The Upper Room Fellowship

Sermon Questions:

* What idea or comment stood out to you in this sermon?

* Read/Review Matt 19:1-12. Discuss how differently Jesus sees people, marriage and the purpose of our lives versus how the American church and/or current society sees.

* What is expressive individualism and why does it hurt people rather than help them?

* Do you see yourself in any of the aspects of expressive individualism that Chris discussed? How do you work to fight that? (Review Galatians 5:24)

* Discuss how current culture views the body versus how Christianity views the body. Why is that important, especially right now in relation to society, genders, imaging, love versus lust, etc.?

Sex Talk #1 - The Exchange // Chris H.

Make The Most Of Every Opportunity // Chris H.

Sermon Questions -

* Often we find Jesus shattering molds and breaking up people's categories. When is the last time you let the holy spirit shake up your preconceived notions? How has that changed you?

* If you'd like, you can read and review Matt. 3:13-17. Jesus is our perfect substitute. We can't save ourselves. In what ways have you admitted your helplessness? Has this been a difficult process?

* If you'd like, you can read and review Matt. 4:3 & 6. Satan's tactics are the same, but they continue to work - downplay and doubt. Does the enemy use these to attack your thoughts? Chris asked specifically where your self-worth is found. Do you use scripture to help you fight deception?

The Eternal Value of Words // Josh Osborn

Sermon Questions -

* What is something that stood out to you or spoke to you in this sermon?

* Review that comparison does two things: makes you feel superior or inferior. Neither honor God. Have you been looking for approval? Have you been feeling superior or inferior?

* Who or what has been my reference point for whether I'm doing or being enough? Whose estimation do I believe and whose estimation should I believe?

* Have you asked yourself who you would like to secretly see fail? Or if you are dissatisfied with a child or spouse? Review: Comparison is a profoundly spiritual issue. We are to get our cues from God, accepting his love and acceptance, and staying in his will.

* How has your homework gone this week? Read Ecc. 4:6. Discuss this verse and what it means to you. (You can also read 2 Cor. 12:10 as well).

Sermon Questions -

* What is something that stood out to you or something that really hit you from Chris's sermon?

* Review the dilemmas that forgiveness solves: 1) rumination - I think it to death. 2) retribution - I plan justice for myself. 3) repression - I suppress my feelings.

* Which dilemma do you usually fall into, how does it affect you, and how has forgiveness released you from that dilemma?

* Read Matt. 5:21, Mark 11:25, Luke 17:3, 5. Talk about how much relationships matter to God. Are we becoming experts at forgiveness? How can the group help you become better at forgiving?

* How did the HW go this week? Review Matthew 6:11-12. Are you working towards forgiveness with anyone? Are you holding bitterness towards anyone?

* Pray with the group, encouraging them to work towards wholeness!

Sermon Questions -

* What are some points or an idea that really stood out to you?

* At some point, much of what we do in life becomes automatic, including our beliefs. Ha s there been a moment in your life where you realized you'd just accepted a belief and made it automatic and that belief was incorrect?

* Along with debt, think about other cultural liturgies. The world tells us to consume. Is there a cultural liturgy you've accepted and has become, in a way, automatic or unconscious?

* Scripture tells us to not store up stuff on earth, but to store up treasure in heaven. How do we do that? Along those lines, Chris also asked, "Does your love for God seep into your day?

* Read Colossians 3:12, 14. How has your liturgy gone this week? Have used the image of clothing as a memory tool? What have you learned?

* Remember - You train your heart to follow what you treasure.

* What stood out to you or spoke to you about Chris's message?

* In John 1:35-38, Jesus asks the two disciples what they want. It's the first thing that Jesus says in the gospel of John. Do you know what you want right now, as you're going to follow him? Answering this question is our starting place with Jesus.

* Do you have a divided mind? In what areas do you feel pulled in different directions about the nature and character of God?

* Why does the intellectualist model about living and faith not work?

* How has your week of practicing liturgy gone? Read John 5:19-20 together and discuss how you've been praying and if God has shown you anything.

* Reminder: Phil. 2:5 Tell us to have the same mindset of Christ. Instead of, "I think, therefore I am," we could say, "I love, therefore I am".

* Pray that the Upper Room and the body of Christ as a whole have their eyes and ears opened and that we can move forward to do and say what the Father asks us to do and say!

Sermon Questions -

* What part of Chris's sermon stood out to you, or what comment did he make that was an 'ahhhaaaa' moment?

* Chris discussed that the emphasis of our lives should not only be learning, but should be applying. Has the holy spirit been asking you to change anything or do anything new or different lately? Are you actively trying to live with the holy spirit through your day?

* Read John 5:16-23. Have you prayed about or thought about aspects of your life where the law trumps love or religion wins over relationship? Pray that you would continue to see the scriptures as a window to Jesus and not an end in themselves.

* Read Eph 5:18. What does it look like to be filled with the holy spirit (in your life, personally)? How do you work to move God out of your sub-conscious into you conscious, day-to-day?

* Read John 15:5. God desires that we grow and produce fruit organically. What does it look like when you try to substitute growth and instead grow mechanically?