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? 

Next Steps--Lesson 15--Who's to Blame?--John 5 & 9

Discussion Questions:

1.     Have you experienced times when you felt crippled or blinded by the pain you felt because someone hurt you or someone close to you?  What helped you see beyond your pain and feel healed from what felt crippling?

2.     What role does legalism play in having an unforgiving spirit?  How did the Pharisees display an unforgiving spirit towards each of the people healed in John 5 & 9?

3.     Why did Jesus have to reclaim the Temple and the Sabbath?  What danger do we fall into of Him needing to reclaim us?  How does unforgiveness go against His Kingdom?

4.     Why is remembering we are being transformed an important part of being able to forgive?

5.     How might the hardships in my life be opportunities for God to do His good works?  What can help one remember this when they are debilitated by pain or betrayal or other hard things to forgive?

6.     How does seeking someone else to blame hinder forgiveness?  What methods have you found helpful to offer grace to people instead of judgment?

7.     Is it possible that when we feel bitterness or unforgiveness that we don’t really want to get well?  Explain your answer.