Big Idea: Singles are not second class Christians.

1. If you could cast yourself in the starring role of any movie, what would it be?

2. What are some benefits of singleness?

3. What unique gifts do singles have to offer?

Read 1 Corinthians 7:6-8 before discussing questions 4-6

4. Why do you think the Apostle Paul says that he wishes all Christians “were as I am (single)” in verse 7?

5. Each person (in their current life stage) has a gift to be used by God. (v.7). What “gift” does your current life stage offer others?

6. Why might it be good for unmarried people to stay unmarried (verse 8)?

7. In what ways can singleness reflect the character of Jesus?

8. What can you do this week to be a blessing to others?

Watch here!

Big Idea: Marriage is designed to reflect God's love for us. 

Discussion Questions

1.  [Icebreaker] Is there a TV show family that resembles your own family (either currently or growing up?)

2.  Is there a couple whose marriage you aspire to or admire? If so, why?

3.  In your own words, how would you describe the goal of Christian marriage?

Read Ephesians 5:21-33 before discussing questions 4-6

4.  How does the views on marriage in this passage differ from culture’s norms?

5.  Verse 22 tells wives to submit to husbands “as the church submits to Christ.” What does that look like? What do you think about the term “submit” within marriage?

6.  Verse 25 tells husbands to love their wives “just as Christ loved the church.” What does that look like? What do you think about the term “headship” (5:23) within marriage?

7.  In what ways can a marriage reflect the character of Jesus?

8.  If you are married: how can your marriage better reflect Jesus?

9.  What steps can you take this week to better reflect God to those around you?

Watch here! 

Big Idea: God designed us for relationships: God first and others second.

1. God desires to walk with us.

2. People need friendships.

3. Rebellion interrupts our walk with God.

4. Trust is the basis of my relationship with God which is the pattern for all other relationships.

Questions

1. [Icebreaker] Who was your first “best friend”? Who were you closest to growing up? (i.e. mom, dad, brother, sister, grandparent, friend)

2. Why do you think God created people?

3. Why do you think Adam was dissatisfied by himself in the paradise of Eden? (Gen 1:20)

4. What does it say about God that he designed us for relationships? What does it say about us?

5. What are the most important relationships in your life?

6. In what ways have you seen sin/evil damage relationships?

7. Why is trust so important in relationships?

8. How should our earthly relationships mirror our relationship with God?

9. What steps can you take this week to grow or nurture the relationships in your life?

Big Idea: Five things that should never change about the church.

1. Worship: God wants me to focus on Him.

2. Discipleship: God wants me to take steps of spiritual growth.

3. Fellowship: God wants me to love others.

4. Evangelism: God wants me to help others cross the line of faith.

5. Ministry: God wants me to contribute something back.

Community Group Questions

1. What words or images come to mind when you think about “church”?

2. When and how did you first experience church? When did you first experience Grace Community Fellowship?

3. Pastor Steve talked about the five purposes of the church. In your own words, how would you explain the purpose of the church?

4. Read Matthew 28: 18-20. What did Jesus mean by “make disciples”?

5. What steps for spiritual growth can you take this year? Do you have any spiritual goals for 2022?

6. Have you ever served in a ministry? If so, which one(s)? What “gifts” would you say you have (re: 1 Peter 4:10).

7. Of the five purposes of the church (worship, discipleship, fellowship, evangelism, ministry), which do you want/need to focus on? What might that look like this upcoming year?

Big idea: The Golden Calve has snuck into modern day Christianity.

Watch here! 

Scripture: John 1:4-5

Big Idea: During dark times, step into the light.

1. Light illuminates.

2. Light gives life.

3. Light guides during uncertainty.

4. Light gives hope.

5. Light gives me a clean start.

Questions 

Read John 1:1-13 for questions 2-4

Big Idea: Jesus’ birth was the best thing that could happen to you—or the worst.

1. Seeing the real Jesus produces joy.

2. In the manger, heaven came to earth.

3. Jesus—the fulfillment of everything.

Discussion Questions

1. When do the Christmas decorations go up at your house? Are there any special or meaningful traditions for the “kids” in your family?

Read Luke 2:21-35 for questions 2-4

2.Mary and Joseph dedicate Jesus to God. What role (if any) did your parents play in your spiritual life growing up?

3. If you were Joseph or Mary, what might your reaction have been to Simeon’s words?

4. What do we learn about Jesus from this passage? What does it foreshadow?

5. In what ways is Jesus the “fulfillment of everything”? What needs and desires does he fulfill in your life?

6. In this week’s message, Pastor Steve contrasted the real Jesus with other “artificial Jesuses.” What are some artificial Jesuses that you see in our culture?

Watch here! 

Big Idea: A rough start prepares for a life journey.

1. You are more qualified than you think.

2. God will give you confirmation.

3. Everyone needs an Elizabeth.

4. Trust God when faced with the impossible.

Questions

1.Share a “rough start/time” in your life (as you feel comfortable)

2.What specific emotions do you think Mary & Joseph felt leading up to Jesus’ birth?

3.Have you ever experienced God confirmation a direction you felt called to move in?

4.Mary and Zachariah both respond with the word “how?” when presented with the angel’s message of what God was doing.Have you ever had an experience of God working in unexpected ways in your life? (even if you only realized it afterwards)

5.Do you have an “Elizabeth” in your life? Someone who encourages and supports you (specifically in your faith).

6.How can Mary, Joseph, and Zachariah’s story give us hope about how God is working in our life?

7.How does trusting in God change how we face things that seem “impossible”?

8.Is there a current circumstance that you need to trust God with?

Watch here! 

Scripture: Micah 5:2-5

Big Idea: Behind the scenes, God is putting it all together.

1. Wait for God to intervene.

2. Trust the person in charge: Jesus.

3. Look back for confidence. Look forward for hope.

4. Jesus brings peace to a conflictual world.

Questions

1. What is something that you are waiting for?

Watch the sermon here! 

Let go of anger to embrace freedom

Speaker: Josh Mitchell

Questions

1.  What is something that has made you angry in the past 30 days?

2.  What do you think about the idea of anger being a secondary emotion?

3.  How are you most prone to act in anger (are you an “exploder” or an “imploder”)?

4.  What do you think about the phrase: “be careful when listening to your emotions”?

5.  What mistakes can we make when we leave anger unchecked?

6.  Read Ephesians 4:26-27. What truths stand out to you in these verses?

7.  What are some practical ways that you can be a peacemaker?

8.  Is there something you need to change regarding anger in your life?