In the Workshop--Lesson 25--This Should Give You Peace--John 20 + Various Passages

Discussion Questions:

1.     What is a good picture of peace to you?  How does one achieve peace during storms, noisy surroundings and other chaos going on around us? 

2.     How is knowing the plan of God and seeing it worked out through the Scriptures helpful for experiencing peace?  How does feeling secure assist in feeling peace?  How does knowing the plan of God and/or seeing it fulfilled chapter by chapter in the bible help one feel secure?

3.     How many times do we see in the Scriptures that God’s ways don’t make sense…until the end?  How does this help us to believe in what we do not see?  Why is it difficult to trust in the provision/protection of God?  How does this struggle affect your sense of peace?

4.     How does the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 provide reasons for us to be at peace?  How have you seen God’s plan being revealed in your life or the generations of your family without taking away anyone’s freewill?  What comfort do you get in seeing that God is working out His own plans amidst what we are doing with our own plans?

5.     How do Jesus’ final words on the cross (John 19:30) provide us with the best reason to live at peace?  What did Jesus finish?  How does His completion of the things He did set you free from worry and anxiety?

6.     What should we learn from Jesus’ example in the Garden when He knew the time had come for Him to drink the cup of God’s wrath?  Do you have any struggles with calling God “Abba”? Why, or why not? 

7.     What friends would you call into the battle with you as you face things that try to steal your peace?  How did Jesus overcome their letting Him down?  Is there something we can learn from how He handled His apostles?

8.     When Jesus came among the fearful disciples, He offered peace but also gave them an assignment.  What was that assignment (John 20:21)?  How does that assignment apply to us today?

9.     How is Thomas’ reaction to the disciples telling him they had seen the LORD something more than doubt?  Are there things about what Jesus offers you that seem too good to be true, and that unless you see them first-hand you struggle to believe? 

In the Workshop--Lesson 24--A Life of Virtue--Various Passages

Discussion Questions:

1.     Have you been guilty of settling for a mouth full of dirt instead of waiting for the good things the LORD wants to bless you with?  What are some things you impetuously fed upon that wound up leaving a bad taste in your mouth?

2.     Why are honesty, integrity and virtue important building blocks for the Kingdom of God?  What is it about the things of this world that are so enticing and can lead us to compromise? 

3.     What does it mean that Esau despised his birthright?  How does Esau’s example show us the danger of being focused upon the temporary instead of the eternal? 

4.     Jacob didn’t start his life any better (in fact, probably worse) than Esau.  Why was God able and willing to build His Kingdom through a man of Jacob’s character instead of Esau’s?  What hope does it give you to see God accomplish what he did through Jacob? 

5.     What is the symbolism of the gates and foundation layers in heaven being the tribes of Israel and the apostles (Revelation 21:12-14)?  How did the sons of Jacob and the apostles become worthy of being in such prominent places in heaven considering their many flaws and disappointing actions?

6.     If God forgave David (and He did—II Samuel 12:13), why did David suffer the loss of 4 sons and turmoil in his household for the rest of his time on earth?  What is the difference in forgiveness and God allowing consequences of sin to build character?  Can you see ways God has left struggles in your life for the purpose of helping you grow in character?

7.     Why is it not hyperbole when Jesus said we must be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect?  How does one achieve perfection?  Why should we not water down what Jesus said?  How does this apply to what God is building as His eternal Kingdom?

8.     What boundaries do you have for the things you allow into your “house”?  Why is it difficult to say “no” to things that have an agenda different from the LORD or that will make a mess of your “house”? 

9.     Have you ever been guilty of painting targets around the arrows you shoot instead of learning to hit the real target?  How can we expect to win the spiritual war if we don’t learn to shoot arrows at the real targets?

In the Workshop--Lesson 23--The Kingdom is Among Us--Various Passages

Discussion Questions:

1.  Why is understanding about the Kingdom of God an important thing for us to do?  What difference does it make in your life that you are part of the Kingdom of God?

2.  With the world being in the mess it is, how can we reconcile that the Kingdom of God is upon us now?  What are some good ways to show people the Kingdom matters when they get focused upon the brokenness and pain in this world?

3.  How did the perception of the Kingdom of God bring about the death of Jesus?  How does this show us the importance of seeking out the right perspective of Kingdom in our own culture?  How much of the division we encounter today (especially in the religious world) comes from wrong perceptions of what the Kingdom of God is about?

4.  Jesus lived differently because He saw differently.  Is it possible for us to have the same perception of the Kingdom and to see differently like Jesus did?  Why, or why not?  What kinds of things do you have in your life to help you look at things differently (from a Kingdom perspective)?

5.  What does Jesus mean when He says we must repent because the Kingdom is upon us?  What areas of your life still need changing or surrendering to the King?

6.  How is our worry or anxiety like being crucified between two thieves?  What has worrying about yesterday or tomorrow accomplished in your life? 

7.  What does it mean for our righteousness to surpass that of the Pharisees?  How does one receive the Kingdom of God like a little child?  What is the significance of being born a second time of the Spirit?  How do these things enable us or hinder us from experiencing the Kingdom and the nearness of our King?

8.  Why did Jesus turn over tables at the Temple?  Are there areas in our personal lives or our corporate worship in which Jesus would act with such passion to get us to change what or how we are doing things?  What kinds of affairs from this world move us to hinder people from experiencing the closeness of the Kingdom?