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“The Birth of Hope:  A Known Future” by Pastor Tony

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Life Group Discussion Guide 

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Rock of Ages, 1 & 2 Peter Sermon Series
The Birth of Hope:  A Known Future” by Pastor Tony 

February 9, 2020
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:  Who is Jesus?  Who is Peter? These are great questions to have answers to as we pursue our life in Christ and study 1&2 Peter.  Peter’s epistles were written to love on and prepare the church to follow Jesus in spite of challenges realized and yet to come.  Peter, “the Rock”, is now in Rome, the epicenter of the known world. He is awaiting his time, but charging to the end, inspired by his “living hope”.  We should embrace this very charge ourselves!

Sermon Texts:   John 21:15-22; 1 Peter 1:3-6

 Leaders, please choose only the best question(s) for your group.
We are praying for you as you lead these discussions:

Tony’s Take Aways:

  1. Praise God for the victory found in Jesus!
  2. Our hope looks beyond the current struggles to an incredible future.
  3. Keep looking to Jesus as the source for joy.


Discussion Guide:
 

  1. Experience (to quote a familiar TV commercial, “We know a thing or two, because we’ve seen a thing or two.”) should deepen our love for others.
  • How is it that we can sometimes become bitter and not better “lovers” of others?
  • How can we prevent bitterness in our relationships from happening? 
  1. The idea of building into the lives of others (feed my sheep) in the family of God was Jesus’ charge to Peter.
  • What role at LEFC have you discovered to help shepherd, feed and lead those in the Church?
  • How can Life Groups play a vital part of shepherding within the Body? 
  1. Faithfulness, despite challenging circumstances, can be a challenge. People in our oikos need to see the “living hope” lived out in us. Share some personal stories of how living by Faith has affected your oikos.

  2. Our inheritance (which we have not earned) is a living hope.
  • Why is it so easy to operate in Fear instead of Faith when parenting, grandparenting, decision-making in life, etc.?   
  • What are the ways you celebrate and stay focused on the joy of Christ, our “living hope”, and live by Faith when times get tough?
Posted by Ric Joline with

“Things Will Change” by Pastor Tony

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Life Group Discussion Guide

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Looking Forward  Sermon Series
Things Will Change” by Pastor Tony

January 26, 2020
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:  This is the final week in our four-week series designed to help us prepare for the amazing things God is going to do as we move into our new facility while maintaining our vision of “Creating Space. Expecting Harvest!”  These four sermons have helped us calibrate our hearts, our eyes, and our minds upon the vision of “Expecting Harvest.”  This week, as we rapidly approach occupying our new worship facility on March 8, we consider the importance of change and examine some biblical principles. For some, change is not easy, but a better understanding of it will help us become increasingly effective in maintaining our vision and accomplishing our mission.

Sermon Texts:   Hebrews 13:8; Psalm 33:3, 96:1, 40:3; Lamentations 3:22, 23; Revelation 5:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; Romans 6:4, 12:1, 2; Acts 5:20

Leaders, please choose only the best question(s) for your group.
We are praying for you as you lead these discussions. 

Embracing Change requires a new perspective, a new mind, and a new attitude.  Faith comes alive when we get out of the rut, and welcome God stretching us to be used for his glory! 

Discussion Guide:  

  1. Spend a few moments processing Pastor Tony’s teaching.  What thought, concept, text, or phrase caught your attention or has triggered further questions?

  2. Take a poll in your life group: Generally speaking… 
  • Is change exciting or fearful?
  • What percent of your life group find it exciting?
  • What percent find it fearful?
  • Why is this?
  • How do you think your life group poll results reflect the Lancaster County culture?
  1. In light of Romans 12:1-2, try to identify several ways in which you have changed recently? How and why did this happen?  Please be honest:  What factors are barriers to change in your life?

  2. What part should a life group play in one’s spiritual life-change or transformation? How could this happen?

  3. What about our new facility presents the greatest fear for you as we approach March 8th first Sunday in our new space? How will you embrace change? Also, what is the most exciting?

  4. How could daily transforming change in your life impact your oikos?

  5. Pastor Tony spoke of seeing life through the lens of God’s great mercy. How does this affect your actions? How do you perceive your oikos through the lens of God’s mercy?
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