Life Groups Study – Week Of 03/14

Life Groups Study Week of 03/14

The Best Laid Plans

My Message Highlight

QUESTION: What was a key take away for you from Pastor Tim’s message?

My Story

QUESTION: Have you ever had a moment in your life where you thought things has “turned a corner” for good, only to find out you still had a long way to go?

This Is God’s Word

Acts 1:3–8 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

1. Imagine this moment that you were one of the original disciples, literally spending time with the risen Jesus, having seen him executed and now living again.

The disciples are asking about the final Kingdom reign of Jesus, but Jesus is telling them there is much work to do before then—evangelism, missions, etc.

Question: How do think you would have felt believing you were at the happy ending…only to find out you were at a new beginning?

Question: Has there ever been a moment in your life that you truly felt like you are a part of God’s continuing work in the world? If so, what was it, and how did it feel?

2. Pastor Tim said, “SERVING IS BETTER THAN RULING”

Mark 10:42–45 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Question: In our world, a desire to attain status is a common ambition. Jesus redirects our ambition toward meeting the needs of others. Reflect on the life of Jesus: What is a moment you think of in His life where you can see He “practiced what he preached”?

Question: Have you ever found yourself feeling thankful that you had the opportunity to simply serve another person? Describe that moment—what was igt and how did it feel?

3. Pastor Tim said, “LAST IS BETTER THAN FIRST”

Mark 9:33–35They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

QUESTION: Where do you think the urgency in the human heart to be “first” and “the best” comes from? Do you think it is healthy?

QUESTION: What must it say about the way God is if he would tell you that serving people is more important than achieving anything else our world would say is great?

4. Pastor Tim said to be “CHILDLIKE IS BETTER THAN SOPHISTICATED”

Matthew 18:1–4 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

QUESTION: What do you think Jesus sees in children that He wants to see in us?