Sunday, June 13
1. The laws of God require us to be generous to the poor…their poverty is our problem. What is the “triad” of people we should be focused on (answer: orphans, widows, foreigners)?
2. What does it mean to “corner your fields”? (consider Leviticus 23:22)
3. What are some of the ways that we might apply that principle, today?
4. Has anyone else noticed an emerging politically correct racism toward foreigners? Discuss.
5. Why did the Israelites hate the Samaritans?
6. How is the racism of the first century Jews similar to the emerging opposition to foreigners in our culture? Are they driven by any of the same factors?
7. How might our politics skew our perspective? (be very, very careful here! We’re just trying to draw out the fact that the laws of God take precedent over political perspectives– you may or may not want to go here!)
8. What might be the impact if Christians were radically generous? Is that really a key to renewal or revival? Why or why not?
9. Discuss our ministry to serve the Hispanic church. Pray for the ministry, and particularly if you have people in the group who plan on getting involved.

Sunday, June 20

Sunday, June 27

“Inside Out, Upside Down”

Wanna study John 4 like a nerd? Click here for extra posts.

1. Jesus broke the social rules to talk with the Samaritan woman in this story. Have you ever gone out of your way like this to socialize with someone?
2. Matt thought about his mom’s saxophone differently when he saw the other kids’ new shiny saxophones. Then his mind was changed after the contest judge told him how special it was. Have you ever had a possession like this? How did your treatment of the item change with your mindset?
3. In John 4:4, we learn that Jesus “had to pass through Samaria.” Why do you think he didn’t go around?
4. When Jesus spoke about “living water” the Samaritan woman wanted it so that she wouldn’t have to keep coming to the well to draw water (4:15). Jacob’s well, men and worship had all left her thirsty. Discuss our “thirst for the infinite” or the thirst for the “Not Yet” of the already/not yet.
5. Have you ever felt like worship was just external stuff? A place you went or a thing you did… instead of from the inside out. Describe.
6. Discuss How Jesus internalize worship… the veil was torn, he is the sacrifice, he is the light, he is the bread of life.
7. Talk about the difference between a cistern (standing water in holding tank) and a spring (flowing water).
8. The original greek word for worship is the root word where we get “fall prostrate before.” Have you ever been star-struck at meeting someone? Describe how you acted differently.
9. The English word for worship is from the Old English “worthship.” Describe the last time you saw something and realized & reacted to it’s value. (Matt talked about the concession line at the movies w/ Pat Summit, Los Amigos, trading baseball cards, cooling down at the park, and his saxophone.)
10. Talk about a time you made a sacrifice for God because you saw a greater value or significance in it.
11. Without true proportions, we can’t weigh value properly. Have you ever clung to a toy like a child who wouldn’t trade her doll for a house?
12. Read John 4:23-24. What does it mean to worship in spirit and in truth.
13. What does it mean that God is seeking worshipers who will worship this way?
14. Pray!

See the “But the PhD on TV Said…” post for discussion questions.

Listen to the Q&A:

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.”

- C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

1. Let’s assume you don’t live in either of the extremes that C.S. Lewis is talking about…but which of the two would you say you lean toward the most? Why?

2. Anybody got any good demon stories? Now’s a great time to tell them.  What can we learn from those stories?

3. Why do you think people are often inclined to ignore the reality of spiritual warfare? What problems can ignoring spiritual warfare create?

4. How does the way we frame things like demon possession affect us day in and day out? Or does it?

5. Aaron talked about depression as a common problem that could have several causes. Can you think about some other examples of common problems that could be caused by several things?

6. Why do you think the Gerasene Demoniac cut himself and cried out?

7. Aaron said that every problem has a spiritual element. “…it’s rarely the whole story, but it’s always a part of it.” Do you buy that? Why or why not?

8. Can you think of a time (maybe now), when you were facing a problem, but had never really thought to pray about it, or “go the Lord with it”? Share. If so, why do you think that is?

9. Read and discuss Eph. 6:10-20–what are the guiding principles in this text?

Pray for each other!

Read Mark 5:1-20

1. The extreme nature of this man’s story can make us think that it’s not applicable to us.  How is this story like a stress test, and how does that make it so helpful to us?
2. What can we learn from this text about the nature of sin?
3. This man, in one sense, was very powerful…but in truth, he was powerless. Can you think of a time you felt powerless to defeat sin?
4. What are some sins that seem to empower, but ultimately enslave?
5. What are the problems with avoiding sin in order to avoid punishment?  What should motivate us to be holy?
6. “Heaven isn’t a place for people who fear Hell…it’s a place for people who love Jesus.”  What do you think of first when you feel convicted of sin?
7. Have you ever felt forgiven, but still disqualified from doing certain things for God? Discuss.
8. Have you ever felt like someone would never listen to you because they know your past? Do you feel any differently about that now?
9. Pray for each other!