Apr 18, 2021
Understanding the Heart Beneath Conflict James 4:1-10
Series: James
Questions for Discussion & Application
  1. What was surprising, confusing, or helpful from this study of God’s Word?
  2. What are some of the potentially destructive effects of sinful conflict? How have you seen the destructive effects of conflict in your own life?
  3. What good things can conflict be an opportunity for?
  4. What selfish desires of the heart do you struggle with? How have these led to conflict?  What is God calling you to do with these desires? 
  5. Do you currently have any unreconciled relationship or unresolved conflict in your life?
  6. Think about a recent conflict in your own life. What was the spark, the gasoline, and the fire?
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  • Apr 18, 2021Understanding the Heart Beneath Conflict James 4:1-10
    Apr 18, 2021
    Understanding the Heart Beneath Conflict James 4:1-10
    Series: James
    Questions for Discussion & Application
    1. What was surprising, confusing, or helpful from this study of God’s Word?
    2. What are some of the potentially destructive effects of sinful conflict? How have you seen the destructive effects of conflict in your own life?
    3. What good things can conflict be an opportunity for?
    4. What selfish desires of the heart do you struggle with? How have these led to conflict?  What is God calling you to do with these desires? 
    5. Do you currently have any unreconciled relationship or unresolved conflict in your life?
    6. Think about a recent conflict in your own life. What was the spark, the gasoline, and the fire?
  • Apr 11, 2021Feed My People – John 21:1-25
    Apr 11, 2021
    Feed My People – John 21:1-25
    Series: John
    Questions for Discussion & Application
    1. What was surprising, confusing, or helpful from this passage?
    2. Why do you think that Peter and some of the other disciples went back to fishing? What do you think is the meaning of this miracle of the great catch of fish and of Jesus feeding His disciples from it?
    3. What is the significance of Jesus asking Peter three times if he loves Him? How is Peter repeatedly told by Jesus that he is to show his love for Jesus?  How does this challenge you to show your love for Jesus in the same way? 
    4. Peter is given a second chance as he is reinstated in his ministry role after having denied Jesus three times. How has God given you second chances in your own life? 
    5. What would be the cost for Peter to faithfully follow Jesus and feed/teach His people? What should be most valuable to us… our comfort and the preservation of our lives or the call to faithfully follow Jesus and use our gifts to feed Jesus’ people?  How does this challenge you to more boldly use the time, gifts, and opportunities that God has given you?
  • Apr 4, 2021Easter Changed Everything – John 19:38-20:31
    Apr 4, 2021
    Easter Changed Everything – John 19:38-20:31
    Series: John
    Questions for Discussion & Application
    1. What was surprising, confusing, or helpful from this passage?
    2. Who do you relate to the most – Mary’s confused sadness, the disciples’ fear, or Thomas’ doubt? Why?
    3. Do you believe that Jesus has risen from the dead? If so, how has believing this changed your life?
    4. Why did John write his gospel according to 20:31? What things have you learned or been reminded of in our study of John’s Gospel that have encouraged and strengthened your belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God?   
    5. What is the result of our believing in Jesus according to 20:31? What are some evidences from your life that you possess spiritual life by believing in Jesus? 
  • Mar 28, 2021From the Cross – John 19:17-37
    Mar 28, 2021
    From the Cross – John 19:17-37
    Series: John
    Questions for Discussion & Application
    1. What was surprising, confusing, or helpful from this passage?
    2. Why was it difficult for people to recognize Jesus as King while He died on the cross? Why is it sometimes difficult for people to recognize Him as King today? 
    3. John emphasizes that Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy in His death (see Isaiah 52:13-53, Psalm 22, Exodus 12:46, & Zechariah 12:10). Why would this be an important emphasis for John to make?  How does it encourage your faith to see this? 
    4. In verse 30 Jesus says, “It is finished.” The word finished could also be translated as “accomplished”.  What exactly did Jesus accomplish in His death?  Who can you share this good news with this week?   
    5. According to verse 35, what is the purpose of this passage? How has the written Word encouraged you to believe in Jesus?       
  • Mar 21, 2021Who is Your King? – John 18:28-19:16
    Mar 21, 2021
    Who is Your King? – John 18:28-19:16
    Series: John
    Questions for Discussion & Application
    1. What was surprising, confusing, or helpful from this passage?
    2. In 18:33-37 what do we learn about Jesus’ kingdom?
    3. How does one enter into Jesus’ kingdom?
    4. What should be our primary areas of focus as Christians desiring to build Jesus’ kingdom?
    5. Who or what did Judas, Pilate, and the Jews choose to be king over them instead of Jesus?
    6. How does this provide a challenge and warning for those who refuse to ‘listen to the truth’ about Jesus and His kingdom?   
  • Mar 14, 2021The Hour of Suffering Begins – John 18:1-27
    Mar 14, 2021
    The Hour of Suffering Begins – John 18:1-27
    Series: John
    Questions for Discussion & Application
    1. What was surprising, confusing, or helpful from this passage?
    2. What does Jesus mean in verse 11 where He speaks of drinking the cup that the Father has given Him? (see Isaiah 51:17 & Jeremiah 25:15)
    3. How does it deepen your assurance of God’s love and forgiveness to know that Jesus has drank fully the cup of God’s wrath/punishment on your behalf?
    4. In verses 10-11 Peter cuts off the ear of a soldier in an attempt to defend Jesus and then he turns around and denies that he knows Jesus three times. What does Peter still not understand? 
    5. Jesus said “I am He” when the soldiers sought to arrest Him but Peter said “I am not” when asked if he was Jesus’ disciple. What will help us to not repeat the failure of Peter and give a faithful testimony to Jesus in our own lives?
  • Mar 7, 2021Jesus Prays for Us – John 17:20-26
    Mar 7, 2021
    Jesus Prays for Us – John 17:20-26
    Series: John
    Questions for Discussion & Application
    1. What was surprising, confusing, or helpful from this passage?
    2. Who exactly is Jesus praying would be one? Who is excluded from this prayer for unity?  (see verses 20-21)  
    3. What does it look like for Christians to be one? What does it not look like? 
    4. How have you experienced the Christian unity that Jesus prayed for?
    5. What good thing does the unity among believers lead to? (see verses 21 & 23)   
    6. In this passage, what do we see to be the source of Christian unity?
    7. What are obstacles to being one? How do you need to pursue greater unity with other believers?  (see Ephesians 4:2-4) 
  • Feb 28, 2021Jesus Prays for His Apostles – John 17:6-19
    Feb 28, 2021
    Jesus Prays for His Apostles – John 17:6-19
    Series: John
    1. What was surprising, confusing, or helpful from this passage?
    2. What are Jesus’ overarching concerns in this prayer for His apostles? How does this challenge us in the focus of our prayers?
    3. Even though the apostles still lack a full understanding, Jesus affirms the sincerity of their faith because they believe that Jesus and His words are from Heaven. How does this encourage you about your own faith in Jesus?     
    4. Jesus prays for the protection and unity of His apostles. According to verse 17, this protection and unity are accomplished by the apostles being sanctified in the truth.  What does it mean to be sanctified in the truth? 
    5. How has God kept you and protected you from the evil one through His sanctifying truth?
    6. Jesus wanted His apostles in the world to fulfill their mission. How are you in the world to fulfill the mission Christ has given you?      
  • Feb 21, 2021Jesus Prays for Himself – John 17:1-5
    Feb 21, 2021
    Jesus Prays for Himself – John 17:1-5
    Series: John
    1. What was surprising, confusing, or helpful from this passage?
    2. As Jesus sees that the “hour” of His suffering has come, what does He pray for? What does it mean for Him to be “glorified” by the Father?    
    3. Jesus’ hope of being glorified by the Father helps Him to face the suffering and shame of the cross. How does our hope of sharing in Christ’s victory and glory in the future encourage us to endure suffering and shame now in the present? 
    4. Jesus has authority to give eternal life; what is eternal life? How is your life different and better because you possess this eternal life?     
    5. What truth from this passage can you share with someone else this week? Who will you seek to share this truth with?  
  • Feb 14, 2021Three More Reasons to Rejoice – John 16:25-33
    Feb 14, 2021
    Three More Reasons to Rejoice – John 16:25-33
    Series: John
    1. What was surprising, confusing, or helpful from this passage?
    2. Where do we find clarity about the meaning of Jesus’ words and ministry?
    3. With tremendous confusion all around us in our world, why are you thankful for this clarity?
    4. In verses 26-27 we learn that the disciples can approach God the Father directly in prayer because He loves them. Why does the Father love the disciples according to verse 27?  What does this teach us about our relationship with the Father? 
    5. In verse 33 Jesus says “take heart, I have overcome the world”. What does this mean?  How does this encourage you and give you peace?