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in Jesus: Life Reimagined

"Hometown Challenges" by Pastor Randy

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Group Discussion Guide

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Jesus:  Life Reimagined  Sermon Series
“Hometown Challenges” by Pastor Randy
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January 6, 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:  Luke 4:14-30;  Deuteronomy 6:4-5;  Isaiah 61:1-2, 61:10-11, 58:6, 58:13-14;  1 Kings 17:7-16;  2 Kings 5:1-16

Choose the best question(s) for your group

  1. Were there any quotes, thoughts, concepts, or stories spoken this morning that resonated with you? Why?

  2. Randy challenged all of us at the beginning of the sermon with this statement:

“I believe we live our Christian lives way too safe.”

  • Personally, do you agree or disagree? Why?
  • Do individuals in your Oikos know about your relationship with Jesus?
  1. Describe an experience where you were rejected because of your
  • Past?
  • Faith?
  1. If you were the first one in your family to accept Christ, how were you received?

  2. Describe what this persecution looked like for Jesus in Luke 4. What does rejection look like in a modern-day church like LEFC or a city like Lititz or Lancaster?

  3. Imagine someone from your Oikos begins a relationship with Jesus, how would you respond? What would acceptance of them look like? 

  4. How does this snapshot of Jesus’ ministry give you hope?
Posted by Matt Sowada with
in Below the Surface Group Discussion Guides

Below the Surface - "Satan's Tool: Staying Offended" Pastor Matt

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Group Discussion Guide

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Below the Surface Sermon Series
Satan's Tool: Staying Offended by Pastor Matt
Choose the best question(s) for your group

January 21, 2018
Questions by 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. 

Context:
In this text (2 Corinthians 2:5-11), Paul is making an appeal to the church in Corinth on behalf of an unknown believer to reconcile their differences, so that Satan’s schemes don’t prevail.

Questions:

  1. Have you ever experienced a broken relationship? (2 Cor. 2:5-6)
  • Describe the “grief” you’ve experienced because of the situation.
  • Has there been repentance? What did this look like?
  • Is there still un-forgiveness?
  1. In some of these situations, what would it look like to forgive, comfort, and reaffirm your love for them? (2 Cor. 2:7-8)

  2. How might Satan “outwit us” in situations like these? (2 Cor. 2:10-11)

  3. What truths do we need to cling to and identify to prevent his success?

  4. We so often read texts like this and identify with the “clean side.” In this case, the church casting out a sinner. Re-read the text and put yourself in the shoes of the sinner.
  • Describe this “excessive sorrow.” (2 Cor. 2:7)
  • What has repentance looked like in your life?
  • How have you experienced God’s forgiveness, comfort, and love?
  1. Now that we’ve each identified with both “sides” of this text in 2 Cor. 2: 5-11
  • Is there someone in your life who you need to forgive?
  • Maybe there is someone in your life whom you need to ask forgiveness from?
  • Pray for each other through these realizations. 

Personal Questions to think through:

  1. Is there someone who has offended you, hurt you, and sinned against you whom you refuse to forgive? If so, what does this reveal about the reality of your faith in the gospel?

  2. Is there someone you have sinned against, but you have not made the effort to be reconciled? Why not?
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