In the Workshop--Lesson 19--His Word is Fulfilled--Isaiah 55; Luke 4 & Various Passages

Discussion Questions:

1.     What does it look like to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness”?  What kinds of things have been added to your life by doing this? How does seeking first the Kingdom and God’s righteousness help you with worry?

2.     How have you seen God’s word fulfilled in your life?  What kinds of memorials have you built into your life to not forget how God has been faithful to fulfill His word?

3.     How does the story of The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Anderson show the harshness and cruelty of this world?  What kinds of “match” dreams have you experienced in your life?  What kinds of things have you seen tried to provide warmth for oneself that have proven to only be temporary?

4.     Are there any times you have felt afraid to return home to the Father?  How is what the Prodigal Son experienced when he returned home to his Father similar to the invitation we have been given in Isaiah 55:1-2?   Why is the same invitation brought up in Revelation 22:17?

5.     How is the promise shared in Isaiah 55:10-11 and Revelation 22:17 a solid foundation to build our lives upon?  What are some ways we can help a person feeling hungry and alone in a harsh world understand what is available to them in the promises of God?  In other words, how  do we get this message of Good News to the people who desperately need it?

6.     How did Abraham get sidetracked to focus on the cracks in his life instead of the foundation?  What kind of struggle have you faced trying to fix cracks instead of making sure the foundation is secure?

7.     Why did the people from Jesus’ hometown want to throw Him off a cliff?  What made them so angry?  What did the two stories Jesus told about Elijah being taken care of by a Gentile widow and Naaman (another Gentile) being healed of leprosy have to teach these people?  Is there any danger of unbelief causing us to miss out on the good that God wants to do for us?

8.     Why is knowing that His word is fulfilled the best security and foundation for our lives?

In the Workshop--Lesson 18--God in a Body--John 14 + Various Passages

Discussion Questions:

1.     Jesus came to exegete God!  What story did Jesus teach, or example did Jesus provide that helps you know God in a richer and fuller way?  Why does that story resonate with you?

2.     Who was instrumental in helping you develop your picture of God?  How does that picture continue to get clearer?  Who are you intentionally making an effort to share that picture with?

3.     Why was getting close to God and seeing His glory such a dangerous thing in the Old Testament?  How has that changed through Jesus?  How is it the same, even with Jesus?

4.     Why do you suppose people struggled throughout the Old Testament to maintain a clear understanding of God and keep a healthy relationship with Him?  What things do we face today that distort the image of God being seen in clarity?

5.     Why is God being in a body an important thing?  How does seeing God in a body through Jesus help you understand God and His ways better?

6.     What efforts have you made to grow in the 11 practices we looked at from the example and teachings of Jesus?  Is there a particular area you have made more effort to practice?  How has it influenced your spiritual walk and maturity in the LORD?

7.     In what ways would you say you personally, or the body (the church), are weak or handicapped?  How does Jesus’ constant miracles of restoring people’s bodies help you see greater potential for what can be accomplished as God in a body?  What should we do with this information?

8.     What does it mean to see God in a new dimension?  How is God much more than words on a page or stories in a book?  Why is it important to not confine God to a book?

9.     How did hearing about the body of Christ in the Roman Empire in the 2nd & 3rd centuries inspire you?  What are some ways the church can be this influential in the community around us today?

In the Workshop--Lesson 17--Make Me a Servant--John 13; Exodus 21 + Various Passages

Discussion Questions:

1.     What does it mean to take up your cross to follow Jesus?  How do you live this out in practical ways throughout your days?  What makes this a challenge to do?

2.     What would you say your eternal purpose is?  What gifts, resources, and opportunities has the LORD blessed you with to fulfill your eternal purpose?  What hinders you from fulfilling this purpose?

3.     What struggles do you face with desiring to be recognized for the service you do for others?  What tips would you give for growing in humility?  How does knowing who you are and where you are going help with this?

4.     What is the difference in serving and being a servant?  How does knowing your role of being a servant help you feel secure, or does it? 

5.     How does self-sufficiency show one is insecure?  How does self-sufficiency hinder working together as a community?  How does being servant-minded assist in building community?

6.     Why do you suppose none of the apostles volunteered to take on the role of washing feet?  What struggle do you have with trying to be Jesus the LORD instead of Jesus the servant?

7.     How does seeing Jesus as the servant willing to be pierced out of His love for His Master, His wife, and His children help you understand your role as an apprentice of His?  Why is it important that Jesus still wears the scars from the choice He made to die to self and serve His Master?  Do you have any scars from choosing to serve your Master for life?  What are they?

8.     Why do we tend to be more like those who ate and were satisfied instead of those who are transformed?  How does the role of being a servant help you see more of the power of God?  How does this assist in your transformation into a true apprentice or disciple of Jesus?

9.     Where do you practice service?  What specific places do you intentionally take on the role of servant?  How much recognition do you wish you would receive from it?