Blog Archives

Jesus' Small Group Principles for Life

2/24/2019

The following questions, taken from the Serendipity Bible, are provided for deeper consideration of Luke 6:27-45:

What activities does Jesus condemn and commend (v. 37-38)?
What does the promise mean in this context (v. 38)?
Does verse 37 say we must love others before God will love us? Why or why not?
How does the tree and its fruit (v. 43-45) help you recognize a “kingdom person”? How does this relate to v. 37-42?

2/18/2019

The following questions, taken from the Serendipity Bible, are provided for deeper consideration of the Luke 5:1-11:

What do you think Simon Peter was thinking in v.5? v.7? v.8?
How did this miracle affect Peter?
What is Peter beginning to grasp about Jesus? About sin? About belief in himself?
What was the first time, if ever, you responded o Jesus like Peter did in v. 8?
In your "fishing business", how do you see Jesus:
- Interesting but slightly irrelevant teacher?
- Potentially a great business partner- if you could hire him to work for you?
- The one who calls all the shots?

2/10/2019

The following questions, taken from the Serendipity Bible, are provided for deeper consideration of Luke 6:17-26:

What was one of the best teams you ever belonged to? Why was it so good?
In the context of chapter 6, what is significant about Jesus calling these men? What do you know about them? Who are brothers? Buddies? Antagonists?
In 17-26, who is in the crowd? Why have they come? How does Jesus meet their needs? How do his actions (vv. 18-19) relate to his teaching (vv. 20-22)?
What four qualities ought to define "kingdom people" (vv. 20-22)? How would you define each of these? What blessing is promised for each? Are these present blessings or future blessings?
Do you see God's blessings evident in members of your small group?

2/3/2019

The following questions, taken from the Serendipity Bible, are provided for deeper consideration of the Gospel text:

What was the symbol or sign of having "made it" in your hometown?
When was a time you felt rejected? How did you deal with it? How didJesus deal with it?
If all five areas of Jesus' mission (see verses 18, 19) are to be carried on by the Church as a whole, which area of concern do you give priority and which do you tend to neglect:
- Preaching the Gospel?
- Helping people to be free to live for God?
- Performing acts of mercy?
- Working for fair and just social structures?
- Explaining God's grace to his heartened people?
Who are the "Gentiles" (2:32) God desires you to care for? How might you do so?