In the Workshop--Lesson 16--The Art of Hospitality--Luke 15 + Various Passages

Discussion Questions:

1.     In what ways have you experienced being a stranger or orphan?  What do you see from the word for “hospitality” being made up of two words in the Greek, the word for love (philo) and the word for strangers or outsiders (xenia)?

2.     What is the difference in hospitality and entertaining people?  Why was hospitality in Old Testament times so challenging?  What do you like or dislike about what hospitality was like in Old Testament times?

3.     Why is it important to focus on reaching those who are outsiders, and not just exclusively on a relationship with God?  How did Tony Campolo’s example of throwing a birthday party for Agnes inspire you?  Who do you know that is an outsider?

4.     How should our church provide hospitality to those who will never join us for worship? 

5.     What makes accepting hospitality from others difficult to do?  How has this unfortunate attitude crept into our relationship with God?  How has God offered you hospitality?

6.     What is table fellowship?  How did Jesus constantly offer table fellowship to the people He encountered?  How is communion a form of table fellowship?  How do you feel about being invited to the table with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit?

In the Workshop--Lesson 15--Living in Community--Luke 22; Matthew 18 + Various Passages

Discussion Questions:

1.  How is intentionally choosing to live within community a practice that helps you be a better apprentice of Jesus?  How did Jesus demonstrate through His lifestyle that community was important to Kingdom fulfillment?

2.  Who would you say knows your story well enough that they could tell it accurately?  Why is it important to have people who know us this well?  Whose story could you tell?

3.  How does community provide strength and support in your life?  How surprised were you that the two legal pads were able to hold a bucket of bricks?  What did you learn about doing more than just rubbing up against people when it comes to being part of a church family?

4.  How has being part of community hurt you?  Why do so many find it difficult, or even impossible to stay when they have been hurt by community?  How would things be different in your life if Jesus chose not to stay when you did something to hurt Him?

5.  Why does Jesus emphasize that it is when two or three are gathered that He is with them (Matthew 18:20)?  How does the context prior to His statement (Matthew 18:15-17) influence what He is saying?  What is Jesus teaching here about the importance of unity and community?

6.  What is the purpose behind removing someone from the community of the church for disciplinary purposes?  What does it say about the low level of understanding of the importance of community when people will choose to remove themselves from meeting with other believers?  How, or in what ways have you been tempted to quit being part of Kingdom community or church fellowship?

7.  What does it mean that we have been given a ministry of reconciliation?  How is Jesus’ example with the Rich Young Ruler helpful in understanding what “staying” or “offering a breath mint” should look like when dealing with potential offensive situations?

In the Workshop--Lesson 14--The Gift of Rest & Sabbath

Discussion Questions:

1.  Why is it difficult to take time to rest?  What worries do you have that hinder you from “stopping” and “delighting” in the LORD?

2.  When was the last time you felt completely satisfied?  What kinds of things bring you satisfaction?  What did you think of Thomas Aquinas’ quote on being satisfied?

3.  How have you seen advertising tap into your infinite desire for more?  Why do you think God gave you desires that are infinite?  How can these infinite desires serve you well in this life?

4.  How do your desires contribute to a feeling of restlessness?  How would a weekly time of “Stop” and “Delight” enable you to better understand and deal with things that make you restless?

5.  How is rest part of the blueprint of creation?  What happens when you build your life with disregard to the blueprint? 

6.  How can a time of Sabbath each week be like a sanctuary within your week?  What kinds of activities help you to rest and worship the LORD?

7.  Why do you suppose God used the Sabbath to remind the Israelites of how He rescued them from slavery in Egypt?  How often do you feel like you have quotas to keep that you can’t say “no” to?  How does taking time to remember how God has set you free help you to feel rested?  What temptations have you had to “return to Egypt”?

8.  How is a Sabbath a practice time to help you be ready for the game in each day of the week?  What should a Sabbath day look like?