QUESTIONS ABOUT CHURCH
What’s Right with the Church?
(Rekindling God’s Image of His Church)
Additional praises/significant happenings this past week:
Ice Breaker: What do you think of when someone mentions the word “church”?
How might non-believers view the church?
The Church Is His – Not Ours (read Matthew 16:13-19)
[You are Peter; (“Petros”, a little rock) and upon this rock (“Petra”, a big rock) I will build my church.”]
1. What is the rock to which Jesus was referring? Who should the church belong to . . . does it?
2. How do you interpret the insight (v. 17), the power (v. 18), and the authority (v. 19) given to Peter?
3. What “image” of the church does God paint in these scriptures? How does this understanding
encourage your faith?
The Church Is Living and Confident (read 1 Peter 2:4-8)
1. What “image” of the church does God paint in these scriptures?
2. Discuss several spiritual analogies that can be made from “you also, like living stones, are being
built into a spiritual house”. And how is Christ a cornerstone?
3. How will this new status with God influence the way we live?
The Church Is Special – Of Great Worth (read 1 Peter 2:9-10)
1. How do these verses put the rest of this passage in perspective? (“chosen”; “mercy” = withholding
our due punishment and helping the desperate)
2. From these verses alone what influence does the “living stone” have on us?
Wrap up:
What was the most meaningful statement or scripture heard today? (reword this into a prayer to God)
Prayer:
For one another
As a group pray for 3 people not devoted to Christ (non-believers)
______________________ , ______________________ , ______________________ ,
LIFE Groups
A safe place to build friendships and nurture spiritual growth.
L Learn…………………………………………..……………..………….…..…………….. applying Biblical truth for everyday living
I Invite……………………………………………………………………………...………….……..welcoming others to our fellowship
F Fellowship……………………………………………………………………….…….nurturing Christ centered caring relationships
E Evangelism…………………..……………………………………………………….…….. reaching others with the hope of Christ
QUESTIONS ABOUT CHURCH
What Difference Can One Church Make?
Additional praises/significant happenings this past week:
Ice Breaker: What is the farthest from home you have been? Why were you there?
[Read Acts 11:19-26 - The church in Antioch]
Winning The Lost (read Acts 7:59-8:1; 11:19-21)
1. Locate on a map (in the back of many Bibles) the places mentioned where Christians from
Jerusalem were scattered because of persecution.
2. How is winning the lost a “partnership” with God . . . what is our part? God’s part? See:
Matthew 28:19-20 2 Corinthians 5:20
John 6:44; 16:7-8 Acts 1:8
3. How is winning the lost a team effort among fellow believers? Discuss the strategies we are
using to win the lost through our LIFE GROUPS.
Friends “Personal Sharing “Our church
Opportunities” outreach efforts”
Relatives LG Visitors to
Associates our church
(10-20% non-believers)
Neighbors
(Prayer & Encouragement)
4. Ponder and discuss: “The Passion to see others become devoted followers of Christ should
be based on love and not out of duty.”
Nurturing the Saved (read Acts 11:22-26)
1. Barnabas encouraged and instructed the new believers to develop “faithfulness” and
“wholeheartedness”. List words that describe each of these qualities.
2. Who was a Barnabas (encourager) when you first became a believer? How so?
3. What principles can we draw from Barnabas’ enlisting of Saul (Paul)?
Impacting The World (read Acts 11:27-30; 13:1-3)
1. How do we see the Church in Antioch making an impact outside of their city limits?
2. Discuss how God is using our church to impact the world!
Wrap up: What gold nugget of truth stands out to you today? (Translate that into a prayer to God)
Prayer:
Ministry to one another
Prayer for our evangelistic outreach (church activities & personal sharing)
LIFE Groups
A safe place to build friendships and nurture spiritual growth
L Learn…………………………………………..……………..………….…..…………….. applying Biblical truth for everyday living
I Invite……………………………………………………………………………...………….……..welcoming others to our fellowship
F Fellowship……………………………………………………………………….…….nurturing Christ centered caring relationships
E Evangelism…………………..……………………………………………………….…….. reaching others with the hope of Christ
QUESTIONS ABOUT CHURCH
Why Should I Be Involved In Church?
Additional praises/significant happenings this past week:
Ice Breaker: What is one skill you secretly possess?
[Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27]
Realize You Are a Part of Christ’s Body – The Church (reread 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 27)
1. Have you been “left out” of a significant event? How did you feel?
2. Discuss why the human body makes a good analogy to affirm unity in the church? What gives
the church unity? How?
3. What one word best describes how you feel in being chosen (John 15:16) to be a part of
Christ’s Body?
The Church Needs You (read 1 Corinthians 12:14-20)
1. How is the human body such good analogy to affirm diversity in the church? What gives the
church diversity? How?
2. What body parts seem to be most important to physical life? Least important?
What is God saying about the significance and importance of each one of us and the
contribution we make in the function of His church? The health of the church?
3. What is one thing you do well . . . an ability, a passion, an attitude, etc.? Consider how your
strengths can/are being used by God.
I Need the Church (read 1 Corinthians 12:21-26)
[Just as a healthy human body needs the proper function of each part (vv. 14-20) these verses clearly
point out that each part needs each other.]
1. What attitudes might cause a person to think, “I don’t need you”?
2. Discuss God’s perspective towards the various members (weaker, less honorable,
unpresentable, presentable) of His body. How should this influence our perspective and
attitude?
Wrap up: What truth has impacted you the most today?
Prayer:
For one another
For the outreach activities of our church
LIFE Groups
A safe place to build friendships and nurture spiritual growth.
L Learn…………………………………………..……………..………….…..…………….. applying Biblical truth for everyday living
I Invite……………………………………………………………………………...………….……..welcoming others to our fellowship
F Fellowship……………………………………………………………………….…….nurturing Christ centered caring relationships
E Evangelism…………………..……………………………………………………….…….. reaching others with the hope of Christ
QUESTIONS ABOUT CHURCH
How Can I Strengthen My Church?
(Positive Attitudes Lead To Positive Actions)
Additional praises/significant happenings this past week:
Ice Breaker: If you could be like anyone in our church, who would it be? Why?
Be Present (read Hebrews 10:24-25)
1. What was the situation surrounding the original readers of this letter? (Hebrews 10:32-34)
2. Believers have significant privileges associated with our new life in Christ. What can’t happen
when believers fail to meet together? (see also vv. 22, 23) How would this have been
particularly significant to the original readers?
3. Based on these verses, finish this statement: “My attitude when getting together with other
believers should entail . . .”
Be Focused (read Hebrews 12:1-3)
1. Chapter 11 highlights some great heroes of the faith. However believers are instructed to
focus on Jesus. Why should you avoid focusing on others?
2. What kept Jesus going in the face of suffering? How would this affect the early readers of this
letter? Christians today?
3. To “be focused” means . . .
Be Loving (read Hebrews 13:1-3, 17-18)
1. Real love for others produces tangible actions. What practical applications can you draw from
these verses?
Wrap up: How can you become more supportive of your church?
Prayer:
For one another
As a group pray for 3 non-believers
_____________________ , _____________________ , _____________________ ,
LIFE Groups
A safe place to build friendships and nurture spiritual growth.
L Learn…………………………………………..……………..………….…..…………….. applying Biblical truth for everyday living
I Invite……………………………………………………………………………...………….……..welcoming others to our fellowship
F Fellowship……………………………………………………………………….…….nurturing Christ centered caring relationships
E Evangelism…………………..……………………………………………………….…….. reaching others with the hope of Christ
