seen in your life?

Into the Bible:

3. Read 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-13. In what sense is a Christian’s suffering part of Christ’s suffering? Why should a Christian find joy in this?

4. Read 1 Peter 5:7. What anxieties do you think these people faced as Christians living in the First-Century A.D.?

5. What sources of opposition has Peter spoken of already? (2:12, 13-14; 3:1, 16; 4:3-4)  How do these relate to verse 8 here? What is a Christian’s defense in this battle? What is a Christian’s hope?

6. Given that Babylon was one of the main enemies of Israel in the Old Testament and that Peter is writing from Rome, what does he mean by 5:13?

Reflection:

7. Which emotion is a bigger issue for you in your life: fear? anxiety? anger? Explain.

8. When you feel like giving up, what keeps you going?

9. What are your favorite daily miracles and wonders?

10. What concrete steps could we take to cultivate a more consistent attitude of amazement at life?

Message & Discussion Questions – Easter Week 6, 5/29/11

Opening:

1. How did you prepare for exams in high school: Regular study? All night cramming? “What me worry?” Wing it on “prayer?”

2. How did you typically spend summer vacations from school as a kid? Did your family have a regular vacation spot? What are your fond memories?

3. When and where were you baptized? Who was there? Do you have any memories of it?

Into the Bible:

4. Read 1 Peter 3:13-22. What hope does the Flood story add to this passage (vv. 20-21)?

5. Verse 19 says that Jesus “went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison.”  What might this be a reference to? (hint: think about the Apostles’ Creed)

6. What hope does Christ’s life and death provide? How does the example of Christ encourage those who suffer?

Reflection:

7. What fears motivate people today? How does following Jesus as Lord free you from these fears? How would that free you to live differently?

8. Have you ever had to “give an accounting for the hope that is in you?” (verse 15)  How did that work out? What are some of the more effective ways to give that accounting?

9. Why is the message of grace—God’s unlimited and unrestricted love for everyone—such a hard message for people to accept? Why do people hang on to a God of judgment and condemnation despite the preponderance of evidence in the Bible that God‘s operating principle is grace?

10. How have you experienced God’s grace in your life?

11. How could God’s grace change life in our world if more people truly believed it without reservation?

Message & Discussion Questions – Easter Week 5, 5/22/11

Opening:

1. Have you ever had to serve in jury duty? What was your experience like?

2. Do you remember the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones (but words will never hurt me).” Did you teach this phrase to your kids?

Into the Bible:

3. Read Acts 7:54-60. Why are Stephen’s listener’s so enraged? (See Daniel 7:13-14)

4. Stephen’s death was illegal (see John 18:31). What does that reveal about the desperation of the Sanhedrin?

5. What similarities are there between Jesus’ death and Stephen’s death?

6. Read Acts 8:1. What is the significance of Saul’s presence?

Reflection:

7. Reflecting honestly, how much have you had to sacrifice for being a follower of Christ? How much would you be willing to sacrifice for Christ?

8. How is God using negative events in your life to fulfill God’s plan?

9. When was a time in your life when you felt God tugging you one way, but instead you said “no” to God? What was the result?

Message & Discussion Questions – Easter Week 4, 5/15/11

Opening:

1. As a kid, what was your favorite pet? What was its name? How did it respond when it heard your voice?

2. How did you experience the work of the Good Shepherd in your life this week?

Into the Bible:

3. Read John 10:1-18. In this story, what do the sheep represent?

4. Why do you think Jesus used sheep in his example?

5. According to this passage, what types of things does the shepherd do for the sheep?

6. Who are the “other sheep” he must bring also? (verse 16) And what characterizes his flock?

7. What are the basic points that you take away from this passage?

Reflection:

8. What turning point (or points) was significant for you in terms of hearing God’s voice and responding?

9. How do you discern God’s voice from those of so many others that vie for your attention?

10. What is the most reassuring thing about this passage for you?

Message & Discussion Questions – Easter Week 3, 5/8/11

Opening:

1. If you could get in a time machine and travel to any period in history, where would you go?

2. What are your favorite aspects of church life? What means the most to you about  being a part of a church?

Into the Bible:

3. Read Acts 2:37-47. What do these 3,000 converts end up doing? How is God with them?

4. What are the three essential characteristics of life in the earliest church? (see Acts 2:42)

5. Why did they have “everything in common,” sell their possessions, and give to the needy? Where did these ideas come from?

Reflection:

6. Are there any aspects of church life in Acts 2 that you would like to see more prevalent among Christians today?

7. Why, do you think, is institutional Christianity on the decline in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere? What factors contribute to people not being a part of church?

8. What are the opportunities for people of faith in this “post-modern” climate?

9. Do topics of faith ever arise in discussions at work, in your school, or in your neighborhood? If so, in what ways? How are they handled?

10. Brainstorm together: What are some simple ways to share your faith that are not pushy or obnoxious?

Message & Discussion Questions – Easter Week 2, 5/1/11

Opening:

1. Have you ever studied a foreign language? Is there a language you would like to learn?

2. Have you ever been to a memorable commencement speech? If you gave one, what advice would you give?

Into the Bible:

3. Compare Peter in John 18:25-27, 20:19 with his actions in Acts 2:1-40. What accounts for the difference?

4. Why were the crowds in Jerusalem on the day Peter gave this sermon?

5. Why does Peter make so many references to the Old Testament?

6. How would you use Peter’s answer (Acts 2:39-40) to explain to someone what it means to be a Christian? What is required? What is promised?

Reflection:

7. Is there a time in your life when you remember first making a conscious commitment to Christ? Talk about it. What convinced you of your need for him?

8. What difference does it make to you that Jesus is truly the reigning King over all?  How does that truth affect your daily life?

9. Do you find it easy or hard to talk about your faith with others? Why?

Message & Discussion Questions – Easter 4/24/11

Welcome to the Grace Group Blog! Here is how this works:

• If you missed the message from Sunday, you can watch it below.
• Below are some questions to generate discussion based on the message. Feel free to chime in on as many or as few as you like. To leave a comment, just click on “Leave a comment” at the bottom of the post.
• If you missed your Grace Group meeting this week, this is a great place to catch up on what you missed and connect with others online.
• If your Grace Group had a really great discussion on one of the questions, this is a great place to leave a synopsis of your interaction for others to see and follow up on.
• If you didn’t have time to cover all the questions in your Grace Group meeting you can continue the discussion here on the blog.
• Maybe your group discussion generated a different question not mentioned here. Feel free to post it and get others discussing.

Opening:

1. Do you have any favorite Easter traditions? Any favorite Easter foods?

2. If you got laid off from work or went through another major crisis, where would you go to “get yourself together”?

Into the Bible:

3. Read Luke 24:13-35. Why, do you think, did the two disciples take off for Emmaus? Were they scared stiff? Running away? Disillusioned over the events of the last week? Other ideas?

4. Why did the two men not recognize Jesus when he joined them?

5. From what you know about the Old Testament, what passages might “the stranger” have discussed with them in verses 25-27? Why did Jesus do this roundabout Bible study rather than just reveal his identity immediately and directly?

6. How does the time at dinner open their eyes? What happens to Jesus when they recognize him? Why do you think he leaves?

Reflection:

7. Where is your “road to Emmaus”—the place where Jesus surprised you recently? What happened?

8. What is the thing that triggers a spiritual crisis in your experience? Financial panic? Anger with God over personal tragedy? Disappointment in a relationship? Domestic problems/hassles? Questions/doubts about faith? Lack of direction from God?

9. What has helped you recognize Jesus walking alongside you when you are down spiritually? Time alone with God? Talking it out with someone? Fellowship with other strugglers? Getting away from the situation? Communion? Reading familiar scripture passages? A favorite hymn?