Haggai 1:5-11

Discussion Questions:

  1. It seems that Israel had become indifferent toward rebuilding the temple of God. Why is an apathetic heart toward God so dangerous?

  2. Where do you find yourself currently? Do you feel that you’ve become indifferent toward God? Or do you feel that you’re in a season where you’re serving the Lord well?

  3. What are some practical ways that we can guard our hearts/lives from becoming apathetic toward the Lord?

  4. We see in these verses that the instrument God chose to use to resuscitate the hearts of his apathetic people was economic difficulties. What is a healthy way to view suffering as Christians?

A Gentle Response to Roe v. Wade

Discussion Questions:

  1. Paul in writing to Timothy, says that the Lord’s servant “must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness (2 Tim. 2:24).” Why is it so important for Christians to be gentle and not quarrelsome?

  2. What are some practical ways that we as Christians can better use our social media?

  3. What are some practical ways that we as the church can be salt and light in our community since the overturning of Roe v. Wade?

The No Names: Tychicus

Discussion Questions:

  1. What was the importance of Tychicus?

  2. Paul wasn’t ashamed of others knowing about his struggles. In fact, he wanted the church to know about the suffering he was enduring so that “their hearts might be encouraged.” Why is honesty about our struggles important to the health of the church?

  3. What is the significance of the titles “beloved brother” and “faithful minister?”

No Names: The Boy With Five Loaves and Two Fish

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. In verse 4, John tells us that Passover was at hand. Why is that an important detail about this story? How does this miracle point to the cross?

  2. If “usefulness in the kingdom of God doesn’t rest on the shoulders of our age,” how can we as a church do a better job at incorporating our young people into the life of the church?

  3. The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). Yet, only John mentions the young boy. Why is it important for us to know that a lack of recognition doesn’t equal a lack of importance?

Bonus: Jesus knew that he was going to feed the 5,000 with the young boys food long before it actually happened? How should the truth that God has “good works prepared for us to walk in (Eph. 2:10” shape the way we live?

The No Names: Bezalel and Oholiab

Discussion Questions:

  1. What did you find interesting and/or encouraging about the life of Bezalel and Oholiab?

  2. Why was the significance of the tabernacle?

  3. Both Bezalel and Oholiab came from different places in society, yet they were both called to the same task. How does it impact us today?

  4. God told Moses that he called and equipped Bezalel and Oholiab with craftsmanship and ability to construct the tabernacle. How does that impact the way we view and use our skills and abilities?

No Names: Abraham’s Servant

Discussion Questions:

  1. What did you find interesting and/or encouraging about the life of Abraham’s servant?

  2. What role did this servant play in the overarching story of redemption? Why is that important for us to see and understand?

  3. In a world that lives for fame and recognition, why is it important for Christians to see that one can make a lasting impact for the Kingdom of God while living in the shadows?

Deacons pt. 2

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is there anything still unclear in your understand of the biblical role of a deacon?

  2. What does it mean to be “full of wisdom and of the Holy Spirit?”

  3. Read 1 Timothy 3. Why do you think the qualifications of a deacon are primarily character driven?

  4. Spend some time praying for those who will serve as our deacons in the future.

Galatians 6:15-18

Discussion Questions:

  1. How would you summarize Paul’s argument in Galatians? In a similar manner, what has been your biggest takeaway from Galatians?

  2. Who do you think Paul is referring to when he says “the Israel of God” in verse 16? Why?

  3. Paul validates his message and allegiance to Jesus by pointing to his scars from persecution. Why?

  4. What did Paul close out his letter in the same way he began it (by extending grace and peace to the church)?

Galatians 6:11-14

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think Paul writes these final words in his own hands (v.11)?

  2. The false teachers preached circumcision in order to (1) “make a good showing in the flesh” and (2) “avoid persecution.” How is a life centered around maintaining a good reputation dangerous?

  3. What does it mean to boast in the cross?

Galatians 6:6-10

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is it important that our relationships with our church isn’t just transactional?

  2. What does it mean that “God is not mocked?” (Verse 7)

  3. Why is sowing and reaping so important in our lives?

  4. In what season do you find yourself? And how can we help each other “not grow weary of doing good.” (Verse 9)

  5. Bonus Question: How in the book of Galatians has Paul helped the Galatian church “not be deceived?” (Verse 7)

He Must Rise

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the significance that Mary Magdalene (along with other women) was/were the first eye witness to the empty tomb?

  2. John believed before he fully understood what the Scriptures said about the resurrection. Why is it important to know that we don’t have to all the answers before we believe? How does that shape our evangelism?

  3. What does it mean that the Scriptures said that Jesus “must rise” from the dead? What does that tell us about God?

Galatians 5:25

Discussion Questions:

  1. While speaking on the Holy Spirit in the past 11 verses, Paul has said that we should “walk by the Spirit,” be “led by the Spirit,” “live by the Spirit,” and “keep in step with the Spirit.” Spend some time discussing each of these exhortations. What is it Paul wants the church to understand/do here?

  2. What does it mean to “keep in step with the Spirit?” What does this practically look like within the life of a believer?

Family Discipleship

“4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” - Deuteronomy 6:4-9

FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP:

“Family Discipleship is the family of God partnering with and equipping parents/guardians to help build in their children an authentic faith in Jesus.”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. Often times whenever we hear the words “evangelism” and “discipleship,” our default mode is to think outward (something we do with those outside of our homes). Why is it important to think about these things as something we do within our home, as well as outside of our homes?

  2. Why is it important to see that God calls us to “love him” and “learn his commandments” before he commands us to teach our children?

  3. Where and how can we teach and disciple the next generation?

  4. How is family discipleship a church wide endeavor?

Galatians 5:22-23

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think Paul calls these virtues “fruit of the Spirit” and not “works of the Spirit?”

  2. Timothy Keller made the point that Christian growth is gradual and inevitable. How should both of these truths shape the way we interact with one another?

  3. If you were to examine your own life, can you see the Spirit of the Spirit growing in your life?

Galatians 5:19-21

discussion Questions:

  1. Paul describes the works of the flesh as evident. Why do you think there is so much confusion in our culture over what is and is not sin? How do we navigate this confusion as believers?

  2. Reread verses 19-21. In looking at the vices described, what do you see most prevalent in your own life?

  3. Paul says that those who do these things “will not inherit the kingdom of God.” How would you counsel someone who starts to doubt their salvation because of their struggle with the sins listed?