Adultery Starts With A Thought

Life Group Word Material

These are sample discussion questions / topics. Your life group leaders may choose to adjust these questions, substitute new ones, or spend the Word section of the meeting in a different way altogether.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Matthew 5:17-20 (repeated from last week)

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. Jesus came to fulfill the scriptures – making them understandable and accessible. Describe your experience when it comes to Jesus' teaching. Do you find it understandable and accessible? Discuss.
2. What, if anything, have you observed about the "righteousness" of religious leaders? How does your righteousness compare?
3. Have you had any experiences with religious leaders who "followed the rules" but missed the point?

Matthew 5:27-30

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. Are you committed to obeying this command? Discuss.
2. How has your attitude about this passage changed over time?
3. Who are you able to talk to about problems with your thought life?
4. Is there something that God is telling you to "cut off"? Discuss.

Life Group Witnessing Activities

Key Passage – Matthew 5:13-16

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Activities

1. Pick a partner with whom you can work on being salt and light in the world around you for the next month. Tell your life group whom it is.
2. Pray regularly with your partner for God to show the two of you some places and ways that you can use your gifts and resources to do good.
3. Get together with your partner to act on what God shows you.

Reconcile, Reconcile, Reconcile!!!

Life Group Word Material

These are sample discussion questions / topics. Your life group leaders may choose to adjust these questions, substitute new ones, or spend the Word section of the meeting in a different way altogether.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Matthew 5:17-20

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. Jesus came to fulfill the scriptures – making them understandable and accessible. Describe your experience when it comes to Jesus' teaching. Do you find it understandable and accessible? Discuss.
2. What, if anything, have you observed about the "righteousness" of religious leaders? How does your righteousness compare?

Matthew 5:21-26

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. Have you been angry with anyone in the church recently? Discuss.
2. What other reasons have you had for being angry? Discuss.
3. Are you aware of anyone who might be angry with you? If so, what are you going to do about it?
4. Describe a time when you reconciled with someone.
5. If there anyone with whom you need to be reconciled now? Discuss.

Exodus 20:1-2, 13

And God spoke all these words:

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

. . .

“You shall not murder.

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. Have you ever been at risk for actually murdering someone? Discuss.

Ephesians 4:22-27

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. How seriously have you worked on getting rid of anger in the past?
2. How seriously are you working on it now?

James 1:19-21

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. Are you slow to become angry? Discuss.
2. Are you relying on your anger to accomplish things for you? Discuss.

Life Group Witnessing Activities

Key Passage – Matthew 5:13-16

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Activities

1. Pick a partner with whom you can work on being salt and light in the world around you for the next month. Tell your life group whom it is.
2. Pray regularly with your partner for God to show the two of you some places and ways that you can use your gifts and resources to do good.
3. Get together with your partner to act on what God shows you.

Seasoning, Sustaining, Shining

Life Group Word Material

These are sample discussion questions / topics. Your life group leaders may choose to adjust these questions, substitute new ones, or spend the Word section of the meeting in a different way altogether.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Matthew 5:11-16

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. Have you ever been mistreated because you follow Jesus? Discuss.
2. During Jesus' time on earth salt was used both to season and to preserve food. Have you seen followers of Jesus be "salt" in the world around them? Have you been salt? Discuss.
3. Have you seen Christians be light in the world around them? Discuss.
4. Have you ever seen non-Christians praise God because of good deeds performed by Christians? Discuss.

Luke 18:9-14 (repeated from last week)

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men — robbers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. Have there been times in your life when you were more like the Pharisee in this passage? Discuss.
2. Have there been times in your life when you were more like the tax collector in this passage? Discuss.

Life Group Witnessing Activities

Key Passage – Matthew 5:13-16

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Activities

1. Pick a partner with whom you can work on being salt and light in the world around you for the next month. Tell your life group whom it is.
2. Pray regularly with your partner for God to show the two of you some places and ways that you can use your gifts and resources to do good.
3. Get together with your partner to act on what God shows you.

Beggars Can't Be Losers

Life Group Word Material

These are sample discussion questions / topics. Your life group leaders may choose to adjust these questions, substitute new ones, or spend the Word section of the meeting in a different way altogether.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Matthew 5:1-12

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Discussion Questions / Topics:

In this passage the term "poor in spirit" could be rephrased as "spiritual beggar" – someone who has no spiritual resources and is completely dependent on someone else (i.e. God) for spiritual support.

1. In what ways, if any, have you experienced poverty? Are you now, or have you ever been among the working poor? Have you ever had to beg? Discuss.
2. Did you start your relationship with Jesus as a spiritual beggar – depending completely on him for spiritual life? Discuss.
3. Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt you had something to offer spiritually that came from yourself?

Luke 6:20-26

Looking at his disciples, he (Jesus) said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.

“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. Has your money or your property ever caused you to feel less dependent on God? Discuss.

Luke 18:9-14

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men — robbers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. Have there been times in your life when you were more like the Pharisee in this passage? Discuss.
2. Have there been times in your life when you were more like the tax collector in this passage? Discuss.

Life Group Witnessing Activities

Key Passage – Luke 4:14-21

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Activities

Discussion Questions / Topics:

The good news is that people who come to God as spiritual beggars receive righteousness and life from him.

1. Do you think the people you meet see you as part of the "poor in spirit" that Jesus said were blessed? Why or why not?
2. Do you think the people who visit Life Church see us as the "poor in spirit" that Jesus said were blessed? Why or why not?
3. Do you think that "spiritual beggars" feel welcome at Life Church? If not, how can we be more welcoming?
4. What barriers do you think people encounter at Life Church? What can we do about those barriers?

Life Group Word Material

These are sample discussion questions / topics. Your life group leaders may choose to adjust these questions, substitute new ones, or spend the Word section of the meeting in a different way altogether.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Genesis 17:1-14

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”

Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”

Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner — those who are not your offspring. Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. How are you doing at "walking before God Almighty"?
2. How are you doing at being blameless?

Psalm 19

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat. The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. Are you sinless? Are you blameless? What's the difference? Discuss.
2. Describe how you came to your current understanding of this subject.

Hebrews 4:9-16

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. In what ways are you "out in the open" with God?
2. In what ways are you hiding from God?
3. Are you asking God for all the help you need? Discuss.

Life Group Witnessing Activities

Key Questions

Work as a team to develop some questions you can ask the unchurched people you know. The questions should meet the following criteria:

Developing Your Questions

1. They should be natural (i.e. you can ask them without feeling awkward).
2. They should relate in someway to the person's life situation.
3. They should be open-ended (i.e. not be simple "yes" or "no" questions.
4. They should help to deepen your relationship.

Using Your Questions

Use the questions during this coming week and report back on the results.

Life Group Word Material

These are sample discussion questions / topics. Your life group leaders may choose to adjust these questions, substitute new ones, or spend the Word section of the meeting in a different way altogether.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Hebrews 5:7 – 6:3

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. Are you living on milk or on solid food? Are you committed to growing spiritually? Discuss.
2. Describe some of the ways that you have trained yourself to distinguish good from evil.

Luke 8:4-15

While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

When he said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. Which of these four kinds of soil best describes you today? Discuss.

James 1:2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. Are you persevering right now? If so, in what ways?

Colossians 4:12-13

Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. How firmly have you been standing this past week, month, year?

James 1:22-25

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does.

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. Do you merely listen to the Word or do you do what it says? Discuss.

Life Group Witnessing Activities

Key Questions

Work as a team to develop some questions you can ask the unchurched people you know. The questions should meet the following criteria:

Developing Your Questions

1. They should be natural (i.e. you can ask them without feeling awkward).
2. They should relate in someway to the person's life situation.
3. They should be open-ended (i.e. not be simple "yes" or "no" questions.
4. They should help to deepen your relationship.

Using Your Questions

Use the questions during this coming week and report back on the results.

Life Group Word Material

These are sample discussion questions / topics. Your life group leaders may choose to adjust these questions, substitute new ones, or spend the Word section of the meeting in a different way altogether.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Mark 12:28-34

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. How are you doing at loving God with everything you've got? Discuss.
2. How are you doing at loving your neighbor as yourself? Discuss.

Matthew 10:34-39

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law — a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. Do you love your parents or your children more than Jesus? Discuss.

John 15:9-14

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.

Discussion Questions / Topics:

1. What are some of the ways that you demonstrate love for your brothers and sisters in Christ?
2. In what ways can your brothers and sisters count on you for support?

Life Group Witnessing Activities

Key Questions

Work as a team to develop some questions you can ask the unchurched people you know. The questions should meet the following criteria:

Developing Your Questions

1. They should be natural (i.e. you can ask them without feeling awkward).
2. They should relate in someway to the person's life situation.
3. They should be open-ended (i.e. not be simple "yes" or "no" questions.
4. They should help to deepen your relationship.

Using Your Questions

Use the questions during this coming week and report back on the results.

Haiti Earthquake links and other information:

http://blogs.lifechurchboston.org/community/haiti/

Learn how you can help fight the genocide in Darfur:

http://blogs.lifechurchboston.org/community/save-darfur/

Boston Community Change
Through everyday transactions at participating merchants, Boston Community Change cardholders receive cash rewards while directing money to designated local nonprofits or schools.

We hope that you make Life Church Ministries (our parent organization) your designated nonprofit.