Called into Purpose | Ephesians 1:3-10, 22-23, 2:10
Discussion Questions
Do you struggle with the tension between human free will and God’s sovereignty? In what way?
Do you think human free will and God’s providence are ultimately compatible? Explain.
How have you experienced the brokenness of the world this week?
Pauls says in Ephesians 2:10 that we have each been created to walk in specific good works that God has planned beforehand. Do you have a good idea of what your good works are? In other words, how has God hand-crafted you for good in the world?
Do you struggle with a lack of meaninglessness in your life? If so, how might Ephesians help you reclaim a sense of significance in your everyday life?
Prayer
Pray that God would give you greater self-awareness so that you might grow in understanding how he’s designed you to serve the world
Ask God to help you see the significance in your day to day work
Ask the Lord to give our church clarity on how he wants to use us to repair or corner of the world for his glory
Called Into Blessing | Ephesians 1:1-14
Discussion Questions
What do you think it means to be “in Christ”?
How often do you think on the spiritual blessings you have in Christ?
Paul talks about how those in Christ are chosen, adopted, and inherited. Which of these “spiritual blessings” do you need to remember most in this season of life?
Do you struggle with the doctrine of election?
As our Father, God is committed to our growth. Share about a time God allowed a hard circumstance in your life in order to help you grow.
Prayer Points
Pray that God would help us as a church realize more of what we have in Christ as we work through Ephesians
Ask the Lord to reveal the ways in which you are subtly trying to earn his blessing rather than receive it freely in Christ
God’s Mission Over Our Comfort | Jonah 4:5-11
Discussion Questions
Jonah quotes from Exodus 34:6 to share his displeasure with God who is gracious, merciful and slow to anger. Has there been a time in your life where like Jonah, you’ve been angry with the very character of God?
Unrighteous anger isolates and separates. How have you experienced this to be true?
In what areas of your life are you building your own kingdom? How is God’s kingdom a better kingdom than ours?
Discuss ways in which you can individually and collectively create rhythms to remember and share the grace and mercies of God.
Prayer Points
Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for the grace and mercies of God in your life.
Pray for Sound City to be a body of believers joining together to build the kingdom of God.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you remember and share the grace and mercies of God with others.
When Hearts Clash | Jonah 4:1-4
Discussion Questions
As we learn in Jonah 4:2, the baseline posture of God’s heart towards his children is one of grace and mercy. When’s the last time you remember experiencing his grace and mercy in a vivid way?
What things are you tempted to love as much or more than God? How do these rival gods influence your life?
Have you ever experienced a heart idol keep you from God’s call on your life to love others? Explain.
Who do you find it most difficult to feel mercy for rather than frustration?
Do you ever struggle to reconcile the love and justice of God. Explain.
Prayer Points
Pray that God would expose any rival gods in your heart that might be keeping you from loving those around you well
Ask that God would give us his heart of mercy towards those we encounter in our day to day life
Ask the Lord to provide opportunities to be the hands and feet of Christ to those you encounter this week
How God Saves Cities | Jonah 3:1-10
Discussion Questions
What makes it challenging for you to believe God could use you to reach those who are far from him?
Share a time when God saved you out of a dark place in your life
In the sermon, we talked about the difference between a “come and see” model of mission and a “go and love” model. Do you think the church needs to move from the first to the latter? Explain.
Who are you intentionally moving towards with the love of Jesus? Is there anyone you think God is asking you to “arise, and go” to in order to share the love of Jesus?
How have you seen God use the hard parts of your story to minister to others?
What’s the right balance in sharing vs. showing the love of Jesus?
Prayer Points
Pray that God would give you opportunities to minister to those who don’t yet know the Lord in your everyday life
Ask the Lord to show you if there are parts of your story he wants to use to give hope to others
Pray that God would continue to grow our hearts as a church for those who are far from him
From Runaway to Reluctant | Jonah 2:1-10
Discussion Questions
How has God hounded you in your life like he did Jonah’s steps by sending the storm and then saving him by sending a great fish?
How would you describe God’s mercy and how have you seen it at work?
What does it mean that God is committed to the slow process of teaching us the mystery of his mercy?
Where would you say you are in the process of being changed from runaway to reluctant to faithfully on mission with God?
How can we move along on that journey?
Prayer Points
Pray that God will reach into our hearts to truly see where we are like Jonah and how we might be reluctant to join God on his mission to save the world.
Pray that we will not pretend with outward actions but not surrender our hearts.
Pray that God will prepare our hearts to encounter people where they are without reluctance, and that their hearts will be ready to hear without reluctance.
Arise, You Sleeper | Jonah 1:1-17
The God Who Runs After Runaways | Jonah 1:1-17
Discussion Questions
When you think of our church’s value of “everyday mission” what comes to mind?
What are some of the challenges you face personally to engaging in everyday mission?
Is there a particular part of your life you find it difficult to allow God’s word to speak into? If you feel comfortable, share why.
God is a God who runs after runaways. How might God be challenging you to emulate his heart for those who are far from him?
Prayer Points
Pray that God would grow Sound City into a church that more and more engages in everyday mission.
Pray that God would give you opportunities to show and share the love of Christ with those people in your life who don’t yet know him.
Thank God for how he ran after you when you were running after him.
Easter Sunday | United in His Resurrection | Luke 24:36-43
Discussion Questions
What role does the fear of death play in everyday life? What things do you do (or not do) in light of your own immortality?
How often do you think about the implications of the resurrection?
How has the resurrection helped you navigate life in the past?
Our ultimate hope as believers is of a personal, physical, and perfected future. How can this hope bring us comfort and strength today?
What about the new heavens and earth are you most eager for?
Prayer Points
Pray that the hope we in Christ would comfort us when the shadow of death looms large
Pray for those in your life who are living without the hope of the resurrection, that they may come to know the grace of God
Good Friday | United in His Death | Isaiah 53:2-7
Jesus…an unlikely king, obedient and humble took our place and said to the Father, “nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.”
Palm Sunday | United in His Humanity | Mark 11:1-10
Discussion Questions
What comes to mind when you think of Holy Week?
What stands out to you about the Triumphal Entry/Palm Sunday?
Is there a way to describe Jesus being fully God and fully man that has helped you understand the concept?
What about Jesus’ humanity impacts you the most?
Why is it important that Jesus became human?
What about his humanity helps you relate to Jesus? To trust him?
How does Jesus’ humanity affect your thinking about the rest of Holy Week?
Prayer Points
Pray that God will give you a renewed sense of wonder and worship by reflecting on Jesus’ being fully God and fully man.
Pray that God will draw to Christ people in our community who are far from God.
Pray that our church, individually and together, will shine the light on Jesus this Holy Week.
Persevering When God Feels Gone | Psalm 42
Worshiping with God’s People | Psalm 95
Discussion Questions
How would you define worship?
Is it always a sin to worship something besides God? Why or why not?
How can we know if God is the ultimate object of our worship or something else?
How would you explain why we need Christian community?
What makes it challenging for us to live deeply rooted in a worshiping community?
Prayer
Pray that the Lord would give you a heart that sees him as the most valuable thing in life
Ask the Lord to show you any lower-case “g” gods that are competing for your worship
Draw Near: Responding to God's Word | Psalm 102
Discussion Questions
What is the significance of the psalmist starting with “LORD”
This psalm shows us we can be honest with God during our difficulties. How should this inform how we relate to each other in the church?
Sometimes we need to help each other move forward in our lamenting to put our focus on God. How did the psalmist do that?
What comfort does this passage give us that we can then comfort others with?
Prayer Points
Pray we would be long suffering together with each other as a church body as we experience various difficulties.
Pray we would be seeking out those around us that are suffering and need the hope of the gospel to comfort them.
Meditating on God’s Word | Psalm 1
Draw Near: Listening to God's Word | Psalm 19
Discussion Questions
What can we learn about God through the natural world? What can’t we learn?
How have you seen the scriptures “revitalize your soul”?
What are the biggest hurdles to you listening to God’s word through the scriptures?
Are there any rhythms of listening to God’s voice that you’ve found particularly helpful? Explain.
Why do we need a redeemer in order to hear God’s word clearly?
Prayer Points
Thank the Lord for being a God who speaks to us everyday through his wordless and written word.
Ask the Lord to show you the areas of your heart you’re not allowing God’s word to shine into
Confess your need for the word of God in your life and ask him to show you how you can turn up the volume on his voice
Creating Space to Draw Near | Psalm 62
Discussion Questions
What are some of the main obstacles you face when it comes to creating space to meet with God?
When you get overwhelmed, do you tend to work harder or distract yourself? Explain.
What parts of who you are or your story do you find difficult to hold out before God?
What are some different rhythms you’ve had in the past that have helped you create space to be with God?
Is there any habit you’ve considered implementing that would help you protect distraction-free space to be with God in this season?
Prayer Points
Ask the Lord to give you a heart that desires to draw near to him
Ask the Lord to show you the habits or beliefs in your life that are keeping you from his presence
Thank the Lord for sending his Son to make it possible for us to approach him in the quiet place without fear of rejection
Why Draw Near to God? | Psalm 16
Discussion Questions
How would you describe the difference between knowing about God and knowing God in a more personal way?
What are some of the main obstacles we face to “drawing near” to God in our everyday lives?
What are some of the most common “lowercase ‘g’ gods” we run to for joy in our culture?
Where are you personally tempted to run to for joy when you’re not looking to God? How has that led to “sorrow” in your life?
How have you experienced the Lord’s guidance through life?
Is there anything your community could do to help encourage each other to pursue the Lord more intentionally in this season?
Prayer Points
Thank God for how He has drawn near to us in his Son Jesus
Ask the Lord to expose in lowercase “g” gods that your running to for joy and life instead of him
Ask the Lord to show you if there’s a practical habit or rhythm he wants to invite you to engage in this season
Remember God's Steadfast Love | Deuteronomy 5:26-33
Discussion Questions
Growing up, how did you view God’s instructions and commands?
Deuteronomy 5:29 tells us that God knows his people will not follow his law and commands but he gives them anyway. Why do you think this is?
Do you tend to try and obsessively follow all God’s commands or find the idea of God’s laws offensive?
How would you define God’s grace?
What are you most excited about for the future of Sound City Bible Church?
How might the ideas of God’s instruction and his grace guide Sound City in the future?
Prayer Points
Thank God for his instruction and truth in our lives.
Thank God for his grace and steadfast love for us even when we do not follow his word.
Father, please make us ambassadors of your love and grace to everyone in our lives.