DeGroups

Would you say you're usually more trusting or skeptical of what you're told? Give us an example!

What stood out to you most from today's

conversation?

Which Psalm (22 or 88) did you identify with more, and why?

Have you ever had a question or doubt about God? Share it, if you feel comfortable.

Have you ever shared one of your questions or doubts about God with someone else? If so, how

did that conversation go?

Has anyone ever shared a question or a doubt with you? If so, how did you feel and respond? Is there anything you wish you'd done differently?

When was the last time you talked to God about one of your questions or doubts?

Based on our conversation today, what do you think God would want us to know about our questions or doubts?

Read Hebrews 4:14-16. What can we learn from this passage about dealing with our own doubts and questions?

What's one way today's conversation is going to change the way you see your own doubts or questions?

What's one way today's conversation is going to change the way you see others' doubts or questions?

Who's the best storyteller you know? What makes them a great storyteller?

Who do you always listen to when they speak? Why do you trust them so much?

In your own words, how would you explain the big story of God?

How are you and I a part of God's story?

When you think about sharing the good news of Jesus, what makes you feel excited? Scared? Uncertain?

What part of God's story do you feel most confident talking about? Why are you so comfortable with that part?

What part of God's story are you most nervous about sharing? How do you think you could become more confident?

Re-read Luke 8:4- 15. Tell us about a time you could relate to this story. What does this parable teach you about that situation?

How would you finish these sentences?

I am . . .

My influence is with . . .

My message is . . .

What's one thing you're going to do this week to either share God's story or better understand how your story connects with God's story?

• Who is someone you've never met who has influenced you for the better? How did they influence you?

• Who is someone you know very well who has influenced you for the better? How have they influenced you?

• What's one way you positively influence the people in your closest "ripple?" What about the people in your other "ripples" of community?

• Why do you think it's important for followers of Jesus to learn how to be better influencers?

• What are some practical ways we can shine the light of Jesus to people who aren't our closest friends or family?

• What are some practical ways we can help the people closest to us see or shine the light of Jesus more brightly?

• What prevents you and those closest to you from influencing each other for the better?

• Re-read 1 Corinthians 15:33. Let's get honest again. What's one way you have negatively influenced someone in your closest "ripple?" What's one way someone has negatively influenced you?

• What should we do when we realize someone is influencing us negatively? What should we do when we realize we are influencing someone else negatively?

• This week, what's something small you can do to influence the people closest to you for the better?

What’s something you took away from this week’s podcast?

What are your parents like? Describe them.

What is the thing you love most about your parents? Why do you love that most?

What is one thing you would change about your parents? Why would you change that?

What do you do that reminds you of your parents? Why do you think that is?

What are some ways you would say you are very different from your parents? Why do you think you’re so different in those ways?

Read Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) What do you think this verse means and is talking about?

What ways would you say your parents represent God well?

What are some ways you think God’s love is even better than earthly representations shown by your parents?

What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?

How do you know when you are facing a bully? Give an example from personal experience if you have one.

Read Mark 12:31. How can we love a bully as ourselves?

Why are boundaries so important? What are some healthy boundaries you can set when it comes to bullies?

Think of bullies from your past. How did you handle the situation? What, if anything, would you do differently now?

How do we know if we are bullying someone else?

Write a personal action step based on this conversation.

What is your initial reaction to this podcast? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?

Who is your best friend, and how did you meet them?

What is something that most of your friends have in common (for example, the movies you like, hobbies, etc.)?

Read Proverbs 13:20. What does this verse teach us about the influence our friends have over us?

What are some of the consequences of choosing good friends? What are the consequences for choosing bad friends?

What are you looking for in someone to know if they will be a good friend or not?

Write a personal action step based on this conversation

What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?

Read James 5:16. Why is it important to confess your struggles to another believer? What happens when we’re not honest about them?

How are you feeding your love for Jesus?

How are you feeding your selfishness?

How are you feeding others?

Write a personal action step based on this conversation.

1. Invite someone in the group to summarize the topic.

2. What are your intiial reactions to this topic?

3. What do you think is the difference between an addiction and a bad habit?

4. Read Galatians 5:16-17. Describe the conflict between the Holy Spirit and the sinful nature. What does it mean to “let the Holy Spirit guide your life”? What is the result?

5. Read Proverbs 28:13. How does secrecy work against success in overcoming an addiction?

6. Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. What are some of the lies that help create addictive strongholds?

7. What are some of the supernatural resources God has given us that give us power over addiction?

8. How does it work in practice to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ”? Give an example.

9. ASOW: Try to identify something in your life that, may or may not be a full blown addiction, but that takes up too much of your time or energy.

Question Source: https://www.pursuegod.org/how-to-become-an-addict-bad-advice-1/

Music in this episdoe from https://filmmusic.io "Nowhere Land" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Talk about these things this week in your time together:

1. What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?

2. What social media platforms do you use most? Why these platforms?

3. What are some good things you’ve seen happen because of social media? What are some bad things you’ve seen happen because of social media?

4. Have you ever been tempted to get validation from social media popularity or exposure? Explain.

5. Why is it important that we know where our true value comes from – as God’s creations and children? Explain.

6. Have you ever been involved in a social media argument? Why did you get involved? What happened in the end? Was there any lasting change or impact that came from the argument?

7. Have you ever been tempted to compare your life to the social media highlight reels of others? Or have you known someone who does do this? What happened?

8. Do you think you spend too much time on social media? If so, what steps must you take to lower the amount of time you spend on social media?

9. Have you ever seen friends or family members (your own or strangers) ignoring each other because they were too busy on social media? Or have you yourself been guilty of this from time to time? How did/do you feel about it?

10. What do you need to do to make sure you’re controlling your social media – not the other way around?

11. ASOW: Write a personal action step based on this conversation.

QUESTION SOURCE:

http://www.pursuegod.org/social-media-and-christianity/#jump1

Music in this episdoe from https://filmmusic.io "Nowhere Land" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Here is what you can talk about in your group this week!

1. What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?

2. What future event are you most worried about right this moment? Why?

3. Make a list of some times that you were

worried sick over a day or an event. Looking back, did worrying make those stressful events better or worse? Explain.

4. Read Matthew 6:25-27. What are you not

trusting God to provide right now?

5. How would you see yourself differently if you truly believed that you are valuable to the God of the universe

6. ASOW: Write down at least 3 ways that God has taken care of you this week. Thank God for those things every morning. Track your stress on a scale of 1 to 10 every evening.

QUESTION SOURCE:

http://www.pursuegod.org/stressed-about-the-future-youth/

Music in this episdoe from https://filmmusic.io "Nowhere Land" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)