Life Group Questions

Opening Question:

Where do you find happiness in life?

Scripture Reading: Read Philippians 1:12-26

Observation Questions:

1. Looking at v. 12-14, what is Paul’s situation? What do you notice about other people’s reaction to him being in chains?

2. Looking at v. 15-18, what is Paul’s focus?

3. Looking at v.18-26, what is Paul concerned about? What persuades him to go on?

4. Paul writes about the Gospel. What is it?

Life Application Questions:

1. Paul proclaims, “What does it matter?” Where have you lost focus or gotten sidetracked in life? Where is your happiness incorrectly chained?

2. Have there been situations in your life where you lost hope?

3. Sometimes the messages about the Gospel we hear stop at salvation. What is missing? Why is this important in our lives?

4. Paul had an intimate relationship with Jesus... “To live is Christ.” What are some ways that you have found helpful to spend time with Jesus and grow in your relationship with him?

5. Have you had any circumstances or situations in your life that have seemed like chains but that God has used to set others free?

6. Why are we people of hope? How does this affect our everyday lives?

Prayer:
Spend time thanking God for all He has done, is doing and will do. Also spend time praying for each other.

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Life Group Questions

Opening Question:

- Who is someone in your life that you are thankful for? Why?

Scripture Reading: Read Philippians 1:1-11

Observation Questions:

1. Paul is writing this while in prison. How would you describe his perspective? What emotions does he express towards the church in Philippi?

2. Look again at verse 6. What do you think Paul means when he says that God will complete the good work he began in them? Is this still true for our lives today?

Life Application Questions:

1. Do you struggle at times with being thankful or is it something that comes easy for you? Explain.

2. What does it look like for you to reflect back and thank God for the past? Why is this important for us to do?

3. How do we thank God for our present situations? What about if we are going through difficult times? How can we still have a thankful heart?

4. As we see in these verses, the work that God is doing in us is not done and that he will continue to carry it out in us. What does it look like for us to be thankful for the future and to trust what God may have for us?

5. What would it look like for you this week to spend some time thanking God for who He is, for what He is doing and what He will do in your life?

6. Is there someone in your life that you can express thankfulness to? What can you do this week to show thankfulness to them?

Prayer:
Spend time thanking God for all He has done, is doing, and will do. Also spend time praying for each other.

Life Group Questions
Opening Question

If you’re honest with yourself how fearful are you? Rate yourself from 1- 10, with 10 being “I am constantly dealing with fear” to 1 “I am the most care-free person in the world”.

This week we will use the S.O.A.P. method for our discussion:

Scripture: Read Matthew 14:22-36 and Matthew 10:28–31

Observation:

What do you notice in the story
What do you think is the main point?
Read Matthew 10:28–31. What are some things people fear that can “kill the body but cannot kill the soul”?
What is your biggest fear about the future?
Application:

What is your biggest fear about the future?
Throughout this series we have talked about behaviors or corrective behaviors that we put in place to handle some of the issues that imprison our hearts. What are some of the “behaviors” that you end up resorting to in regards to fear? (These are the behaviors that don’t really address the root of the problem).
How have you tried to take control of situation/relationships in your life? What would it look like for God to be in control?
We can know in our heads that God cares for us. What does it look like to actually live that out?
What is God teaching you? How will this impact your life? What are you going to do about it?
Prayer:

As we consider our own fears, how could we ask God for help and healing in our lives? Where would you like to see God work the most in your life?

Life Group Questions
Opening Question:

What was something as a kid that someone else had that you wanted?

Digging Deeper:

Read Proverbs 14:30 and Ecclesiastes 4:4-6. What is the main theme of these verses?
What does envy do? Why?
Where do you find your biggest temptation for you to compare yourself against others (social media, social gatherings, the gym, work, etc.)?
Life Application:

How have you seen jealousy take away your joy?
Rob talked about comparing up and comparing down. What are some of the dangers that can come from both?
This Sunday we looked at two parables, is there anything you learned about yourself as the stories were told?
Have you ever gotten off track trying to be someone else or chasing someone else’s goals?
Why do we not need to be envious of anyone else? How can we live freely and experience joy because of Jesus’ work on the cross? How would this impact the way you treat others around you?
Further Reading and reflection:

Galatians 5:16-26, James 3:16-17

What is said about the dangers of not walking with the Lord in the middle of jealousy?

What is the wisdom from above?

Life Group Questions

Opening Questions:

This week we looked at anger. Where do you find you have the shortest temper?  At work?  School?  At home?  Other?
Anger isn’t always screaming and yelling. When does anger become destructive? What are other examples of anger?
In the sermon we talked about not letting the sun go down on our anger. What can go wrong when we allow this to happen?

Digging Deeper: 

Read Ephesians 4:26-27.  Take a moment to reflect and draw to mind some anger that you have held on to or stuffed. You don’t have to share it out loud.  Is it about a person? A reoccurring situation?
How could this grow and become more serious? What would it look like if you don’t address it?  How would it affect family, friends or loved ones?
Read Psalm 103:8. Take a moment to reflect on the character of God. What comes to mind?

Life Application: 

Why is looking at the character of God important?
Often our anger isn’t like God’s anger. It’s selfish anger. We often end up hurting the ones we love most. Rob challenged us with the question, “Are you fighting against someone who you are supposed to be fighting for?”
What about people we don’t know who are experiencing injustice? How can our anger lead to good?