Encounter - Sundays

Together Group Questions

What is one of the best trips you have ever been on?

What stands out to you about Jesus in this narrative and how does that challenge or affirm your beliefs about Him?

Have you ever felt God was delaying something? How did you respond? What kinds of things helped you? What kind of things hindered you?

This isn’t the only time someone has felt God delaying in their life. In both the narrative of Jesus raising Lazarus (John 11:1-44) and the Life of King David (1 Sam 16:1-13 & 2 Sam 5:1-4: approx 15 yrs) there were delays. Read these passages and discuss; What insights can we draw from these other examples of God’s delay and how do these apply to our lives?

Luke 8:40-56 ends a section of Scripture (Luke 8:22-56) which highlights Jesus’ power over nature, demons, sickness, and death. What is the value of seeing Jesus’ power over both the physical and the spiritual world? How does this demonstration of his all-encompassing power strengthen our trust in him?

Close in Prayer by going around your group and answering the question: What are some areas in your life where you feel God is delaying and how can we pray for you in those areas for our good and His glory?

// What satan / demons do

Bondage

Uncovered and naked

Isolated

Lives among death / tombs          

Enslaved

Hopeless

Helpless

// What Jesus does

Breaks chains

Clothed in righteousness

Family and community

Dwell with God

Sets captives free

Hope

Salvation

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS

Read Luke 23:32-42. What stands out in this passage? What is God’s heart wanting to communicate to us through this Scripture?

What differences do you see between the 2 criminals on the cross? What kinds of attitudes did they display and where were their hearts at? (verses 39-42)

In this Bible passage, while Jesus is being crucified, we see a crowd standing around watching, the religious and political leaders scoffing, and the soldiers mocking. And after this we see one of the criminals join in with judging and mocking. Like that criminal, do you think that Christians do this kind of thing still today? Why or why not?

In what areas of your life are you currently displaying a “skeptical mockery,” or find yourself being a “reactive fool?”

Why is it so hard for us to admit, confess, own, and repent of our sin?

Talk about how Jesus acted towards both of the criminals on the cross? What did Jesus’ words and heart display?

Close in prayer by having everyone go around in a circle thanking and praising Jesus for what He’s done for us on the cross.

Together Group Questions

(Spend some time before your group going over these!)

The Big Question: What insight, principle, or observation from this week’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.

Read Acts 2:42-47 slowly. Share a list of things you notice about this group of disciples. What would it take for your group to look like this?

What do you think is God’s main desire for us in our relationships? Why did He place people in our lives? And why did He place difficult people in our lives?

Read Philippians 2:1-5. Why is it so hard to be other-centered? What should the basis of our love be?

What is the hardest thing for you in relationships? What area could the Holy Spirit work so that you knew how to love and live with people in a more Godly way?

What are the benefits of doing life together in a small group?

***Bonus individual study material:

Read the following “New Testament-One-Another” Scriptures. Next to each one on separate paper, name a person or group, and one practical way, that you can live each of these out:

John 13:34-35, Romans 12:10, 12:16, 14:13, 15:7, 15:14, 1 Cor. 1:10, 12:25, Galatians 5:13, 5:26, 6:2, Ephesians 4:2, 4:32, 5:21, Colossians 3:9, 1 Thes. 5:11, 5:15, Heb. 10:24-25, James 4:11, 5:9, 5:16, 1 Pet. 4:9, 1 John 4:7, 4:11-12