Looking Above

Looking Above

By Karen BaughmanReligion & SpiritualityChristianityEducationCoursesReligion
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Looking Above episodes

  • Looking above ep 25 - Ephesians 2:1-10 / Worship

    In this episode, Karen and Brooklyn chat about worship and how our experiences with God

    Questions to discuss with your group:
    1. Talk about your life before Christ.  Can you look back now and see that you were a zombie -comatose-corpse?
    2. How is your life different with Christ (How are you missing the mark less now that you are walking with Jesus? How are you more awake spiritually)?
    3. Karen described sin as "missing the mark" and talked about how this extends beyond what we would consider "big moral failures."  What is your response to that definition?
    4. Read verses 4& 5. How do you feel knowing that Jesus loved you in your sinful state?
    5. Christ's gift to us is life (that begins now) and salvation from eternal death. We can't earn it.  How does that knowledge shape your desire to worship?
    6. What or whom do your worship?  Are you more apt to worship God or a human/sports team/ performer?
    7. How do you engage in worship (privately and corporately)?
    8. What holds you back from worshipping openly and passionately?
    9. How might this group engage in worship together?

      10. The Takeaway: Experiencing God daily leads us to worship Him passionately.

      Action Step: Watch for God this week.  Pray and ask Him to show you where He is at work around you.  Then go to church Sunday ready to worship Him for who He is and what He is doing in your life.

      45 min
    10. Looking above episode 24

      Looking Above ep 24 - Ephesians 1:15-23/ Prayer

      In this episode, Karen and Brooklyn chat about prayer and look at the prayer Paul prayed for the Ephesian church.  This prayer was quite different than the prayers that most of us pray for our friends and might change our view of what is most important to pray for.

      Questions to discuss with your group:

      1. How do you feel about praying out loud?  Why do you feel that way?
      2. Read Acts 2:42. What do you do with what you hear preached on a Sunday morning?
      3. Do you have a desire to know more about God?  Do your actions show evidence of that desire?
      4. Why is it important to have an accurate, true, and thorough understanding of God?
      5. Is God your first line of defense or your backup plan when you run into difficulty? Why do you think that is?
      6. What is a bold prayer you're afraid to pray? How would a better understanding of God's power change your willingness to pray that prayer?
      7. Talk as a group about any prayer fails you've experienced (saying the wrong words, "Burning Ring of Fire" coming on as you pray, etc.). Then take time to commit to each other that this group is a safe place to practice prayer.
      8. Share any stories you have of answered prayer.  How does hearing those stories make you feel about prayer?
      9. What does it mean to pray expectantly?

        10. Pray. Go around the circle and each of you pray for the person on your right.  Pray for any prayer requests she may have mentioned as well as 

        The Takeaway: Prayer can change your friends' lives

        Action Step: Exchange names and pray intentionally for that one person every day this week using this passage as your guide.

        39 min
      10. Looking above episode 23
        Looking Above ep 23 - Ephesians 1:1-14/ Celebration

        It's a new season for Looking Above!  This season we'll be talking about how we grow in Christ together.  We'll focus our time on the book of Ephesians and also discuss how we can use the spiritual disciplines to grow together.  Karen and Brooklyn are discussing our blessings in Christ and how we should celebrate all that God has done for us.  It is important to recognize God's work and praise Him together.  Our faith grows from hearing the testimonies of others.

        Questions to discuss with your group:

        1. Together as a group go thru the passage and create a list of all the things God does (look for verbs).  Create a second list of what we receive or are offered.
        2. Verses 3, 6, 12, and 14 speak of praise.  Go around the group and have each person select one word/phrase from each list and share praise.  Why does that word/phrase resonate with you?  What does it mean to receive that as a gift from God?
        3. If you have time, have individuals share testimony either of how they came to Christ or of what God is currently doing in their life.  (This alone could fill your entire group meeting)
        4. Celebrate.  Party.  Give high fives.  Dance.  Whoop and holler. Do something together as a group (even if you feel silly) to celebrate God's goodness.

          5. The Takeaway: We have been so very blessed by God.  We should regularly take time to celebrate His goodness.

          Action Step: How will you personally celebrate God's goodness this week?

          29 min
        6. Looking above episode 21 - Special Guest - Brooklyn Alm

          Friendship has tremendous worth and purpose in our lives, but it is not meant to define us or be the source of our worth.  Brooklyn and Karen discuss the trap of comparison in friendship and how we need to be more aware of the unrealistic expectations we put on friends when we expect them to define us. Friendship with others begins from a place of intimacy with God.

          Questions for large group discussion: 

          1. Brooklyn suggested you develop a friendship with God first? Have you done this? If so, how does it relieve pressure from human friendship? If not, can you see why this should be the first step?
          2. Read John 13:34-35. How is friendship obedience to God?  Have you been obedient to God's will for how we do relationship?
          3. How does viewing friendship as a gift rather than something expected open us to gratitude?
          4. Why is it dangerous to look to friends for worth? Have you done this? What was the result?
          5. Are you tempted to compare (to your friends? to your friends other friends? to other people's friendships?)?
          6. Does insecurity lead to comparison or vice versa?
          7. Satan is the father of lies and uses lies to destroy our relationships.  What lies have you been tempted to believe about friends/friendships?
          8. What has comparison stolen from you?
          9. What are you gifted at in friendship? (Are you wise, encouraging, steady, loyal...?)
          10. Read Matthew 20:24-28 How can you be a servant in friendship?

            11. The Takeaway: Friendships are healthiest when our worth is found in Christ.

            To-Do This Week: Be intentional in your friendship with Christ this week. If you find yourself comparing or struggling with placing worth in friends, take those thoughts captive and ask God to replace the lies with truth.

            37 min
          11. Looking above episode 20 - Special Guest - Kalaina Baughman

            Part of life and relationship is pain. People move, people die, and people hurt each other.  In those situations, we have choices of how to deal with our pain.  Listen in as Karen and Kalaina discuss how to work through broken relationships and move forward with grace.  *We suggest that you save thirty minutes for discussion in pairs (so each person has 15 minutes to answer the final questions).*

            Questions for large group discussion: 

            1. Let's talk about the positive. Share how a "friend for a season" impacted your life at just the right time.
            2. At the end of the podcast, Kalaina shared, "Do unto others as you wish others had done unto you." Looking back at a pain you felt from a friendship, what did you learn to do differently in the future so you don't hurt others in the same way?
            3. Why is it so hard to evaluate and admit our contribution to the friendship breakdown? | Why does Jesus instruct us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us? (Matthew 5:43-48)

              4. Break into pairs now, so everyone has time to share. Please note, that this is a time for self-reflection not for bashing someone who hurt you.  Each person should have about 15 minutes to answer the following questions:

              1. Have you had a relationship break down (recently or in the past)?  Describe the situation briefly. What were the circumstances that led to the breakdown?
              2. Have you looked honestly at your involvement?  How did you contribute to the breakdown?
              3. Have you forgiven your friend?
              4. Have you asked for forgiveness?
              5. Have you allowed yourself to grieve the loss? What did that look like?
              6. What did you do well following the breakdown?  What could you have done better?
              7. Are you able to pray for that friend?  If you see her do you think positive/neutral/negative thoughts about her?
              8. Have you built walls around yourself? Did you get comfortable in your grief?
              9. What did you learn from that friendship break-up?  What will you do better in the future?

                10.  The Takeaway: Relational breakdown happens but you can grow through it.

                To-Do This Week: Intentionally pray for any "ex-friends" (or friends you're currently struggling with) that God brings to mind this week.

                38 min
              10. Looking above episode 19 - Special Guest - Joy Fox

                When you ask a friend how she's doing, more often than not her response will be, "I'm good, just so busy." Let's face it, we're all busy.  And with busyness comes hurry. Join Joy and Karen as they discuss how to be more intentional in friendship so hurry doesn't crowd out relationship.

                Questions for discussion: 

                1. Would you categorize your life as busy? Why or why not?
                2. Do you agree with the statement, "Hurry and love are incompatible"? (John Mark Comer) Explain your answer.
                3. Why do we choose the urgent over the important so frequently? What is the danger in that practice?
                4. How could you invite friends into your life ?(ie. run errands together, clean each others' houses)
                5. Read Luke 10:38-42 Do you relate more to Mary or Martha? How so? What point was Jesus making by praising Mary?
                6. Are you an initiator? If not, why not?  If so, how do you feel when you are the only one who initiates?
                7. Discuss this quote from Find Your People, "We've replaced intrusive, real conversations with small talk, and we've substituted soul-baring, deep, connected living with texts and a night out together every once in a while because the superficial stuff seems more manageable and less risky." (Jennie Allen) Is this true in your life? Do you feel lonely and like no one really knows you?
                8. What is a step you will take this week to prioritize relationships over busyness?

                  9. The Takeaway: Combat busyness with intentionality. 

                  To-Do This Week:  Identify someone with whom you want a deeper friendship.  Invite her into your busyness this week.

                  54 min
                9. Looking above episode 18 - Special Guest - Lindsey Lundvall

                  Sticks and stones do break bones, but words can break our spirits.  Karen and Lindsey discuss the power of our words in our relationships.  Join them as they encourage you to utilize your words to encourage and build up your friends.

                  Questions for discussion: 

                  1. Who do you know that is a natural encourager?  How do you feel in their presence?
                  2. "Don’t bite, devour, and consume one another" Galatians 5:15 How do you feel when in the presence of those who "bite" with their words? Do you bite others with your words?  Why do you think you/others do this?
                  3. "Don’t grumble among one another" John 6:43 What's the difference between healthy venting and grumbling? How can grumbling affect our relationships?
                  4. "Don’t complain against one another" James 4:11 Lindsey mentioned that the ratio of positive to negative interactions should be 5 to 1. Reflect on this.  How are you doing with your friends? (your kids? your spouse?)
                  5. "Encourage and build up one another" 1 Thessalonians 5:11 We have the opportunity to be like the Holy Spirit and encourage and build our friends up. Who has done this well in your life? How did they do this?
                  6. "Stimulate one another to love and good deeds" Hebrews 10:24 How can your Life Group "provoke" you (to love and good deeds)?  How do you need them to share courage with you?
                  7. Is there a friend who has been torn down, that you know you need to encourage?  What's your first step?

                    8. The Takeaway: Our words may be the most constructive or destructive force in our relationships.

                    To-Do This Week:  Encourage one friend daily! (You can do it!  I believe in you!)

                    42 min
                  8. Looking Above - Episode 17 - Special Guest Kris Dickey

                    Karen talks with her friend Kris about how the enemy uses introversion, fear, lies, and comfort zones to take us into relational isolation.  God's intent is that we have deep relationships, but the Enemy loves to keep us isolated. Consider the tactics that Satan has used in your life that have kept you stuck relationally. 

                    Questions for discussion: 

                    Are you an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert? (remember, this has nothing to do with shyness, but rather where we gain or are drained of energy) Acknowledge how this affects your relationships.

                    Have you ever felt isolated relationally due to circumstances? Explain.

                    Have you ever isolated yourself based on lies you were believing? Can you identify the lies?

                    When have you had to be pushed out of your comfort zone?  What was the result?

                    Have you ever felt safer in your isolation than in reaching out? What is at stake in reaching out?

                    What is your "comfort zone" that may keep you from better relationships?

                    What growth/discomfort is necessary to move you from where you are (in your comfort zone)?

                    What do you desire in friendship? (If you stepped out of your comfort zone, what would be your desired goal/outcome)

                    What is one step you will take this week to move outside your comfort zone? (ie. invite someone into your messy home, tell a friend about your "messy" life situation, etc.) 

                    The Takeaway: "Nothing new happens as long as we are in our self-constructed comfort zone." - Suzanne Stabile

                    To-Do This Week:  Take one step outside your comfort zone. 

                    32 min
                  9. Looking Above - Episode 16 - Special Guest Darci Wilson
                    Looking above episode 16 - Offendability 
                    Special Guest - Darci Wilson

                    Let's be real, sometimes our friends hurt us.  In this episode, Karen talks with Darci about one of the most tragic killers of friendship - offense.  When we choose offense over grace, friendships weaken and frequently die.  Fighting offense requires intentionality in our thoughts and actions.

                    Questions for discussion: 

                    1. What's the silliest (most trivial) offense you can think of?
                    2. Are you someone who is easily offended or someone who is hard to offend?  Why do you think that is?
                    3. Which reason for offense are you most prone to: self-focus, insecurity, feeling left out, misunderstandings, disagreement?
                    4. Can you think of a time you offended someone unintentionally?
                    5. 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to take every thought captive. Is this something you do? What does that look like for you?
                    6. How can thinking on the truth and assuming the best change our response to potentially offending situations?
                    7. 1 Peter 4:8 It is most loving to be honest with our friends. Why is it important that we talk honestly about offenses rather than bottling them?
                    8. Colossians 3:13 Do you often think about the forgiveness and grace God extends to you?  How can that awareness change the way you offer forgiveness?
                    9. Do you agree with Darci's assertion that it's good for friends to fight?
                    10. Is there a friendship you need to repair? Can our group pray for you as you take steps to repair the offense?

                      11.  

                      The Takeaway: The Enemy wants to tear down our relationships.  We have to fight offense by controlling our thoughts, showing love in honesty, and choosing to forgive.

                      To-Do This Week:  Have the hard conversation you've been avoiding.  If you've offended someone, work to bring reconciliation.  If you've been offended, lovingly tell your friend and then extend grace.

                      43 min

                    About Looking Above

                    From the publisher's feed

                    It’s easy to get bogged down in details of every day life. If we arent intentional, our eyes can easily be pulled away from the Lord and we can set our gaze on things of earth.