Encounter - Sundays

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS Read Hebrews 11:1, 11:6, 11:13-16, and 11:32-40. What is God’s Word saying to you in this passage? What is God’s heart for His people? In your own words, what does it mean to have a living faith? List some practical steps you can take on a daily basis to build your faith. Why do you think it is so important to God, for us to have a life of faith? How is faith not opposed to preparation, planning, and hard work? And how can we differentiate whether the power is from God or from all of our planning and hard work? What are some reasons why God doesn’t always deliver (or fix everything) for those who trust in Him? Why should the results and outcomes of our circumstances not affect our faith? What is one big dream or thing beyond your comfort zone, that only God can do, that you wish you had faith for? Close by sharing what one area of your daily life that you need more faith, and then pray about these things as a group.

1. Read Mk 6:30-32 two or three times in different translations. Take some time to quietly meditate on the text. Close your eyes and try to picture what is happening in your mind. How would you describe what is happening here? 2. Why do you think Jesus responded the way He did? What do you think was happening in this situation with His Apostles that Jesus was not ok with? 3. What do you think these verses reveal about the heart of Jesus? 4. In Mk 6:30-32, Jesus had His Apostles pause from doing ministry, come with Him to a quiet place, and rest with Jesus. What do you think are some of the dangers of being out-of-balance in life both physically and mentally/spiritually? 5. What are some of your symptoms physically and emotionally/spiritually when you are out-of-balance? What things have you learned to do to get back in balance? 6. In the message on Sunday, Pastor Frank said that different people experience Jesus in different spiritual pathways. Which ones do you think are your top three? Some of t