Questions for Reflection / Discussion:

1. Have you ever thought about a follower of Jesus’ interaction with culture? In what way? If you were to have a tendency towards condemning culture (isolation) or consuming culture (integration) which do you tend towards? Why?

2. Read Exodus 32:1-14. Have someone retell the story in their own words. What do you think happened to the Israelites? What were they thinking? What does this tell us about ourselves?

3. Have someone read 1 Corinthians 10:1-14. Paul says that the narrative in Exodus 32 is an example and warning for us who believe in Jesus Christ. In what way is it a warning? What do you think we are to be careful of (v.14)?

4. If idolatry is putting something (or aspects of the culture) above Jesus Christ in your passions and priorities, how do you think the American Church (or elements of the American Church) is in danger of idolatry?

5. Mike said we are in danger of being discipled by television rather than the word of God. Do you think this is true? Why or why not? Do you know more scripture verses or movie lines?

6. What is one thing you think you might need to change as a result of today’s reading and message?

Questions for Reflection/Discussion:

1. If you have not done so already, please scan the above QR code and take the survey.

2. What are some things that you are passionate about? Gifted in?

3. Of the above 5 people gifts listed in Ephesians 4:11, which do you most identify with and why?

4. “Diversity within our unity leads to maturity.” In what ways have you seen this to be true in your home, work, small group, church family, etc.?

5. What skills have you been gifted/equipped with?

6. What experiences (sufferings, successes, failures, etc.) has God used to grow you? In what ways might these experiences be used to help build up others in the body?

7. What barriers might you be facing with respect to using your giftedness to build up the body?

8. What next steps might you take to bless the body of Christ and the world?

Questions for Reflection/Discussion:

1. What would you say is your most precious earthly possession? Who would you entrust this with and why? Who wouldn’t you entrust this with and why?

2. Do you have a “heritage” of faith (i.e. who shared the gospel with you, and with them, etc.)? If so, who are they and how many generations of people can you trace it back through?

3. Read 2 Timothy 2:1-2. What do you think are “these things” that Paul speaks of? Is it possible that “these things” have also been entrusted to you? If so, what are the implications?

4. Read Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:45-49; John 20:21-23 and Acts 1:8. What theme(s) do you find in these texts? How do these texts speak into the idea of our gospel purpose?

5. What barriers get in the way of you seeking to live out these texts? What steps might you take to engage in our gospel purpose?

6. Below list at least one person that you might be able to help follow Jesus. Be in prayer for them. What other steps might you take to engage in helping them to follow Jesus?

Questions for Reflection/Discussion:

1. Growing up, what was your definition of a “Christian?” Why do you think most people talk in terms of being “Christian” rather than being a “disciple?” What do you think distinguishes the two?

2. Why do you think people tend to equate spirituality with intellectual knowledge of the Bible rather than having a life that resembles Jesus? What would you say the

difference is? Does the first one necessarily lead to the other? What has been your experience?

3. Have various people look up the following verses: Matthew 7:21, 24-27; Matthew 12:49-50; John 14:15,21, 23.

What did real spirituality look like to Jesus (or at least one aspect of it)?

4. Read Philippians 2:1-11. What aspect of Jesus’ life does Paul specifically

encourage us to imitate in our own? What exactly does that look like? Why is that harder than just behavior modification?

5. How would your family be different if people actually started living out

Philippians 2:1-11 towards one another? How would your relationships be different?

6. Mike talked about our life being like an onion. What layer of the onion has God been working on in your life lately? What has your response been to his leading? What do you need to do about it this week?

Questions for Reflection/Discussion:

1. When you hear the word “family” what comes to mind? How would you define family?

2. How has your family of origin shaped the person you have become?

3. Read Matthew 12:46-50 and 1 John 3:1-

3. How might these Scriptures impact our understanding of family?

4. In what ways have you been guilty of acting more like Cain (see Genesis 4:1-16) than Christ (see 1 John 3:16) with respect to family? What steps might you take to act more like Jesus?

5. How might you personally engage more as “family” with brothers and sisters in Christ? What might be barriers to this for you?

6. What we do flows out of who we believe we are. If this is the case, what are your behaviors reflecting about what you believe?

7. Share one way that, if you believe you are part of God’s family, that you will live like it this week.