Happily Ever After--Lesson #6--Bent Out of Shape--Luke 13:10-21

Discussion Questions:

1. What kinds of things tend to bend you out of shape? How do you overcome these feelings? What makes it easier to overcome these feelings some days better than others?

2. Why does God’s victory over the binding of Satan sometimes take 18 years or more for a person to experience it? How is an “under the sun” perspective detrimental to God’s timing?

3. This woman was immediately ready to glorify God when she was released from what stunted her growth and deformed her image. What kinds of things are you doing to be ready for a similar response when you are set free from the things Satan is using to stunt your growth and deform your image?

4. What do you have more trouble with: loving vertically or loving horizontally? What is the danger of growing in one without the other?

5. How have you seen the small and seemingly insignificant things of God grow and expand like a mustard seed or leaven? How does this help you to see that your life has purpose and can make a massive difference as time goes on?

6. How has this sermon series helped you see that God has a “Happily Ever After” ending planned for your life as well?

Happily Ever After--Lesson #5--A Deviled Ham Kind of Day--Luke 8:22-39

Discussion Questions:

1. What home is Jesus trying to restore for you? What do you learn from the demon- possessed man and his encounter with Jesus that will help you get things back in order in your own life?

2. How have you seen people try to control a dysfunctional situation, or push it aside so they could live with it? How successful is this strategy?

3. How does the herd of swine provide a visual of the amount of destruction the demon- possessed man was set up to experience? How does this then provide a powerful picture of the cost Jesus was willing to pay to set you free?

4. Why do you think the people of the Gerasenes sent Jesus away after seeing what Jesus was capable of doing to restore life and community? What were they really afraid of?

5. Why did Jesus send the man He healed home instead of letting him come with Him?

6. How is your life a showcase of the power God has over evil?

Happily Ever After--Lesson 4--Have You Been Forgiven Much?--Luke 7:36-50

Discussion Questions:

1. Two people make an effort to be around Jesus in Luke 7:36-37. One is investigating Him while the other is falling before Him in worship, humility, devotion, gratitude and service. Which of these two better describe the way you feel around Jesus? Why?

2. When you look at people, do you see more of their past or what God can make of them in the future?

3. Do you believe that God also wants to forgive YOUR debt? Have you been forgiven little or much?

4. How have you seen God’s forgiveness produce transformation in people?

5. Does your idea of righteousness move you away from people (separate from sin) or does it move you toward people (offering forgiveness and peace)? Why?

6. What are some ways we can provide community for those who must avoid their past, or who do not have encouragement?