Philip Yancey – “Every year the church in the United States draws closer and closer to the situation faced by the New Testament Church: an embattled minority living in a pluralistic

Frederick Buechner – “Faith is better understood as a verb than a noun, as a process than a possession.  Faith is not being sure

Helping as many people as possible take their next steps toward Jesus. 

Everyone has faith. 

Faith is better experienced than explained

Faith is not opposed to rational thinking. 

The more you exercise your faith, the stronger it becomes. 

Hebrews 11:1 -  Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

Faith looks forward. 

Faith sees the unseen. 

Helen Keller – “I can see… in what you call the dark, but` which to me is golden.  I can see a God-made world, not a man-made

PIX: Cockpit

2 This is what the ancients were commended for. 

3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 

This year, take a next step in faith toward Jesus. 

Heavenly Father, show me my next step of faith.

Group Discussion Questions

Starter: Describe a moment when you took a next step of faith.  What happened?

 1.    Read Hebrews 11:1

2.    What are ways you build confidence in your life that God is at work?  What do you hope God will do in your life in 2024?

3.    Faith sees the unseen.  Have you ever struggled to believe God is at work?  Did you later see evidence that he was?

4.    How does the hope of heaven influence how you live today?

5.    Read Hebrews 11:2

6.    Tell about someone you know who has great faith.  What enabled them to have such a faith?

7.     Read Hebrews 11:3

8.    What does creation tell you about God’s care and guidance?

·    He has good plans for you.

·    7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

·      9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name Do you believe in the resurrection?

·      Father- Approach God with reverence and gratitude.

·      10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in

·      Kingdom- Surrender and seek His will over your own

·      11 Give us this day our daily bread

·      Provision- Be fully dependent on Christ.

·      12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven

·      Forgiveness- Ask and Extend Forgiveness

·      13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

·      Protection- Cling to Him and His guidance

·      Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

·      Jesus is the one in charge of peace for your soul.

·      John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be

·      Peace is a gift

·      External happiness is temporary.  Internal joy is peace. 

·      Surrender brings peace.

·      Lord, help me seek your peace. 

·      Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,  Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

·      When the disciples saw Jesus, they saw their heavenly Father.

·      John 8:48 - 48 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”

·      Before you make up your mind about Jesus, give him a chance

·      49 “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but

·      What would be God’s judgment of you be right now? 

·      52 At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are

·      54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 Though you do not know him, I know

·      How different would your life be if God’s approval was the only approval that mattered?

·       Psalm 139:23-24 – Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way

·     57 “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”

·      58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

·      Exodus 3:14 – God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM

·       If you want to know God, know Jesus

·       PIX Tori Petersen

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: How have you seen a Dad set the values for a family?

Going Deeper: 

1.     Read John 8:48-51

2.     Why do you think the Jews had a such a hard time hearing what Jesus was saying?  Do you ever have a hard time hearing God what God wants to communicate with you?

3.     How does it make you feel to know that God is constantly evaluating your life?

4.     Read John 8:52-56

5.     In this passage and in the one above, Jesus speaks about being glorified by his Father.  What do you think that means?  In what ways did the Father glorify or honor Jesus?

6.     Read John 8:57-59

7.     Jesus makes the astounding statement that “…before Abraham was, I am.”  How does this statement change your thinking about Jesus?

·      Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

·       Matthew 8:23-27 - 23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord,

·      Jesus says: Trust me more than your fear.

·      Psalm 107:28-30 - Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. 29 He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.

·      “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

·       Storms come even to disciples. 

·       Jesus in the boat is all you need.

·       Little faith beats no faith. 

·       PIX – Bill Wallace

·       Philippians 1:21 – For to me, living is Christ, and dying is gain.

·       Who is this man? The Mighty God. 

·       My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s

·       Are you asking God to do what only God can do? 

·       Philippians 3:13b-14 - But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me

·      You can’t receive the gift of Jesus if you are trying to calm

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Has there been a time when God showed up in a might way in your life?  Please share.

Going Deeper: 

1.     Read Matthew 8:23-27

2.     Think of this story as a message to early Christians who were struggling.  How would they hear this story?

3.     Think of this story as a message to the church.  In your opinion, what storms does the church face?  What does it mean

4.     What does this story teach us about Jesus as Mighty God?  What is the range of his power?

5.     Read Psalm 65:7; 89:9; and 107:29-31

6.     What does it mean to you to know Jesus is the same God described in these Psalms?

7.     What are practical steps you can take to grow your faith so it is larger than your fears?

·      Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,     and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

·      Jesus can steer you in the right direction; it is up to you to go in the right direction.

·      Become just like Jesus.

·       Go to Jesus for the counsel you need. 

·       John 4:3-3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.  4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The

·      Jesus builds bridges. 

·       11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

·      See a new reality.

·      15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I

·      See the Deep Wounds

·       19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe

·      What really matters?

·      What really matters is giving all of who I am to all of who God is.

·       25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

·      Jesus is the answer, for the world today, above him there’s no other, Jesus is the way. 

·       Will you let Jesus be your answer?

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Who do you turn to for counsel?  How do they help you?

Going Deeper:

 1.     Read John 4:3-10

2.     Imagine this scene.  What is going through the woman’s mind?  What is going through Jesus’ mind?

3.     Read John 4:11-14.

4.     What do you think Jesus means when he talks about living water and a spring within that wells up to eternal life?

5.     Read John 4:15-18

6.     The woman has deep relationship wounds around marriage.  How would you describe them?

7.     Read John 4:19-24.

8.     In your opinion, how would a person behave if they worshiped God in the Spirit and truth?

9.     Read John 4:25-26.

·      Isaiah 43:10-11 - “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was

·      As a believe you should believe in following Jesus

·      1 Peter 2:21-25  - 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not

·       You will/should suffer for following Jesus

·       1 Peter 2:1-3 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

·       1 Peter 2:12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

·       Matthew 10:37-39 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his

·        You will trust God OR you will trust something/someone else

·       In your pursuit of righteousness, are you suffering well?

·       “A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing, and suffers nothing, is worth nothing.” - Martin Luther

·        21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

·       “Your purpose is to follow in his example”

·       PICTURE OF OVERHEAD PROJECTOR FROM CHRIS

·       22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his

·       continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

·       24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds

·      As you are unfairly treated, you were unfairly loved, so do likewise.

·      I believe in following Jesus, because He is the only answer to brokenness

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: In your own words, what does it mean to follow Jesus?

Going Deeper: 

1.     Read 1 Peter 2:21-25

2.     How should it effect the way you follow Jesus in light of suffering?

3.     What are some ways that we may suffer today?

4.     In light of all of Chapter 2 what does true submission look like in light of suffering?

5.     What are some reactions that you need to point out in your life that keep you from following Jesus well?

6.     If you don’t suffer as a Christian, what might that say about your relationship with Jesus?

7.     How are you doing at tracing His image?  If you took a step back, would your drawing be close to the lines? Or do you need to retrace your steps?

·       Ecclesiastes 3:11b -He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 

·       What is beyond death?

·       John 14:1  -“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 

·       Don’t be agitated.  Trust God and trust me – how we tell you to live and what we tell you that lies beyond.

·       2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 

·      Jesus is telling us heaven is about being with God.

·       Heaven is not about you; it is being with your Heavenly Father.  

·       3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 

·       People go to heaven because Jesus takes them there. 

·       …that you also may be where I am. 

·       Dallas Willard – If I walk with Jesus, I think when I die, it might take me some time to realize I’m dead. 

·       Matthew 25:41 - Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

·       Dallas Willard – “The only reason there is a hell is because

·       C.S. Lewis – “There are only two kinds of people – those who say, “Thy will be done” to God; or those to whom God says, “Thy will be done.” 

·       Galatians 6 - 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

·       Heavenly Father, what am I sowing?  What will I reap?

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Tell about someone you believe is in heaven.  Why do you believe they are there?

Going Deeper: 

1.     Read John 14:1

2.     Have you lost someone you love to death?  Was your heart troubled?  How did you deal with it?

3.     Jesus invites us to believe in our Heavenly Father and in him.  How would your belief in Jesus change your attitude about death?

4.     Read John 14:2

5.     Imagine going to God’s house and being shown your room.  What will that be like?  What will Jesus have prepared for you?

6.     Read John 14:3

7.     What would your life look like, if like Dallas Willard, you sought to follow Jesus so closely, you would not immediately know you had died?

8.     Read Galatians 6:7-8.

9. What would a life look like that sows flesh seed?  What would a life look like that sows seed that pleases the Spirit?

·      “The church seems more interested in fighting than following Jesus.” 

·       “I got hurt by church

·      “I didn’t trust the pastor

·       “I don’t get anything out of it.” 

·       “I know people who go to church and they are nothing like

·       It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you believe something.

·       What you believe about the church influences your behavior. 

·       I believe in the Church. 

·       Matthew 16:15 - 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

·       I believe in the church because it answers the question about Jesus

·       16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

·       I believe in the church because it confesses Jesus. 

·       17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.  

·       I believe in the church because of the supernatural work of God. 

·       18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 

·       Church is always a work in progress

·       I believe in the church because it endures. 

·       19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 

·       Church is to be the earthly expression of the Kingdom

·       I believe in the church because it is the closest picture of heaven

·       20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. 

·       I believe in the church because it does not define Jesus; He

·       Every Jesus follower is to be part of a local church body. 

·       Jesus is in charge. 

·       Stay focused on Jesus. 

·       The unity of the church depends on Jesus

·       Pledge: I will do my part to keep Alice Drive focused on Jesus.

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Tell about a positive experience you had at church.  What happened?

Going Deeper: 

1.     Read Matthew 16:15-20

2.     In your opinion, why does Jesus ask to the disciples who he is?

3.     Peter’s response is immediate and exclaims Jesus as Messiah.  Now read Matthew 16:21-23.  What does this say

4.     How could you tell if a church was built on the rock of Peter’s confession – that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God? 

5.     In your opinion, what steps could a church take to look and feel more like the Kingdom of Heaven?

6.     It is hard to conceive of Jesus telling his disciples not to tell anyone about his identity.  What might it mean to you to know when to speak about Jesus and when not to?

·     It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you believe something. 

·       I believe in the Bible.

·       I believe in the Bible because of the eyewitness factor. 

·       2 Peter 1:16-18 - 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He

·       I believe the Bible because of Jesus. 

·       2 Peter 1:19 - 19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay

·       The mathematical probability that one person could fulfill 48 prophecies is 10 to the 157th power. 

·       I believe in the Bible because it is inspired.

·       20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human

·       Believing in the Bible means I accept its authority. 

·       Believing the Bible means I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me. 

·       2 Corinthians 10:18 – For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. 

·       Believing the Bible means I read it. 

·       Believing in the Bible means you memorize key verses. 

·       John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

·       Believing the Bible means you stay focused on Jesus.

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Has there been a moment when the Bible spoke to you?  What was going on in your life?

Going Deeper: 

1.     Read 2 Peter 1:16-18 and Mark 9:2-8.

2.     Imagine you are Peter.  What was it like for you on the Mountain with Jesus that day?  Why would it be important for you to tell that story?

3.     Read 2 Peter 1:19 and Genesis 22:1-18

4.     How does the life, work and resurrection of Jesus help you understand the Genesis story?

5.     Read 2 Peter 1:20-21

6.     In your opinion, what is the evidence that the Bible is a supernatural book?

7.     What would a sign that someone writing something that claimed to be scripture should not be trusted?