• Advent 2025 Week 2: He Is… Mary: When the Spirit Moves
    Scripture Reference: Luke 1:26-45

    Opening Question

    • As you reflect on this week’s message, what did you discover or were you reminded of about who God is?

    Discussion Questions

    1. Faith in the Impossible

    • Mary stepped into a situation that was confusing, risky, and seemingly impossible—and yet she trusted God.

      • What is one area in your life that currently feels impossible?

      • How do you typically respond when God asks you to trust Him in situations you don’t understand?

      • What would trusting God in that situation look like this week?

    2. Surrender and Letting Go of Control

    • Mary didn’t just believe—she surrendered: “I am the Lord’s servant.”

      • Where in your life are you holding tightly to control instead of surrendering to God?

      • How might your perspective or emotions change if you truly let go and said, “Here I am, Lord, do with me what You will”?

      • What fears or doubts surface when you think about surrendering completely to God?

    3. Worship as Response to God’s Beauty

    • Mary worshiped because she saw God’s majesty, not just His practicality.

      • Do you more often see God as practical (problem-solver) or beautiful (worthy of awe and adoration)? Why?

      • How might seeing God as beautiful, not just practical, change the way you worship Him daily?

      • Can you recall a time when recognizing God’s beauty in your life led you to genuine worship or awe?

    4. Real People, Real Emotions

    • The people in the Bible weren’t perfect—they had doubts, fears, and messy lives, just like us.

      • Which part of Mary’s story felt most relatable to you? Why?

      • How does seeing Mary as a “real person” rather than a perfect figure change your view of following God in your own life?

      • How can sharing your struggles with trusted people help you see God’s work more clearly, like Mary turning to Elizabeth?

    5. God’s Grace Over Merit

    • Mary was “highly favored” because of God’s grace, not because of what she had earned or deserved.

      • How do you tend to think about God’s grace in your own life—something you earn, something you receive, or something you often overlook?

      • When has God shown you favor or grace in a way you didn’t deserve? How did it change you?

      • How could embracing the idea of “finding favor with God” shift the way you approach your faith and decisions?

    Middle School/High School Question

    • Mary faced a really scary and confusing situation, but she chose to trust God and let Him work. Can you think of a time you had to trust God even when it didn’t make sense? What helped you?  And like Mary went to Elizabeth - who do you go to when when things feel impossible?

    Kids’ Question

    • This week you talked about asking for help. What is one thing you need help with this week, and who can you ask to help you?

  • Advent Week #1: He Is… Answer to Prayer

     

    1) Story-Minded Eyes: Seeing the Small Stories Point to the Big Promise

    Framing sentence to read: “The Bible isn’t mainly a rule book or a hero book — it’s a single, unfolding story whose center is a baby. Let’s practice noticing how our ordinary stories whisper His name.”

    Discussion prompts

    1. Which small, ordinary moment from your past do you now see as part of God’s larger story for you?

    2. When Monday shows up and Jesus isn’t named in the moment, how do you try to notice the ‘whispers’ of God? Give one practical habit or memory that helps you.

    3. How does remembering that our lives sit inside God’s long story change the way you carry daily frustrations or disappointments?

    4. Where today might you intentionally look for a “whisper” — a small sign of God at work — instead of demanding a big dramatic sign?

    2) From Silence to Assurance: Wrestling with Doubt While Trusting the Promise-Keeper

    Framing sentence to read: “Zechariah knew the promises in his head but still struggled in his gut. Advent holds both our longing and God’s faithful timing—let’s be honest there.”

    Discussion prompts

    1. Where are you holding one foot on the dock and one foot on the boat — believing with your mind but doubting in your heart? Name it if you can.

    2. How have you experienced God ‘disciplining’ you for your good rather than punishing you? Can you share what changed inside you as a result?

    3. When silence or delay feels like absence, what truth from Scripture or memory helps you move toward assurance?

    4. What would a small next-step of faith look like this week for someone who’s in that “one foot on/one foot off” place?

    3) Grace That Takes Away & the Response It Requires

    Framing sentence to read: “Elizabeth said God had ‘taken away her reproach.’ Advent is an invitation to bring what we can’t fix and ask Jesus to take it away — and then to respond with worshipful obedience.”

    Discussion prompts

    1. What is one burden, shame, or regret you’d be willing to name (briefly) and ask Jesus to ‘take away’ this Advent? (No pressure — share only what you’re comfortable with.)

    2. How does believing your salvation is secure (that God takes sin away forever) change the way you live day-to-day?

    3. Zechariah responded in worship and obedience after his time of silence. What does faithful response look like for you right now — one concrete act you could take this week?

    4. In what ways does knowing God both disciplines and saves you free you to serve or love others differently?

    Youth (12–18)

    Youth Topic: What Are You Hoping God Will Do?
    (You said you liked this — keep it simple, invite one concrete hope, and ask: “What’s one small way you’ll trust God about that this week?”)

    Children

    Children Topic: The Lord’s Will

    Invitation for the Week

    -          As a family, gather together each morning to pray for God’s will to be done in your lives that day.

    -          Talk about how it made a difference that day to seek God’s will instead of your own.

    Talk About

    -          What’s an opinion you feel really strongly about?

    Suggested Advent Rhythm for Groups & Individuals

     

    AN ADVENT PRACTICE for the GROUP: The “Pause + Promise” Practice
    (5 minutes a day • all Advent long)**

    1. PAUSE (1 minute)
    Each day, stop for one intentional moment of quiet.
    Take one slow breath in and one slow breath out.
    Pray simply: “Lord, I am here. Help me notice You.”

    2. READ A PROMISE (2 minutes)
    Choose one verse from the Gospels that points to who Jesus is.
    Groups can share a small list or choose their own.
    Examples for Week 1: Luke 1:13, Luke 1:37, John 1:14, Matthew 1:23.

    Read the verse slowly.
    Ask quietly: “What does this reveal about who Jesus is?”

    3. NAME ONE RESPONSE (2 minutes)
    End with a short, simple act of trust or obedience for that day.
    Something like:

    • “Today I will choose gratitude before complaint.”

    • “Today I will speak gently.”

    • “Today I will carry one person in prayer.”

    • “Today I will look for one ‘whisper’ of God’s presence.”

 

  • PHILIPPIANS 4:10-23
    “The Secret to Contentment”

    Opening
    Read Philippians 4:10–23 aloud together.  Open in prayer, asking God to guide the group toward honesty, reflection, and encouragement.

     

    Sermon Reflection

    1.    The sermon talked about the difference between our expectations and our experience being the place where contentment is most difficult.

    o    Where in life have you most powerfully felt that gap—marriage, finances, work, faith, family, health, etc.?

    2.    How do you typically respond when circumstances fall short of what you hoped?

    o    Frustration? Numbness? Self-reliance? Anxiety? Trust?

    3.    Paul says he had to learn contentment.

    o    What do you think God has been using in your life recently to teach you contentment?

    4.    Revisit the sermon’s three false views of contentment: Which misconception resonates most with you right now?

    o    “Jesus helps me win.”

    o    “Jesus is just for when things fall apart.”

    o    “Contentment means I have to feel good about everything.”

    o    How have these misconceptions shaped the way you view God, success, or your own spiritual maturity?

     

    5.    Revisit the four life-giving affirmations for a ‘through Christ’ life… FOUR LIFE-GIVING AFFIRMATIONS FROM PAUL

    o    I CAN THRIVE ANYWHERE: What is one situation in your life that feels like it would derail you if it got worse? What might it look like to “thrive through Christ” even there?

     

    o    I AM NOT ALONE: How have others carried you through a difficult season? Who right now might need you to step into their struggle with them? Is there any way we are being invited to walk with each other through a difficult season?

     

    o    I AM SUFFICIENTLY SUPPLIED: Paul distinguishes between what we want and what we need. Where do you struggle to trust that God knows the difference better than you do?

     

    o    I AM PART OF A BIGGER STORY: There’s a church in Caesar’s house! Why is that detail so stunning, and what does it remind us of? Where might God be working around you in ways you can’t yet see?

     

    Closing:

    If you could say one of Paul’s affirmations confidently this week, which one would it be—and what step could help you grow in it?

    • I can thrive anywhere.

    • I am not alone.

    • I am sufficiently supplied.

    • I am part of a bigger story.

    Close together in prayer, inviting Jesus to teach us the secret Paul learned—contentment through Him.

    Questions Specifically for Youth (Ages 12–18)

    Question 1: Paul says confidence and identity come from Christ—not success or “winning.”

    • Where do you feel the pressure to prove yourself right now (sports, grades, friends, activities, social media)?

    • What would change if your identity came from Christ instead of performance?

    Question 2: When life doesn’t go the way you hoped, it’s easy to feel frustrated or defeated.

    • Where have you experienced that recently?

    • What do you think it means to rely on Jesus for strength in those moments?

     

    Check-In Questions for Children (from the ‘Weekly At-Home’)

    Read Psalm 100:4 together.

    Ask the kids:

    1.    What is your favorite word to describe God right now?

    2.    Where have you seen God be good this week?

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  • Philippians 3:12-21

    Theme: Pressing On Toward Christ, Already and Not Yet

    Opening: Read Philippians 3:12-21 aloud together and open in prayer, asking God to guide the group to honesty, reflection, and encouragement.

    1. Identity in Christ
    Verse: 3:12 – “Because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”

    • Personal Reflection: Take 1–2 minutes to silently reflect: In what ways do you try to define yourself by performance, approval, or past achievements rather than by Christ? How does it feel to know your identity is fully secured in Him?

    • Pair/Small Group: Share one area of life where knowing you belong to Christ changes your perspective or choices.

    • Group Discussion/Prayer: Invite a few volunteers to share insights, and pray that the group would rest in the security of being Christ’s own.

    2. Already / Not Yet
    Verse: 3:12 – “Not that I have already obtained this…”

    • Personal Reflection: Which areas of your life feel fully redeemed right now? Which areas still feel “in progress”?

    • Pair/Small Group: Discuss how holding both realities—what is already true in Christ and what is not yet—affects hope, motivation, or daily decisions.

    • Group Discussion/Prayer: Share strategies or practices that help you live in this tension and pray for perseverance in areas still “in progress.”

    3. Pressing On
    Verse: 3:12 – “I press on to make it my own.”

    • Personal Reflection: What does “pressing on” look like in your own life? Are there specific habits, disciplines, or relationships that help you strain toward Christlikeness?

    • Pair/Small Group: Share one practical step you could take this week to press on in a specific area of growth.

    • Group Discussion/Prayer: Encourage the group to hold each other accountable and pray for strength and focus in pursuing Christ.

    4. Forgetting What Lies Behind
    Verse: 3:13 – “Forgetting what lies behind…”

    • Personal Reflection: Are there regrets, shame, or past failures that you feel called to release to God? What is keeping you from fully letting go?

    • Pair/Small Group: Share one thing you want to leave behind and pray for each other to experience God’s grace and freedom.

    • Group Discussion/Prayer: Invite testimonies of how letting go of the past has enabled growth in Christ and pray for healing in areas of struggle.

    5. Citizenship in Heaven
    Verse: 3:20 – “But our citizenship is in heaven.”

    • Personal Reflection: How does seeing yourself as a citizen of God’s kingdom, rather than this world, change your view of daily life, priorities, and relationships?

    • Pair/Small Group: Share one choice you could make this week that reflects your heavenly citizenship.

    • Group Discussion/Prayer: Discuss ways the group can encourage each other to live with eternal perspective and pray for kingdom-minded living.

    6. Awaiting Christ’s Return
    Verse: 3:21 – “…we await our Savior Jesus, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body.”

    • Personal Reflection: How does the hope of Christ’s return shape your motivation to live for Him now?

    • Pair/Small Group: Share one practical way you can live in light of His coming this week.

    • Group Discussion/Prayer: Pray for a fresh hope and expectation for Christ’s return and for hearts fully devoted to Him in response to this hope.

    Closing:
    Invite the group to reflect quietly for 1–2 minutes on their “one thing” this week—the single-minded focus or step they will take to press on toward Christ. End with a group prayer asking God to strengthen and guide each person as they live in the already/not-yet reality of His kingdom.

  • Philippians 3:1-11: “Jesus + Nothing = Everything”

    Opening Reflection

    Begin with a brief moment of quiet.
    Invite the group to sit before the Lord and reflect:

    “Jesus, help me to see what I’ve been clinging to — and help me to know You more.”

    Then read Philippians 3:1-11 aloud together.

    1. The Gospel We Never Graduate From

    Paul warns the Philippians about moving away from the gospel toward something “new.”

    • Where are you tempted to look for something “more” or “new” rather than resting in the simple good news of Jesus?

    • How can the group help one another keep returning to the heart of the gospel?

    (Encourage honesty here — even subtle ways people drift from grace.)

    2. The Scorecard of the Soul

    The sermon mentioned: “The moment you begin to put confidence in the flesh, be very, very careful, because you’re beginning to boast in yourself.”

    • What are the things that tend to show up on your personal “scorecard” — the ways you measure your worth before God or others?

    • How does the truth of “Jesus + Nothing = Everything” invite you to lay those things down?

    (Encourage people to name specifics — success, reputation, ministry service, control, moral performance, etc.)

    3. Knowing About Jesus vs. Knowing Jesus

    Paul’s desire was “that I may know Him.”

    • What do you think it means to truly know Jesus — not just know about Him?

    • How do you sense the Spirit inviting you to deepen that knowing in this season?

    4. Repentance Reimagined

    You spoke about repenting not only of our wretchedness but also our résumé and religion.

    • Which of those do you most resonate with — and what might repentance look like for you in that area?

    • How does repentance actually free us rather than shame us?

    (This can be a powerful time for vulnerability — let people share what the Spirit is surfacing.)

    5. The Paradox of the Gospel

    Paul says we lose everything to gain everything.

    • Where in your life might Jesus be inviting you to let something “die” so that His resurrection power can bring new life?

    • How could your group come alongside you in that process?

    (Encourage mutual prayer — perhaps break into pairs for a few minutes of prayer around this question.)

    6. Living the Way of Jesus Together (Practices for the Week)

    Choose one or both of these shared practices as a group this week:

    Practice 1: Lay Down the Scorecard

    Sometime this week, take ten quiet minutes before God.
    Write down the “things on your scorecard” — what you’ve been counting on to make you feel valuable or right with God.
    Then, one by one, cross them out and write “Jesus” across the page.
    Pray: “Lord, You are my righteousness. Knowing You is enough.”
    (Option: share what that was like in your group chat or next week’s gathering.)

    Practice 2: Know Him More

    Choose one simple way to be with Jesus this week — not to learn or produce, but simply to know Him.
    Examples:

    • Go for a 15-minute walk and talk with Jesus about what’s on your heart.

    • Read Philippians 3:7-11 slowly each day, asking, “Jesus, what are You saying to me today?”

    • End your day with this prayer: “Jesus, I want to know You.”

    (Invite the group to check in next week about what they noticed.)

    Closing Prayer

    End your time by praying Philippians 3:8-9 aloud together:

    “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord… that I may gain Christ and be found in Him.”

  • Philippians 2:19-30 – “Called to Serve”

    Opening Thought

    Paul holds up Timothy and Epaphroditus as living examples of humble service and gospel faithfulness — ordinary people who reflected Jesus’ extraordinary love. In them, we see what it looks like to “walk in a manner worthy of the gospel” in everyday life.

    Reflect & Go Deeper

    Use these questions to guide your group discussion and invite personal reflection:

    • 1. Sincere Care / Heart for Others

      Sermon focus: Timothy’s “genuine concern” and Epaphroditus’ devotion.
      Question: Who in your life needs to experience your care and attention this week? How could you show it in a way that is visible, sincere, and practical?

      2. Sacrifice and Risk in Service

      Sermon focus: Epaphroditus risking life, Parabalani risking all for others.
      Question: Is God calling you to step out in faith in a way that feels risky or sacrificial? How might you act boldly to serve others for the sake of the gospel?

      3. Being a Messenger

      Sermon focus: Every believer is a messenger of hope.
      Question: If someone were watching you today, what “message” about Jesus would they see in your words and actions? How could you intentionally communicate hope to someone this week?


    • 4. Paul's & Timothy's

    • Would you group consider what God might be inviting you into as a response to being not just a multi-generational church, but an intergenerational church?  How could it be better represented or practiced in your group?

    • - Are there ways for your group could be available to be a Paul to any younger people or younger believers? 

    • - Is your group the Timothy that needs to seek out a Paul to grow in Christ with?  

    • - If not your entire group, is anyone in your group feeling particularly challenged to respond in their personal life to this invitation - either as a Paul or as a Timothy?  Spend some time praying for that person. 


    • 5. Honor the Faithful

    • As a group, take time to do two things:

    • 1. Spend a few minutes in prayer together naming ways you see “Timothys” and “Epaphrodituses” in one another — speaking encouragement over the everyday faithfulness that often goes unnoticed.

    • 2. Identify someone in your church who quietly serves with faithfulness (an “Epaphroditus”). Write them a note, deliver a small gift, or pray over them as a way of saying, “We honor you.”Description text goes here

  • Philippians 2:12-18 – “Work Out Your Salvation With Fear and Trembling”

    1. Working From Salvation

    Paul says to “work out your salvation” not for it, but from it—participating in what is already true.


    Where in your life do you sense the Spirit inviting you to actively participate in your healing or transformation rather than staying passive? What might partnering with God look like this week?

    2. Formation Through Real Life

    The sermon emphasized that our real lives—the joys, inconveniences, and pains—are the “classroom” of our salvation.


    Can you identify a current circumstance that feels uncomfortable or exposing? Instead of asking God to remove it, what might God be trying to form in you through it?

    3. Fear & Trembling as Awe

    “Fear and trembling” was described not as anxiety, but as reverent awe that the living God is at work in you.


    When you consider that the Creator of the universe is actively working in you to will and act according to His good purpose, what emotions rise in you—resistance, gratitude, trust, fear? Why do you think that is?

    4. Grumbling vs. Trust

    Paul calls us to do everything without grumbling or arguing, pointing back to Israel’s longing for Egypt.


    Where are you tempted to grumble, complain, or go back to old coping mechanisms? What would it look like to hold firm to the word of life in that area instead of reaching for your old “bricks”?

    5. Shine Like Stars

    Paul’s vision is that those who practice the way of Jesus will “shine among them like stars in the sky.”


    Have you seen someone who shines with this kind of Spirit-formed joy or trust? What practices or postures in their life do you think led to that? What is one practice you feel called to commit to as you work out your own salvation?

  • Philippians 2:1–11 – “Imitate Christ: Be a Giver, Not a Taker”

    1. Recognizing Our Reality in Christ
    Paul lists five realities we experience in Jesus — encouragement, comfort, participation in the Spirit, affection, and sympathy.

    Which of these five realities feels most alive in your relationship with God right now — and which one feels harder to notice or receive?
    How might God be inviting you to experience that part of His heart more fully this week?

    2. Receiving Before Giving
    You said in the message: “The Christian life isn’t about performing for God; it’s about partnering with Him.”

    Where are you tempted to “perform” for God instead of partner with Him?
    What might it look like for you to slow down and instead of setting performance expectations - to ask the Spirit how you participate together in that area of life this week?

    3. The Posture of Unity
    Paul says to be of the same mind, same love, one spirit, and one purpose.

    In what relationship, setting, or situation do you sense God calling you to pursue unity — even if agreement isn’t possible?
    What practical step could you take this week to move toward that person or group with humility and love?

    4. The Practice of Humility
    C.S. Lewis said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.”

    Where is God inviting you to think of yourself less right now — in your family, work, or church life?
    What might change if you intentionally sought to lift someone else up in that space this week?

    5. The Way of the Servant
    Jesus “did not use His power for His own advantage, but emptied Himself” to serve.

    What “power” or “influence” do you hold — in your home, workplace, friendships, or community — that you could use for the good of others?
    How could you embody Jesus’ servant-heart in a tangible way this week?

    6. Worship and Response
    At the end of the passage, “every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

    What area of your life is hardest to surrender to His Lordship right now?
    How might this community pray with you and walk with you as you bring that area under His leadership?

    Group Prayer Prompt:

    Invite the group to close by thanking Jesus for His humility and asking for His mind and heart to shape theirs. I want to encourage you to pray specifically for one place in your week where you can “be a giver, not a taker.”

  • Philippians 1:12–30 | “For Me, To Live Is Christ”

    1. The Blank Check

    If your life were a blank check, what do you think you’ve been “spending it on” lately?
    What would it look like to hand that check back to God and say, “You fill it in”?

    2. Redefining Freedom

    Paul wrote these words from prison—and yet he was the freest man alive.
    How would you describe the difference between the world’s version of freedom and Paul’s kind of freedom?
    Where do you long to experience that kind of freedom?

    3. Seeing God in the Hard Places

    Paul saw that “what has happened to me has served to advance the gospel.”
    Can you name a situation in your life—past or present—where you can now see God at work even in hardship?
    How might that shape how you respond to current challenges?

    4. Fruitful Labor

    Paul saw his life as “fruitful labor” for Christ.
    Where do you sense God might be inviting you to invest your energy for His kingdom right now—at home, work, school, or in our community?
    Tangible step: identify one small act of obedience you could take this week that would make Christ known through your words, attitude, or service.

    5. Choosing Joy

    Instead of focusing on what was wrong, Paul chose to rejoice.
    What helps you fan the flame of joy when life feels hard?
    What might it look like for you to practice rejoicing this week—especially in a circumstance you’d normally complain about?

    6. Surrender & Prayer

    Paul’s declaration “For me, to live is Christ” was deeply personal.
    As you reflect today, is there something you sense God inviting you to lay down—a fear, comfort, or desire for control?
    Or is there a deep longing for freedom that you need prayer for?
    Take time to share what God is stirring and pray for one another—asking God to help each of us live with open hands and hearts that say, “My life is Yours; spend it however You want.”

    7. BONUS

    Did anyone in your group have a deep sense of invitation from the Spirit for some type of response? To go, to send, to invite, to share, to serve, to give - or anything else unique for your 'fruitful labor in Christ'?

    Have your group spend time prayer for that thing.

    If not, would you group spend time praying for one another that God would speak - and then see if He's got anything to say!

  • Philippians 1:3-11 – Relationships Matter

    Opening:


    Take a few moments to read Philippians 1:3-11 together. Then open with prayer, asking God to give insight and courage to live out what you discuss.

    1. Thankful Remembrance

    “I thank my God every time I remember you.” – Philippians 1:3

    • Who are the people in your life that stir gratitude in your heart when you think of them?

    • How often do you tell them you’re grateful for them?

    • Practical: This week, consider sending a note, text, or call to one of these people—not just to thank God for them, but to bless them by telling them personally.

    2. Praying with Joy

    “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.” – Philippians 1:4

    • Paul prays with joy despite being in a Roman jail. What does this tell you about the source of his joy?

    • How does your joy in prayer connect to your walk with Jesus rather than your circumstances?

    • Practical: Identify someone you can commit to pray for regularly this week. Share with the group how you plan to do this.

    3. Gospel Partnership

    “Because of your partnership in the gospel…” – Philippians 1:5

    • What does gospel partnership look like in your life? Are your closest relationships rooted in Christ?

    • Who are your “refrigerator rights” people—those who have access to your heart and are willing to speak truth in love?

    • Practical: Reflect on one relationship where you could deepen gospel partnership. What step can you take this week?

    4. Receiving the Gospel

    • Have you personally received the gospel? How would you explain it to someone else?

    • How does being a follower of Jesus shape your friendships and community life?

    • Practical: Think of someone who may not yet have received the gospel. How could you naturally share your story with them this week?

    5. Being Connected to the Body

    • Are you connected to a community of believers that encourages spiritual growth?

    • Have you ever experienced a “bad church moment” and been tempted to disconnect? How did you respond?

    • Practical: Identify one way you can invest more deeply in your church family or small group this week.

    6. Partnering in the Gospel through Action

    • Beyond prayer, in what ways can you actively partner in spreading the gospel—through invitation, testimony, or generosity?

    • How does your life reflect that you are not just a “receiver” but a “partner” in God’s work?

    • Practical: Choose one concrete action this week to participate in gospel work.

    7. Clinging to God’s Work in You

    “…he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion…” – Philippians 1:6

    • Where have you seen God at work in your life, even if it’s incomplete?

    • How does remembering that God finishes what He starts encourage you in your sanctification?

    • Practical: Share one area where you need to trust God to finish His work, and ask your group to pray for you.

    8. Experiencing the Affection of Christ

    • How do you experience the love of Christ today in prayer, Scripture, worship, and fellowship?

    • Who in your life helps you see God’s love through their actions?

    • Practical: This week, intentionally encourage someone with words or actions that reflect God’s affection toward them.

    Closing:
    Encourage the group to pray together, either in pairs or as a whole. Remind them of Paul’s example: pray with joy, for one another, and in partnership. Emphasize practical follow-through—sending a message, sharing a story, inviting someone to a gospel opportunity, or simply praying for them.

  • Grace and Peace (Philippians 1:1-2)

    Discussion Questions :

    1. Reflecting on Paul’s Transformation: Saul was known for “law and terror,” yet after encountering Jesus, he became a man of “grace and peace.” What patterns in your own life might Jesus want to transform? How have you seen Him take something from your past and use it for His purposes?

    2. Experiencing Grace: Paul’s greeting of grace wasn’t just a formality—it was a prayer for God’s unmerited kindness in people’s lives. What does receiving God’s grace look like for you personally? Are there areas where you struggle to accept grace?

    3. Experiencing Peace: Peace, in Paul’s understanding, is more than calm—it’s “the way things ought to be” in God’s kingdom. Where in your life do you need God’s peace right now? How might that peace change your relationships, work, or decision-making?

    4. Living as a Servant (Doulos): Paul identifies himself as a servant of Christ, not defined by past successes or failures. In what ways are you tempted to define yourself by achievements or mistakes? How might embracing your identity as a servant of Christ reshape your choices this week?

    5. God’s Work in Others: Paul couldn’t have predicted that sharing the gospel with just a few people in Philippi would result in a thriving church years later. How does this challenge you to think about the small acts of obedience in your life? How might God be using you in ways you can’t yet see?

    Ideas for some Group Responses to do during your time together:

    1. Letter of Blessing: Have each person write a short letter of grace and peace to someone in the group, expressing encouragement, affirmation, or prayer for them. Read them aloud or exchange them at the end of the session.

    2. Grace Reflection Activity: Sit in pairs or small groups and share a moment where you experienced God’s grace transforming your life. Invite prayer for continued openness to God’s work.

    3. Peace Mapping: On paper, draw a “map” of areas in your life that feel unsettled or anxious. Together, pray over those areas, asking God to bring His peace to each situation.

    Ideas for the week ahead:

    1. Daily Grace & Peace Check-In: Each day, pause for a few minutes to intentionally ask God to give you His grace and peace in your life. Journal how you see Him working in you and through you.

    2. Obedience in Small Things: Identify one small act of obedience you can do this week that might impact someone else—whether it’s a word of encouragement, a prayer, or a tangible act of service. Track it and reflect on how God might use it beyond what you see.

 

  • Practice of Community: Stay together to grow
    (september 14, 2025)

    The invitation this week is once again simple for your group...

    - Gather around a table.

    - Share your joys and sorrows.

    - Confess your sin.

    - And share conversation about what it means for you to stay together to grow.  What are the ways your group can wade just a little bit deeper into the waters of Jesus vision of community?

    End by reading scripture, or singing a song, or with communion before closing your time by praying together.

  • Optional Conversation Starters

    If you need a way to break the ice before going deeper, here are some fun table conversation starter resources:

    Start Small: Click here for “Start Small” questions

    Go Deeper: Click here for “Go Deeper” questions

    Discussion Questions (from the sermon)

    Use these as time allows:

    01 Where did you feel challenged or invited as you listened?

    02 What do you notice about how shame affects your interactions with God and others?

    03 What thoughts or feelings emerge when you consider the possibility of being “fully known and fully loved” in community?

    04 In what ways do you think the Gospel influences how we confess or receive someone else’s confession?

  • This week we are practicing what Jesus modeled in Mark 14—sharing both our joys and our sorrows in community.

    Step 1 – Gather for a Meal

    • Share food together (potluck style, ordered in, or something simple).

    • Remember: the meal doesn’t have to be fancy—the point is being together.

    Step 2 – Put Jesus at the Center

    • Begin with prayer or reading a short scripture.

    • This week you might use Acts 2:42–47 or John 15:11 (“That my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete”).

    Step 3 – Share Your Highs & Lows

    • Go around the table and let each person share a joy (high) and a sorrow (low) from their week.

    • The goal is not to fix each other’s problems but to listen, encourage, and pray.

    Optional Conversation Starters

    If you need a way to break the ice before going deeper, here are some fun table conversation starter resources:

    Start Small: Click here for “Start Small” questions

    Go Deeper: Click here for “Go Deeper” questions

    Discussion Questions (from the sermon)

    Use these as time allows:

    1. Dr. Lustig argues that our culture is addicted to chasing short-term pleasure (dopamine) rather than lasting happiness (serotonin). Where do you see that most in your own life or in the people around you?

    2. Why do you think Jesus designed community life to center around the table? What does a meal around a table offer that other settings don’t?

    3. Jesus modeled both joy (the Agape Feast, John 15:11) and sorrow (Garden of Gethsemane, Mark 14). Which is harder for you personally to share with others—your joys or your sorrows? Why?

    4. Nehemiah said, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” How have you experienced joy giving you strength to endure hardship or resist temptation?

    5. What do you think it will take for our group (or for you personally) to move from superficial conversations to sharing life—both joys and sorrows—around the table?

  • Opening Exercise: Share a Meal Together

    We invite you to begin each session by sharing a meal together as the baseline for the remainder of the Practice of Community. You may already share a weekly meal with another group, such as a home community or small group. In that case, feel free to adapt this practice to your own life. But if at all possible, begin each of the next three sessions by sharing a meal together.

    Tips for Planning Your Weekly Meal

    1. Choose Your Place(s): Decide on the location(s) where you will host your dinners.

    2. Set a Consistent Day and Time: Choose a specific day and time each week that works for everyone, ideally before each of the remaining sessions.

    3. Organize a Potluck Style Meal: Have everyone sign up for specific elements (mains, desserts, drinks). Be mindful of any dietary restrictions in the group.

    4. Encourage Contributions Beyond Food: Participants can also help with setting and cleaning up.

    5. Start with Prayer: Begin your meal together by reading this prayer aloud:

    O Triune God,
    Father, Son, Holy Spirit — the joyful relationship at the center of the Universe.
    Let us not be mistaken to think that the ordinary nature of this gathering means You are not here.
    Meet us, O Lord, in every curious question, honest prayer, and offering of attention.
    May we share in Your life as we now share in one another’s.
    For some, the table brings memories of connection and plenty; for others, absence and lack.
    Grant us compassion, O Lord.
    May the table we set be wide enough for all these stories.
    Open our hearts to love today, knowing that in receiving our brother, our sister, we are surely receiving You.
    Amen.

    Table Conversations & Discussion Starters

    Reflection Questions – Practicing Community

    Use these questions to reflect on the Practice of Community as a whole. Encourage conversation, story-sharing, and honesty:

    1. What drew you to gather around this table tonight?

      • How does sharing a meal together feel different from other gatherings in your life?

    2. What do you notice about yourself as you sit in this group?

      • Are there thoughts, feelings, or habits that come to light when you’re in close community?

    3. Where have you experienced the gift of community before, and where has it been hard?

      • How have relationships shaped your life, both positively and in challenging ways?

    4. What does it mean to you to ‘practice community’ in the Way of Jesus?

      • How does this idea stretch, inspire, or challenge your current way of living?

    5. How might you take one step this week to engage more deeply in community?

      • What is one small action—sharing a meal, reaching out, listening—that you could try?

    Closing Thought

    Community is not about perfection—it’s about showing up, listening, and being present with one another. This week, your invitation is simple: set the table. Share a meal, open conversation, and practice being together. Small steps, repeated over time, create the rhythm of love, encouragement, and growth that Jesus calls us into.

 

 

    1. Reflect and Recap:
      What stood out to you from this message? Was there something about Jesus’ descent to the dead that was new or surprising to you?

    2. Facing Mortality with Faith:
      The Chapel of Bones says, “We bones here, for yours await.” How often do you reflect on your own mortality? How might remembering that you will die actually help you live more fully for Jesus?

    3. Fear Not:
      Jesus has the keys to death and Hades. He has conquered the grave. Where in your life are you still living in fear? How can the reality of Jesus’ victory over death change your posture in those areas?

    4. Living Resurrection Now:
      If we truly believed that death is not the end and that resurrection life awaits us, how might that shape our generosity, our courage, or our compassion?

    5. Jesus, the Rescuer:
      The sermon described Jesus as the heroic diver, plunging into the deep to bring us up. Where in your life do you need to be reminded that Jesus comes for you—that He’s with you even in the dark?

    6. Proclaiming Victory with Our Lives:
      Jesus proclaimed his victory to every realm—heaven, earth, and under the earth. What does it look like for us to proclaim that same victory in our homes, neighborhoods, and relationships?

    Bonus Question

    Has everyone in our group personally said “yes” to Jesus and been baptized as a public declaration of faith? If not, we would love to take that step with you at our August 24 River Baptism.
    If everyone in your group has already taken that step, who do you know—friend, family, co-worker—who hasn’t yet? How can your group pray intentionally for them this summer?

  • Warm-up:

    • What did your practice of generosity look like this week?

    • How did it feel to invite God into your current framework of generosity? Did anything shift in your mindset or actions?

    • Where did you notice the influence of greed—subtle or obvious—in your life this week?

    • What internal or external obstacles are you currently facing when it comes to living with simplicity and generosity?

    Dive Deeper:

    • As you reflect on Jesus’ parable of the faithful and wise manager (Luke 12:42–48), what emotions surface in you? How does this parable encourage you? How does it challenge you?

    • In your family of origin, what were the views and emotional dispositions toward money? How do you see those early experiences shaping your current relationship with money?

    • Can you share a time when you asked God about a financial decision and tried to listen for His direction? What was the outcome?

    • How might the truth that everything ultimately belongs to God free you to live with a greater sense of generosity and trust?

    The Invitation to Practice:

    The invitation this week is to begin actively listening to God about money and generosity. Carve out intentional time—perhaps in solitude or through journaling—to ask God where He is inviting you to grow. Be specific in your questions and open in your listening.

    How could this group support you as you take this step?

    Closing:

    Take time to pray for one another—asking for ears to hear God’s voice, freedom from fear or control, and faith to live as joyful, faithful stewards of all God has entrusted to you.

  • Warm-up:

    • What spontaneous act of generosity did you practice this week, and how did it go?

    • Were you able to feel the joy of God in your practice?

    • What challenges did you face—emotionally, spiritually, or practically?

    • What new ideas about generosity have been growing in you this last week?

    Dive Deeper:

    • If you were to measure your level of contentment on a scale of 1 to 10—where 1 is feeling the anxiety of greed and desire for more, and 10 is feeling non-anxious and satisfied with what you have—where would you plot yourself right now? Why?

    • Where are you currently experiencing a lack of margin in your life—relationally, financially, or in your schedule?

    • What is one area of your life you sense Jesus might be inviting you to simplify—your calendar, your possessions, your spending, or something else?

    • Name a few of the best things in your life right now. What are you most grateful for?

    • The invitation to practice this week is to sell one of our possessions and give the money to someone in need - or simply to give that item to a person in need.  How are you feeling about this and how could the group encourage you?

    Closing:

    Take a few moments to pray for one another—asking for a deeper contentment in Jesus, courage to simplify where needed, and wisdom to create healthy margin in your lives.

  • Warm-up:

    • How have you engaged with this week's invitational practice of generosity? What has that experience been like for you so far?

    Dive Deeper:

    1. How were money and generosity handled in your family growing up?

    2. What is your primary feeling about money today — fear, desire for more, shame, ambivalence, or something else?

    3. How do you see generosity as a part of your apprenticeship to Jesus?

    4. Whether you were the giver or the recipient, share about a time when you experienced the joy of generosity.

    5. What fears or desires tend to keep you from being generous? (Examples: scarcity mindset, a need for security, greed, etc.)

    6. How do you think your life would be different if you were free from the fear of not having enough?

    7. What is one simple act of generosity you can do this week to counter the fear you may carry?

    Closing:

    • Take a few moments to pray for one another — for freedom from fear, a deeper trust in God’s provision, and a growing joy in generosity.

 

 

  • SABBATH WORSHIP REFLECTION:

    1. Reflecting on 'ish':

      • "What are some ways you’ve noticed Sabbath becoming ‘Sabb-ish’ in your life? How do you think we can avoid turning it into just another day off, instead of a day set apart for God?"

    2. Exploring the concept of Sabbath as a holy day:

      • "How do you understand the idea of Sabbath as a 'holy day'—a day set apart for God? What might it look like for us to truly make room for God on this day, and how does this challenge our current rhythms?"

    3. Rest and renewal:

      • "The practice of Sabbath is meant to bring physical, emotional, and spiritual renewal. In what areas of your life do you feel the need for this kind of rest? What’s one step you could take this week to cultivate rest in your life?"

    4. Worship as the heart of Sabbath:

      • "When you think of worship during Sabbath, what comes to mind? How can you engage in worship during this time, not just through music but in ways that bring you closer to God and reorder your heart?"

    SERIES REFLECTIONS:

    1. Sabbath as a transformative practice:

      • "Looking back over the past few weeks, how has your understanding of Sabbath changed? What’s one thing that stood out to you the most about how Sabbath can transform our lives?"

    2. Stop, Rest, Delight, Worship:

      • "As we’ve explored the four key movements of Sabbath (stop, rest, delight, worship), which movement have you found the most challenging, and which one has been the most life-giving? Why?"

    3. Sabbath and community:

      • "How do we continue to engage with this practice together?  How do we actually embed this into our 'Rule of Life' and not just check the box of having 'talked' about it?

    1. Restlessness & Desire

      • Where in your life do you feel the pull of "more, more, more"? How does it affect your sense of satisfaction or rest?

      • How have you experienced the "wheel of suffering" (craving and aversion) in your own life? What are some examples where pursuing desires or escaping fears hasn’t brought you peace or rest?

    2. The Resistance of Sabbath

      • What are the external resistances (cultural forces, societal pressures) that make practicing Sabbath difficult for you?

      • Reflecting on the idea that "Sabbath is an act of resistance," what does it mean to resist the patterns of work, consumerism, and distraction in our culture?

      • Have you ever experienced internal resistance (such as reluctance or a push-pull dynamic) when trying to practice rest or Sabbath? What might God be inviting you to surrender in those moments?

    3. Sabbath as Freedom

      • What does it mean to you that through Sabbath, we are reminded, "You are not a slave anymore"?

      • In what ways can Sabbath practice help you embrace the freedom you have in Christ, especially in relation to working, consuming, and performing?

    4. Practical Reflection on the Sabbath

      • What areas of your life do you find hardest to “rest” from (work, chores, digital distractions, etc.)?

      • Have you considered creating space for joy, delight, and intentional worship during your Sabbath? What could that look like for you?

    Reflection Questions from the End of the Message

    1. Where are you most tired? Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. What is the greatest drain on your energies?

    2. What is the strongest force of resistance in your life, external or internal, that attempts to keep you from Sabbath rest?

  • 1. As we begin the Practice of Sabbath this week – we want to invite you to spend some time talking about what you are thinking and feelings as we lean into this practice:

    -         What's your current understanding of the Sabbath? 

    -         Is the Sabbath a part of your life currently or not? 

    -         What thoughts and feelings do you have going into the Sabbath practice? 

    -         What obstacles seem to stand in the way of us experiencing the type of sabbath rest that God desires for us?

    2. Jesus invites those who are "weary and burdened" to find rest in Him. Do you feel weary in any areas of your life? How could Sabbath and following Jesus' rhythms of grace bring peace to your soul?

    3. What does the idea of Sabbath being a "way of being" rather than just a day of rest mean to you? How could you bring that spirit of restfulness into the other days of the week?

    4. Sabbath is an opportunity to remember that we are loved by God, not defined by our work. How might the practice of Sabbath help you reframe your identity?

    5. As a group, how can we encourage one another to adopt the practice of Sabbath this week? What practical steps can we take to create space for God’s presence in our lives?

      Week 1 Invitations:

    - Pick a time to Sabbath and give it a try.

    - Pick a beginning and ending ritual. 

    - Pick 1 to 3 Sabbath activities

    6. Each week, we encourage you to reflect on these 3 questions as you 'try on' the practice of Sabbath...(may or may not be appropriate this week - depending on when your group meets)

    - Where did I feel resistance?

    - Where did I feel delight?

    - Where did I most experience God's nearness?

  • 1. As we begin the Practice of Sabbath this week – we want to invite you to spend some time talking about what you are thinking and feelings as we lean into this practice:

    -         What's your current understanding of the Sabbath? 

    -         Is the Sabbath a part of your life currently or not? 

    -         What thoughts and feelings do you have going into the Sabbath practice? 

    -         What obstacles seem to stand in the way of us experiencing the type of sabbath rest that God desires for us?

    2. Jesus invites those who are "weary and burdened" to find rest in Him. Do you feel weary in any areas of your life? How could Sabbath and following Jesus' rhythms of grace bring peace to your soul?

    3. What does the idea of Sabbath being a "way of being" rather than just a day of rest mean to you? How could you bring that spirit of restfulness into the other days of the week?

    4. Sabbath is an opportunity to remember that we are loved by God, not defined by our work. How might the practice of Sabbath help you reframe your identity?

    5. As a group, how can we encourage one another to adopt the practice of Sabbath this week? What practical steps can we take to create space for God’s presence in our lives?

      Week 1 Invitations:

    - Pick a time to Sabbath and give it a try.

    - Pick a beginning and ending ritual. 

    - Pick 1 to 3 Sabbath activities

    6. Each week, we encourage you to reflect on these 3 questions as you 'try on' the practice of Sabbath...(may or may not be appropriate this week - depending on when your group meets)

    - Where did I feel resistance?

    - Where did I feel delight?

    - Where did I most experience God's nearness?

 

 

 

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