Next Steps--Lesson 18--The Importance of Self-Discipline--Genesis 12 & Romans 7

Discussion Questions:

1.     Do you agree or disagree that salvation is not the goal, but the gift of a walk with God?  If so, how does that change what your daily life should be accomplishing?

2.     Discipleship was defined as putting all things under the LORDship of Jesus.  Are there some areas of your character and/or integrity that are not completely under the LORDship of Jesus?  What steps should you take this week to walk towards surrender of these things to Jesus?

3.     What does seeking first the Kingdom and His righteousness look like in everyday living?  How does this reduce worry and anxiety?

4.     How did Abraham show intention and discipline in seeking first the Kingdom and God’s righteousness when he came to the Promised Land?  What caused the change in him when he went to Egypt? 

5.     How did the way Abraham handled his problems and compromised his character in Egypt negatively affect his family and the people around him?  Have there been times you have become more of a source of curse instead of a source of blessing because you lost sight of the Kingdom and His righteousness?

6.     What reaction did you have to the picture of the boy wearing 7 days of deodorant in one day?  How have we sometimes treated our walk with God the same way?  What are some daily habits or disciplines you have in your life to avoid this?

7.     What long-term changes are evident in Abraham as you read his whole story?  How does this show the process God takes us through to develop our own characters and disciplines?  What kind of mediating have you done to rescue those bound for destruction?  How willing are you to get out of your comfort zone to do the difficult things God asks?

8.     What battles have you had with not doing what you want to do and doing what you don’t want to do?  How have you seen the incredible standards of God and wondered how you could possibly live up to them?  If struggling with this has led to feelings of being wretched, how does that put us right where God wants us? 

Next Steps--Lesson 17--Seeing What We Can Be--John 1 & Genesis 28 & 32

Discussion Questions:

1.     If we were created to rule in the image and likeness of God (and we were), why is there so much chaos in the world?  How have you struggled with maintaining a healthy balance of Jesus being both your Savior and your LORD?

2.     What roles do character and integrity play in fulfilling the work of the Kingdom?  Why is character and integrity important in fulfilling the purpose given to us by God?

3.     What significance is there in Jesus referring to Nathanael as “an Israelite in whom there is no deceit”?  How did saying this to Nathanael show the plan Jesus had for his life?

4.     What does integrity have to do with being complete or whole?  What difficulties have you had with compartmentalizing your life, so it is divided into fractions, instead of being a wholly sold out to the LORD?

5.     How was the vision God of the ladder reaching between heaven and earth well timed for Jacob’s situation?  In what ways has God revealed His presence and His plan for you during your difficulties?  How have you seen heaven break into your world and remind you that God sees you and has a plan for your life?

6.     If Jesus is your LORD, what kinds of things is He asking you to do with your life that you struggle to obey?  What kinds of things would you ask for accountability for?

Next Steps--Lesson 16--The Cost of Unforgiveness--Luke 15

Discussion Questions:

1.     In what ways have you experienced “the far country”?  How did both brothers of the Prodigal Son story experience “the far country”?  How did forgiveness play a role in their returning from “the far country”?

2.     How have you experienced “The God of Unmatched Shoes”?  What urgency has God shown to restore you and forgive you?  How do you feel about the approachableness of Jesus?

3.     Would the story of the Prodigal Son mean as much to us if the Father had offered a lower level of forgiveness?  What might a lower level of forgiveness look like? 

4.     Why is it important that there is rejoicing in heaven over one who returns home?  What should we learn from that for our own forgiveness?

5.     How can the king in the parable in Matthew 18:23-35 forgive and then demand the debt be repaid?  What is this parable trying to tell us about the forgiveness of God?  In what ways are you passing on what you have received from the King?  How would you say you are representing Him in your levels of forgiveness?

6.     What is the difference between resentment and bitterness?  How have you seen bitterness expand exponentially because it attaches itself to other areas of disappointment?  Why is it important to know this when dealing with the ability to forgive?

7.     How does one keep disappointments and resentment from turning into bitterness?