1 Peter 1:3-12 | The Living Hope
Pray
Church of the Week
Trinity Presbyterian & Pastor Reid Hankins
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries: InterVarsity Campus Ministry, Harvest Christian School, Redwood Gospel Mission, & Salvation Army
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 Peter 1:3-12 out loud together
Invite a one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
What new perspective have you gained from Jesus?
Are there any perspective shifts that you need to adopt in light of the resurrection?
How have past trials created resilience in your life?
How does the example of the disciples resilience after the resurrection help you have joy inside of trials?
Try reading 1 Peter 1:3-12 in one breath as an act of praise.
Share what you are praising God for today.
Application
Spend some time in prayer together simply praising God for all He has done in light of Easter. Be purposeful in not asking God for anything but simply praying prayers of praise together.
Matthew 21:1-17 | The King You Can’t Ignore
Matthew 21:1-17 | The King You Can’t Ignore
Pray
Church of the Week
St. John’s Anglican Church & Pastor Josh Miller
Missionary of the Week
Solomon & Mabel Charwi in Kehancha, Kenya
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read Matthew 21:1-17 out loud together
Invite a one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
What were the different ways groups understood Jesus on the first Palm Sunday?
Jesus was forcing them to encounter Him on the first Palm Sunday, where is He confronting you in your life this week?
Why is it so easy to focus on the sin's of the city around us and why is God concerned first with the house of God?
Palm Sunday leaves us with two choices, to crown Jesus as Lord or Kill Him as impostor.
How does crowning Him as Lord make us clean?
In what ways does crowning Him as Lord bring hope?
Application
Pray the prayer of boldness this week:
Lord we pray for the boldness to speak Your word.
Give us eyes to see what You see
Give us ears to hear what You say
Give us faith that believes what You can do
As we lift up Your Name Jesus
We pray that you would stretch out Your hand to heal
Holy Spirit come and fill us
1 John 5:6-9 | Water, Blood, & Spirit
1 John 5:6-9 | Water, Blood, & Spirit
Pray
Church of the Week
St. James Catholic Church (Fr. Fabian Nwokorie)
Missionary of the Week
Caitlyn Christie (Hernandez) on furlough from Ministry in Guatemala
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 5:6-9 out loud together
Invite a one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
What person or organization has the biggest daily influence on you today? How does it compare to the influence that Christ has on your day to day life?
How do you know who Jesus is? When did you discover who he was?
Share scriptures that God has used in your life to testify about him.
Which response that Pastor Zach mentioned is most challenging, which is most encouraging to you?
Be careful what voices your trust
Anchor your faith in reality
Rest in the finished work of Jesus
Expect the Spirit to speak and confirm the truth
Publicly identify with Jesus
Participate in the ongoing witness of God
Application
Respond to the testimony of the water, the blood, and the spirit in your day to day life. What is God calling you to walk out in response to His word?
Find the latest discussion guide online at www.calvarypetaluma.org/discussionguide
1 John 4:7-12 | Living in the Love of God
1 John 4:7-12 | Living in the Love of God
Pray
Church of the Week
Salvation Army and Major Lara Wycoff
Missionary of the Week
Solomon & Mabel Charwi in Kehancha, Kenya
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 4:7-12 out loud together
Invite a one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
What is your default when you feel challenged to love, withdraw from people or pretend to love people?
How does our struggle to love reveal our need to receive Gods love in a greater way?
What have been the most fruitful practices for you personally that fill you with God's love?
Where do you most need to experience God’s love (examine the areas or people where you struggle to love the most)
Pastor Wes challenged us to make Love more than an activity. Discuss how to make it our identity.
How does our identity as beloved change how we think about ourselves?
How do we let this identity get down in our hearts?
How do we "keep ourselves in the love of God"? (Jude 21)
Application
Examine the areas of your life where you feel most challenged to love and ask God to fill your heart to overflowing with His love.
1 John 5:6-13 | Whoever Has The Son
1 John 5:6-13 | Whoever Has The Son
Pray
Church of the Week
Petaluma Valley Baptist Church & Pastor Alan Cross
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries CRU Campus Ministry, Harvest Christian School, Redwood Gospel Mission, & Salvation Army
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 5:6-13 out loud together
Invite a one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
What area of your life do find yourself acting like the little league parent, letting something temporary and un-important take control of your attitude, attention, and life?
Pastor Zach shared three questions on Sunday, share your personal responses to the questions
How can we have know the we have eternal life? (Read John 14:1-3)
What does it mean to, "have the Son?" (Read Romans 8:28, 34-35)
How do we come to the Son? (Read 1 John 5:12-13 again)
Discuss the three ways of rejecting the son that Pastor Zach mentioned on Sunday. Which are you most tempted to say?
"I can handle it on my own" (Romans 14:7-9)
"I'm too far gone" (1 Timothy 1:15-16)
"I want help but I won't give up control" (Psalm 37:5)
Application
What is troubling your heart today? Speak that to God and ask Him to bring comfort with the truth that Jesus is preparing a place for you and will come for you.
1 John 5:1-5 | This Is The Victory
1 John 5:1-5 | This Is The Victory
Pray
Church of the Week
Petaluma Church of Christ & Pastor George Robertson
Missionary of the Week
Caitlyn Christie (Hernandez) on furlough from Ministry in Guatemala
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 5:1-5 out loud together
Invite a one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
What is one way you have complicated the commands of God, either in the past or presently?
Are there any personal traditions or practices that lead to a stronghold of pride in your life?
Read John 13:34 and discuss what is the heart of the law? How do the great commandments from Matthew 22:34–40 add more clarity?
Read Matt 11:28-30 and discuss how we can carry out the work of God without being crushed by the burden of the law?
How does our Faith in Christ give us victory over the world?
What can sustain your hope when you know that Jesus is victorious but you still see pain and suffering around you?
Application
Ask God how your faith needs to be more connected to your relationship with Jesus this week and respond with faith filled actions.
Find the latest discussion guide online at www.calvarypetaluma.org/discussionguide
1 John 4:13-21 | Fearless Love
1 John 4:13-21 | Fearless Love
Pray
Church of the Week
Petaluma Christian Church & Ryan Oelschlager
Missionary of the Week
Solomon & Mabel Charwi in Kehancha, Kenya
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 4:13-21 out loud together
Invite a one or two people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Have you ever thought or even said aloud, "my life will be over if…" what was the circumstance and how does it prove out the point of the message on Sunday?
How does love compare to fear as a fuel for our actions? What is similar and what is different in actions fueled by each?
According to 1 John where does our assurance of our identity in Christ come from?
Read Jesus’ own words about the day of Judgment in Matthew 25:31-46. How can knowing he will Judge ultimately give us more confidence in the day to day?
If you trust God for the biggest rescue (Salvation) how can that help you to trust Him in lesser areas?
Application
In response to Sunday's message ask God to reveal what fuels your life. What fuel do you live by, fear or love? Practice asking God about your actions, "is this motivated by fear or is it motivated by love?"
1 John 4:7-12 | Love & Justice
1 John 4:7-12 | Love & Justice
Pray
Church of the Week
Penngrove Community Church & Pastor Conor Anderson
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries CRU Campus Ministry, Harvest Christian School, Redwood Gospel Mission, & Salvation Army
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 4:7-12 out loud together
Invite a one or two people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Are you a valentine's grinch? What way can you practice love without the commercial influence?
Why do you think John's writings have such an emphasis on Love?
How does grounding God's love in His character help us understand His Justice?
How does agape love help us discern who is genuine and who is false?
Application
Read the parable of the unforgiving debtor in Matthew 18:21-35 in your group. Discuss how God's agape love should affect our interactions with others. Pray about an area of your life where God is calling you to walk in the balance of His Love and Justice.
1 John 4:1-6 | History, Prophecy, Authority
1 John 4:1-6 | History, Prophecy, Authority
Pray
Church of the Week
Village Baptist Church and Pastor Shola Akognon
Missionary of the Week
Caitlyn Christie (Hernandez) on furlough from Ministry in Guatemala
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 4:1-6 out loud together
Invite a one or two people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
How would you define prophecy? How does Pastor Zach's definition help you understand it: "When ordinary people, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, speak words from God to one another."
According to 1 John 4:2-3 How can we know if something comes from God?
Who do you think has authority to interpret the significance of Jesus' life?
What in scripture gives the apostles authority to speak on Jesus' behalf?
Application
What practices can help you this week to continue in the Word?
What time can you set aside to be committed to godly fellowship this week?
What step is God calling you to this week to enter into the work of God?
1 John 3:19-24 | What We Know
1 John 3:19-24 | What We Know
Pray
Church of the Week
Hillside Church & Pastor Doug Manson
Missionary of the Week
Solomon & Mabel Charwi in Kehancha, Kenya
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 3:19-24 out loud together
Invite a one or two people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Discuss the 7 truths "we know" from 1 John
We know He changes lives – How can you be a doer of the word not just a hearer?
We Know time is short – Where do you need live with a sense of urgency?
We know we are already saved but not yet perfect – What doubts do you need to settle? Where do you need to grow in deeper relationship
We know that the perfect God takes away sins – He is a powerful & holy God, Where are you tempted to shrink Him to a manageable size?
We know that Jesus brings life – How can we grow in love for our fellow Christians
We know that He knows everything – Do you feel free to confess sin and receive forgiveness or is it hard to believe you can?
We know that He abides in us – How can you remember Him in the everyday things of life
Application
Ask God which truths do you need to believe are true which truths do you need to experience this week?
1 John 3:11-24 | Love That Lives
1 John 3:11-24 | Love That Lives
Pray
Church of the Week
Eastside Freewill Baptist Church & Pastor John Aranda
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries CRU Campus Ministry, Harvest Christian School, Redwood Gospel Mission, & Salvation Army
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 3:11-24 out loud together
Invite a one or two people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Who is on the list of people you would lay down your life for?
How can you tell love is present in someone’s life?
Where are you most tempted to practice love with good intentions but not actions, or when only when convenient?
How does God’s love free us from condemnation in our day to day lives?
If the peak of human love is just the start for believers what do we need to start practicing?
Application
Where is God calling you to follow Christ's example of Steady and Sacrificial love this week? Where is he calling you to be inconvenienced for the sake of another?
Daniel 10 | What are you waiting for?
Daniel 10 | What are you waiting for?
Pray
Church of the Week
City Parish and Pastor Daniel Huskey
Missionary of the Week
Caitlyn Christie (Hernandez) on furlough from Ministry in Guatemala
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read Daniel 10:1-21 out loud together
Invite a few people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Take turns sharing the most memorable encounter you have had with God with your group.
Pastor Zach shared that, "if you are still here then God is working in your life." What impact does that have on your practice of seeking God?
How would it change your actions and attitudes if you knew God's greatest revelation in your life was yet to come?
How does Daniel's life of endurance and faithfulness encourage you? How does it convict you?
Discuss how you can practice the five practices demonstrated by Daniel below:
Five Practices of Daniel for Encountering God
Pray
Do not give in to fear
Set your heart upon God
Seek understanding of God's ways
Humble yourself
Application
Share the practical next steps for you to cultivate a lifestyle of encountering God. Which practices of Daniel will be most important?
John 4:1-42 | Revival Fuels the Mission
John 4:1-42 | Revival Fuels the Mission
Pray
Church of the Week
Calvary Chapel Petaluma and Pastor Zach Vestnys
Missionary of the Week
Solomon & Mabel Charwi in Kehancha, Kenya
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read John 4:1-42 out loud together
Invite one or more people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
What is your personal experience with evangelism? Share some stories with one another.
What would you say the simple message of the Gospel is?
How can you start sharing the Gospel as good news instead of a sales pitch to convert people?
What most needs to change in your habits and patterns to slow down so you have time to talk with others.
What are some ways you can naturally shift everyday conversations to spiritual matters.
Evangelism Encouragements
Reconsider the boundaries - what area do you feel you can’t go with the Gospel?
Build Bridges - practice looking for natural opportunities to speak about spiritual things. - practice with other believers.
Be Curious and Compassionate - simple invitation and genuine questions.
Learn to talk to people and ask good questions.
You’re not on commission but have been given the great commission
You are not in a hurry. Jesus was not in a hurry.
Application
Purpose to talk with people you don't know this week and practice asking good questions.
Practice sharing the good news of Jesus with another believer this week and pray for boldness to share with someone who is not a Christian.
Isaiah 57:15 | The God of Heaven Dwells with the Humble
Pray
Church of the Week
Adobe Christian Church and Pastor Sean O’Kelly
Missionary of the Week
Caitlyn Christie (Hernandez) on furlough from Ministry in Guatemala
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read Isaiah 57:15 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
When you hear the word “revival,” what thoughts or emotions come to mind—and how have those shaped your expectations of God today?
Which part of prayer do you personally find most difficult: showing up consistently, surrendering control, trusting God’s will, or waiting on Him? Why?
Isaiah 57:15 says God dwells with the “contrite and lowly.” What do you think that means in everyday terms, and how is that different from how we usually think about spiritual maturity?
The sermon emphasized that prayer isn’t about bending God’s will to ours but offering our will to Him. How does that reshape the way you think about unanswered prayers?
Application
Pick up a 21 Days of Prayer Journal and Join one of the prayer meetings at Church each week.
1 John 3:1-3 | A Reset For Your Soul
1 John 3:1-3 | A Reset For Your Soul
Pray
Church of the Week
Petaluma Valley Baptist Church and Pastor Alan Cross
Missionary of the Week
Solomon & Mabel Charwi in Kehancha, Kenya
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 3:1-3 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Reset your soul by focusing on 3 areas for the new year. Identity, Beliefs, & Standards:
Identity
Where have I settled for a smaller identity than Child of God?
Where am I trying to earn approval instead of resting in God's acceptance?
Beliefs
Where am I trusting my feeling over what God has said?
What truth from God's word do I need to take hold of right now?
Standards
Where have my choices not reflected God's love?
What habits or patterns are limiting what God made for me for?
Application
Read Psalm 23:3 and prayerfully ask, "where does my soul need a reset?" Write down where you sense God is leading you in this new year.
1 John 3:1-10 | What Did Jesus Come To Destroy
1 John 3:1-10 | What Did Jesus Come To Destroy
Pray
Church of the Week
Petaluma Church of Christ and Pastor George Robertson
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries CRU Campus Ministry, Harvest Christian School, Redwood Gospel Mission, & Salvation Army
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 3:1-10 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
What would you say is the reason for the Christmas season? Does Jesus coming to destroy the works of the devil fit into your idea of Christmas?
Where do you most see the temptation to live your own way instead of living God's way?
What changed for you upon surrendering to Christ for the first time? Why do you think we get desensitized to sin as we follow Jesus?
Have you ever felt that overcoming a particular sin in your life is impossible? What helps you to believe that victory over sin is possible?
Application
Respond to the message this week by stepping into the light:
What do you need to bring into the light so you will have victory?
Where have you become acclimated to the darkness?
What pattern, belief, or habit have you learned to live with instead of walking in victory?
Confess these to the Lord and ask for His help to overcome and walk in the light. Invite a trusted brother or sister in the Lord to pray with you.
1 John 2:28-3:2 | What Kind Of Love is This
1 John 2:28-3:2 | What Kind Of Love is This
Pray
Church of the Week
Petaluma Christian Church and Pastor Ryan Oelschlager
Missionary of the Week
Shalom Christian Center on Mfangano Island
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 2:28-3:2 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Behold - Look at the love that is given
Take time to look at the love of God with fresh eyes. What is easy to miss because it is familiar but overflows your heart when meditated on more deeply
Experience God - How do you move from knowing the truths of God to experiencing them. Share a story of God ministering to you in the past that still impacts you today
See the miracle of God's Love
Do you struggle to believe that God's love is enough? Where to find yourself trying to earn or pay-back God for his love
What does it look like to receive the miracle of God's love and blessings with gratitude?
Respond to God's Love in 3 ways
Slow down (because looking takes time)
Return to wonder - thank God for 3 ordinary things.
Be filled with all the fullness of God Eph 3:18-19 - Let God overfill you on a daily basis (spend time with Him)
Find the latest discussion guide online at www.calvarypetaluma.org/discussionguide
1 John 2:18-27 | Living in the Last Hour
Pray
Church of the Week
Penngrove Community Church and Pastor Conor Anderson
Missionary of the Week
Caitlyn Christie (Hernandez) on furlough from Ministry in Guatemala
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 2:18-27 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
What is your initial response on hearing that we live in the last days how does Sunday's message help give clarity?
Discuss the 3 errors to avoid in living in the last days:
It’s so far off we don’t need to worry 2 Peter 3:8-9
It’s so close we don’t need to worry
It’s so far gone there is no point in praying, evangelizing, or looking for revival.
Discuss the 3 encouragements for living in the last days:
Guard your life with truth
Live your life with purpose
Stay connected to Christ
Why is it an advantage to us that Jesus went away and sent the Holy Spirit? John 16:7-13
How can you combat drifting and follow the command of abiding by building healthy rhythms of
Prayer
Community
Obedience
1 John 2:15-17 | Loving What Lasts
Pray
Church of the Week
Village Baptist Church and Pastor Shola Akognon
Missionary of the Week
Solomon & Mabel Charwi in Kehancha, Kenya
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 2:15-17 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
In your own words discuss what it means that we are commanded to not love the world and at the same time we are called to love the world.
Talk honestly about where you feel the temptations of the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life.
Where do you feel the strongest pull to love the world or the things of the world more than the will of God?
Which practice feels most like an invitation from God right now? (fasting, secret generosity, seeing supernaturally, obedience you've been postponing)
What will help you cultivate a greater love for Jesus in this season?
Find the latest discussion guide online at www.calvarypetaluma.org/discussionguide
1 John 2:12-14 | The Power of Encouragement
Pray
Church of the Week
Hillside Church & Pastor Doug Manson
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries CRU Campus Ministry, Harvest Christian School, Redwood Gospel Mission, & Salvation Army
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 2:12-14 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Three Truths
Pastor Zach shared three truths from 1 John to strengthen you in the face of discouragement:
Your sins have been forgiven
You know God
Your have overcome the evil one
How do these truths encourage you in your Christian walk and in life?
Which truth is the hardest for you to believe? How can you resist the lies of Satan in that area?
Five Ways to Respond
On Sunday we were given five ways to respond to the message. Spend time in your group discussing how you can respond to each of the invitations for personal application. Be careful to avoid making general statements about how Christians in general should respond and look for specific actions and attitudes you can take in your life this next week. Share with your group and pray for one another this week as you respond.
Start and end each day in the truth - My Sins are forgiven because of His name.
Stop believing you can’t change
Embrace the messiness of Spiritual growth - read the quote from C.S. Lewis and discuss your experience and expectation of how God brings about spiritual growth.
“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”
― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Recognize you are in a spiritual battle - renovating your home in the midst of a warzone.
Seek encouragement - Look for others who are encouraging in the Christian walk and if you are in a season of discouragement start by finding someone in your life that you can encourage.