Truth and a Task

Notes:

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

What do you think?

1. What was your favorite part of the Super Bowl and why?

2. Have a member of the group quickly recap Sunday’s message. What particular point stood out to you, challenged you, or raised a question for you?

The story of your life.

1. Pastor Kirk Mackie discussed how we live in a “chronically anxious culture” where everyone seems to be angry and hopeless. How have you seen this to be true and what factors contribute to it?

2. One of the application points was for Christians to offer to pray for people more regularly as a means of evangelism. Tell about a time when you prayed for someone who didn’t know the Lord and they allowed it? Or tell about a time when someone prayed for you when you were not yet a believer.

Digging deeper in God’s Word.

1. Jesus masterfully navigated conversations with anxious, struggling people. Granted, he was Jesus! However you and I are called to live as He lived and do as He did through the power of the Holy Spirit. One amazing example where the Lord ministered to a struggling woman is in John 4. Read John 4:1-30, then 39-42 out loud together and respond to the following prompts and questions.
   1. Have a few members of the group recap the story using their own words.

   2. What does this story teach us about God? The encounters we have with people?

   3. In light of this, is there anything you need to do differently?

2. Even though spiritual conversations with people can seem intimidating, Jesus made it clear that He would equip us to do it. In fact, right before the Lord died on the Cross, he actually prayed for all who would come to faith through the witness of the disciples. By extension, that’s us! In this prayer, he cites specific things for us to be mindful of in terms of our encounters with people. Read the entire prayer from John 17 out loud together and respond to the following prompts and requests.
   1. What specific things did Jesus pray for us to experience?

   2. Of all these things listed, what is one that you have experienced powerfully? Additionally, what is one that you need to work on?

3. What insights do the following verses offer in terms of our encounters with others?
   1. 2 Chronicles 20:12.
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   2. Luke 12:11-12.
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   3. Colossians 4:2-6.
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   4. Hebrews 13:2.
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   5. Matthew 25:40.
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Personal reflection and application.

1. Have everyone share one thing that someone else mentioned in this discussion that struck a chord with you.

2. If possible, break up into smaller groups (men with men and women with women) to pray for one another.