Easter 2018 – Discussion Guide
Getting Started
Main Idea:
God didn’t create faith to cower behind closed doors.
Discussion Starter:
Do you have a funny or strange talent?
Introduction:
How we respond to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is the most important question we can pursue.
Encounter God
Primary Scriptures: John 10:9-11, Matthew 18:12-14, Luke 10:38-42, Ephesians 2:8-10
Discussion Questions:
1. Discuss a time when you felt like an outcast. Discuss a time when you felt like you belonged.
2. Read Matthew 18:12-14. How has God pursued you?
3. Read Luke 10:38-42. Describe a time when something did not go the way you had hoped even though you felt like you were “doing everything right.” Have you tried to build your own doorway to God with good deeds?
4. Read Ephesians 2:8-10. How can you find freedom in this scripture?
5. How have you responded to Jesus in the past? How do you encounter and respond to him daily?
Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, pick a Gospel (Matthew 28:1-15, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18) and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the story of the first Easter morning.
Embrace Others
Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into dyads or triads for this section.
Read Luke 5:17-20. What obstacles can you remove for those in your life so they can make their way to Jesus?
Engage the World Around Us
Engaging at Faith Promise: At an FP service this week, reach out to someone you have never met, introduce yourself, and (without being intrusive) ask if they have a need you can help meet.
Engaging in Community: As you engage your community as the hands and feet of God, discuss how you can express the Gospel while you do it.
Engaging the World: Pray that the Gospel of Jesus will be brought to every corner of the world and seek God for how you can be a part of it.
Expand God’s Kingdom
Read James 5:19-20. How can you work together to pursue and bring back to God those you know have wandered from Him? How can you work together to help prevent your friends and family from wandering from God?
Leader’s Notes
ALL groups at Faith Promise should participate in ALL 4 characteristics of a disciple of Christ (encountering God, embracing others, engaging the world, and expanding God’s Kingdom). However, each individual group may be primarily focused on one of these “Es” for a season, or for the life of that particular group. Below is an explanation of each type of group.
– Encounter Groups: the primary focus of Encounter Groups is the deeper study and application of God’s Word.
– Embrace Groups: the primary focus of Embrace Groups is making friends and being friends on a deeper level.
– Engage Groups: the primary focus of Engage Groups is serving the people of our area through our local partners and through God-directed opportunities.
– Expand Groups: the primary focus of Expand Groups is the development and multiplication of disciple-makers to lead more groups at Faith Promise.
