Questions for Final Fall Week

Fall Schedule

SUNDAY // NOON
Luis & Jennifer

TUESDAY NIGHT // 7PM
The Moon’s 

NO THURSDAY GROUP
Halloweenie Handout Time!!!

ALL GROUPS GATHER IN THE LOBBY

Fill in the blank. Before _______ it is not acceptable to decorate or play Christmas music for any reason.

Have you ever worked with someone who made the place a better place to be? What did they do?
 
When you hear the word “minister,” what comes to mind?  How do our  ideas about ministry and God’s potentially differ?

Read Colossians 3:23-24 & Matthew 25:40.  What do these verses tell us about turning your marketplace into a mission field?
 
What are the benefits of viewing work this way? Have you ever experienced any of those?

Read Romans 15:7.  Accepting others unconditionally is a practical way to minister in the marketplace.  What makes this so challenging, but also so potentially powerful?  Who do you need to accept better at work?

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:11 & Ephesians 4:29.  How have you seen the power of encouragement at work?  Whose someone you can encourage this week?  Write their name down.

Read Colossians 3:13.  What would this verse in action look like where you work, and who you work with?

Read Proverbs 3:27.  What are your biggest barriers to helping others more willingly?  What do those things tell us about our heart or faith?  How do you overcome them to better minister to people? 

Has this series changed your perspective about work? How? What will you do next?     

NEXT S.T.E.P.
Read & journal on the verses we looked at today.
What can we pray for?
What and when is our service event?
Who/what are we pooling our resources for, and when?

Questions for Week Seven (Oct 20th - Oct 24th)

Fall Schedule

SUNDAY // NOON
Luis & Jennifer

TUESDAY NIGHT // 7PM 
The Moon’s

THURSDAY NIGHT // 7PM
Ted & Misty

ALL GROUPS GATHER IN THE LOBBY

After reading and journaling on Mark 14:3-9, does anyone have anything they want to share?

What was your worst job or boss and why?

Studies have shown people are more likely to commit suicide from Sunday evening to Monday morning. What makes Monday’s so difficult?

In this opening message, we talked about motivations for work. Be honest, what are the top 3 reasons why you work? How do your top 3 reasons for work impact your perspective of work?

Read 1 Timothy 5:8 and Proverbs 13:4. Necessity and prosperity are the two most basic reasons we get up and go to work. What kind of attitude does God want us to have about these?

As we began to work through the more important reasons for work, we talked about identity, a place to express our gifts. How have you seen work that fit your gifts be a blessing, and work that didn’t be a curse? How can we know we are in our sweet spot?

We also said God uses work to mature us. How have you seen God use work to develop your character?

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12. How does the way you work demonstrate what you believe to the watching world? Has this ever happened to you?

As we approached the two highest motivations for work, we first talked about generosity. Read 1 Timothy 6:18-19. Have you ever worked harder so that you could be more generous? What would that do to your soul?

Finally, we work to prepare ourselves for heaven. Yes, we will have jobs, duties and responsibilities based on how faithful we were in this life. How could that change your Monday?

NEXT S.T.E.P.
Read and journal on the above verses this week.
What can we pray for?
Halloweenie Handout?
Who/what are we pooling our resources for, and when?

Questions for Week Six (Oct 13th - Oct 17th)

Fall Schedule

SUNDAY // NOON
Luis & Jennifer

TUESDAY NIGHT // 7PM 
The Moon’s

THURSDAY NIGHT // 7PM
Ted & Misty

ALL GROUPS GATHER IN THE LOBBY

After spending a week reading and journaling on Psalm 27:4-14, does   anyone have anything they want to share?

What was your first job? How long did you do it?

What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind after you are gone?

Be honest, how much of what preoccupies our lives right now will contribute to that legacy? In other words, what are you doing right now that will last for all of eternity?

Read Mark 14:3-9. As best you can remember, what all was taking place in these verses? (Also see John 12)

We said devotion comes before promotion. That salvation  is free, it costs you nothing. But, following Jesus will cost you something. What does that mean, and what is it costing you to follow Jesus?

What did Mary’s devotion cost her, and what was the result of her sacrifice?

We also said the opportunity of a lifetime must happen within the lifetime of the opportunity. How did we see this in our story? What are the implications if we want to live a life of significance?

We said significance isn’t found in what you accumulate, but in what you can give away. Read Mark 14:6-8 again. Mary did what she could and Jesus praised her for it. What can you do today?

What kind of eternal significance do you think could come if everyone at our church followed Mary’s lead?

NEXT S.T.E.P.
Read & journal Mark 14:3-9.
What can we pray for?
Halloweenie Handout?
Who/what are we pooling our resources for, and when?

Questions for Week Five (Oct 6th - Oct 10th)

Fall Schedule

SUNDAY // NOON
Luis & Jennifer

TUESDAY NIGHT // 7PM 
The Moon’s

THURSDAY NIGHT // 7PM
Ted & Misty

ALL GROUPS GATHER IN THE LOBBY

After spending a week reading and journaling on Nehemiah 13:1-22, does anyone have anything they want to share?

Would you rather time travel to the past, or the future? Why? 

Has there ever been a time when everyone else was afraid to do the right thing, but you did anyway just like David? What was the outcome?

Read 1 Samuel 17:40. We said David was on his knees putting things in a bag for what he needed in a coming difficulty. How does a posture of prayer and praise help us do the same before life’s battles? Has it ever helped you?

Read 1 Samuel 17:48-51 & 1 Samuel 21:8-9. What has taken place in David’s life between these two chapters?

How did David have a sword in Nob? What principle did we pull from this that is important for our future?

What lesson did we pull away from David charging Goliath, and how does it impact our ability for lasting change?

Had David not given the sword to the Lord, he would not have had a weapon in Nob. How is generosity an investment into your future? Can you share any examples?

David was unchangingly faithful and dependable. Why are those two qualities vital to keep your change?

Where did David receive protection and provision? What lesson can we learn from his example?

What’s the biggest thing God has shown you from the “Keep the Change” series and studies? What will you do next?   

NEXT S.T.E.P.

Read & journal Psalm 27:4-14.
What can we pray for?
Halloweenie Handout?
Who/what are we pooling our resources for, and when?
         

Questions for Week Four (Sept 29th - Oct 3rd)

Fall Schedule

SUNDAY // NOON
Luis & Jennifer

TUESDAY NIGHT // 7PM 
The Moon’s

THURSDAY NIGHT // 7PM
Ted & Misty

ALL GROUPS GATHER IN THE LOBBY

After spending a week reading and journaling on James 1:21-27, does anyone have anything they want to share?

What’s something few people know about you?  

Nehemiah was the kings cupbearer, a servant, when God put it on his heart to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city walls. However, God got what was in Nehemiah’s heart into the world through what was already in his hands. How have you seen God work this same way in your life?

Nehemiah faces opposition and haters when he tried to bring about change. What kind of pushback have you received after making changes to your life? How did you respond?

After the walls were rebuilt, the people participated in a 24-day revival to repent from not honoring God with their time, money and relationships. Which one of those is the hardest for you to honor God in and why?

Nehemiah leaves and does not return for 10 years. This is what he found upon returning. Read Nehemiah 13:1-22. We said your soul doesn’t have cruise control, that active attention is the price you pay for retention. How have you seen the truth of this in your life?

One of the steps Nehemiah took to get their change back was kick Tobiah out! How can being around the right  people help you keep your change?

Nehemiah also helped shape the environment for success by kicking out the merchants on the Sabbath. What are some things you can do in your life to not leave everything up to willpower?

Maybe of all the things we talked about, understanding failure is the most important in protecting your progress.  We said the key is to view failure not as a place to set up camp and live forever, but rather as a pit stop on the road to being who God made us to be. How do you need to apply that to your situation?

NEXT S.T.E.P.
Read & journal Nehemiah 13:1-22.
What can we pray for?
Halloweenie Handout?
Who/what are we pooling our resources for?

Questions for Week Three (9.22 - 9.26)

Fall Schedule

SUNDAY // NOON
Luis & Jennifer

TUESDAY NIGHT // 7PM 
The Moon’s

THURSDAY NIGHT // 7PM
Ted & Misty

ALL GROUPS GATHER IN THE LOBBY

After spending a week reading and journaling on Acts 3:1-16, does anyone have anything they want to share?

What fictional character do you wish you could meet, AND why?

• What would it take for you to believe your brother was the son of god? What validity does knowing James was Jesus brother give his writings?
• Read James 1:21-27.  James starts out by saying get rid of all the filth and wicked things from your life, the excessive, the unnecessary, the unhealthy, the things that hold you back.  The things where God says, “That’s the spot!”  Without getting into specifically what that was, unless you want to, has God ever brought something to light that you felt He wanted out of your life?  Describe that process of how He revealed it to you.
• Read James 1:21 again. The first way James says we do this is to stay put. To “welcome the Word” that is planted inside you. How can we be good soil for the word God plants inside us?
• What are the biggest enemies to “welcoming the Word?”
• Read James 1:22-24 again. What mentality do we need to adopt in order for God’s Word to make a difference? 
• How have you struggled with this? And, what have you found that’s helped you put it into practice? 
• Read James 1:26 again. What role do our words play in the change process? Give an example from your life.
• Read James 1:27 again. How have you seen putting yourself out there for God to use bring about change inside of you? 
• Based on this week’s message and discussion, what’s your next step?

NEXT S.T.E.P.

Study the Bible: Read & journal this week on James 1:19-27.

Take Care of Each Other: What can we pray for?

Embrace Serving: Halloweenie Handout???

Practice Generosity: Who/what are we pooling our resources for? 

Questions for Week Two (9.15 - 9.19)

Fall Schedule

SUNDAY // NOON
Luis & Jennifer

TUESDAY NIGHT // 7PM 
The Moon’s 

THURSDAY NIGHT // 7PM
Ted & Misty

ALL GROUPS GATHER IN THE LOBBY

Football is back, Starbucks has Pumpkin Spice, it’s still 90 outside, but what is your favorite thing about fall? 

What’s a change (big or small) you have tried to make in your life? Did you keep the change, or did you go back? What do you think made the difference either way?

Read Acts 3:1-16. We said the change you want might not be the change you need, what did the lame man want? What did the lame man really need? How have you seen this same dynamic at play in your own life?

We also said that healthy habits lead to holy moments. Peter and John were on their way to pray, as was their custom, when this miracle happened. What are a couple healthy habits you could do in order to keep the change?

Why is it so important to evaluate your relationships when you want to change, why do new relationships help us reach new places? What holds us back from doing this?

Read Acts 3:8 again, and Acts 4:1-14.  What do you notice about this man’s   response to God’s grace?  What was the outcome?  Who in your life needs to see and hear the change in you?         

NEXT S.T.E.P.
Study the Bible: Read & journal this week on Acts 3:1-16.
Take Care of Each Other: What can we pray for?
Embrace Serving: Halloweenie Handout???
Practice Generosity: Who/what are we pooling our resources for?

Questions for Week One (9.8 - 9.12)

For this opening week, we just want to break the ice and get to know each other better. Take a moment and come up with some answers for the following:

1. Come up with two truths about yourself and one lie.  Have the group guess which is the lie. 
2. Share with us 3 key people from your life, 3 key events from your life, and 3 key places.  Why are those special?
3. What brought you to the Suncoast?
4. What’s kept you coming back to the Suncoast?
5. What’s the scariest thing about groups? What apprehensions have you had or have?
6. What are you looking to get out of being in a group?
7. What’s one next step you are pretty sure God wants you to take this semester?