Encounter - Sundays

Go Deeper Who are you most like in the narrative right now (Man on the mat/One of the friends/Pharisee/A face in the crowd)? Why? What kind of obstacles try to prevent you from getting in front of Jesus? How can you creatively overcome those obstacles? Who are the people in your life that will carry you to Jesus (keep you accountable, lift you up in prayer, rejoice with you, etc.)? If you don’t have anyone, why not? What is holding you back? What event in your life brought you closest to God? 

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONSRead Luke 10:25-37. What stands out in this passage? What is God’s heart wanting to communicate to us through this Scripture?We refer to the “expert in the law” in this passage… someone who was a know-it-all and had all the spiritual answers. What was he asking, testing, and seeking from Jesus… and why?Before talking with Jesus, what would your guess be about “The Expert’s” definition of a neighbor? And after Jesus’ story, what was Jesus’ definition of loving your neighbor?Look at the characters in the story: a priest, a Levite, a Samaritan, and the man who was beaten. How can you relate with all four characters? Why do you think the Priest and the Levite walked away?Would it change the likelihood of you stopping and helping someone on the side of the road based on their gender, age, or ethnicity?  Why is it important for us to be willing to help others? How does God see each of us? How can we work to see each other the way God sees us?Share with the group one person that you know is in need right now. How can you go out of your way and help them this week?

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONSRead Ecclesiastes 10:1-20. Solomon lists off many proverbs in this chapter and moves around all over the place between topics, observations, and experience. Have each group member share one verse or idea in chapter 10 that sticks out to them and why.Verse one talks about the idea of a fool being compared to a bad stench. What are some ways that Christians can give off a bad aroma to this world? (In other words, how can we be off putting to the people around us?)One mark of a fool is that they don’t see clearly in regards to how God wants us to see things in this world. Spiritually, how does our vision get clouded with the world’s ways?In what ways can we be foolish with our family? At work? With neighbors? At church?What does it mean to be…Foolishly indulgent?Foolishly lazy?Foolishly indifferent?Foolishly blunt? Read Ephesians 5:15-17. How can we pursue wisdom instead of foolishness?

What is the craziest storm you’ve ever been in? Where are you “on the lake” right now and why (clear sailing, headed into the storm, in the midst of the storm, bailing water like crazy, headed out of the storm)? The disciples asked Jesus, “do you not care that we are perishing?” When have you wondered if God cared about you? Read 2 Cor 1:1-11. What is God’s Word saying to you in these verses?

Merry CHRISTmas!  

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONSRead Ecclesiastes 3:1-15. What is God’s Word saying to you? What stands out?There is a time and a season for everything. Go around the group and have each person share what kind of season they are in. The highs, the lows, the rhythms of life, the best things, the hardest things, etc.Why is change so hard? What is one of the hardest changes you’ve had to face in life? And in addition, since the pandemic, what is a recent change in our society over the past 3 years that has been really hard for you?How are you responding to inflation with groceries and gas? And how would God want His disciples to respond to these changes? What is a practical step we could take to work towards this? (Please note: this principle can be applied to any change in life!)(verse 12-13) When I think of the gifts God has given me, who or what immediately come to mind? How often do I express my gratitude to God for all His gifts? And how often WILL I seek to thank Him this week?(verse 14-15) Do I honestly fear and honor God? What are some practical ways my life can show this on a daily basis? What things should I be doing, and what things should I not be doing?

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONSRead Ecclesiastes 2:1-11. In Solomon’s search for the meaning of life, he first explores pleasure. What is the difference between pleasure outside of God vs. the pleasure that God created us to know and experience? What are some of the downfalls of pleasure from this world?Solomon had done it all, made it all, had it all, and earned it all, and yet he still said that it was all “hevel” (a meaningless vapor that is here for a second and gone), and that nothing was new under the sun. How should this wisdom and realization change our thoughts, perspective, and life styles?Read Ecclesiastes 2:12-17. Next, Solomon explores wisdom and we find in this passage that life isn’t fair. Obtaining wisdom can’t change our fate, destiny, or legacy. But… what are the benefits of living a life with Godly wisdom?Read Ecclesiastes 2:18-26. And finally, In Solomon’s search for the meaning of life, he explores work. And once again, he’s frustrated that no matter how hard you work or how successful you become, it also is hevel. What is the hardest or most frustrating thing about your work?What are the best ways you can glorify God in your work? (Or instead of “work”, insert anything you do: parent, grandparent, school, hobby, etc.)Close: What is ONE thing that you are holding onto and need to let go of? How can you live in grace in that thing or situation? 

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONSRead Ecclesiastes 1:1-18. What stands out to you in this passage? What is God’s heart to us?What does the word “hevel” mean? How does Solomon come to this conclusion about everything in life?If you had to pick one… In your life, which of the following do you place the most amount of stock in (in other words, which of these do you pursue the most, in hopes of happiness)? Possessions, Proficiency, Power, or Pleasure. Share how that subject has affected your life and walk with God.“Nothing we want to keep lasts,” and “Nothing we want to get rid of disappears.” Discuss how these 2 phrases can build and grow our faith.How can “Work” be futile and frustrating? What is the most rewarding thing about your work? And what is the most frustrating?“Adding wisdom and knowledge can add pain and sorrow.” How is this statement true? What would God want us to do with that pain and sorrow?Read 1 Cor. 1:26-29 and Col. 3:15-17. How can we be saturated in the grace of Christ this week? Have everyone share one specific way to pursue this.

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONSRead Prov. 14:16 and Matthew 7:24-27. What is Jesus communicating to His disciples in this passage? What is the “house” you are building? What is the sand? What is the rock? What is the rain, floods, and wind?Tell a story of when you did something foolish in life and how it affected you. (And don’t act like you’ve never done something foolish in life… That’s prideful!)How would you define wisdom?What is a wise person? Have each person go around and share one thing that describes a wise person. Also, who is someone you consider to be wise and why?What is a foolish person? Have each person go around and share one thing that describes a foolish person. Also, who is someone you consider to be foolish and why?Why is foolishness (pride, selfishness, anger, presumption, etc.) so tempting to follow after?How can we obtain more wisdom in our life? How do we get it and where can we go to find it?How can we help each other walk in the wisdom of God?