Life Group Discussion Guide: October 21, 2012 (Build it! | Week 1)

Note: This Guide is available for download as a .pdf here.

Life Group Discussion Guide :: Sunday, October 21, 2012 (JXG) 

Sandy Lake Wesleyan :: Pastor Shawn

Build It! | Week 1

Remember, this Guide is not intended as an exhaustive list of what can be discussed, but is best used as a guide to help your Group process what God is teaching them. Read through the discussion points below and prayerfully consider what the Holy Spirit would have you work through.

 Be sure to pray for, encourage each other, and share the victories God is giving your Group.

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Read Luke 13:18-21

Why do you think Jesus uses these metaphors in describing his Kingdom? What does this show his desire to be for his Kingdom? What can we discern about our role in this Kingdom from these verses?

Jesus uses other descriptors of the Kingdom in Scripture; what are some of them? Why are these significant?

The challenge in the opportunity of building God’s Kingdom is knowing that business doesn’t equate to being productive.

What are ways you see this in your own life? How is this reflected in the reality of Christ’s Kingdom?

By the use of our time, talent, treasure, we are building a kingdom: we’re either building the Kingdom of God or the kingdom of darkness (with us set up as ‘king’)… what we pursue reveals the Kingdom we’re building.”

How can we determine which kingdom we’re building?

How can we be more aware of what we’re pursuing?

How do we redirect what we’re pursuing?

Read Matthew 6:33

How does this show us how God works?

How is this an invitation to us?

One way people read this is as a formula for prosperity. How do we know this isn’t what Jesus intended in this statement?

We used this ‘quiz’ -- True or False:

:: The Kingdom of God is about life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness (F)

:: The Kingdom of God is something that has not yet come. (F)

:: The Kingdom of God is something already here...now. (T)

:: Those who follow Jesus are already in the Kingdom of God. (T)

:: The Kingdom of God is marked by a freedom from suffering. (F)

:: We build the Kingdom of God for Him in His absence. (F)

What are the implications of these realities for us?

What Scriptural evidences do we see of these?

What experiences have you had that demonstrate these truths?

Read Colossians 1:9-14

What are the ways we are shown we can please God? How do these things reveal a life worthy of the Lord?

How are these things ‘backwards and upside down’ from the things of the kingdoms of this world?

How do these give glimpses of a pain, effort, and difficulty associated with God’s Kingdom?

How does knowing that pain, hardship, and cost are part of the Kingdom of God help us to remain engaged in that Kingdom rather than moving to build something else?

How do we avoid making this a task-list, but seeing these items as marks of a committed, growing Christ follower? What is the danger in making this a check-list of things to work out in ourselves vs. evidence of growth in Jesus?

What do you think it means that God has ‘qualified [us] to share in the inheritance...of the Kingdom of light’?

Read Mark 10:13

What does it mean to receive the Kingdom of God like a ‘little child’?

How do we know if we’ve done this? How can we help each other do this?

Invite your Group members to prayerfully reflect on these questions: 

Where am I busy but not productive for His Kingdom? 

Where am I building with things that will ‘burn up’ and not matter in the end?

Take time to pray for each other that…

:: God would give you clarity as you ask him this question.

:: You would be found productive, but not busy.

When you gather as a Group again, ask each other what God has shown you in answer to this question...and commit to accountability in these areas.

Part of engaging in this Kingdom and ‘Living SENT’ is taking the hope, truth, and power of Jesus’ Kingdom to those who are outside of it.

Discuss: What are the opportunities for your Group to connect with people who may be far from God? What are the ways your Group can live as ‘Jesus with skin on’ in practical ways in our region? 

We’re challenging every Life Group to again engage in at least one missional expression--please connect with Pastor Jeremiah if you need help finding opportunities.