Sunday, May 26, 2019

Drop the Stones: Loopholes

Luke 10:25–37



Where will you lead your group? Pick and choose from these suggestions to create the right discussion for your group.


Discussion Questions:

In the story of The Good Samaritan, there are four things to help us understand what it means to follow Jesus, and avoid being a religious person that throws stones at others, and that searches for loopholes in every aspect of their life.

We must:
1. Learn something
2. See something
3. Give something
4. Do something


1. Learn Something - vs 25-29
The religious man knew the scriptures.

  • What were some of the first or most basic things you learned about Jesus, the Bible, or Christianity?
  • What were some of the first Bible verses you ever memorized?
  • If someone asked you what was the most important thing that they could learn about Jesus, what would you tell them?
  • If someone asked you the question, "Who is your neighbor?", in the context of the command to love your neighbor as yourself, how would you answer?

2. See Something - vs 30-33
A priest (pastor), Levite (church member/worker/staff) and a Samaritan (random guy from out of town) all saw the needs around them, but only one seemed to really be looking.

  • How could our group go about identifying some of the biggest needs around us – around our sphere of influence or in our city?
  • Are you the type of person that is easily moved by needs around you and the stories of hurting people, or have you become callous to them because you see so much of it around you?
  • Do you ever give excuses for why you don't help people, meet needs, or step up and fill an obvious gap? What excuses do you give?

3. Give Something - vs 34-35
The Samaritan man gave his precious time and money to

  • Many Christians wish they could give more and do more to help others and meet needs. However, they just don't have the margin in their life to do much more. Is it important for you to create margin in your time and finances so that when God presents a need, then you can meet it? How do you create margin in those areas?
  • When you see a need (from family, friends, church, city, complete stranger), how do you determine what to do, how much to give, or which person to give towards?

4. Do Something - vs 36-37
Jesus told the religious man to go and do likewise.

  • Most religious people are educated far beyond their level of obedience. Why is it that most are so interested in knowing, learning, studying, and getting smarter while simultaneously being slack in terms of action?
  • What's the biggest hurdle in your life that keeps you from taking what God has called you to do as a follower of Jesus, and actually acting on it?


Next Steps:

End with a challenge to make it real. Commit to a next step as a group and bring the discussion to life this week.

  • What is something that Jesus wants you to learn?
  • What is something that God wants you to see?
  • What is something that God wants you to give towards?
  • How will you go and do something?


Pray as a Group:

Pray that your group will demonstrate its devotion towards God by how we love big and serve hard.


Upcoming Opportunties:

Baptism Celebration - June 9th
Does anyone in your group need to profess their faith through baptism? Be sure to know everyone's personal story of when/if they were saved and baptized. Contact barrett@discoverrevo.com for more info about baptism.

Summer Serve in rWorld
We need extra people to serve in rWorld over the summer. We're asking each rGroup member to serve 3 Sundays in the summer (June, July, August) to meet the needs. Contact josh@discoverrevo.com to sign up and schedule your serving days.

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Drop the Stones: Wrong Place at the Wrong Time

John 4:4–26



Where will you lead your group? Pick and choose from these suggestions to create the right discussion for your group.


Discussion Questions:

It's interesting that Jesus spent his whole ministry trying to engage segments of the population that most religious people spend their entire lives trying to create distance from.

  • Where/what is modern-day Samaria?
  • Who are the outcasts–the ones everyone else has judged and cast aside?
  • Who has been forgotten, neglected, or simply ignored in our culture?
  • Who are the groups and people that everyone else is trying to create distance from?
  • How do you think you or our group can reach people like that?

Jesus was often in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people. This afforded him to do amazing ministry and see life change on a grand scale.

  • Is that good advice for Christians today?
  • Should we be exposing ourselves to the environments and people found in these areas?
  • How do you combine the challenge and life of Jesus with some good common sense as it pertains to your life?

Scripture proves that most people encountered Jesus in a life-changing way weren't even actually looking for Jesus.

  • How can your friends and family – who aren't looking for Jesus – experience life change?
  • As we share the Gospel message with people, what lessons can we learn from Jesus and his encounter with the Samaritan woman?

Ultimately, people are searching for satisfaction and meaning, and it looks like trying as many ways and areas in life to fill as possible.

  • What buckets do you see people in the world today trying to fill?
  • What do people use, instead of God's living water, to satisfy their thirst?
  • How can you take those same needs and feelings and help people understand what they are looking for is only found in Jesus?

Church should be a place that makes busted up and broken people feel at home. Christians should be the most loving, caring, and compassionate people in the world.

  • Do people feel that way when they encounter you?
  • How about when they come to our rGroup?
  • What about when they come to REVO?

Religion says, "I messed up. I hope Dad doesn't find out." The Gospel says, "I messed up. I need to call Dad."

  • When you think of your sin, which of those statements best describes you?
  • When you fail, do you want to run and hide from God, or do you call out to Him for help?


Next Steps:

End with a challenge to make it real. Commit to a next step as a group and bring the discussion to life this week.

  • What would Jesus say to you if he walked up and saw you today?
  • What impact should this conversation between the Samaritan woman and Jesus have on you and your witness in the world?


Pray as a Group:

Ask God for eyes to see the barriers that separate you and others, and for the compassion and courage to break down those barriers so that you may offer others this living water.


Upcoming Opportunties:

Baptism Celebration - June 9th
Does anyone in your group need to profess their faith through baptism? Be sure to know everyone's personal story of when/if they were saved and baptized. Contact barrett@discoverrevo.com for more info about baptism.

Summer Serve in rWorld
We need extra people to serve in rWorld over the summer. We're asking each rGroup member to serve 3 Sundays in the summer (June, July, August) to meet the needs. Contact josh@discoverrevo.com to sign up and schedule your serving days.

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Mother's Day: Faith Like a Motha'

Exodus 2:1–10



Where will you lead your group? Pick and choose from these suggestions to create the right discussion for your group.


Discussion Questions:

Do you think that Moses' sister was interfering with God's plan or contributing and acting in faith? How do you know when you need to give control over to God, and when you need to be active and intervene as part of His plan?

Faith is a word that is overused from our mouths but underused in our actions. Why do you think that is?

Jochabed (Moses' mom) showed her faith in two ways: First she showed faith by holding on to Moses, and then she showed faith by letting go. Which is harder for you – holding on or letting go?

Moses' mom had multiple things challenge her faith in this story. What's challenging your faith right now?

What's something that you think God has called you to let go of and trust Him with?

Moses' parents see a hopeless situation turn into a hope-filled one by the sovereign hand of God. How have you seen God do this in your own life?

What fear or circumstance is holding you back from walking by faith?

Moses is rescued out of the Nile River. How is baptism for us a symbol of being rescued out of the water? (Side note: Baptism Celebration is June 9th)

Read Romans 13:1-4

Despite the law of Pharoah to kill all the male babies born to the Israelites, Moses' mom and family disobeyed and broke the law. Is it ever ok for a Christian to refuse to follow their earthly authority? How does their disobedience mix with Romans 13 where Paul instructs Christians to submit and obey earthly authorities?


Next Steps:

End with a challenge to make it real. Commit to a next step as a group and bring the discussion to life this week.

What attributes of God did you see in this week's passage that particularly struck you? How should it change the way you pray, think or act this week?


Pray as a Group:

Read Exodus 2:10. Only God could accomplish such a plan! The God of grace answered the prayer of Jochabed. Moses would grow up in the palace of the King! What big need, desire or vision do you need to faithfully pray for and take action with?


Upcoming Opportunties:

Baptism Celebration - June 9th
Does anyone in your group need to profess their faith through baptism? Be sure to know everyone's personal story of when/if they were saved and baptized. Contact barrett@discoverrevo.com for more info about baptism.

Summer Serve in rWorld
We need extra people to serve in rWorld over the summer. We're asking each rGroup member to serve 3 Sundays in the summer (June, July, August) to meet the needs. Contact josh@discoverrevo.com to sign up and schedule your serving days.

Sunday, May 5, 2019

Drop the Stones: Stones Christians Throw

Luke 14:1–14



Where will you lead your group? Pick and choose from these suggestions to create the right discussion for your group.


Discussion Questions:

Read vs 1–6

What do you think is at the root of the Pharisees' desire to entrap and discredit Jesus?

What religious habits, rules, traditions do you put in the place of ministering to the needs of others in Jesus' name?

How do pride and legalism prevent us from living God's best for our lives?

Read vs 7–11

Do you have a problem with pride or wanting the attention of other people? How has this passage shown you the importance of thinking about other people, or exhibiting humility towards those around you?

What is the equivalent of "picking the places of honor at the table" in your own life? Are you driven by success, wealth, titles, etc.? Who do you find yourself trying to impress?

What are some spiritual antidotes to these desires and behaviors?

Read vs 12-14

How often do you eat with someone whose needs you can meet rather than with someone who can repay you? Why?

Do you struggle with favoring certain (types of) people? How does this passage show you the importance of loving everyone, and not just those who look like you, act like you, etc.?

Sometimes when it comes to hospitality, Christians misunderstand it to mean "hanging out with Christians." But hospitality in the Bible literally means "to welcome the stranger." What's a good example of welcoming a stranger in your life?



Next Steps:

End with a challenge to make it real. Commit to a next step as a group and bring the discussion to life this week.

In order to serve others and give generously, we must start with a spirit of humility. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the pride in your heart and how it plays out in different areas of your life.

This week, seek opportunities to:
- show compassion towards others instead of judgment
- have Christ-like humility instead of pride
- be hospitable towards a stranger


Pray as a Group:

Confess your pride to the Lord before it erupts, bringing your thoughts into captivity (2 Cor. 2:5) and ask Him to replace it with true Christ-like humility.