This third week of Advent, Katie Fike shares a message on Mary

Luke 1:26-38

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

- What is a question or takeaway you have from the message?

- Can you think of other examples in Scripture where God uses everyday people to do his work?

- Discuss the quote, “Acceptability, prosperity, and comfort have never been the essence of God’s blessing." How does this challenge you?

- Mary responds to God's unexpected interruption with trust and surrender. How do you think you would respond? What gets in the way of us responding as Mary did?

- Read Mary's song (Luke 1:46-56). What do you notice?

- Where do you need "the God of the impossible" in your life today?

This second sermon in the Advent series, BEHOLD, focuses on Simeon and his experience of waiting for the promises of God.

To see the video sharing the promises of God (as described at the end), go to https://vimeo.com/377690108 .

Luke 2:22-35

FOR VINE GROUPS AND FURTHER DISCUSSION

* Read Luke 2:22-35. What stands out to you? Either insights or questions.

* Was there something from the message that has stayed with you?

* Discuss this story from the perspective of Simeon. How do you imagine this experience? Do the same for Mary.

* Reread Simeon’s song/prayer in 29-32. What do you notice?

* Mark shared that this is a story of promises. What is a promise from God you are beholding this week?

* Make sure to discuss the daily devotional that is at www.thevineaustin.org/advent

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This is the first sermon in the 2019 Advent series, BEHOLD. In this series, we are reminded of the central task of making room for Christ in our life. This week, we consider the example we have from Zechariah and the counter-cultural practice of silence.

FOR VINE GROUPS AND FURTHER DISCUSSION

* Read Luke 1:5-20. What stands out to you? Either insights or questions.

* Consider this question- How did God use Zechariah’s nine months of silence?

* After John is born and Zechariah can speak, he breaks into song. Read Zechariah’s song (verses 67-80) and note what stands out to you.

* What is your relationship to silence? How do you believe God could use silence in your life?

* Make sure to check out the daily devotional that is provided at www.thevineaustin.org/advent

Luke 1:5-20

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In this final sermon on Jonah, Mark shares on chapter 4 and the surprising ending to this timely story.

Jonah 4:1-11

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FOR VINE GROUPS AND FURTHER DISCUSSION

* Read Jonah chapter 4. What stands out to you? Either insights or questions.

* In verse 2-3, we finally have the answer to why Jonah ran in chapter 1. What do you make of Jonah’s words? Why is this so upsetting?

* Why do you think God created the experience with the plant, the worm and the wind? What do you think God was trying to teach Jonah?

* Mark talked about how this message is about the “underside of God’s grace”. What is meant by that?

* Tribalism exists today as well. How does this message instruct how we navigate the conflicts in our life?

* What lessons do you hope to remember from these 4 weeks in Jonah?

Welcome to the third week in the book of Jonah. Community member, Andrew Fike shares on relentless mercy of God in the 3rd chapter of Jonah.

FOR VINE GROUPS AND FURTHER DISCUSSION

• Read the 3rd chapter of Jonah. What stands out to you?

• How do you see yourself as Jonah in this story? In what ways do you question or doubt God's capacity to extend mercy to others?

• How are you encouraged or challenged by the Ninevites' response of repentance?

• What does it look like for you to fast? What does it look like to "wear vulnerability"?

• What encouragement do you take that God's mercy is showcased in sending Jonah and in responding to the Ninevites' act of repentance?

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Jonah 3:1-10

In this sermon, Mark shares on Jonah chapter two and Jonah's song from the belly of this fish.

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FOR VINE GROUPS AND FURTHER DISCUSSION

• Read the 2nd chapter of Jonah. What stands out to you?

• How do you read Jonah’s prayer? Has Jonah had a

complete transformation? Is anything missing?

• Mark discusses how so far this is a story of descent. How do

you see that? And what does it mean that Jonah has an

awakening all the way at the bottom?

• Reread verse 8. Do you find Jonah’s words to ring true to

you? If so why?

• How do you respond to the notion that the Christian life is a

cycle of life, death and life again?

• How has God used the darker moments in your life? What

was produced there?

For the next four weeks, we will explore the book of Jonah. This first week, we consider Jonah Chapter 1.

Jonah 1:1-17

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FOR VINE GROUPS AND FURTHER DISCUSSION

* What comes to mind when you think about the story of Jonah?

* Read the first chapter of Jonah. What stands out to you?

* Why do you think Jonah ran from this calling?

* How does this chapter display elements of satire?

* Mark quoted Tim Mackie, “Jonah thinks he is running for his life, when in fact he is running from his life.” Discuss this statement as it relates to our problem with trusting God.

* Reread verse 17. This chapter ends with a surprising provision. What does that provision symbolize?

* When you think of your life, when are you tempted to run from God?

This is the third and final sermon in the series PRODIGAL STORY. In this sermon, we consider the perspective of the elder brother.

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Luke 15:25-32

FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION

• What was a take-away or a question from the sermon?

• Read Luke 15:25-32. Place yourself in the elder brother’s

shoes. How would you respond when you saw your

brother home?

• Why is self-righteousness so dangerous? What is the

difference between self-righteousness and seeking to do

good?

• Discuss the notion of Jesus as “the true older brother”. How

did Jesus live out what the older brother should have

done?

• In the end, what is this parable about? Summarize it in

your own words. What is the personal application for you?

In the second sermon in this series on the Prodigal Story, we consider this parable from the perspective of the younger son with a sermon from Family Pastor, Ted Thulin.

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FOR VINE GROUPS AND FURTHER DISCUSSION

• What was a take-away or a question from the sermon?

• How would you describe the younger son in this story?

• Read Luke 15:11-24. If you were his father, what would you have done if your son came back after all of those things had happened?

• How does it make you feel to know that God loves you no matter what you do?

• For those who are comfortable, share a prodigal season in your life.

• When you wander from God, whether just off the front porch or out of town, what prevents you from coming home?

• Think of someone you know who may be running from God. Take a moment to silently pray that they would turn back to God.

In this first message within a three-part series, guest presenter, Gena Minnix shares from the well known parable of the Prodigal Son. In this message, we consider this story from the perspective of the parent.

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Luke 15:11-32

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION:

- What was a take-away or a question from the sermon?

- How do you imagine God responding when you’re suffering because of something you’ve done or brought upon myself?

- Read Luke 15:11-32 from the perspective of the Father. What do you notice?

- How does reflecting upon God’s compassion change the way you respond to others when they make mistakes?

- What notions of love did you pick up as a child, and how do those impact your understanding of God’s love?

- How might you make time in your weekly routine to sit and reflect on God as a loving parent?