8 THINGS TO REMEMBER

1. What is one thing you remember, about growing up in church, that God used positively in your spiritual growth?

2. What is one thing that caught your attention from this message?

3. Remember 1: We will see you at home

• Read Philippians 3:18-21
• Discuss this point to remember, in context of God’s Word

4. Remember 2: Make disciples

• Read Matthew 28:19,20
• Discuss this point to remember, in context of God’s Word

5. Remember 3: Rub each other the right way

• Read Hebrews 10:24,25
• Discuss this point to remember, in context of God’s Word

6. Remember 4: Just do what God has asked you to do

• Read Micah 6:8
• Discuss this point to remember, in context of God’s Word

7. Remember 5: It’s all good

• Read Romans 8:28,29
• Discuss this point to remember, in context of God’s Word

8. Remember 6: Center on Christ

• Read Colossians 1:28
• Discuss this point to remember, in context of God’s Word

9. Remember 7: Follow your God-given leaders

• Read Hebrews 13:17
• Discuss this point to remember, in context of God’s Word

10. Remember 8: We are partners in the gospel

• Read Philippians 1:3-6
• Discuss this point to remember, in context of God’s Word

PRAYER

GOD’S MERCY

Jonah 4

1. Can you think of a time when you began with an unforgiving heart toward someone, but God turned it into a heart of mercy?

2. What is one thing that caught your attention from this message?

3. Read Jonah 4

4. Why do you think Jonah was angry with God’s mercy; and can you think of a situation when you felt the same way?

5. What brought Jonah to the place of being so angry that He wanted to die? Can you relate to that at all? What about our world makes you the most angry; and how does it affect you?

6. What was God trying to teach Jonah with the plant he provided for shade and then quickly took away? Can you think of a situation like that, for you, where God gave you something, then took it away to teach you a lesson?

7. How was God’s mercy revealed in:

• Sparing Jonah
• Sparing Nineveh
• Providing temporary relief for Jonah
• Teaching Jonah
• Saving you
• Teaching you about His mercy and how to show it to others

8. Discuss the message summary statement: GOD SHOWS MERCY AND WANTS US TO DO THE SAME

9. Are you willing to take the challenge: Pick out 3 people you know, on whom you would like to see God’s judgment come; and pray instead, for their repentance and God’s eternal, life giving mercy.

PRAYER

GOD SENDS A MESSAGE

Jonah 3

1. Can you think of a time when you sensed there was a message God wanted you to give someone else, from His Word, and you struggled to do so? Explain…

2. What is one thing that caught your attention during this message?

3. Read Jonah 3 and discuss your observations.

Questions 4-7 are from the Life Change Bible Study Series in Jonah:

4. In 3:1,2, what does the Lord call Jonah to do, and how does this relate to his first calling in 1:1,2?

5. What is especially significant about Jonah’s response in 3:3,4?

6. Summarize the response of the ruler and people of Nineveh as described in 3:5-9

7. What is especially significant in the Lord’s response to the Ninevites in 3:10?

8. Discuss the summary statement in the message, for Jonah 3:

GOD’S MERCIFUL MESSAGE BRINGS REPENTANCE AND DELIVERANCE

9. Will you take the challenge for the week?

REPENT OF YOUR SINS AND FOLLOW HIM

GOD IS IN THE RESCUE

Jonah 2

1. What is a “fish story” you can tell?

2. What is one thing that caught your attention from this message?

3. Read Jonah 2 and discuss your reactions to this part of the story

4. Why do you believe the story of Jonah is a true story and why is that important?

5. Read Jonah 2:1,2 and discuss Jonah’s summary of his experience

6. Read Jonah 2:3-7 and discuss the details of Jonah’s experience and how he began to repent

7. Read Jonah 2:8,9 and discuss the expression of thankfulness from Jonah

8. Read Jonah 2:10 and discuss how this chapter concludes

9. Discuss this summary statement of the message: WHEN WE ARE DONE SAVING OURSELVES, GOD RESCUES US

10. Take the challenge: Write a prayer of thanksgiving, related to how God has rescued you from your heart idols and your commitment to worshipping only Him

PRAYER TIME

GOD IS ON THE RUN

Jonah 1

1. What are your memories of playing Hide and Seek?

2. What is one thing that caught your attention from this message?

3. Read Jonah 1 and discuss your observations from just reading it.

4. In what ways can you relate to Jonah and in what ways can you not?

5. What are the things in Jonah 1, that demonstrate Jonah’s rebellion against God?

6. What, in Jonah 1, demonstrates God unrelenting love toward Jonah and commitment to His purpose?

7. Do you agree with the idea that Jonah is more about God (mentioned 38 times) than it is about the fish (4 times), the city of Nineveh (9 times), or even Jonah (18 times)? Why or why not?

8. Discuss the summary statement of Jonah 1 in the message:

When we run from God, He runs from us

9. Are you willing to take THE CHALLENGE?

Ask God to help you answer 3 questions…

• What is one way in the past that you ran from God and how did He pursue you?
• Are you currently running from God (going against something he has clearly explained in his Word)?
• How has God showed His love and faithfulness toward you over the years?

PRAYER

How does the truth of who Jesus is change how you live every day? 

What emotion best represents this past year for you?

Is there an area of your life that you find yourself holding tight? or feeling entitled? or trying to fix what you can’t control?

What short prayer could you use in the new year to remind yourself of the truth that it all belongs to and benefits Jesus?

PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS

1. What does your family preparation for Christmas look like?

2. What is one thing that caught your attention from today’s message?

3. Read Isaiah 7:14 and Isaiah 8:8 and talk about how this prophecy relates to Jesus

4. Read Matthew 1:18-21,24,25 and discuss how God prepared Joseph for the coming of the Messiah through Mary

5. Read Luke 1:26-38,46-55 and discuss how God prepared Mary for the coming of the Messiah through her

6. Read Matthew 1:23-25 and discuss how this truth from 2,000 years ago relates to our lives today

7. Read Romans 3:23; 5:8; 10:9 and discuss the NEXT STEP of receiving the gift of Immanuel

8. Read John 14:16,26; I Corinthians 6:19 and discuss the NEXT STEP of believing that God is still here

9. Read John 14:15,16,21; I Corinthians 6:19,20 and discuss the NEXT STEP of living in response to God living in you

10. What is your NEXT STEP?

PRAYER TIME

THE SHEPHERDS

1. When you hear the word “shepherd” what comes to your mind? Why?

2. What is one thing that caught your attention from today’s message?

3. Read Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 2:20; Colossians 1:18; I Timothy 3:1

• Discuss the following statements, as they relate to these verses:

Jesus started, is the cornerstone of, and is the head of His church.

The apostles and prophets were the foundation of His Church.

Elders are the leaders of His church.

4. Read Acts 20:17,28; Philippians 1:1; I Peter 5:1,2; Titus 1:5,7

• Elder/Pastor/Overseer refer to the same role of church leadership
• How do the above verses demonstrate the truth of that statement?

5. Read I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9

• Discuss the truth that elders are to be men of Christ-like character
• Every elder is to demonstrate the spirit of these qualities and pursue them as a way of life

6. Elders are to teach God’s Word

• Read II Timothy 4:2-4
• Discuss the following statements based on these verses: They are to teach from the Bible at all times; They are to use God’s Word in confronting others with sin; They are to use God’s Word to encourage and disciple

7. Elders are to protect God’s people

• Read the statements below and corresponding verses to discuss
• From those who would cause division (Acts 20:28-30)
• From those who would teach false doctrine (II Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:9)
• From those who fight about unimportant issues (II Timothy 2:23-25)

8. Elders are to lead God’s church

• Read the statements below and corresponding verses to discuss
• By example (I Peter 5:2,3); by caring (James 5:14); by directing

(I Peter 5:2; I Timothy 5:17); by training (Ephesians 4:11,12); by accountability (Hebrews 13:17)

9. Read the NEXT STEP statements and consider your application

• Choose your elders prayerfully
• Ask your elders how you can help in ministry
• Pray for your elders continually

PRAYER TIME

WHEN GOD REMEMBERS

1. What is an instance when your memory really helped and a time when your lack of it caused you problems?

2. What is one thing that caught your attention from today’s message?

3. In the Scripture passages listed, answer the following Questions:

• What was going on?
• What did God do?
• What can we learn?
• SO WHAT? can your response in life worship be

Genesis 6:5,6,8.9,17; 8:1-3

Genesis 9:13-15

Genesis 19:24,25,29

Genesis 29:31; 30:22

Exodus 1:8-11; 2:23,24

Judges 16:25-28,30

Psalm 25:6,7

Psalm 105:5

Hebrews 8:12; Luke 23:42,43

I Corinthians 11:23-25

4. Based on this message, what is your NEXT STEP?

PRAYER TIME

GOD’S PUZZLE

Genesis 50

1. What has your experience with puzzles been like? Do you enjoy them? Why or why not?

2. What is one thing that caught your attention from this message?

3. How do you connect Joseph’s story to our definition for worship: Worship is responding to who God is and what He has done by giving ourselves completely to Him?

4. Read Genesis 50 and discuss how this chapter fits into the story of Joseph’s life worship.

5. Discuss how each of the following 11 areas of your life have been viewed by you, up to this point: Parents, personality, friendships, fairness, marriage, finances, work, health, children, siblings, and hurt.

6. Read Romans 8:28,29 and discuss what this has to do with God’s perspective of the life puzzle He is putting together for you. How does he see everything from question #5? What is His purpose in it all, that makes it so GOOD?

7. What is an area of your life, right now, where you really need God’s perspective of it all being GOOD?

8. From this message, what is the NEXT STEP God is asking you to take?

PRAYER TIME