Every Nation Vancouver

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” READ. I Samuel 8 Summary: When we want a king like everyone else, we push away God’s heart Discussion Questions: 1. Are the concerns stated by the elders about the future leadership of Israel legitimate (8:1-3)? How might the elders have dealt better with their concerns? 2. Read Deuteronomy 17:14-20 with I Samuel 8 in mind. What is wrong about Israel’s demand for a king? What contrasts do you see between these two passages? 3. What do you think is meant by these statements: “a king…like all the nations” (v. 5), “that we also may be like all the nations,” and “that our king may…go out before us and with our battles” (v. 20)? Why is this the same as rejecting God (v. 7)? 4. How should we understand God’s granting Israel’s desire for a king? (Romans 1:24, 26, 28 before you answer.) RESPOND. “How can today’s discussion further your relationship with God, one another, and the world? [Record respon

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” READ. 1 Samuel 7:3–4 (ESV): 3 And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the people of Israel put away the foreign gods, and they served the Lord only. Summary: Returning to God requires repentance. Discussion Questions: 1. Do you ever look at your own heart in the face of external crisis? 2. What does treating God as a "means" to a personal end look like in your life? 3. Do you desire God's nearness over what he can do for you? Why or why not? RESPOND. “How can today’s discussion further your relationship with God, one another, and the world? [Record responses and prayer requests.]

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” READ. Summary: God uses life’s injustices to prepare us for His judgment. Discussion Questions: 1. In 1 Samuel 2:1-10, list the seven “reversals” that describe God's justice. How does Solomon’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 6:23 explain justice? 2. What is the warning that James 2:12-13 and Jeremiah 17:10 give us? How does God use injustice to purify our hearts so that when God judges us, we will receive mercy and reward instead of punishment? 3. Are you preparing for God's judgment? RESPOND. “How can today’s discussion further your relationship with God, one another, and the world? [Record responses and prayer requests.]

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” READ. Summary: When God is first in our hearts, our lives are blessed. Discussion Questions: 1. 1 Samuel 1 and 2 describe a tale of two families: Eli versus Elkanah and Hannah. Both families practiced good values, but what does 1 Samuel 2:29 say that Eli did wrong? How did their decisions affect their families? 1 Samuel 3:11-13,19-20 2. It is a possible to be a relatively good person and still be cursed by God. What does Matthew 23:23 says about our priorities? 3. Where is God asking you to honor him? What will that look like? RESPOND. “How can today’s discussion further your relationship with God, one another, and the world? [Record responses and prayer requests.]

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” READ. Colossians 3:12-17 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Summary: Christian community offers what no one else can because it has Jesus at the centre. Discussion Questions: 1. What do you think of when you hear the word community? How is currently expressed in your life? 2. Read this quote by James Smith and ask yourself, why is this is important in regards to Christian community? " Communities become others-centred when they are steeped in the narrative of the kingdom of God, a place where grace is spoken and lived for as long as is needed…Our leader came and served and then di

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” READ. Mark 13:6-33 “Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. …8There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines… You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues… 12put to death. 13Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved… 33Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” Summary: To give us a new and better identity, God dismantles our old beliefs, hopes, and communities. Discussion Questions: 1. According to Mark 13, what things must happen before God's Kingdom comes to earth in its fulness? How do these things dismantle the past in order for a new and better Kingdom to be built? 2. To purify your devotion to Him, what does God need to dismantle in your life? 3. According to Mark 13:10, what will happen

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” READ. 1 Corinthians 1:20-23 Sticky Statement: We know God through Jesus' death and resurrection. Discussion Questions: 1. According to 1 Corinthians 1:20-23, how can we tell if our wisdom is from the world or from God? 2. What are some worldly beliefs that have made it hard for you to know God? 3. According to 1 Corinthians 2:2, how do we “know” God? Why is this so? What is God inviting you to believe about Him? RESPOND. “How can today’s discussion further your relationship with God, one another, and the world? [Record responses and prayer requests.]

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” READ. Mark 10:35-45 Main Point: Kingdom authority is found in ultimate servanthood. Discussion Questions: 1. What are James and John asking for? Can you relate in any way? How so? 2. What does baptism represent in this passage? Why does Jesus say that it's required for leadership in his Kingdom? 3. Read Verse 45 - Why does Jesus deserve to be King? RESPOND: How can today’s discussion further your relationship with God, one another and the world? [Record responses and prayer requests.]

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” READ: Mark 10:17-31 Sticky Statement: In this life and the next, is Jesus enough? Discussion Questions: 1. The rich young ruler had a question for Jesus that he couldn’t figure out on his own. Are there any questions that you would like to ask Jesus? How did He answer? 2. Jesus had a courageous conversation about eternity with the rich young ruler during which Jesus pointed out a bigger issue, that the man still lacked something and always would lack, in spite of all of the man’s achievements. Have you ever had to ask a question like this to a friend or someone you cared about? What was that like and why was it necessary? 3. At the end of the section Jesus promises rewards in this life and the next to those who follow Him. What is an example you have seen of someone following Jesus? RESPOND: How can today’s discussion further your relationship with God, one another and the world? [Record responses and

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” READ. Mark 9:42-50 Sticky Statement: Jesus calls us to cut off self-centeredness and walk in grace. Discussion Questions: 1. According to Mark 9:43-48, what three things cause us to stumble in how we care for others? Describe what they represent. 2. God will ultimately purify the world from sin by sending the wicked to hell (2 Peter 3:7-13). Salt is an alternate form of purification that enables us to avoid hell. What does Colossians 4:6 tell us to do? How can that purify the three things that cause us to stumble? 3. Where does grace come from? 1 Corinthians 1:3. How then, do we “salt” where we go, what we do, and what we see? RESPOND. “How can today’s discussion further your relationship with God, one another, and the world? [Record responses and prayer requests.]

REVIEW. What did you take away from last time (Refer to last week’s notes)? How did that go? READ. Main Bible Verse - Mark 7:1-20 Main Point: Traditions are attempts to maintain our own personal agendas instead of obeying God's commands and receiving his plans for us. Discussion Questions: 1. What are some personal agendas for your own life that may clash with Gods? What about them makes them clash? 2. Read Mark 7:8. What traditions, patterns or behaviours have you put in place to advance or maintain those personal agendas? 3. What are God's plans and purposes for your life? What do they have to do with trusting him and obeying his commands? RESPOND. “How can today’s discussion further your relationship with God, one another and the world? Record responses and prayer requests. Pray for each person.

Main Bible Verse: Mark 3:20-35 Sticky Statement: Living the gospel enables us to receive the gospel. Discussion Questions: 1. Commentators say that Jesus' family felt that Jesus was threatening their family’s reputation, and the religious leaders felt that Jesus was threatening their security and significance. What did their fears cause them to do? 3:21,22,31 2. What was Jesus' defense? 3:26 3. What is the danger of listening to our fears? 3:28 4. What quiets our fears and enables us to draw near to Jesus? 3:34

Main Bible Verses: Matthew 22:29, James 1:14, Matthew 8:26 Sticky Statement: To embrace truth, repentance, and faith, we crucify alienating thoughts, desires, and fears. Discussion Questions: 1. What undermines truth? Matthew 22:29 2. What undermines repentance? James 1:14 3. What undermines faith? Matthew 8:26 4. Think of an area of struggle in your life. At this point, is it a truth, repentance or faith problem? What would your next step forward look like? Pray toward that end.

Sticky Statement: "Freely giving is the initiation of all relationship." Main Verses: Matthew 10:5-8, Ephesians 2:1-10 DGroup Questions: 1. Why is the Kingdom of God built on the idea of freely giving without pay? 2. Why is scripture so committed to salvation being a free gift? What does this reality provide that a "transaction" can't? 3. C.S Lewis is quoted as saying "Love is never wasted, for its value does not depend on reciprocity." Where is God calling you to give freely? What would need to believe about God to allow you to do that?

Sorry I forget to send this out: Main Bible Verse: Acts 2:38 Sticky Statement: Faith makes surrender safe. Discussion Questions: a. According to Acts 2:38, what two things do we receive from God? Why are these gifts so essential? What is life like when we don’t receive these gifts? b. What undermines our ability to receive God's gifts? Psalm 81:11 c. To receive from God, what do we need? Galatians 3:14; Luke 11:9-10. Why is this so? Where is God inviting you to receive from Him?

Main Bible Verse: Matthew 6:33 Sticky Statement: The change that changes everything is a heart that trusts in God. Discussion Questions: a. According to Galatians 5:6b, what is the only thing that counts? b. What does Mark 4:40 say is the opposite of faith? c. Read Psalm 37:8b; what do our fears or anxiety lead us into? Why is sin a sign of anxiety? d. Think of an area of stress. What does Matthew 6:33 say is the answer? Pray about that now.

Sticky Statement: "God wants you regardless of your performance." Main Verse: Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Discussion Questions: 1. Why is it important that we are wanted / chosen before we were even born? What does that say about God's criteria for connection? 2. What lies / past experiences make it difficult to believe that you're "wanted" by God? 3. What does Jesus work on the cross say about his desire for a relationship? What implications does that have in your life?

Main Bible Verse: 1 John 1:8-9 Sticky Statement: Confession expresses sorrow and surrender. Discussion Questions: a. According to 1 John 1:8-9, what does God ask us to do? What kinds of things make it difficult for us to do that? b. According to each of the verses below, what helps us to be honest about, and want to turn from, our sinful attitudes and actions? Haggai 1:5-6 Isaiah 59:1-2 Psalm 51:4 c. What kinds of things do sorrow and submission cause us to do? 2 Corinthians 7:11. d. If confessing sorrow and submission leads to heartfelt repentance, then maybe a lack of repentance is a lack of sorrow and submission. How does this change the way that approach how change happens in our lives? Pray for this kind of heart in your life.

Main Bible Verse: Luke 17:1-10 Sticky Statement: Faith is doing what you’re told. Discussion Questions: 1. What expectations did Jesus have of his disciples in verses 1-4. 2. How did the disciples respond Jesus' expectations in verse 5? Given their response, how might the disciples have felt about Jesus' requests? 3. In verse 6, what is the first thing that Jesus corrects about their thinking? How is the parable in verses 7-10 an example of that? 4. According to verses 7-10, what is Jesus' expectation of us in 2019? Why is that good news?

Prayer and Fasting 2019 - Jacob Penner by Every Nation Metro Vancouver