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Please be sure to contact Stephen Tipps stipps@plumcreekonline.com for information regarding small groups.
Thanks!
Charles
Monday, March 24, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Discussion Questions for week of 3/16
Ps. 23:6
"Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
1. This week we began by talking about the first word of this verse, “Surely”. David is communicating his sense of confidence in the Good Shepherd. Why is it important for us to have this same confidence in our relationships with God? Read James 1:17 and talk about how this relates to the confidence we can have in God.
2. We talked about several reasons that we can, “face our future with confidence”. These three things were; because God’s GOODNESS & MERCY are working in me, because God PURSUES me with PERSISTENCE & because HEAVEN is WAITING for me. Which one of these three stood out most in your mind? Why do each of these give you confidence as you face your future?
3. Read Romans 8:28 and talk about this promise. Who is the promise for? How does this relate to our lives and how God’s goodness is “following” us?
4. Can you share an example of a time in your life when you were able to experience how God turns all things together for the good?
5. Out of the stories that you know from scripture which one is your favorite example of God’s pursuit? How do you feel about God’s persistent pursuit of you?
6. The last thing Doug talked about this week is our certainty that if we are a follower of Christ heaven is waiting for us. Review: Eccles. 3:11, 2 Cor. 5:1, 2 Cor. 5:6-8, 1 Peter 1:4-6 & Rev. 21:4. After reading these verses what sticks out most in your mind about heaven?
7. At the end of the message Doug said these things,
“Be careful not to act like you are home. Don’t treat this world like it is home. It isn’t! The greatest danger is not to feel far from home when you are, but to feel right at home when you are not. You're not ready to live until you're ready to die. You don't know how to live until you're ready to die. Only a fool would go all through life, totally unprepared for something that everybody knows is inevitable.”
-What thoughts do you have about these statements?
8. Re-read Psalm 23.
-What stands out most in your mind and heart from our time in this great psalm?
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 4 Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
"Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
1. This week we began by talking about the first word of this verse, “Surely”. David is communicating his sense of confidence in the Good Shepherd. Why is it important for us to have this same confidence in our relationships with God? Read James 1:17 and talk about how this relates to the confidence we can have in God.
2. We talked about several reasons that we can, “face our future with confidence”. These three things were; because God’s GOODNESS & MERCY are working in me, because God PURSUES me with PERSISTENCE & because HEAVEN is WAITING for me. Which one of these three stood out most in your mind? Why do each of these give you confidence as you face your future?
3. Read Romans 8:28 and talk about this promise. Who is the promise for? How does this relate to our lives and how God’s goodness is “following” us?
4. Can you share an example of a time in your life when you were able to experience how God turns all things together for the good?
5. Out of the stories that you know from scripture which one is your favorite example of God’s pursuit? How do you feel about God’s persistent pursuit of you?
6. The last thing Doug talked about this week is our certainty that if we are a follower of Christ heaven is waiting for us. Review: Eccles. 3:11, 2 Cor. 5:1, 2 Cor. 5:6-8, 1 Peter 1:4-6 & Rev. 21:4. After reading these verses what sticks out most in your mind about heaven?
7. At the end of the message Doug said these things,
“Be careful not to act like you are home. Don’t treat this world like it is home. It isn’t! The greatest danger is not to feel far from home when you are, but to feel right at home when you are not. You're not ready to live until you're ready to die. You don't know how to live until you're ready to die. Only a fool would go all through life, totally unprepared for something that everybody knows is inevitable.”
-What thoughts do you have about these statements?
8. Re-read Psalm 23.
-What stands out most in your mind and heart from our time in this great psalm?
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 4 Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Questions for Week of 03/09/2008
Ps. 23:5
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil.
My cup overflows."
1. Just like the sheep there are plenty of challenges in life that literally “bug” us. This week’s message dealt with how we face these challenges. What are a couple of things in your life that have become problems that have “bugged” you the most?
2. We talked about several things that we should not do when life presents these types of challenges. They were: don’t IGNORE it, don't RUN from it, don’t HIDE your hurt, don’t WORRY about it & finally don’t RESENT it. In your life, which of these have you found to be your most common response to life’s challenges? Why do you think this is the case?
3. We also talked about how David’s psalm gives us a prescription for dealing with these challenges. This prescription included: letting Jesus SETTLE the SCORE, letting Jesus SOOTH my IRATATIONS and finally, letting Jesus SATISFY my NEEDS.
-Which of these three was the most important for you to hear? Why?
-Which of these three is the hardest/easiest for you to implement in your life? Why?
4. Do you have an example of a time in your life when you were able to experience God do one of these things? If so, and you feel willing to share, talk about this experience and what you learned about your Shepherd during this time.
5. We wrapped up the message talking about how, “our cup is overflowing”. There is some significant symbolism that David was familiar with regarding an “overflowing cup”. What did you take away from this? Doug finished our time together talking about the different cups that we have that are overflowing. (cups of grace, hope, love & joy). There are verses in scripture that talk about how we have each of these things in an “overflowing fashion”. How did this speak to your heart? What can you do in your life to keep the perspective of the “overflowing provisions” of our God?
6. The last thing Doug said this week was this, “One thing is certain. When the final storm comes and you are safe in your Father’s house, you won’t regret what God didn’t give, you’ll be stunned at what He did give!” What does this mean and how can you keep this kind of focus?
Have a great week & remember…
The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 4 Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil.
My cup overflows."
1. Just like the sheep there are plenty of challenges in life that literally “bug” us. This week’s message dealt with how we face these challenges. What are a couple of things in your life that have become problems that have “bugged” you the most?
2. We talked about several things that we should not do when life presents these types of challenges. They were: don’t IGNORE it, don't RUN from it, don’t HIDE your hurt, don’t WORRY about it & finally don’t RESENT it. In your life, which of these have you found to be your most common response to life’s challenges? Why do you think this is the case?
3. We also talked about how David’s psalm gives us a prescription for dealing with these challenges. This prescription included: letting Jesus SETTLE the SCORE, letting Jesus SOOTH my IRATATIONS and finally, letting Jesus SATISFY my NEEDS.
-Which of these three was the most important for you to hear? Why?
-Which of these three is the hardest/easiest for you to implement in your life? Why?
4. Do you have an example of a time in your life when you were able to experience God do one of these things? If so, and you feel willing to share, talk about this experience and what you learned about your Shepherd during this time.
5. We wrapped up the message talking about how, “our cup is overflowing”. There is some significant symbolism that David was familiar with regarding an “overflowing cup”. What did you take away from this? Doug finished our time together talking about the different cups that we have that are overflowing. (cups of grace, hope, love & joy). There are verses in scripture that talk about how we have each of these things in an “overflowing fashion”. How did this speak to your heart? What can you do in your life to keep the perspective of the “overflowing provisions” of our God?
6. The last thing Doug said this week was this, “One thing is certain. When the final storm comes and you are safe in your Father’s house, you won’t regret what God didn’t give, you’ll be stunned at what He did give!” What does this mean and how can you keep this kind of focus?
Have a great week & remember…
The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 4 Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Journey Group’s Discussion Questions For The Week Of 3-2-08
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
1. What did you think about the fact that the, “valley of the shadow of death” is a real place?
2. The metaphor of the “valley” is very real. We talked about some of the other valleys mentioned in scripture: Joshua talks about the Valley of Calamity, Psalm 84 talks about the Valley of Weeping, Hosea talks about the Valley of Trouble. The most accurate translation for the, “valley of the shadow of death” is the “valley of deep darkness”. What valleys have you experienced in your life?
3. Doug shared 5 things about valleys. Valleys are INEVITABLE, UNPREDICTABLE, IMPARTIAL, TEMPORARY and PURPOSEFUL. Which of these 5 truths stood out most to you and why?
4. Doug also shared 3 things to do when you are going through a “valley time” in your life. They were; REFUSE to be DISCOURAGED, REMEMBER that God is WITH me, and finally, rely on God’s PROTECTION & GUIDANCE. Which of these 3 is the most important for you to remind yourself of? Why?
5. We also talked about how we can always learn about God during life’s valley times. What are some things you have personally learned about God during these times in your life?
6. Often times the hardest part of the “valley experiences” in our lives comes from feeling alone and isolated.
-Read Psalm 139:7-12 and discuss how these verses relate to these times in our lives.
-Why do you think that those that have “walked through the valley” are usually the best at helping others go through the tough times in life?
-Do you typically look for help during the “valley experiences” in your life? Why do you think this is the case?
-Are you willing to walk with someone else through the “valley times”? How can we do a better job of doing this?
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
1. What did you think about the fact that the, “valley of the shadow of death” is a real place?
2. The metaphor of the “valley” is very real. We talked about some of the other valleys mentioned in scripture: Joshua talks about the Valley of Calamity, Psalm 84 talks about the Valley of Weeping, Hosea talks about the Valley of Trouble. The most accurate translation for the, “valley of the shadow of death” is the “valley of deep darkness”. What valleys have you experienced in your life?
3. Doug shared 5 things about valleys. Valleys are INEVITABLE, UNPREDICTABLE, IMPARTIAL, TEMPORARY and PURPOSEFUL. Which of these 5 truths stood out most to you and why?
4. Doug also shared 3 things to do when you are going through a “valley time” in your life. They were; REFUSE to be DISCOURAGED, REMEMBER that God is WITH me, and finally, rely on God’s PROTECTION & GUIDANCE. Which of these 3 is the most important for you to remind yourself of? Why?
5. We also talked about how we can always learn about God during life’s valley times. What are some things you have personally learned about God during these times in your life?
6. Often times the hardest part of the “valley experiences” in our lives comes from feeling alone and isolated.
-Read Psalm 139:7-12 and discuss how these verses relate to these times in our lives.
-Why do you think that those that have “walked through the valley” are usually the best at helping others go through the tough times in life?
-Do you typically look for help during the “valley experiences” in your life? Why do you think this is the case?
-Are you willing to walk with someone else through the “valley times”? How can we do a better job of doing this?
Sunday, February 24, 2008
DIscussion Questions for Week of Feb 24th
Soul Care 101 Part 2 Questions:
1. For the last two weeks Doug has been asking what we have done to care for our souls. Were you able to be more intentional about your “soul care” this week? If so what did you do?
2. This week we looked at what it looks like to follow God’s plan for spiritual nourishment. If sheep aren’t led to “healthy” water they will look to quench their thirst anywhere they can. What are some “unhealthy” places that we can find ourselves looking for “nourishment”?
Read these verses: Matt. 5:6, John 7:37, John 6:35 & Rev. 22:17. What do they tell us about where we can find “true nourishment”?
3. In Ps. 42:11, David says, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Doug shared about what the term “cast” means to a shepherd.
Have you ever been in a place where you had a “downcast” soul?
We learned how one of the shepherd’s jobs is to watch for sheep that are in this “cast” state. What are your thoughts about the Great Shepherd caring for us when we are “downcast”?
4. Re-read Psalm 23:2-3 and reflect on the Great Shepherd’s responsibility to lead and our responsibility to follow. How are you doing following His lead in your life?
5. We concluded this week looking at what it means to pursue God’s path for my life. We talked about 3 ways the shepherd guides his sheep.
-He guides us to health.
-He gently guides those that stray.
-He lovingly guides those that are stubborn.
Have you experienced the Great Shepherd guiding you in these ways? How?
Read Psalm 119:67-68. Talk about how this verse applies to your life.
1. For the last two weeks Doug has been asking what we have done to care for our souls. Were you able to be more intentional about your “soul care” this week? If so what did you do?
2. This week we looked at what it looks like to follow God’s plan for spiritual nourishment. If sheep aren’t led to “healthy” water they will look to quench their thirst anywhere they can. What are some “unhealthy” places that we can find ourselves looking for “nourishment”?
Read these verses: Matt. 5:6, John 7:37, John 6:35 & Rev. 22:17. What do they tell us about where we can find “true nourishment”?
3. In Ps. 42:11, David says, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Doug shared about what the term “cast” means to a shepherd.
Have you ever been in a place where you had a “downcast” soul?
We learned how one of the shepherd’s jobs is to watch for sheep that are in this “cast” state. What are your thoughts about the Great Shepherd caring for us when we are “downcast”?
4. Re-read Psalm 23:2-3 and reflect on the Great Shepherd’s responsibility to lead and our responsibility to follow. How are you doing following His lead in your life?
5. We concluded this week looking at what it means to pursue God’s path for my life. We talked about 3 ways the shepherd guides his sheep.
-He guides us to health.
-He gently guides those that stray.
-He lovingly guides those that are stubborn.
Have you experienced the Great Shepherd guiding you in these ways? How?
Read Psalm 119:67-68. Talk about how this verse applies to your life.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Discussion Questions for week of Feb 18
1- This week we started off our message talking about the story of the sheep named Shrek. The analogy was that if we aren't careful we can neglect "care for our souls". Why do you think that taking care of ourselves spiritually tends to get pushed to the "back burner" in our lives?
2- Doug asked us the question, "What have you done this week to care for your soul?". How did you answer that question?
3- Re-read the Mike Yaconelli quote and share your thoughts about his brutal honesty concerning his spiritual life...
“I knew what it meant to believe in Jesus, I didn’t know what it meant to be with Jesus. I knew how to talk with Jesus, I didn’t know how to sit still long enough to let Jesus talk to me. I found it easy to do the work of God, but I had no idea how to let God work in me. I understood soul-saving, but I was clueless about soul making. I knew how to be busy, but I didn’t know how to be still. I could talk about God; I just couldn’t listen to God. I felt comfortable with God’s people, but I felt uncomfortable alone with God. I was acquainted with the God ‘out-there’, but I was a complete stranger to the God ‘in-here’. I could meet God anywhere…except in my heart, in my soul, in my being.”
4- Doug talked about our need to SLOW DOWN. In his message he shared a prescription to R.E.L.A.X. Review each of these points and the verses together and share your thoughts.
1. REALIZE MY WORTH (James 1:18)
2. ENJOY WHAT I ALREADY HAVE (Ecc. 3:13)
3. LIMIT MY LABOR (Ex. 20:8-11)
4. ADJUST MY VALUES (Mark 8:36)
5. EXCHANGE MY PRESSURE FOR GOD'S PEACE (Isa. 26:3 & Eph. 2:8)
4- What are some things that you can intentionally do this week to prepare for Doug asking again this Sunday, "What I have done to care for my soul"?
2- Doug asked us the question, "What have you done this week to care for your soul?". How did you answer that question?
3- Re-read the Mike Yaconelli quote and share your thoughts about his brutal honesty concerning his spiritual life...
“I knew what it meant to believe in Jesus, I didn’t know what it meant to be with Jesus. I knew how to talk with Jesus, I didn’t know how to sit still long enough to let Jesus talk to me. I found it easy to do the work of God, but I had no idea how to let God work in me. I understood soul-saving, but I was clueless about soul making. I knew how to be busy, but I didn’t know how to be still. I could talk about God; I just couldn’t listen to God. I felt comfortable with God’s people, but I felt uncomfortable alone with God. I was acquainted with the God ‘out-there’, but I was a complete stranger to the God ‘in-here’. I could meet God anywhere…except in my heart, in my soul, in my being.”
4- Doug talked about our need to SLOW DOWN. In his message he shared a prescription to R.E.L.A.X. Review each of these points and the verses together and share your thoughts.
1. REALIZE MY WORTH (James 1:18)
2. ENJOY WHAT I ALREADY HAVE (Ecc. 3:13)
3. LIMIT MY LABOR (Ex. 20:8-11)
4. ADJUST MY VALUES (Mark 8:36)
5. EXCHANGE MY PRESSURE FOR GOD'S PEACE (Isa. 26:3 & Eph. 2:8)
4- What are some things that you can intentionally do this week to prepare for Doug asking again this Sunday, "What I have done to care for my soul"?
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Discussion Questions for week of Feb 10
Discussion Questions
“God’s Cure for Worry”
Sunday, February 10, 2008
1. Why do people tend to worry? What are some of your “pet” worries?
2. Gary said that worry is "unhelpful, unreasonable and unhealthy". How have you seen this lived out in people you know? Yourself?
3. The 3 Cures for Worry Gary shared on Sunday were 1) Believe my Shepherd will take care of me, 2) Talk to my Shepherd about everything and 3) Live one day at time. Why can “The Cure” bring hope to the one burdened by worry?
4. Which of these three “cures” is easiest for you to do? Hardest? Why?
5. Are some areas of “worry” easier/harder to give to the Lord? Do you sometimes “cast” your worries like you cast in fishing…you keep reeling them back in? Why?
6. Spend some time on each of these verses from the sermon notes (Psa. 23:1, John 16:33, Php. 4:19, Php. 4:6-7 and I Pet. 5:7). Ask: What does my Shepherd want me to know about His heart? How do my words, thoughts and actions demonstrate I believe Him?
7. Read Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:25-34. How does your heart respond to His words? Why does Jesus speak these words? What does Jesus want His followers to know?
8. Now that I know these things about worry and God’s cure for it, how will my life be different?
“God’s Cure for Worry”
Sunday, February 10, 2008
1. Why do people tend to worry? What are some of your “pet” worries?
2. Gary said that worry is "unhelpful, unreasonable and unhealthy". How have you seen this lived out in people you know? Yourself?
3. The 3 Cures for Worry Gary shared on Sunday were 1) Believe my Shepherd will take care of me, 2) Talk to my Shepherd about everything and 3) Live one day at time. Why can “The Cure” bring hope to the one burdened by worry?
4. Which of these three “cures” is easiest for you to do? Hardest? Why?
5. Are some areas of “worry” easier/harder to give to the Lord? Do you sometimes “cast” your worries like you cast in fishing…you keep reeling them back in? Why?
6. Spend some time on each of these verses from the sermon notes (Psa. 23:1, John 16:33, Php. 4:19, Php. 4:6-7 and I Pet. 5:7). Ask: What does my Shepherd want me to know about His heart? How do my words, thoughts and actions demonstrate I believe Him?
7. Read Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:25-34. How does your heart respond to His words? Why does Jesus speak these words? What does Jesus want His followers to know?
8. Now that I know these things about worry and God’s cure for it, how will my life be different?
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