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in Thriving in Babylon

“Credibility by Humility” by Pastor Matt

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Group Discussion Guide

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Thriving in Babylon  Sermon Series
“Credibility by Humility” by Pastor Matt
Leaders, please choose the best question(s) for your group

October 20, 2019
If you have questions, contact Pastor Ric,

Below are some discussion questions relating to a recent sermon. These are provided so that your Life Group can discuss what was shared. Previous Weeks’ Discussion Guides and Sermon Notes are available through the Sermons under the Resources menu. Click on the sermon series and then the sermon you are interested in.  You will see a paper icon under the sermon title. Click the icon to open the sermon notes. To listen to the sermon, click on the speaker icon.

Context: Daniel, because of his service to a faithful God, had the privilege to impact three different kingdoms.  He thrived in his faith even in the midst of difficult cultural pressures.  Just like Daniel, who was a slave and was a man who influenced kings, we can resolve to be individuals who influence our culture through our character, our humility.

Remember – it’s not about how great we are, or how great our faith is, it’s the fact that we have faith in a great God!  It’s not us, it’s the object of our faith.

Sermon Texts:

  • Daniel 1:8-9
  • Daniel 2:17-19, 27-30, 44-45
  • Daniel 3:4-12
  • Daniel 6:1-12
  • Micah 6:8
  • Luke 14:7-11
  • Luke 18:9-14
  • Romans 12
  • Ephesians 4:1-2
  • Colossians 3:12
  • 1 Peter 5:5-6 

Discussion Questions:

 This morning, as we looked at Daniel, Pastor Matt reminded us that humility matters.  Spend a few moments re-capping the sermon.  What thought, concept, text, or phrase popped out to you?

Define humility:

  1. What does it mean to have humility?

  2. Can you give examples of humility?
  • From scripture
  • From culture?
  • From personal experience?
  1. What is the difference between true humility and false humility?

  2. How have you checked your motives when it comes to humility?

  3. How does Christ’s humiliation on the cross help us understand the virtue of humility?

  4. Why does God want us to pursue humility if it goes against the fabric of our being? 
  1. How can a lack of trust in God lead us into:
  • Pride?
  • Resentment?
  • A loss of identity? 

In these three sections (Luke 14:7-11, Luke 18:9-14, and Matthew 23:1-12) Jesus speaks pretty strongly about the importance of humility.   

“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

  1. What illustrations does he use to communicate its importance?

  2. How could each of these be applied in our lives?

  3. Which “lesson” seems to be the most difficult for you to apply? And Why?

  4. How can we pray for growth in this area?

Each one of us are surrounded by people in our relational world, our Oikos, who are watching our responses to situations every day.  Our character is on daily display to those around us.

  1. How did this play out in Daniel?
  • Who was on the periphery watching as Daniel boldly trusted God and exhibited “an excellent spirit” (Dan 6:3 ESV)?
  • Who might have been encouraged?
  • Who might have asked questions?
  1. Tell us about an instance when your character/humility resulted in your oikos taking notice (either positively or negatively).
  • What keeps you from living this way more often?
  • Are there situations/scenarios where this is more difficult?
  • How can we pray this week that character/humility would be the witness to your oikos for Christ in your life?

Have someone read aloud Colossians 3:12, 1 Peter 5:5-6, Ephesians 4:1-2.

  1. Summarize the concepts from these verses.

  2. What do you think “clothe yourself in, walk in, and put on” are describing?

  3. What would it look like to obey these commands?

  4. Think of a scenario in the last week where you did this well and another in which you didn’t do this well.

Here are the Three Healthy Humble Habits which Pastor Matt mentioned Sunday morning in his message:

How’s your heart when it comes to …

  • Love requires humility
  • Gratitude requires humility
  • Prayer requires humility
  1. Why do you think each of them “require humility?”

  2. Do you think one could grow in each of these areas without humility?

  3. Is there one of these that might be more difficult than the others for you?

  4. What truth do we need to believe about God?

  5. Where do we put our trust?
Posted by Matt Sowada with
in Thriving in Babylon

"Not of My Making" by Pastor Tony

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 Group Discussion Guide

 PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Thriving in Babylon  Sermon Series
“Not of my Making” by Pastor Tony
Choose the best question(s) for your group:

September 8, 2019
Questions:  Contact Pastor Matt,

Below are some discussion questions relating to a recent sermon. These are provided so that your Life Group can discuss what was shared. Previous Weeks’ Discussion Guides and Sermon Notes are available through the Sermons under the Resources menu. Click on the sermon series and then the sermon you are interested in.  You will see a paper icon under the sermon title. Click the icon to open the sermon notes. To listen to the sermon, click on the speaker icon. 

Texts:  2 Kings 20:12-19;  Daniel 1:1-17

Context: Daniel, because of his service to a faithful God, had the privilege to impact three different kingdoms.  He thrived in his faith even in the midst of difficult cultural pressures.  Just like Daniel, who was a slave who influenced kings, we can resolve to be individuals who influence our culture.

  1. Spend a few moments re-capping the sermon. What thought, concept, text or phrase popped out to you?

  2. How did Hezekiah’s lifestyle choices affect Daniel 100 years and five generations later? (2 Kings 20:12-19)
  • Re-tell the story of Daniel 1. Set the scene of the Babylonian culture. 
  • Put yourself in Daniel’s shoes. How would you feel if this were you – suffering the sins of another? 
  • What would be your attitude to those above you, beside you, and below you? What would your relationship with God look like?
  1. Each one of us are surrounded by people in our sphere of influence, our Oikos, who are watching our responses to situations every day. Our faith and our resolve are on display to those with whom we come into contact.
  • How did this play out in Daniel 1? Who was on the periphery watching as Daniel boldly trusted God?  Who might have been encouraged?  Who might have asked questions?
  • Tell us about an instance when your trust in Christ resulted in your Oikos taking notice.
  • How can we pray this week that this would be the case in your life? 
  1. Think of a time where you’ve experienced being a victim. Share your experience with the group.
  • What was your response?
  • Was it easy or tempting to blame shift (blame God, others, etc.) or complain about the unfairness?
  • Did the question, “Why me?” echo in your mindset?
  • Read Colossians 3. How did you “set your minds on things above, not focusing on earthly things, dwelling on His Word with a thankful attitude?” 
  1. This morning, as we looked at Daniel, Tony challenged us to choose/resolve to live like Daniel.

    Define resolve.  (Tony’s definition:  to choose deeply within)
  • What does it mean to have resolve?
  • Can you give an example of resolve?
  • What is the difference between trust/faith and resolve?
  • What is the role of resolve? What is the role of faith?
  • How can a lack of trust in God lead us into:
  • A victim mentality?
  • Resentment?
  • A loss of identity?
  1. Tony’s four “Take Aways” from Sunday morning’s message:

  1. Not have a victim mindset
  2. Resolve, not get stuck on the “What if’s…”
  3. Fear God more than man
  4. Represent God in both action and attitude

    Is there one of these four concepts that might be more difficult than the others for you?
  • What truth do we need to believe about God?
  • Where do we put our trust?
Posted by Matt Sowada with

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