Main Idea:

See yourself as a citizen of heaven and live like it!

TALK ABOUT IT:

1. Ice-breaker; share about what your favorite Thanksgiving meal item is!

2. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:12 and discuss. What is your first impression of the call to ‘live worthy’? How did the message help reframe the idea of living worthy?

3. Read Philippians 1:27 and discuss. What does it mean to you to have ‘dual citizenship’ between heaven and earth for a while? How can you grow in living more from the reality of your heavenly citizenship?

4. Read Colossians 3:1-4 and discuss. What helps you to actively set your sights on the reality of heaven? How is this challenging for you? How does it help you or affect you to consider yourself as ‘hidden with Christ’?

5. Read Colossians 3:5-9 and discuss. How have you seen the effects of these ‘lurking things’ in people’s lives around you – or even in your own life? What has helped you grow more free from these things?

6. Read Colossians 3:10-11 and discuss. How have you been growing and learning to know and become like your creator? What one facet of your Creator’s character would you like to cultivate more of in your life?

Message Notes:

TALK ABOUT IT:

1. Ice-breaker - Share about one place in the world that’s on your ‘bucket list’ to visit - and why.

2. If you participated in a LOVE WEEK experience, share about it! What was your experience, and how do you feel about our church’s engagement in loving our city?

3. Read Acts 19:8-9 and discuss. How is it helpful to reframe your Christian experience in terms of ‘The Way’? What aspects of ‘The Way’ bless you the most? What aspects of ‘The Way’ are a challenge for you?

4. Paul’s message was rejected by some. Read 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 and discuss. How does rejection of the Christian message affect you?

5. Read Acts 19:8-11 and discuss. How does Paul’s strategic positioning affect the outcome? How can we engage in some ‘strategic positioning’ ourselves? What keeps you from engaging in strategic positioning?

6. Read Acts 19:11-12 and discuss. How does it affect you to know that early followers of ‘The Way’ experienced this level of supernatural breakthrough? Do these kinds of things appeal to you, or would you rather they not be part of the equation? What role do your preferences play in regard to experiencing the fullness of ‘The Way’?

7. How do you feel about what Pastor John shared about the “both/and” reality the scripture presents? How can you take a step towards the “both/and” reality on the Outward Bound journey of faith?

8. Read Isaiah 6:8, Mark 16:15, Isaiah 52:7, Isaiah 12:4, Isaiah 45:21-22, 2 Corinthians 5:20, and 1 Peter 3:15 and discuss. Pastor John shared five final directives of the Outward Bound life - how are you doing in living these out?

Main Idea:

Face ______________________ with faith in God, and stay ____________________ with strength from God!

TALK ABOUT IT:

Icebreaker: Share about an accomplishment you’re proud of in your life - and why you value that accomplishment.

1. Read Acts 18:1-4 and discuss. How do you think it affects Paul to have these people that he is doing life with as he is embracing his outward bound Jesus-following life? How have you experienced the value of having people to do life with as you live this outward-bound Jesus-following life?

2. Read Acts 18:5-7 and discuss. Have you ever experienced people coming against you for your faith?

3. Read Acts 18:6 again and discuss. How have you been through situations where you need to ‘shake the dust’, and how have you experienced God’s grace and empowerment in those moments?

4. Have you ever experienced where a setback actually became a setup for something greater - where the problem propelled you into a better future? What was the role of your faith in that journey?

5. Read Acts 18:7-8 and discuss. How do you think Paul might have felt about what ended up happening? How have you seen how persevering through difficulties makes the reward that much sweeter - in your own life?

6. Read Acts 18:9-11 and discuss. How do you think what Paul heard affected him? If you could hear what God said to Paul in a personal way, how would it affect your approach to life and what you’re facing right now?

Main Idea:

Face ______________________ with faith in God, and stay ____________________ with strength from God!

TALK ABOUT IT:

Icebreaker: Share about an accomplishment you’re proud of in your life - and why you value that accomplishment.

1. Read Acts 18:1-4 and discuss. How do you think it affects Paul to have these people that he is doing life with as he is embracing his outward bound Jesus-following life? How have you experienced the value of having people to do life with as you live this outward-bound Jesus-following life?

2. Read Acts 18:5-7 and discuss. Have you ever experienced people coming against you for your faith?

3. Read Acts 18:6 again and discuss. How have you been through situations where you need to ‘shake the dust’, and how have you experienced God’s grace and empowerment in those moments?

4. Have you ever experienced where a setback actually became a setup for something greater - where the problem propelled you into a better future? What was the role of your faith in that journey?

5. Read Acts 18:7-8 and discuss. How do you think Paul might have felt about what ended up happening? How have you seen how persevering through difficulties makes the reward that much sweeter - in your own life?

6. Read Acts 18:9-11 and discuss. How do you think what Paul heard affected him? If you could hear what God said to Paul in a personal way, how would it affect your approach to life and what you’re facing right now?

Message Notes:

1. Praise Trust = exhibiting _______________ in all aspects of your life.

2. The best ___________________ in life is laughter.

3. It’s a __________________ that is unsure of it’s God, if you are afraid to __________________ in His presence.

4. Where does the word ‘laugh’ appear for the first time in the Bible?

J S

O A

Y D

5. Psalm 23 says “My Cup Overflows” - what does it say in Mark about how we should approach God if we aren’t full of the Holy Spirit?

6. How has God constructed the word TRUST uniquely?

Main Idea:

When I find a __________________,

I’ll _________________ all the more.

TALK ABOUT IT:

Ice breaker: Share about any literal ‘door story’ you have: kicked one down, strange person came to one, etc…?

1. Read Acts 16:6-8 and discuss. How would you feel if you were the Apostle Paul at this point? What does it feel like when you hit a closed door that you thought was right?

2. What prayers of yours have ended up as closed doors? How did those situations play out? What can you learn from them, in retrospect?

3. Read Proverbs 16:9 and discuss. Sometimes God has a door open and ready for us to walk through, we just don’t see it because we’ve given up. Where in your life might God simply be looking for persistence and trust from you before giving you a yes?

4. Read Acts 16:7-10 and discuss. How does trusting God for revelation figure in to your process of discerning His direction?

5. Read Acts 16:11-15 and discuss. Share about a time when a closed door in your life was actually a redirection from God for something greater.

6. Share about any biblical character you can think of who was tested through some kind of closed door. Can you see how God had the big picture in mind, which we don’t always see? What situation(s) are you waiting on God for right now? What do you think God could be trying to develop in you through this?

Two Keys You Need:

1. Turn up the _______________________.

2. Hold on to _________________________.

TALK ABOUT IT:

Ice breaker: What’s your favorite fall decoration item or fall food product?

1. Read Proverbs 3:5-6 and discuss. How do these words inspire hope in your heart?

2. How does this scripture encourage you to live, and how could this help you with doors of transition?

3. Read Deuteronomy 31:8 and discuss. Share about a door of transition that you’ve faced as a believer. How did your trust in God help you to experience that transition in a

healthier way?

4. Read Psalm 23:1-6 and discuss. If this psalm paints a picture of journeying through doors of transition, what can you anticipate Jesus doing for you as you trust in him

through transitions?

5. Read Proverbs 3:5-6 again and discuss. How does the simple vision presented here of what God will do inspire you?

6. Read Psalm 27:13 and Romans 15:13 and discuss. Why is hope such a powerful force for the human soul? How can you tap into the power of hope in a more effective

way? In the message, a very specific aspect of holding on to hope was shared; how have you responded in your life to this particular dimension of holding on to hope?

Main Idea:

Walk in the ___________________________ by pursuing a life that is _____________________________________.

TALK ABOUT IT:

Ice breaker: Share about one of the best decisions you’ve ever made

1. Read Romans 12:1. How does keeping God’s mercy in view affect your door-choosing or decision-making process?

2. Read Romans 12:1 again. How have you grown in living a God-pleasing life? What motivates you to do this?What has the result been for you?

3. Read Romans 12:2 and discuss. Share about a time when familiar, worldly decision- making patterns led to

choosing a door in your life that was not a good door.

4. Read Romans 12:2 again and discuss. What are some specific things you do or could do to experience more of

the ‘renewing of the mind’ in keeping with what was shared in the message?

5. Read Psalm 38:2 and Isaiah 30:21 and discuss. Share an experience where you engaged that ‘AGG’ guidance of God in your life. How did that help you choose the door that was best?

Main Idea:

LOOK ___________- and ASK:

1. Look __________________.

Does this opportunity carry me further toward the ___________________ I desire?

2. Look __________________.

Does this opportunity make sense in light of my ______________________?

3. Look __________________.

Does this opportunity line up with God’s _____________________________?

4. Look __________________.

Is this opportunity in agreement with my ____________________________?

5. Look __________________.

Does this opportunity challenge me to go beyond my _____________________ and ____________________ God?

TALK ABOUT IT:

Ice Breaker: If you could live in any sit-com, which one would it be and why? :)

1. Read Jeremiah 6:16 and discuss. Share about the biggest opportunity you’ve ever had in your life.

2. Read Philippians 3:13-15 and discuss. Think through the process our pastor recommended for evaluating opportunity. How does having clarity about the ‘future you hope for’ help you to evaluate opportunities that come your way?

3. Read Isaiah 46:9 & Deuteronomy 4:9 and discuss. How does what you’ve been through affect what you might head into - and how does your past help you evaluate present opportunities?

4. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 & Psalm 119:1 and discuss. Why is it important to allow Scripture to provide you guard rails in your life? How have you experienced benefits from allowing Scripture to define parameters for you in your life?

5. Read Psalm 15, Proverbs 10:9 & Hebrews 13:18 and discuss. How does it affect you to either live in keeping with your personal values or to ignore your values?

6. Read Isaiah 42:16 , Deuteronomy 1:6-8 & 2 Corinthians 5:7 and discuss. Why is it important to embrace times of challenge? How have you seized an opportunity - even when it was hard? How did that stretch your faith? How did that benefit you?

Main Idea:

________________ in ___________________.

1. I remain in HIS LOVE when I _______________________________.

-Ephesians 3:14-15

2. I remain in HIS LOVE when I _______________________________.

-Ephesians 3:16-18

3. I remain in HIS LOVE when I’m ______________________________

to ______________________________. - -Ephesians 3:19-21

TALK ABOUT IT:

Ice breaker: What’s your all time favorite Love story? (Movie or book)

1. Read 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 and discuss. What are some things you do that are easy to do ‘in love’? What in your life do you struggle to do ‘in love’?

2. Read Ephesians 3:14-15 and discuss. How does a posture of humility help us remain in love? What does humility look like to you? How does our perspective of God encourage or discourage a posture of humility?

3. Read Ephesians 3:16-18 and discuss. What does it look like to be “rooted and established in love”? Why is it important to stand together with other believers? What does it mean to ‘grasp’ the love of Christ?

4. Read Ephesians 3:19-21 and discuss. Why does God’s love surpass knowledge? What are some things in life that fill you up? What in your life is currently draining you? How can you face what’s draining you and remain in love?