Vision: Thanksgiving Essentials

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THANKSGIVING ASSESSMENT

1. Would the people who live nearest to you characterize you as a complaining person or a thankful person?

2. When you look at your world, do you find yourself celebrating God's common grace?

3. Do you view yourself as one who has been constantly short-changed and or do you view yourself as one who has been unfairly showered with blessings?

4. Do you choose to focus your communication on what is broken and wrong or do you tend to communicate what is beautiful and good?

5. What is your tendency? In your relationships, are you encouraging friends and family to continue their grumbling or are you encouraging friends and family to find reasons to give thanks to God?

6. What is your tendency? In your relationships, do you find yourself frequently tearing others down or do you find yourself frequently building others up?

7. What is your plan to cultivate the discipline that Paul calls Thanksgiving? 


Vision: Discover & Treasure Jesus

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Faith Talks:

Please set aside at least 10 minutes this week as a household to have an honest talk about what God spoke to you in the sermon today.

1.We are called to lay aside every weight and sin. Over the next week or two take 1-3 hours to get alone with God.  Ask God to reveal to you the weights and sins in your  life that would hinder you from running well. Write them all down and create a plan with the Lord to change those things. 

2. When you think about the cloud of witnesses and Jesus cheering you on in your race, how does that make you feel? 

3. How can you let the truth that you play a crucial part in God's plan for redeeming all things impact the way you live everyday?


Vision: Lead Like Jesus

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Faith Talks:

1.  If Jesus has such a high view of what we can become in Him, why do we consistently keep selling ourselves short?  Name 2 ways you sell yourself short. 

2, Are there any areas of your life that are either off limits, or have not be submitted (surrendered) to the Lordship authority of Jesus Christ? What are they, and why are they off limits? 


Vision: Follow Jesus Into Every Area of Life

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Faith Talks:

1. Which of the two “bookshelf” illustrations do you identify the most? Why?

2. Can you think of a moment when following Jesus brought joy to you?

3. What is a current area in your life where you find it difficult to follow Jesus? And which of the three obstacles considered today may be preventing you from following him?


Judges: Men without chests

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Faith Talks:

  1. Micah’s view of God was to demonstrate religious effort to gain access to God so that God would do what Micah wanted. Can you see that in the religious culture around us? In what ways have you see that in your life?

  2. Chapter 18 opens with the statement that there was no king in Israel. In the story of Micah and the Danites, what is the indication that there is no King? 

  3. C.S. Lewis used the phrase 'men without chests'. A man or person without a chest is a person that operates from their head (reason) and their gut (appetites). They are strategic in their thinking, but what ultimately drives them is their appetite. Their chest would be the place of identifying what they worship, coming under authority and ordering their values. The result is saying no to certain appetites at certain times. So, how is your chest? Is it healthy? What are the areas of your life that are driven more by your gut (appetite) than the chest and the voice of God?


Judges: The Death of Samson

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Faith Talks:

  1. Examine your heart for God.  Would you say your heart is alive, numb, or mostly dead toward God?  Explain your answer to a trusted friend. 

  2. In Samson’s life we see many sinful issues: pride, lust, anger, vengeance, complacency, rejection of God’s call.   Are any of these causing your heart to drift from God?  If so, make this a matter of repentance and process.  Ask God to realign your heart so you rely on Him and live from a heart aligned with the will of God for your life. 


Judges: Samson Begins

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Faith Talks:

  1. In Judges 14, we find the people of Israel very comfortable among the Philistines. In what ways does the story indicate that Samson and Israel have assimilated into Philistine culture, that they are no longer distinct as God’s people?

  2. Why is assimilation into culture so attractive to God’s people? In what ways have you felt that pressure in your own life?

  3. In the story of Samson, what does God do for his people who have assimilated into the culture of the Philistines? In what ways has God worked in your life to rescue you from being assimilated into a culture that is against God?

  4. There are many things Samson did that were empowered by the Holy Spirit, yet his life was filled with compromise. What is the warning you receive from Samson’s life?


Judges: The Birth of Samson

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Faith Talks:

  1. What’s one way you would want God to use your life to shape the next generation? Write it down and share it with a trusted friend. Commit to pray over this for 1 year.

  2. What ‘good things’ in your life can you set aside to devote yourself to God? Name them and setup an accountability relationship to help you.


Judges: Jephthah

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Faith Talks:

  1. What does it mean that idolatry and slavery go hand in hand?
  2. Jephthah obviously did not know the character or ways of God. What are some ways in which your view of God has been based more on tradition and culture then on how God has reveled himself in scripture?
  3. What did you learn today are the signs of true repentance and how can you cultivate true repentance?

Judges: Gideon Part 3, The Cost of Compromise

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Faith Talks:

  1. What are the patterns of failure in Gideon’s that become more obvious in the failure of Abimelech?
  2. What are patterns of failure in the generation before you that you wrestle with and desire victory over?
  3. What hope does this story point to and what hope do you have for winning the battle over the sin of the previous generation?

Judges: Gideon Part 2

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Faith Talks:

  1. What are things that God has revealed to you about himself that have enabled you to be bold in the face of opposition?
  2. Can you identify times in your own life where God has weakened you? In those times of weakness in what ways did you see God’s strength and deliverance?
  3. It seems that God does a lot of work in order to be praised. Why is it so important that God is praised or that God is glorified?

Judges: Gideon Part 1

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Faith Talks:

  1. What are things that God has revealed to you about himself that have enabled you to be bold in the face of opposition?
  2. Can you identify times in your own life where God has weakened you? In those times of weakness in what ways did you see God’s strength and deliverance?
  3. It seems that God does a lot of work in order to be praised. Why is it so important that God is praised or that God is glorified?

Judges: 7/29

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Faith Talks:

  1. What are the leadership tests in front of you?

  2. In what ways have you said yes to following God into those leadership tests and in what ways have you given your glory to another?


Judges: The Need for a Unifying Leader

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Faith Talks:

  1. What causes you to lose sight of God? 

  2. What are patterns in your life that need to be broken? 


Judges: A Spectacular Mess

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Faith Talks:

  1. Why do you think that second generation, the one after Joshua’s generation was so lost?

  2. Discuss areas in your life where you can identify the reality of both the unconditional and a conditional aspect of God’s promises? 


Judges: The Fallout of Compromise

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Faith Talks:

  1. Are there any compromises in your life that are (or have been) affecting your faith?  Intentionally repent of these and ask Jesus to help you.
  2. Are there any values in your life that have become idols?  What is one step you can take to remove that idol from your life? 

Taste of Mission - June 2018

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Faith Talks

Are you creating space for the upward dimension of your life?  (If yes talk about how you do that, if no talk about why not)

What ways do you currently invest in the inward dimension of your life? (Christian community) Are you satisfied with how connected you are? Explain. 

Talk about spaces around you where you can start investing in the outward dimension of your life. This means being apart of the revitalizing and restorative work of the Gospel in the people around you.


Knowing God: Living out the Roles of Men & Women

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Faith Talks:

  1. What are questions that you have regarding the Biblical role of men and women? 
  2. What did you hear from the panel today that was helpful for you?
  3. In what ways do you desire to grow in your identity as male or female and what are some practical steps that you can take to grow?

Knowing God: Doctrine of the Roles of Men & Women

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Faith Talks:

  1. Sometimes the first step towards health is an honest recognition of what’s unhealthy. Talk with a trusted friend about times when you have experienced leadership which has left you afraid of trusting leaders again.
  2. Review the 3 suggestions to follow well: 1) hope in One who is greater, 2) prefer and defer, and 3) use your strength to nurture another’s leadership. Which one do you want/need to grow in? Talk about one step towards that growth.

Knowing God: To follow Jesus do I have to believe God designed a distinction between the roles of men and women?

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Faith Talks:

  1. In what ways have you seen or experienced sinful or fallen maleness and sinful femaleness?

  2. In what ways have you participated in or felt a desire to live out your maleness or femaleness in sinful ways?


Knowing God: Living Resurrection Reality

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Faith Talks:

  1. Write down an issue in your life that involves suffering or frustration.  How can this situation increase your hope in the resurrection? 

  2. What truth about heaven and the resurrection did you find most interesting? Email that to one of the pastors.  

  3. In what way can you see your current life affected by your belief in heaven and resurrection?  Share this with a trusted friend.


Knowing God: To follow Jesus do I have to believe in heaven and the resurrection?

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Faith Talks:

  1. Talk about your level of certainty regarding heaven and resurrection. In what way can you see your current life affected by your belief in heaven and resurrection? 

  2. We all have questions about heaven and resurrection. Talk about your questions. Make a list and come prepared next weekend to see what questions get answered. 


Knowing God: Application of Spiritual Gifts

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Faith Talks:

  1. Talk about what you think if your top motivational spiritual gift. 
  2. Are you currently using your spiritual gifts? Why or why not? 
  3. What are next steps you can take to discover, develop and deploy your spiritual gifts?
  4. Fill out the connect card with your top motivational spiritual gift.

Knowing God: Doctrine of Spiritual Gifts

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Faith Talks:

 

  1. Talk through each of the spiritual gifts; which two most resonate with you? 
  2. Why do you think knowing and developing your spiritual gift is so important from God’s perspective? 
  3. Where are you in your journey to discover, develop and deploy your spiritual gifts? 
  4. What are next steps you can take to discover, develop and deploy your spiritual gifts?

Knowing God: Spiritual Gifts

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Faith Talks:

 

  1. Based on today’s teaching what are two significant things that we miss when we do not employ our spiritual gifts?

  2. Share a story of a time when God used you to bless another person as you followed Jesus using your spiritual gifts.

  3. Prayerfully consider talking to another person, this week, about any obstacles you face  when thinking about using  or when using your spiritual gifts.


Knowing God: Resurrection

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Faith Talks:

 

  • According to the teaching today why was the resurrection so important to the early church?
  • How could a belief in the resurrection of a man 2000 years ago impact your life today? 
  • Be intentional, or as Pastor Nate said last week, be subversive and plan together 1 or 2 things that you will do this week because Jesus is alive.

Knowing God: What does the Atonement change?

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Faith Talks:

  • In what aspect of Jesus’ New World (citizenship, identity, status, posture, relationship, purpose, your body, hope) do you MOST need to fight for faith?
  • Talk together about creative ways to do intentional “acts of subversion” so you can hold onto faith in Jesus in defiance against the World we live in.

 


Knowing God: Atonement Past, Present & Future

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Faith Talks:

  • Which of the three views of atonement we looked at today (Christus Victor, Christus Exemplar, Regeneration) stick out to you as most/least accessible?   Explain your thoughts to a trusted friend.
  • Do you tend to think of atonement more as past, present, or future?  Share your thoughts with a trust friend this week. 
  • How does being ‘at-one’ with Jesus change the way you approach each day?  Be specific.  List 2-3 things that you want to change.

Knowing God: To follow Jesus do I have to believe He died for my sins?

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Faith Talks:

  • What are you currently involved in where you need the presence of God?  If you aren't involved in anything where you need his presence talk about why not. 
  • Talk about a time in your life when you felt like the presence of God protected, empowered, or encouraged you to live out the things of the kingdom.  
  • Pray everyday this week for clear signs of the presence of God in your life.

 


Knowing God: Living the Doctrine of the Kingdom

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Faith Talks:

  • What are you currently involved in where you need the presence of God?  If you aren't involved in anything where you need his presence talk about why not. 
  • Talk about a time in your life when you felt like the presence of God protected, empowered, or encouraged you to live out the things of the kingdom.  
  • Pray everyday this week for clear signs of the presence of God in your life.

Knowing God: Why Church? Ephesians 4:11-16

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Faith Talks:

  1. Talk about ways Jesus' Church has been His Body -- acting on His behalf in this World. Think about in your own life, in the life of LFA, even in other countries.
  2. Talk about your place in Jesus' Body. What gifts has He given you? In what ways have you served? Are there ways you would want to serve?

Knowing God: I like Jesus but I don't like the church

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Faith Talks:

  1. What ways can you relate to the statement “I like Jesus but I don't like church”
  2. What did you learn today about the dangers of independence?
  3. What did you learn today about the blessing of interdependence?
  4. What will you do about the areas in your life where you lean towards the idolatry of independence?

Shout It Out - Shepherding the Heart of the Next Generation

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Faith Talks

  • Talk together about 1-2 positive aspects of the culture of your household. What positive things would you say characterize your time together? 
  • Talk together about 1 of the 5 areas of culture you would want to pay attention to as a household. What steps might you take? How might Greg’s sermon on the “4 G’s” help you?

Shout It Out - Essential Messages for the Next Generation

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Faith Talks

In what ways has God communicated in the Bible that he is good, great, glorious and gracious?

In what ways has God demonstrated in your life that he is good, great, glorious and gracious?

In what ways do you communicate “without words” that God is good, great, glorious and gracious?

Can you identify ways that you communicate “without words” that God is not  good, great, glorious and gracious?


When it feels like Jesus isn't showing up...

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Faith Talks

According to the teaching this morning in what way DID the arrival of Jesus bring peace on earth?

According to the teaching this morning in what way WILL Jesus bring even more peace?

What can you do to grow in your awareness and experience of the peace that Jesus offers?


Begging for Jesus' Arrival

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Faith Talks

Talk together about the times and situations where you are most tempted to become self-focused and selfish. If necessary, ask each other for forgiveness and pray for each other.

Talk together about people in your life who might be in need of a selfless act of kindness from you — make plans for what you can do for them over this week leading to Christmas.


What kind of people qualify for Jesus' Arrival?

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Faith Talks

What are some things you were hoping God would do for you?  Commit to making these things  a daily prayer list.  Try matching these desires with specific Scriptures.  

Pick one day a week to fast  during Advent - feel what hunger feels like.  Do you long for God like you long for food ?  

Carve out a 15 minute block one a week to be in silence with God.   Ask Him to speak to you, and just listen for Him in your heart.


What is it like when Jesus Arrives?

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Faith Steps

What are some things you were hoping God would do for you?  Commit to making these things  a daily prayer list.  Try matching these desires with specific Scriptures.  

Pick one day a week to fast  during Advent - feel what hunger feels like.  Do you long for God like you long for food ?  

Carve out a 15 minute block one a week to be in silence with God.   Ask Him to speak to you, and just listen for Him in your heart. 


When Jesus Arrives

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Faith Steps

What are some things you were hoping God would do for you?  Commit to making these things  a daily prayer list.  Try matching these desires with specific Scriptures.  

Pick one day a week to fast  during Advent - feel what hunger feels like.  Do you long for God like you long for food ?  

Carve out a 15 minute block once a week to be in silence with God.   Ask Him to speak to you, and just listen for Him in your heart.