Mark Seekins

Luke 23:34

1. Mark talked about “last words” to begin his message. If you were to consider what you would want your last words to be, do you know what you would say? What would be most important to pass on?

2. Read the parable of the Unforgiving Servant from Matthew 18:21-35. Consider the weight of forgiveness or lack thereof in this passage. How important is it that we as believers in Jesus get this right?

3. Consider this quote: “Their ignorance did not make their sin excusable, but it meant that they themselves were forgivable.” How does this strike you? What kind of excuses do you make for your sin? Do you feel forgivable? Do you truly believe (and live like it) that Jesus has forgiven you?

4. What is harder? To forgive others...or to forgive yourself?

5. Mark said, “There is never forgiveness without suffering. Someone always pays every debt. Either you make someone else suffer for it, or you suffer yourself.” Do you believe this is true? What does true forgiveness really look like?

6. Spend some time in prayer considering that Jesus “forgave them” (Which includes you!). Be sure and consider who you need to now forgive as a result. “Forgive them!”

Ryan Moffat, Steve Stratos,

Corinthians 7:11-40

Ryan Moffat

1 Corinthians 7:1-10

1. What did God say to you this week through the Scriptures?

2. How has the culture or your experiences impacted your view of marriage? How does Scripture collide and correct that view?

3. What does it look like to apply 1 Corinthians 7:5 well? How has this verse been misused or misunderstood?

4. How can both married couples and singles thrive in our community at SCC? Do we have a healthy culture that fosters the right relationships for everyone in the family of God? How could we better facilitate a healthy church family?

5. What else did God say to you?

Ryan Moffat

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

1. What did God say to you through the word this week?”

2. How has culture discipled you into your view of human sexuality and sexual ethics? Where does Scripture want to correct that?

3. How has 1 Corinthians 6:18 proven true in your own experience? What does it look like to FLEE (this is an active command, not a passive suggestion)?

4. Pastor Alan Noble commented that “churches will only thrive in the modern world to the extent that they embrace the first line of the Heidelberg Catechism. This outstanding summary of Christian teaching, which was originally written in Germany in the 1560s, begins by asking, “What is your only comfort in life and in death?” The answer is one of the most powerful paragraphs in Christian literature, and it begins, “That I am not my own, but I belong body and soul, in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ”. How would this look in your own life lived out with integrity? What would it do for you (and your family) if you looked to Christ alone for comfort, beauty, purpose and intimacy?

Steve Stratos

1 Corinthians 6:1-11

1. Practically, what steps could you take if you had a dispute with a fellow believer—either within your church, denomination, or outside of either?

2. How does Paul stir up repentance in verses 7-11? How do these verses challenge or encourage you personally?

3. How would you explain Galatians 6:1-4 regarding the heart of reconciliation?

4. Have you ever approached or been approached to address conflict between you and another person? What did you learn about yourself and resolving conflict?

5. What are the most important quality characteristics for approaching and resolving conflict with a church member?

Steve Stratos with Gary Radmacher

1 Corinthians 5:1-5, Galatians 6:1-2

1. What is your first response to sin in your relationships? Why?

2. How would you define Empathetic Accountability?

3. What are some of your motivations for walking by faith? Why?

4. What prevents you from calling out sin in the lives of people who are followers of Jesus?

5. Where have you seen the restoration of a relationship? What were the mechanics of that restoration?

Mark Seekins

Philippians 1:1-11

1. Mark had some fun listing some things that are “better together”. What would you add to the list?

2. Read Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-34. Looking at these passages, what were some of the regular activities that the members of the early church engaged in together? What did the early church believers experience together when they did these things? Think about the way that each person in the early church related to one another and the ways they were involved in each other’s lives (seeing God do amazing things together). What does it mean to have “all things in common?” What do you think it means to have a shared or common identity with another person? Can you think of someone that you have a shared identity with? What would you say is the common identity that you share?

3. What are you thankful for in your community of believers (life group, church, etc.)?

4. How has your life been transformed by community? Is there a personal story of transformation that you can attribute to the community God has given you?

5. How has your community pushed you to love others? Is there an area you still need to grow in when it comes to loving others?

6. Don’t forget to wrap up your time praying “with” someone and praying “for” someone!

Ryan Moffat

Matthew 2:1-11

1. What is your favorite Christmas story that made your heart rejoice?

2. Identify times when one of the three responses to Christ’s birth crept into your heart. What was the cause and the effect?

3. Being familiar with the Christmas season can make us indifferent. What do you do to keep the beauty alive?

4. What is the best gift you have given to someone? What is the best gift you have received?

5. How has your walk with Jesus impacted the Christmas season?

6. For some this Christmas season will be difficult. How can you be present for them? Do it!

Ryan Moffat

Luke 1:46-55

1. What did God say to you through the teaching this week?

2. How can you cultivate a heart that sings with joy this advent season? How important is it to you to experience God in this kind of way? What would that do for you?

3. Mary’s song has been banned or highly discouraged in three historical governments (most recently in Guatemala in the 80’s). What about Mary’s message brings such threats to power? How do these subversive and surprising reversals of power change our attitudes and behavior in the world?

4. Advent is a season where we are reminded; “With God all things are possible” (Luke 1:37). What advent miracle are you eagerly waiting for, praying for, or longing for? Are you waiting in belief that God can do it (despite how dark it might look)? Have you found happiness of heart in God whether He does what you want or not?

5. How can your community support you this Christmas season?

Steve Stratos

Isaiah 9:1-7; John 1:1-5

1. Many have talked about the Dark Night of the Soul where through the struggle came much growth. Tell your story of the darkness and growth.

2. What does it mean to you that God hides His treasure in the darkness?

3. Many do not lean into God in the darkness, because they try their own solutions. Why does that stagnate growth?

4. What is the role of confession and repentance in the darkness?

5. What is the beauty of the gospel as we explore this theme?