Citizens

Matthew 9:9-13

1. What were the four groups of people? What did each group say? What was their motivation?

2. Why was it so shocking for Matthew to sit at the table of Jesus? Why were the pharisees mad at this?

3. How did Matthew’s choose to follow Jesus impact his friends?

4. Who is your circle of influence? Who is Jesus reaching through you?

Citizens: God of Comfort

What did Matt mean when he talked about "microwave comfort"?

What are some things that you find comfort in when things are hard? How long does that comfort usually last?

What is the kind of comfort that Jesus offers? How does that impact your current situation?

What is a situation where you can pray for God's comfort in your life or for someone you know?

Ephesians 4:11-16

January 17, 2018

Main Idea: In Christ We Give and Grow

1. What does a healthy "Body of Christ" look like?

2. What are the parts of the body? What do they look like?

3. What do you have to give? What is your "Work of Ministry"? Are you doing your ministry?

4. In what ways does the body grow?

Proverbs 1:20-33

January 10, 2018

Main Idea: To ignore Wisdom is to invite Destruction.

1. What does “the call of wisdom” sound like? Where can you find it?

2. What is your posture towards wisdom? Are you “palm up” or “palm out”? How can we correct our posture to allow wisdom in?

3. What is the meaning of the phrase “to ignore wisdom is to invite destruction”?

4. Do you agree with it? What are some examples?

5. What is your attitude towards authority?

6. How does the cloud symbol represent embracing Godly authority?

2 Timothy 3:16-17

January 3, 2018

Main Idea: The Lord has given the Word of God to prepare the Children of God.

1. What does it mean that Scripture is 'breathed out by God?'

2. What does 2 Timothy say that the Bible is? Why does the Bible have value?

3. How does the Bible make a Christian complete? How is it God's gift to us?

4. How do you treat the Bible? What is your view of Scripture? What is your relationship with the Bible?

5. As a community of Citizens, how do we, and how can we prioritize the Bible?

6. What is your 'plan of action' to prioritize the Bible in your life?

Psalm 132

December 13, 2017

Main Idea: The King has come, so come to the King.

Psalm 130

December 6, 2017

Main Idea: In the night, turn to the Light.

1. Who does the psalmist call out for? Why is this such a big deal?

2. What is it about God that the psalmist remembers? How does this impact the psalmist’s response to the night?

3. What are the two responses we can have to sin and dark seasons of our life?

4. What does it mean to ‘wait on the lord’ What do we turn to while we wait?

5. What does the psalmist declare? How can you echo his declaration?

6. Have you been or are you in a season of darkness? Which of the four things the psalmist does do you need to do?

Psalm 121

November 29, 2017

Main Idea: Who keeps you?

1. What does it mean to Ascend the hill? What was the Israelite tradition?

2. Where does the Psalmist’s help come from? Where does he lift his eyes?

3. What are things that we’re tempted to believe are the things that ‘keep us’? How well do those things keep us?

4. What does it mean that the creator keeps you? How does this impact situations in your life right now?

5. What does it mean for the Lord to be near you? How did God show us that he is near to us?

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

November 15, 2017

Main Idea: Walk in holiness, rest in Jesus.

1. Take some time to recap what Paul has been teaching the church in Thessalonica through his letter of 1 Thessalonians. What have been some of the major topics or themes that Paul refers to?

2. Look at 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22; list out the verbs Paul is using. What is Paul calling them to do? How are they to walk in holiness?

3. Who is involved in their walk as the seek to walk in holiness? Who is involved in their sanctification process?

4. How does the Spirit help us in our sanctification? What is our attitude supposed to be towards the Spirit's work?

5. What is crucial about 5:23-24? How does this impact how we are to walk?

6. What does it mean to rest in Jesus?

7. In which of Paul's major themes (love, holiness, hope) do you need the Spirit's help in sanctification most in your life right now?

8. How can you encourage another brother/sister this week?

Close with praying Paul's prayer in 5:23-24.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

November 8, 2017

Main Idea: Live in light of Jesus' return.

1. What types of things mark the kingdom of darkness? The kingdom of light?

2. How do we know if we're living in the light?

3. How are we transferred from the kingdom of darkness to light?

4. Describe what the wrath of God is. Can God have wrath and still be loving? Why or why not?

5. Is The Day of the Lord a day of judgement or rescue? Why?

6. Who can you pray for that God will transfer from the kingdom of darkness to light? How can you encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ this week?