Build it! | Gratitude (Discussion Guide)

A pdf of this Guide is available here.

Life Group Discussion Guide :: Sunday, November 18, 2012 (JXG) 

Sandy Lake Wesleyan :: Pastor Shawn

Build it! | Gratitude (week 6)

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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Pastor Shawn shared that there’s much more than meets the eye when it comes to “CMUs” (Concrete Masonry Unit), including that there a ‘top’ and ‘bottom.’ 

• What other aspects to these blocks did you find interesting?
• How do these details give us more insight into what it means to be part of building Christ’s Kingdom with the ‘blocks’ of our experiences?

Most importantly, we learned there is a right way and a wrong way to use CMU building blocks; the same is true when it comes to building the Kingdom of Jesus. What are ways that we can use the right “blocks” (time, talent, treasure & experiences) in the wrong way when it comes to the Kingdom reality spoken of by Jesus?

“Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.” (Francis Chan)

• What are ways that a fear of failure can hinder us?
• What are ways that a fear of failure can move us to look for success in things that don’t really matter?
• What are symptoms of succeeding at things that don’t really matter?
• What do you think are the things that ‘matter most’ to God’s heart?
• How can we position ourselves to invest and succeed in the things that matter most?

“Gratitude serves as the mortar between the bricks of experience as God builds his Kingdom in and through us.”

• What happens if you build without mortar? With the wrong kind of mortar?
• How is this a warning for us when it comes to gratitude?
• How do we allow our experiences to be ‘positioned’ in such a way that God can build something lasting out of them?
• What are indications that we have allowed our experiences to be mis-placed? If this has happened, what can we do?

Read Matthew 18:21-25

• Why is it significant that the King forgave the man’s debt?
• What is significant about the servant lording debt over his peer?
• Why do you think Jesus used a story about financial debt to share about forgiving offenses?
• What do you think would have happened if the first servant had operated out of gratitude?
• What are ways gratitude or a lack of gratitude can alter the trajectory of our lives? Do you have examples of this from your own life?
• How is holding onto offense a symptom of our lack of gratitude for what God has done?

Read James 1:2-4

• How does gratitude position us to be joyful in difficult circumstances?
• How is gratitude a mark of maturity in the life of a Christ follower?
• How are gratitude and perseverance intrinsically linked?
• How can your Group call each other to ‘more’ in light of this?

We were asked, “Where is a lack of gratitude limiting what God can to build in your life?” 

• Take time to pray for each other that God would search your hearts and answer this question for you.
• What are ways we can determine where this might be?
• What are practical ways we can operate with greater gratitude?
• Share with one another one area God is indicating the need for a greater gratitude in your life--areas He wants to build stronger, higher, or bigger for His Kingdom but has been limited--pray for each other and check-in with each other about how God is working in you.

Read 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Pray for each other, that God would help you individually and as a Group to build with care using materials that are eternal. Ask Him to show you where you’re building with things that will not last and lead to no reward. Pray for Him to help you be passionately faithful.

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What ‘missional expression’ (opportunity to be ‘Jesus with skin on’) is God calling your Group to? Please prayerfully consider where God would have you serve in a practical way and communicate this with Pastor Jeremiah. If you need ideas, don’t hesitate to connect with the church office.