Give More - God Sightings

Faith Talk:
Work through the Advent Conspiracy Idea Handout. You will do good to get some of your ideas onto your December calendar.

Talk together about people God might want to include in your Christmas Celebration. Spend some time praying for them. 

Spend some time making a list of God Sightings in your life.  Share them at lfachurch.org/god-stories

Spend Less - Faith Talks

Faith Talk Questions:

What are the key themes of Faith or the gospel stories that have formed you that you heard from either you biological or your spiritual parents?

Like Ruth and Boaz did for David, what are some of the key themes of your Faith Journey or Gospel Story that you want to pass on for 3 generations? 

Discuss as a house hold your spending. Particularly your expenses in the area of time and money. Are there ways you can reduce the amount of time and/or money that is spent on things you don't need? Remember by reducing your expenses you position yourself to be able to give more time and money to other things.

Worship Fully - Prayer Times

Download our Mission & Building Triggers document. 

Faith Talks

Talk about some of the key stories you heard growing up about some miracles God had done for your family? How did those stories influence your faith in God?

If you don’t have any stories of God-miracles in your family growing up, talk about the way that might have influenced your faith.

Talk about how you can clear your schedule to be at the Parent Summit on November 21.

"I AM The Resurrection & The Life"

John 11:1-44

Faith Talk

Talk about the Tim Keller quote: "You don't really know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.” Have you ever felt like Jesus is all you had? How did that feel?  

What things do you spend most of your time on? Be honest.  If Jesus asked you to ‘put those to death’ any/all of those activities how would you respond?  Would putting it to death make you feel dead or alive?

"I AM The Good Shepherd"

John 10:10-18

Talk together about a time Jesus led you in a way that seemed hard, confusing, or challenging, but when it all unfolded, you saw His leadership was perfect and good.

Talk together about something you are currently experiencing where you need to trust Jesus’ good leadership in your life. Remind each other how you know Jesus is a Good Shepherd.

"I AM The Door"

John 10:1-10

Faith Talks

Today’s teaching was about doors that give access to life. What doors have you always tried to break through/get in thinking you would find true life on the other side? When you did break through, how much life did you actually find?

Jesus is the door that gives us access to life in our Father.  What keeps you from pressing into the Father’s Presence? If Jesus has made access, why would you not go more often?

"I AM The Bread Of Life"

John 6:24-35

Faith Talks

Make a list of the stuff people work for in hope that it will satisfy the core need of their life. Of that list, what have you attempted to use to make yourself feel complete?

Like the life of the vine flows into the branches, so the Life of Jesus flows into His followers, making us like Him. Talk and pray together about one of Jesus’ character traits that you would like to see more in your life.

God Is Here

Philippians 4:5-7

Faith Talks

With a friend talk about a time in your life when you really believed you needed God’s presence in order to get through that situation. Why is that different from how you live everyday? What’s a step you could take to try and live that everyday? 

God is the protector of our emotions. But sometimes we try to guard ourselves without him. Talk about what that looks like in your life when you try and be the protecter of your heart. What happens to you? What happens to those around you?

Relational Harmony

Philippians 4:1-5

Faith Talks

Talk together about why relational harmony is important in the church, among Christian friends, in a family. Pray together about specific broken relationships you have that need harmony.

Relational harmony is impossible without being filled with the Gospel. Talk together about the 4 G’s and your relationships:

  • When I see evidence of control…I have rejected that God is great.
  • When I see evidence of proving myself…I have rejected that God is gracious.
  • When I see evidence of greed… I have rejected that God is good.
  • When I see the evidence of fear... I have rejected that God is glorious

The Kind of Dad Your Kids Need You to Be

Philippians 3:17-21

Faith Talks

  • Talk about a time when the hope you had in something influenced the way you lived, even though you didn’t yet have what you hoped for. What are the ways your hope in someday being with Jesus effects the way you live now?
  • We all need mentors — people we “mark.” Who are people you want to spend more time with? What steps will you take to be with them?

Choose Your Path

 

Philippians 3:17-4:1

Faith Talks

  • Philippians 3:17-4:1 teaches us how we can know the outcome of a person’s life and, in that way, choose the people we are to follow. Review the kind of people whose outcome will be ruin. Are there people you are allowing to influence you whose “end is destruction”?
  • Paul also teaches us to pay attention to those who follow his example, whose end is glory. Who are the people in your life who live that way? Are there ways you can be with them more?

Choose friends who are going somewhere

Philippianslogo.jpeg
 

Philippians 3:12-16 

Faith Talks

  • Philippians 3:12 speaks of Jesus “tackling" His people. Tell the story of how Jesus “tackled” (i.e.. apprehended, arrested, laid hold of) you. Keep in mind your story may include Jesus strongly intervening in the lives of your parents or grandparents.
  • Of the four attitudes of people who are advancing in the Gospel, which one challenges you most? Why?
  1.     I belong to Jesus, and He is in this with me
  2.     My past doesn’t define me
  3.     I have a hopeful future
  4.     Now is NOT the time to give up

 

Philippians - Is Confident Cool?

 

Philippians 3:2-9

Faith Talks

  • Talk together about how you would answer this question: Suppose you were to die tonight, you immediately stand before God, and He asks you, “why should I allow you to enter My Paradise?” What would you say?
  • Look again at Philippians 3: 3 and 9. Based on your answer to the first Faith Talk questions, would you say your confidence before God is based on yourself and on fulfilling some “law?” or would you say your confidence before God is based on a righteousness that has been given to you through faith in Christ?

Philippians - Choose Your Friends Wisely (Part 3)

Philippians 3:1-3

Faith Talks:

  • Of the three kinds of relationships to look out for, which type of relationship has had the most affect on your life (dog, evildoer, mutilator)? Why did/does it have such an influence? What is one step you can take to break free from that kind of influence?
  • What are some ways you can share the Gospel with someone who fits descriptions listen in Phil 3:2? What are some ways you can leverage your influence to point them to Jesus?
  • For Kids/Teens: What makes someone a really good friend? Do you think friends like that are easy or hard to come by? Explain. What kind of friend would you say you are to others? Explain.

Philippians - Choose your friends wisely (Part 2)

Philippians 2:19-30

Faith Talk

  • Who are the people in your life who, when you are with them, you are a better person? Who are the people in your life who, when you are with them, you do sinful things you wouldn’t normally do? 

  • Are there people in your life who, when they are with you, they become better people? Are there people in your life who, when they are with you, they do sinful things they wouldn’t normally do? 

Philippians - Grumbling & Arguing

Philippians 2:12-18

Faith Talks

  • Philippians 2:14 calls us to do everything without grumbling or arguing. Have someone in your group act out what it looks and sounds like when someone is grumbling and when someone is arguing … or when they grumble and argue not outwardly, but on the inside? When do you find that you grumble and argue the most? the least?
  • Philippians 2:16 says the way we can avoid grumbling and arguing is to hold fast to the “word of life.” Talk about specific truth from God’s Word that helps you when you feel tempted to grumble and argue. What healthy patterns would you prefer to walk in when you feel tempted to grumble or argue?

The Four Gs - Wrapup

God is great, so we don’t have to be in control 

God is gracious, so we don’t have to prove ourselves

God is good, so we don’t have to look elsewhere

God is glorious, so we don’t have to fear others

  • When I see evidence of control…I have rejected that God is great
  • When I see evidence of proving myself…I have rejected that God is gracious
  • When I see evidence of greed… I have rejected that God is good
  • When I see the evidence of fear... I have rejected that God is glorious

The Good News of a Glorious God

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Philippians 2:5-11

Faith Talks

  • Talk about one fear you had as a child. Do you still have it?  What helped you overcome that fear?
  • The approval or opinion of others is a form of fear. Who are the people whose opinions and approval are really important to you? Can you think of times when God’s opinions mattered more to you than anyone else? Talk about why or why not.

The Good News of a Good God

***Unfortunately, technical difficulties prevent us from loading this teaching. We apologize for the inconvenience and frustration.  

Philippians 2:5-11

Faith Talks

  • Over the course of our life, we each draw conclusions about God — deciding for ourselves if we believe He is good or not. On a scale of 1-10 (10 = very good), how much would you say you believe God is good? Talk together about why that is true.
  • To experience the good God has for us, we must remain within the boundaries He sets for us, not running outside those boundaries to find good on our own. What are the specific boundaries God has given you that you must stay within? Is it easy or difficult to obey him?

Diagnostic questions

What do you fear missing? Losing?

Are there ways that fear is “over the top” Are there ways that fear drives you? Ask a good friend (LTG Disciple/Accountability) to be honest with what they see in your life when you are under that fear.

When you are in the middle of experiencing that fear, ask yourself 

  • what am I thinking about God?
  • what am I thinking about my future?
  • what specifically would I be willing to do to get the “good” I want?

Which of the truths from today’s sermon do you need to remember most?

  1. Sometimes it's better to NOT have ALL that I think is good
  2. I can't trust all my ideas of what would be good for me.
  3. God’s plans are better than mine.
  4. Knowing God takes care of me, I can live within His boundaries with joy.

The Good News of a Great God

Philippians 2:5-11

Faith Talk:

  • Talk about the good news that God is great – so we don’t have to be in control. What are some ways you have seen God’s powerful control over the circumstances of your life?
  • Talk as well about the limits of your own control over life. What specific things are you unable to control?Pray together for a shift in your heart so you can joyfully embrace the good news of Jesus’ greatness. 

The Mode of Incarnation

Luke 10:1-20

Faith Talk:

  1. Look over Luke 10:1-20. In what ways do you see Jesus' instructions as a call to be humble, present, and proclaim the gospel in power? How closely does this describe your mission/ministry? 
  2. Talk together about your understanding of incarnation. What ways do you want to grow in doing ministry that is the same mode of incarnation as Christ did? Pray this for each other. 

Jesus First

Philippians 1:18–26

Faith Talks

  • Some People might change Philippians 1:21 and say, “To me, to live is to have people like me” or “to be popular with my friends”  or “to be on top of my bills” or “to have all my family be safe and happy.” Talk about how you might complete the phrase, “To me, to live is _________.”
  • Since for the Apostle Paul, to live was Christ, he could say, “to die is gain.” His life was all about Jesus, so through death, he had all to gain and nothing to lose. Talk about what you live for that you would lose if you were to die. 

Keep the Gospel First

Philippians 1:3-8

Faith Talk

  • Around a meal or bedtime ask those in your household to talk about a way they show that Jesus is important in their life or a way they would want to make Jesus more important in this coming year.  Pray together.
  • Talk during a car ride or at bedtime today about what is important in your life.  Then ask, "What's most important? Why?"  Where was Jesus on their list?  What would it look like for Him to be most important?

Don't Forget Who You Are!

Faith Talk

  • Review the five reminders of who we are found in Philippians 1:1-2. Talk about the way your life is to be shaped and impacted by each one. (1- “saint”; 2- “in Christ Jesus”; 3- “under overseers and deacons”; 4- “child of God our Father”; 5- “servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.”)
  • We learn from Philippians that as difficulties rise, so does our need to be reminded of who we are. Talk about how the difficulties you are facing try to shake and cripple the truth of who you are in Christ.

Rewind 2014 Sermon Recap

Philippians 1:27–28

Faith Talks

Over the next few days find some time to be alone and prayerfully think back over the year. What ways did God help you in 2014? Celebrate with others what God did.

By looking back over this last year, you may be able to see what activities produced hope, encouragement, and growth in your life. How can you give time and space to those activities in the future? Talk this over with others. 

Think: The Centrality of Jesus’ Majesty

Philippians 2:5-11

Faith Talk:

  • Dig deeper: What examples can you point to in Jesus’ life when He was willing to NOT be recognized, exalted, or known to be who He was?
  • Talk about times you have insisted on your own exaltation, where you attempted to be known or significant. Talk as well about times you embraced being overlooked, unrecognized, or unknown.
  • What are the situations in your life where following Jesus may call you to be content with being humble, unknown, or insignificant? Pray for each other.

Think: The Centrality of Jesus’ Humility

Philippians 2:5-11

Faith Talks

  • Jesus’ humility led him to embrace costly obedience. Celebrate points in your life when the cost of your obedience honored Jesus. 
  • None of us find ourselves in situations, like Jesus, where the call to obedience requires us to embrace a humiliating death. Still obedience is typically costly. Talk about ways you feel obedience to Jesus carries a high price.

Think: The Centrality of Jesus' Divinity


Philippians 2:5-11

Faith Talk

  • Talk about examples of the power of attitude … how the attitude you choose is more influential than the circumstances you face.
  • The fact that Jesus is God never changes. But the attitude that comes from denial of that fact will greatly effect your life. Talk about areas of life where you need to adjust your mindset to embrace that Jesus is God. 

Philippians - Snapshots 2

Acts 15:26-16:40

Faith Talk

  • Paul, like all of us, was a man in process. Talk about the ways Paul’s journey from selfishness to love impacts you or gives you hope for your journey.
  • In Acts 16 we saw 3 different people experience the truth of the Gospel in 3 different ways (1) reasoned dialogue; 2) power encounter; 3) exposure to a remarkably different life). Talk about the people in your life who don’t know Jesus yet. What might they need before they “get” the Gospel?