Author Archive

Primal Week 3

When you were a kid what was it you wanted to be when you grow up?Why

Read Ps. 8:1-9

1.What is it about the soul that drives us to go beyond living and existing?

From the book Primal—

The Bible is the place where God bares “His” soul. Nothing speaks to the soul like scripture. It’s the way God reveals His wonders in written form. And like the wonders of creation waiting to be discovered, the Bible beckons us to explore. The quest for the lost soul of Christianity always leads us back to the Bible. But rediscovering the wonders of scripture requires more than reading. That’s where the quest begins, buy that’s not where it ends. Not if you want to get it into your soul. You have to meditate on it. Then you have to live it out.

2. Give an example of a way in which a bible passage meant one thing to you at one time and another thing at another time. What made the difference?

Have you gone through times in you life when scripture seemed boring to you and times when it filled you with wonder? What opens you up to the wonder?

Quote from book “Primal”

When we experience wonder what we are really doing is loving God with our soul. When we lose our sense of wonder, what we really lose is our soul. Our lack of wonder is really a lack of  Love.

3. What is God teaching you right now or what is going on in your life right now that you are wondering what God has in store for you?  (leaders give time for people to think about his question then call on specific people)

4. Do you mediate on the sermon each week or just listen to the sermon think that was good and that is it?

5. Do you read God’s word and meditate on it? What does it mean to meditate on it?  Does it change your behavior?

6. How have you grown spiritually since the first of the month?

7. How do you translate the text?

How do you go through your quiet time what steps do you take when you read your bible? (leaders call on specific people)

Primal Week 2

(Leaders start by reading the story from the email)

Think back to your early days as a follower of Jesus Christ. How did you have a new appreciation for life?

How did you begin to feel differently—feel what Christ feels?

Define “Compassion”—-A human emotion prompted by the pain of others. More vigorous than empathy, the feeling commonly gives rise to an “active” desire to alleviate another’s suffering. Where would we be today if God had not felt compassion for us?

When was the last time you felt compassion for someone? Did you act on it? If not, why? What kinds of things keep us from acting?

(Quote from the book Primal—In my experience, it’s much easier to act like a Christian than it is to “react” like one. But your “reactions” reveal what is really in your heart.)

(Quote from the book Primal — Don’t let what you cannot do keep you from doing what you can do.  Put your money where your heart is. It’s just a drop in the bucket.  Every act of generosity creates a righteous ripple effect that can change the course of history. It will also change your heart.)

Matthew 6: 21 says—For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. What particular needy individuals or groups or places has God given you special compassion for?

As a group, discuss something you can do to show the heart of God in a real way!

Primal Week 1

Ice Breaker: what is the most important thing in your life? What did you learn from the sermon?

Mark 12:28-31 V.29 see deut. 6:4

Why is the commandment given here the greatest?

How do you love the Lord your God with all your heart?  Is it possible?

Does your heart break for the things that break the heart of God? (question from the book “Primal”)

If not, why and what do you need to do to change this? If so, how do we show this?

How do you love your neighbor as yourself?

Can we love the Lord with all of our hearts etc and “not” love our neighbors as ourselves? (or vice-versa)  look at 1 John 3:10, 4:19-21, I Peter 1:22, 4:8.

Do we “really” love others “deeply”?  How can we show our love for others?

Do you love your wife like this, your kids or other family? Why or why not? What if we do not love ourselves? How can we show our love for God? What happens when we do this?

“The Gospel” Week 5

Ice Breaker: What are you favorite Easter memories?

Are there any questions or thoughts on this week’s sermon?

Read John chapter 11: 1-26

v. 6: Why did Jesus stay where he was 2 more days when he knew Lazarus was sick?

Why did Jesus perform this miracle involving people who already knew and believed in him? Or did they?

v. 20: Why does Martha run to Jesus and Mary doesn’t (given Mary’s past relationship with Jesus)?

What is the difference between the “resuscitation” of Lazarus and the “resurrection” of Jesus?

v. 25: What is the difference between the resurrection and life?

Read v. 45: Some believed, some did not? What would make ALL people believe? Is it possible? Refer to Luke 16: 30-31

The Gospel Part 4

Icebreaker: What is something someone has said to you that changed the way you live?

Read Luke 23:34 Luke 23:43

Who was Jesus most concerned about here? Why? (they may have had no idea who he was or what he may or may not have done).

Have you ever had to forgive someone that wronged you and they did not even know it?  Why?

What is paradise to you? What is paradise in the text?

What did this criminal see that the other did not see in Jesus?

Why is forgiveness so important? (Beyond the fact that it is part of how we get to heaven.)

Psalms 22- Psalms 69:21

Why would Jesus quote Old Testament scripture? Have you ever felt forsaken by God? Explain?  What was the result?

John 19:26-27 John 19:28

How do we take care of those earthly things and take care of those spiritual things? What are your thoughts on the humanity of Jesus in these verses?

Challenge for rest of week: Find someone you do or don’t know and say something to them you feel like will leave a lasting impression?

Just wanted to throw out some announcements in a way that shows how we are keeping in line with the Discipleship Process that God has put in place at CrossPoint. Here are some things currently going on at CrossPoint.

Connect: Every Saturday night we connect with you and try to create an environment conducive to you connecting with Christ.

Grow: We currently have 2 Grow Groups. 1 on Monday nights at 6:30 and 1 on Tuesday nights at 6:30. Now is the perfect time to get involved in one of our groups. We are always looking to start new groups. If you like to hang out with like-minded people and discuss that week’s sermon than a Grow Group is for you.

Serve: There are always plenty of opportunities on Saturday nights. If you would like to help with childcare, greeting, the cafe, or use whatever gifts you have, we have a place for you. We are also collecting materials for “Buckets of Hope” in an attempt to serve other countries. Also each Grow Group comes up with a service project to do as a group each quarter.

Reach: We have two mission trips planned for this spring and summer. The first is April 18-19 to inner city Des Moines, Iowa to help with a woman’s retreat. The second is June 18-20 in Omaha, Nebraska handing out free water at the College World Series. We will also take part in GPS (God’s Plan for Sharing) March 28th at 12:30 meeting at Webster. For more info on any of these just let us know.

Lordship

Start out by discussing your thoughts on this week’s sermon.

Read Romans 10:9, What does it mean to really COME to Jesus? What is the “born again” experience look like?

Can we come to Jesus several times in our journey of becoming like and growing closer to Christ?

Describe a time in your life when you felt God drawing you to him?

What does it mean to you to let Jesus be the Lord of your life?

Read Luke 6: 46-49, What are some important things Jesus tells us to put into practice?

Discuss the Great Commission and Great Commandment.

If Jesus is Lord of our lives then the Holy Spirit will encourage us to be mission minded. Pick something to do as a group in the next month in regards to community outreach.

Also, if you feel comfortable please share ways that you can hold each other accountable in your daily walk with Christ.

Finances

Read Mark 8:34-37

Does following Christ mean we have to give up possessions or stop acquiring things?

How does denying ourselves give us the right perspective on wealth and finances?

Read Acts 4:32-35

How hard would it be to share everything you own?

Are these passages relevant today? How so?

Practical Questions

How does God expect us to use finances in the church and as individuals? Are we doing a good job in either area?

What steps can we take to have a positive attitude toward finances?  2 Corinthians 9: 6-7

Do you need to change your actions in regards to giving?

If so what is preventing you from using the resources that God gives you to share with others?

“Finding the Career God has for YOU”

Icebreakers: What is your dream job? Are you currently working at your “Dream Job”? What are the differences between a Calling, Career, and Job?

Read Ephesians 2:10

What kind of work is Paul referring to?

Do you think this kind of work and our “full time jobs” should be related? Does God intend for them to be?

Read 1 Peter 4:10

What are your gifts and talents? Are you using your gifts for God’s kingdom? If not, do you need a career change or attitude change to start using your gifts for God? Are you “serving others” in your job? How so?

Read Jeremiah 6:16 STAND, LOOK, ASK, WALK

Discuss where you need to go from here? If you are where you are supposed to be then share how you arrived there.