CrossWay Community Church | Bristol, WI

Discussion QuestionsSermon Overview Disciples should share Jesus' joy in lost sinners becoming found sons.Digging Deeper    Read Luke 15:1-321. Do you now, or have you ever felt estranged from God? If so, what is/was it like?2. In the sermon, Brett mentioned that happiness dependent on something that could be lost is fragile. What makes you happy? How durable or fragile is it?3. Have you ever hit rock bottom? What was it like?4. Read Luke 15:20. When you think of God’s love, how similar or different is it to what’s described? 5. There are two ways to be lost: self-indulgence or self-righteousness. Which way did/do you gravitate towards?6. How is the insight this passage gives us to what brings heaven joy both a thrill for us and a challenge to us?7. If your joy is the same as what brings God joy, how will it affect:a. Your view and relationship with those who don’t know Jesus?b. Your prayer life?Prayer

Discussion QuestionsSermon Overview Not all who are interested in Jesus are disciples of Jesus (v. 25)Digging Deeper    Read Luke 14:25-351. What does Jesus mean when he says in verse 26 that to follow him means hating our family? What other passages in the Bible can help bring clarity?2. Are there any dynamics within your family that can, at times, make it challenging to put Jesus first? How do you typically handle those situations? 3. Verse 27 teaches us that to be a disciple of Jesus involves a willingness to take on the death of self-denial. What are some of the things you might otherwise say yes to, but now say no to, in order that you might say yes to Christ?  4. What is the gain of following Jesus?5. In verse 33, Jesus tells us that renouncing all that we have is a requirement for being his disciple. What does this mean? What does this look like for you? 6. To trust Jesus as our Savior and our Lord means there is nothing he does not have the right to ask of us. Is there anything that comes to mind you really hope Jesus does not ask you to give up? If so, share. How can you determine if that thing is being held on too tightly in light of Jesus?  7. “There is nothing Jesus calls us to in this passage that he hasn’t already done for us.” What does that mean?  Do you find encouragement from this? How so?8. Think about how you talk about the Christian life to others. How is that similar or different from Jesus’ description here?Prayer

Discussion QuestionsSermon Overview The Pharisees were too busy building their own kingdom to bother with following Jesus in his. Digging Deeper    Read Luke 14:1-241. We can all, at times, find ourselves living for the “kingdom of self” rather than for the Kingdom of God. What are some of the ways you see that happen in your life? (e.g., work, responsibilities, possessions, activities, etc.)2. How does a greater focus on the Kingdom of God (with a corresponding decreased focus on the “kingdom of self”) lead to greater compassion for others?3. What are places and situations where you may be tempted to care too much about what others think of you? (e.g., work, school, neighbors, friends, kids’ abilities, etc.)4. Why is it liberating to be freed from living for the recognition of others? What difference will that make at work? Home? Church? Evangelism?5. In verses 13-14a, Jesus encourages us to pursue a generosity that will not be repaid in this life. What could it look like to show compassion and generosity to “the poor, the crippled, the lame (and) the blind”?  6. Jesus promises in verse 14b a reward for moving towards those who can give you nothing in return. What is the reward? Is it motivating? Why or why not?7. “Live for the line, not for the dot” is a common phrase in the history of CrossWay that captures the desire to live now for the life to come (the line) and not for the short few years we have on earth (the dot). If we believe this to be good, how can we help one another pursue it? 8. It is a tragic and grievous reality that many around us fail to heed the invitation into the kingdom Jesus has inaugurated because they are consumed with the things of this world. What might it look like for us (in an appropriate manner) to “compel” those outside the kingdom to lay down their excuses and come join “the banquet” of the kingdom? Prayer

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Discussion QuestionsSermon Overview Rejoice in the restoration God's kingdom unstoppably brings.1) Jesus has come to restore and set free (vv. 10-17)2) This restoration will spread quietly but unstoppably despite opposition (vv. 18-21)Digging Deeper    Read Luke 13:10-211. God often furthers his Kingdom on earth through the weak and unimpressive (like the disabled woman in the passage) to show that the power belongs to him. How should this reality encourage us to be faithful in what may seem like small things? 2. Jesus freeing the crippled woman physically (vv. 10-13) is a picture of what he intends to do for the world spiritually. If you’re a follower of Jesus, how have you experienced spiritual freedom? If you’re not, what do you hope Jesus could do for you?3. Jesus has come to restore and set free. In what area(s) of your life are you most eager to see Jesus restore and set free?  4. Freedom is something that is valued and often spoken of in America. How might we pivot in a conversation with an unbeliever about political freedom to speaking of the freedom Christ brings from sin, Satan, and death?5. When we see the brokenness and “bent-ness” of the world around us (in the news headlines or in our own lives), what truths from this would it be good for us to keep in mind? 6. How do we know that Jesus' healing the disabled woman (vv. 10-17) is connected to his answer of what the Kingdom of God will be like (vv.18-21)?7. Verses 18-21 give us a picture that the Kingdom of God will be established often in slow, seemingly unnoticeable ways rather than spectacular displays of spiritual might and triumphant conquest. How have you seen this in the history of the church? How does this encourage you now? 8. Jesus’ For followers of Jesus, his restoration work in us has already started, but not yet fully completed. How might knowing the “already … not yet” nature of God’s restoring work in us lead to increased hope, joy, and peace in our hearts?    9. What is one area of your life where you could make a small beginning (as small as a mustard seed) of faithfulness, that God might use to further his unstoppable Kingdom?Prayer

Discussion Questions:Sermon Overview Main Point: Escape from death by turning to God while there's still time.Repentance is the only escape from death (vv. 1-5)The opportunity to repent will soon end (vv. 6-9)Digging Deeper    Read Luke 13:1-9On Judgement and Death1. The passages of the last few Sundays have had the theme of judgment. How did Pastor Brett’s illustration about the instructions of a guide on a whitewater canoeing trip help us better appreciate why Jesus is repeatedly reminding his disciples (and us) of the coming judgment?  2. In this passage, Jesus wants to help us avoid drawing straight-line conclusions from our circumstances to what God thinks of us (“Life is going great, so God must be pleased with me.”  / “Life is really hard right now, so God must be angry with me.”). Instead of this way of thinking, what should we think when we see death around us? 3. Pastor Brett said, “Sin is a debt. You cannot understand Christianity if you don’t understand this.”  What did he mean by this?  Do you agree?  On Repentance4. This passage (Luke 13:5) says that repentance is the one way to escape from death. What is (and what isn’t) repentance?  5. Have you repented? 6. What does repentance look like in your life? The Limited Time to Repent7. “Why hasn’t Jesus returned yet?” How could you use these verses as a part of an answer to that question?8. Verses 6-9 highlight that the time for repentance is now, because the opportunity to repent will soon end. If you’re a follower of Jesus, what is an appropriate response(s) in light of this truth? 9. If you’re a follower of Jesus, now that you know the time to repent will soon end, how does it impact the way you engage with unbelievers?10. With whom in your life that isn’t a follower of Jesus might God want you to share these truths?Prayer

Discussion Questions:On Summer Break

Discussion Questions:On Summer Break

Discussion Questions:On Summer Break

Discussion Questions:On Summer Break

Discussion Questions:On Break for Summer

Discussion QuestionsOn Summer Break

Discussion Questions:On Break for Summer

Discussion Questions:On Summer Break

Discussion Questions:On break for the summer

Discussion Questions:On Summer Break

Discussion Questions:On Summer Break

Discussion Questions:On Summer Break

Discussion QuestionsSermon Overview The Spirit helps God's children as we await our glorious future.Digging Deeper    Read Romans 8:14-27 1. Practically speaking, what does it (or should it) look like for us to be “led by the Spirit of God” (verse 14) in the common, ordinary tasks of life? 2. Romans 8:13-17 expresses three massive changes that happen for people who are “led by the Spirit of God” (v.s 14):a. From slaves to adopted sonsb. From being afraid of God to being able to call God “Abba” (= Dad)c. From no future hope (the implication of being a slave) to having an inheritance   Consider these three transformations and comment on the one that lands on you. Why is it significant for you now?3. When Paul wrote Romans, being a son meant having a secure identity, legal status, physical/financial inheritance, and an expectation to live in line with your dad’s leadership.  We who have trusted in Christ have “received the Spirit of adoption as sons.” (8:15).  What are some of the (sweet) implications of the fact that we have been adopted by God into his family, as his sons and daughters?  4. When Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, he addressed God the Father as “Abba” (Mark 14:36). It expressed closeness, intimacy, and trust, perhaps similar to a child affectionately calling their father “Daddy.”  If you’re a follower of Jesus, you get to relate to God in a similar way as Jesus himself. Why should all this blow us away?5. Imagine waking up each morning deeply knowing that God is your perfect Father who loves you, looks out for you, and welcomes you to call him “Abba.” How might this affect your contentment, peace, or joy?6. As God’s children, we are heirs - “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (8:17). What is one thing Pastor Brett said about this reality that you found helpful or encouraging? 7. Rom. 8:18 says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (cf. also 2 Cor. 4:17).What does this mean? Are there moments in your life that you find what this verse is saying hard to believe? Please share.8. On a practical level, why is it good for us to remember that “the creation was subjected to futility,” but will also “be set free from its bondage to corruption” (8:20)?  How does the Bible’s teaching on creation in this verse differ from a secular perspective? Why is it important for us to get this right? 9. Rom. 8:26-27 tells us, “Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”  Did you find these two verses (and Pastor Brett’s comments on what they teach) encouraging? How so? Please share.  Prayer

Discussion QuestionsSermon Overview Live out your freedom from condemnation and sin by the power of the Spirit.Digging Deeper    Read Romans 8:1-13 1. There are many precious and encouraging truths in this passage. Which one do you find most encouraging? Why? 2. What point of application that Pastor Brett made from this text did you find most relevant to your life?  Why?  3. If you are a follower of Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit. What is a situation you are facing/anticipate facing where it would be good to keep this in mind?  4. What does “putting to death the deeds of the body” (8:13) mean?5. God calls us to depend on the Spirit’s power to pursue a righteous life. Is there an area of your life you’d like to see growth in? What would it look like to depend on the Spirit and his power for this area?6. Our pursuit of holiness is to be done out of a joyful response to what God has done for us. What might that look like for you? 7. One aspect of “putting to death the deeds of the body” by the Spirit’s power has to do with where we set our minds (vv. 5-6).  What things occupy your mental bandwidth? What do you daydream about?  8. To what extent is meditating on truth from God’s Word a part of your thought life?  How might we grow in this, and help each other in the process?    9. We are to put sin to death, not partially but completely. Is there an area(s) of your life in which you are perhaps seeking merely to limit sin, rather than put it to death (once and for all)?  How might you move toward a more killing of sin in your life? What would help you in this?  10. We pursue holiness with the confident hope that those who put sin to death by the Spirit’s power “will live.”  Does this reality motivate you? How so?