GCF Hays

Life Group Questions

1. We want to have a balanced & biblical approach to the topic of healing today because there are two extreme positions out there; The anti-faith/anti-miracle crowd & the hyper-faith crowd. Which of these extremes have you experienced in the past?

2. Our church has experienced miraculous healings and some of which were even instantaneous. Have you seen God miraculously heal someone? Tell the story!

3. Right before raising Lazarus from the dead, Martha, full of doubt, told Jesus that Lazarus smelled bad because he had been dead for four days. Here is Jesus’ response in John 11:40 – “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

Many people need to see something in order to believe it is possible. Jesus challenged Martha’s faith when she didn’t believe Lazarus could live again. How does this challenge your faith?

4. Here are the three main reasons that we find in scripture for why God heals:

-      God heals out of compassion

-      God heals to glorify His son

-      God heals in response to faith

If we want to have a powerful healing ministry, we need to seek to have God’s compassion for others, be motivated by glorifying Jesus and believe that God can heal anything. Which of these areas do you need to work on and why?

Life Group Questions

1. We are three weeks into our 40 days of prayer & fasting. What has God spoken to you thus far?

2. Through a Greek word study, Pastor Rob showed us five different facets of God’s power.

Energeia – The superhuman power of God

Ischus – divine strength to resist and keep fighting

Kratos – manifested power that establishes dominion 

Exousia – divine authority, liberty of action

Dunamis – explosive miracle-working power

As Christians, we have the power of God inside of us in the Holy Spirit. Which of these facets of God’s power did you not realize you had inside of you? Will you operate in that power moving forward?

3. Read Acts 3:1-10. Do you believe God can use you to perform a miracle as he did with Peter? Explain why or why not.

4. The Apostle Paul experienced the power of God and it radically changed his life. How have you experienced God's power and how has it changed your life?

5. How can you press in, even more, to draw closer to God in the remainder of our 40 days of prayer & fasting?

Life Group Questions

1. God has a purpose for you. What is it? If you don’t know, how should you find out what God’s purpose is for you?

2. Who is the person that God put on your heart, when are you reaching out to them (if not already), and what resources do you have to bless them with?

3. Pastor Ryan said, “The reason people could listen to Jesus was not because of His position in a church, but because of His position in their hearts.” How does this challenge you to live differently?

4. Time is not something to be wasted. It is a resource to use for building the Kingdom of God. Yet, we all find ourselves periodically taking our time for granted. How can you make better use of your time?

5. God has promises that are available to every believer, but many of these are conditional. Read Psalm 92:12-13 as an example of a conditional promise. Tell about a time in your life when you either experienced or missed out on one of God’s promises due to the condition of the promise.

Life Group Questions

1. Read one of these: Matthew 9:14-15; Mark 2:18-20; or Luke 5:33-34. In your own words, what is going on here? At the time that He spoke, what did Jesus' answer mean? What does it mean to us now?

2. In the presence of a magnet, a second magnet is either repelled from or attracted to the other. Likewise, in the presence of God, we either reject His authority or are drawn toward God. Tell about times when you knew that you were in the presence of God. How did you respond?

3. In the presence of God, what does it mean to repent? What is the result of a response of repentance?

4. In the presence of God, what does it mean to reject God? What is the result of a response of rejection?

5. Kasey said that God isn't always fair..but he is always just. What are fairness and justice? Please compare and contrast them. And why do their differences matter?

6. When we abide in God, we become carriers of His presence. Others can sense it. Tell us about someone that you know who is like that.

1. What is your fasting plan for our 40 days of prayer & fasting?

2. Luke 6:27-28 says, “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

How does this challenge you?

3. In 2023, God is calling our church to have an outward focus. During these 40 days of prayer & fasting, the call is for us to seek to have God’s heart for the people He is going to bring into our paths this year.

How would you describe God’s heart for people?

How would you describe your heart for people?

4. In Luke 10, Jesus tells the story of the good Samaritan. A Jewish businessman was attacked by robbers and left for dead. Two religious leaders saw him and kept on their way. A “despised Samaritan” saw this man, ministered to him, cared for him, and paid for him to stay at an Inn until he was well.

What is the point that Jesus was trying to make by telling this story and what should we take away from it?

5. How do we prepare our hearts to share hope with our neighbors? ***Hint: Jesus is our example***

Life Group Questions

1.   Will Rogers said, “Never miss a good chance to shut up.” What does that mean to you? Why is that important?

2.   Kasey used eight Bible passages to re-enforce his point that you must think before you speak. Of those eight passages, which one has the specific wisdom that you most need to fully incorporate into your life?

·     Prov 10:19 – Too much talk leads to sin

·     Prov 12:18 – Reckless words pierce like swords

·     Prov 13:3 – Rash words lead to ruin

·     Prov 15:28 – Mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things

·     Prov 17:27-28 – Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent

·     Prov 21:23 – Avoid calamity by guarding your mouth

·     Prov 29:20 – A man without humility often speaks quickly and without thinking

·     Matt 12:36 – On judgment day, you will give account for every careless word you have spoken

3.   Kasey provided five practical suggestions to help you aim for understanding when you talk. Of those five suggestions, which one are you putting into your communication toolbox and keeping within easy reach?

·     Share your feelings – three levels (I did, I think, and I feel)

·     Use I-messages – focus on your feelings about the other person’s behavior

·     Use word pictures – Jesus was the master at it

·     Pay attention to your non-verbals – your tone and body language

·     Ask for feedback – make sure that others understand you

4.   Kasey encouraged us to be generous with praise. That doesn’t seem to help with being understood. So, why do that?

5.   Our key verse (James 1:19) – “…be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” Talk about how following the wisdom of these eleven simple words can greatly improve your relationships and your life. Give examples and use specifics.

Life Group Questions

1.   How good of a listener are you? Rate yourself on a 1-10 scale. Explain why.

2.   Prayer should be a conversation with God. What percentage of your prayer life do you listen to God versus talk?

3.   Pastor Ryan mentioned that listening has benefits! What are some of the ways that you’ve benefited when you’ve been a good listener?

4.   Listening communicates love. Describe a situation when you loved someone by listening to them.

5.   Pastor Ryan gave five practical suggestions for good listening.

a.   Listen first

b.   Listen attentively

c.   Listen for meaning

d.   Listen actively

e.  Listen reflectively

Which of these do you need the most work on and why?

Life Group Questions

1.   Pastor Rob talked about marathon runners hydrating 6oz every 15 min to prevent dehydration even if they are not thirsty. If they wait to drink when thirsty, it is too late; dehydration will take effect. What are you doing to prevent spiritual dehydration? 

2.   What are you feeding on right now? The Bible, books, past teachings on the app? Please share what is keeping your soul fed! 

3.   Psalms 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” How have you applied this verse in your life?

4.   Are you finding solitude, realigning your compass, and healing your wounded heart or do you find yourself escaping and isolating away from the relationships God has put in your life? 

5. Self-feeding is your responsibility, and your motivation is key to continue to do so. Are you showing up ready to play and be coached? If not, what’s holding you back?