Invest--Lesson 3--Invested in the Kingdoom

Discussion Questions:

1. What kind of filters do you have that take your focus off the Kingdom of God and place your

focus upon yourself?

2. Why is it significant that when Moses defeated the Amalekites he built an altar to the

LORD, calling it “The LORD is my Banner”, but when Saul defeated the Amalekites he built

a monument to himself?

3. What danger have you seen of taking ministry given to us by the LORD and turning it into a

monument to us rather than God? Why is it easy to fall into this? What does this tell you

about the importance of considering pride when nominating someone as a shepherd?

4. What does it mean that God “regretted” making Saul king? How can we avoid bringing

“regret” from God in our shepherd selection process, and moving forward in the future of

this church?

5. How do the Standards of the Garden Ridge church help you in the nominating process for

shepherds? How do the Standards keep us focused upon Kingdom work? (You can find

the Standards on the website: gardenridge.org. Go to “About” and click on “Vision” and

scroll down)

Invest--Lesson 2--Invested in the Flock

Discussion Questions:

1. What is it about shepherding sheep that trains and empowers people to be good leaders

for the LORD’s people?

2. How difficult does being a shepherd for the LORD’s church sound to you? Why would

someone choose to take on the responsibilities that come with this role?

3. What is the significance in using titles such as “elders” and “shepherds” for the leaders of

the church? What does each title say about the role? Why does Garden Ridge emphasize

the role of shepherd rather than elder?

4. Why is it important for the shepherd to remember that they are also a sheep? How does

remembering the importance of this help you with the nominating process?

5. What does it look like for a shepherd to be invested in the sheep? What kinds of practical

things can a shepherd do to lead people down a path of righteousness, through the valley

of the shadow of death, along with security at a table in the presence of the enemy, and

on to the house of the LORD?

Invest--Lesson 1--Invested in the Church--(Shepherd Selection)

Discussion Questions:

1. Describe what investing your life into the ways of the LORD looks like in your everyday

living? Why is it important for each church member to be invested in the selection process

of more shepherds?

2. How does the fear of scarcity (not having enough) influence the way you give or hold onto

your time and resources for the LORD?

3. How important do you believe it is to add more shepherds? How does a fixed amount of

time with many needs influence this decision?

4. What problems have you seen with people, or the whole church, falling into being

lukewarm? Why is this such an effective tool for Satan?

5. What commitment are you willing to make to be invested in nominating and following up

on those who are placed before the church family as potential candidates for the work of a

shepherd?