The Power of Peace

Icebreakers:
Would you rather have peace and quiet all alone or be surrounded by people and activity?
Discussion:

1. Where do you see the absence of peace in today's world?
   
2. Why do you think there's so much lack of peace?
   
3. Read John 14:23-27.
   1. How does Jesus leave or give us peace?
   2. What role does our obedience to his teaching play in us experiencing peace?
   3. What role does the Holy Spirit play in us experiencing peace?
4. Read Isaiah 11:1-9. This is a messianic prophecy text promising the coming of the Messiah. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him and he will lead us into peace (pictured in verses 6-9).
   
   1. What is the "stump of Jesse" and what does "from his roots a Branch will bear fruit" mean?
   2. What role do the six characteristics named in verse 2 play in bringing peace?
      1. Wisdom
      2. Understanding
      3. Counsel
      4. Might
      5. Knowledge
      6. Fear/Awe/Reverence of the Lord
   3. Why is "delighting in the Lord" so important for peace?
   4. What's the difference between judging by what is seen or heard and by righteousness and justice?
   5. Why do the wolf, leopard, and lion lay so easily with the lamb, goat, and calf and the reverse?
      Leader note: The wolf, leopard, and lion aren't hungry. They've satisfied themselves in the Lord.
      
5. In verse 3, what does it mean to "delight in the fear of the Lord"?
6. In what areas of your life are you lacking a sense of peace?
   
7. Is there any role you or your decisions can play in finding peace in those areas?

Prayer
Take time to ask for personal prayer requests and pray for each other.

The Power of Hope
Icebreakers:
What's your favorite game to play around the holidays?
What's something you hoped for when you were a kid? What's something you're hoping for in your life right now?

Discussion:

1. While for some people, the holidays are joyful times of celebrating and gathering with friends and family, for other people it can be times of despair and hopelessness.
   1. What are some things people experience that can lead to a sense of despair and loss of hope?
      Leader note: trauma, loss, abandonment, financial setbacks, health problems, etc.
   2. Do you know people who have experienced any of these things?
   3. Have you experienced any of these things? Would you be willing to tell us about it?
2. Read Isaiah 9:2-7.
   1. What's the darkness the people were walking in?
      Leader note: spiritual confusion, moral corruption, fear of other nations invading them
   2. How did they fall into this darkness?
      Leader note: rebelling against God, not trusting him 
   3. What are some things they did to get out of that darkness?
      Leader note: turned to other nations to make political alliances, looked for guidance from spiritists and mediums (consulting the dead), pray to and worship false gods and idols
   4. What would the consequences of their rebellion be?
      Leader note: exile, captivity by Assyria (700's B.C.) and Babylon (500's B.C.)
   5. What is God's promise to them?
      Leader note: provide a messiah to lead them out of that darkness and into the light, initially this was through King Hezekiah and other leaders like Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, but ultimately and most fully through Jesus
3. In what ways does faith in Jesus change our lives and give us hope?
   Leader note: healing, peace, eternal confidence, truth, wisdom, Holy Spirit's presence, encouragement, etc.​

Prayer
Take time to ask for personal prayer requests and pray for each other.

WORTH IT! (BAPTISM SUNDAY)
Icebreakers:
What something you chose to do that was totally worth doing even though it seemed crazy or difficult?

Discussion:
Review the two short parables about the treasure and the pearl of great value in Matthew 13:44-46. 

1. In verse 44, Jesus says, "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. And when a man found it..."
   1. Do you know or have you known people who are not really looking for the "kingdom of heaven"? What are they looking for? Tell us about them.
   2. How does someone like this "find" the kingdom of heaven?
2. In verse 46, Jesus says, "the kingdom of heaven like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value..."
   1. Do you know or have you known people who are actually looking for "the kingdom of heaven"? Or perhaps more meaning and purpose in their life? Or even just change for a better life? Tell us about them.
   2. How can we help those people?
3. Notice in both parables, the individuals sold everything they had to purchase what they found.
   1. What would you think if a friend of yours sold everything they had to buy one thing, like a piece of land or a single pearl?
   2. What's Jesus communicating about the value of the kingdom of heaven for those who enter it?

Application:

1. How can we help people who aren't looking, find the kingdom of heaven?
2. How can we help people who ARE looking, find the kingdom of heaven?
   If either of these bring out some great ideas, please share them with Pastor Jim.
3. How have you "sold everything you have" to gain the kingdom?

BAPTISMS

1. What did you think of the baptisms and affirmations of baptism on Sunday? Were any of them particularly compelling for you?
   
2. Have you been baptized? Would you like to be baptized? If so, discuss that possibility now with your friends. Then consider talking with Pastor Jim.

Prayer
Take time to ask for personal prayer requests and pray for each other.

IS GOD GOING TO TOSS YOU OR KEEP YOU?
Icebreakers:

1. Do you like seafood? If so what kind do you like?
2. What's the strangest kind of fish or sea creature you've ever caught or eaten?

Discussion:
Review the Parable of the Net in Matthew 13:47-50. 

1. In verse 47, Jesus says, "the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish."
   1. What do you know or recall from Sunday's message about the type of net in this parable and how its different from other kinds of nets used for fishing?
   2. What's the significance of equating the kingdom of heaven with this kind of net?
2. In verse 48, Jesus says, they "collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away." Then explains the meaning of this in verses 49 and 50.
   1. What do you know or recall from Sunday's message about the type of fish that are considered good or bad and why they would be kept or tossed?
   2. What does Jesus mean by the "end of the age"?
   3. What does Jesus mean by the "blazing furnace"?
   4. What's the meaning of "weeping and gnashing of teeth"?
   5. What's the significance of equating this kind of sorting at the end of the age?

Application:

1. How can we, in the kingdom of heaven here and now, cast a wide net?
2. In what ways do we tend to limit the wideness of the kingdom's reach?
3. What fish do you think you are? At the end of the age, is God going to keep you or toss you?

Prayer
Take time to ask for personal prayer requests and pray for each other.

WHEN THE WEEDS ARE THICK
Icebreakers:

1. Do you ever have to weed a garden, flower bed, or lawn? 
2. What do to keep out the weeds?
   

Discussion:
Review the Parable of the Weeds in Matthew 13: 24-30 and Jesus' explanation in Matthew 13:36-43. 

1. What are the key characters and elements of this parable and what do they represent?
2. What is some important background information about the disciples, their expectation of the Messiah and his Kingdom, and a comparison of wheat and the weeds (darnel)?
3. What is or are the major twists in this parable?
   Note: Think about why there are still weeds (evil) in the field (world) if the sower (Jesus) sowed good seed (kingdom). Also think about the owner's command to not pull up the weeds and let them grow together till the harvest.
   

Application:

1. Do you ever get discouraged, frustrated, or even angry with evil in the world and the people who commit it?
2. What are some things we do that are actually attempts to "pull up the weeds"?
3. What can we do to obey the command to "let them grow together"?
4. What role does remembering God's plan for us--our destiny--play in our ability to "let them grow together"? Namely, that "the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father."

Prayer
Take time to ask for personal prayer requests and pray for each other.

WHY DID JESUS TELL STORIES?
Icebreakers:

1. What's one of your all-time favorite stories? It could be a novel, a movie, a play, etc.
2. What was it about that story that made it so captivating?

Discussion:

1. What is Jesus' reasoning for teaching in parables in Matthew 13:13?
2. How do you think Jesus' reasoning speaks to his desire to attract true disciples?
3. What might Jesus' words in Matthew 13:15 tell us about the kingdom of God, and how people do or don't receive it?

Application:

1. How can you engage Jesus' stories differently, knowing his intent for using parables?
2. What is most encouraging to you about Jesus' approach to teaching?

Prayer
Take time to ask for personal prayer requests and pray for each other.

​ICEBREAKER
Where in this country or world have you seen the most beautiful places or people? Describe what you experienced.

DISCUSSION

1. Have you listened to all three messages from this series?
2. Have you reviewed the web page set up on the church's website for this series? Perhaps consider watching the two Bible Project videos from that page together during your group and talk about them.
3. What are some insights from this Sunday's message, this series, or the resources from the webpage that you have really appreciated?
4. How do these insights change our perspective on God's vision and our mission as the church?
5. Are there any concepts or statements that you don't quite understand? 

MISSION

1. Our church's past mission statements are below.
   1. With Pastor Tim: The vision of First Covenant Church is to be actively missional, connecting people of all ages to the transformative power of Jesus Christ and to each other.  Living out this vision will challenge us to better reach those who do not yet know Christ while remaining faithful to those already in the body of Christ.
   2. With Pastor Marc: Our Vision: CONNECT to God, CONNECT to one another, CONNECT to the world.
      At First Covenant Church, we seek to CONNECT TO GOD by worshiping together and engaging in heartfelt prayer, to CONNECT TO ONE ANOTHER by deepening our relationships in small groups, and to CONNECT TO THE WORLD by preaching Christ through intentionally meeting needs in our community and around the world.
   3. The mission statement we're considering as a church now with Pastor Jim is below. It seeks to express the heart of these past statements in simple, memorable, and general terms that appeals to a broad spectrum of people, ignites curiosity, and fosters hope.
      "Our mission is 'Bringing People to Jesus and Heaven to Earth.'"
   4. You can read and watch more about this on our website—"Bringing People to Jesus and Heaven to Earth."
2. What are your thoughts about this statement?

APPLICATION

1. How are we as a church bringing people to Jesus? How are you bringing people to Jesus?
   Announcement: Consider attending the "Sharing the Gospel" Worskshop on October 13, 4-6PM with George Gabrielson, Chris Ball, and Anthony Mason.
   
2. How are we as a church bringing heaven to earth? Think about ...
   
   1. Our ministries and projects
   2. Our missional partnerships
   3. Our worship services
   4. The culture of our community

PRAYER
Take time to ask for personal prayer requests. Then pray for our church's efforts to fulfill this mission of "Bringing People to Jesus and Heaven to Earth" followed by the other prayer requests.

CONTINUE THINKING ABOUT "BRINGING HEAVEN TO EARTH"
You can read and watch more on our webpage titled "Bringing People to Jesus and Heaven to Earth." You can find it on the website under "Teachings" and the title of this series. There are some short videos and a podcast series from the Bible Project, some past sermons, and some book recommendations.

ICEBREAKER
Where in this country or world have you seen the most beautiful places or people? Describe what you experienced.

DISCUSSION

1. What are some insights from this Sunday's message that you really appreciated?
2. How do these insights change our perspective on God's vision and our mission as the church?
3. Heaven is the dwelling place of God. God desires to have his dwelling among us, thus bringing heaven to earth.
   How does God dwelling among us bring "heaven to earth"?
   Here's a summary. Read through this if you think it would be helpful for your group's discussion.
   
   1. It started in the Garden of Eden. God walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden. Heaven and earth were united.
   2. Because of sin, heaven and earth were divided.
   3. God consecrated the Tabernacle and Temple and made his dwelling there. (Exodus 29:44-46)
   4. God commanded the people of Israel to obey his commands, to be holy as he is holy, and he would make his dwelling with them. (Leviticus 26:3, 11-12) But people disobeyed and God brought the exile.
   5. The prophets of Israel prophesied that with the coming of the Messiah, God would make his dwelling with us. (Ezekiel 37:24, 26-28)
   6. Jesus — The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:1-14)
      1. Jesus preached the good news that the kingdom of God had arrived on earth in him. (Mark 1:15; Matthew 4:23​)
      2. Jesus taught his disciples to pray "thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:9-10​)
   7. Holy Spirit
      1. Jesus "breathed" on his disciples and they received his spirit, making his dwelling within them. (John 20:21-22​)
      2. Paul taught us that we are the "temple of the Holy Spirit," God's dwelling within us. (2 Corinthians 6:16)
   8. New Heaven and New Earth
      1. One day, God will restore his vision and bring the new heaven and new earth. (Revelation 21:1-4)
      2. Until then we continue our work of bring people to Jesus and heaven to earth through our faithfulness, holiness, and pursuit of God's kingdom. (Romans 8:18, 25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:58​)
4. Heaven is filled with God's holiness and God desires that his holiness to fills us, as well. How does this holiness in us bring "heaven to earth"?
5. Heaven is where true peace is experienced and God desires that we experience this peace now on earth.
   
   1. In what ways does our faith in Christ give us peace?
      
   2. In what ways do we as Christians bring peace to earth and, therefore, "heaven to earth"?
6. How does a better understanding of the rapture and "apocalypse" help with understanding God's desire for "heaven on earth"?
   
   1. We don't get "caught up to meet the Lord" and stay there. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) We return with him to the earth. 
      
   2. God doesn't want to destroy the earth. He wants to restore the earth. (2 Peter 3:6-7)
      
7. One day God will finish the work of bringing heaven to earth (Revelation 21:1-4) and those of us who have been faithful in following Jesus will be able to enjoy that day with him.
   
   1. How does knowing this give us hope today?
   2. How does knowing this inspire us to press on despite our present struggles? (Romans 8:18, 25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:58)

MISSION

1. Our church's past mission statements are below.
   1. With Pastor Tim: The vision of First Covenant Church is to be actively missional, connecting people of all ages to the transformative power of Jesus Christ and to each other.  Living out this vision will challenge us to better reach those who do not yet know Christ while remaining faithful to those already in the body of Christ.
   2. With Pastor Marc: Our Vision: CONNECT to God, CONNECT to one another, CONNECT to the world.
      At First Covenant Church, we seek to CONNECT TO GOD by worshiping together and engaging in heartfelt prayer, to CONNECT TO ONE ANOTHER by deepening our relationships in small groups, and to CONNECT TO THE WORLD by preaching Christ through intentionally meeting needs in our community and around the world.
   3. The mission statement we're considering as a church now with Pastor Jim is below. It seeks to express the heart of the past statements in simple, memorable, and general terms that appeals to a broad spectrum of people, ignites curiosity, and fosters hope.
      "Our mission is 'Bringing People to Jesus and Heaven to Earth.'"
   4. You can read and watch more about this on our website—"Bringing People to Jesus and Heaven to Earth."
      
2. What are your thoughts about this statement?

PRAYER
Take time to ask for personal prayer requests. Then pray for our church's efforts to fulfill this mission of bringing "heaven to earth" followed by the other prayer requests.

CONTINUE THINKING ABOUT "BRINGING HEAVEN TO EARTH"
You can read and watch more on our webpage titled "Bringing People to Jesus and Heaven to Earth." You can find it on the website under "Teachings" and the title of this series. There are some short videos and a podcast series from the Bible Project, some past sermons, and some book recommendations.

ICEBREAKER
Do you have a favorite doctor, dentist, chiropractor, hairstylist, contractor, or some other specialist that you just love and tend to refer others to? Who is it and why do you like them? 

DISCUSSION

1. Pastor Jim shared how some tendencies some churches have as their sense of mission. They are below. What tends to be the mission of each one?
   1. Social Club Church
   2. Hospital Church
   3. Life Skills Center Church
   4. Soul-Saving Church
   5. Are there any others you can think of?
2. Our church's past mission statements are below.
   1. With Pastor Tim: The vision of First Covenant Church is to be actively missional, connecting people of all ages to the transformative power of Jesus Christ and to each other.  Living out this vision will challenge us to better reach those who do not yet know Christ while remaining faithful to those already in the body of Christ.
   2. With Pastor Marc: Our Vision: CONNECT to God, CONNECT to one another, CONNECT to the world.
      At First Covenant Church, we seek to CONNECT TO GOD by worshiping together and engaging in heartfelt prayer, to CONNECT TO ONE ANOTHER by deepening our relationships in small groups, and to CONNECT TO THE WORLD by preaching Christ through intentionally meeting needs in our community and around the world.
   3. The mission statement we're considering as a church now is below. It seeks to express the heart of the past statements in simple, memorable, more general terms.
      "Our mission is 'Bringing People to Jesus and Heaven to Earth.'"
3. Read John 1:35-42a.
   1. What was it about Jesus that enamored the two disciples so much that they followed him immediately and spent the entire day with him?
   2. Notice Andrew immediately told his brother Simon about Jesus and brought him to Jesus. Why would he do that?
4. How does bringing people to Jesus help them find their real purpose in life? (Notice that Simon is the original name of Peter, the disciple whom Jesus made the leader of the church after his resurrection.)
5. How does bringing people to Jesus help them make sense of the world around them?
6. How does bringing people to Jesus help them find hope and healing?

APPLICATION

1. What can you do to bring people to Jesus? (conversation, offer to pray, offer to help, be there for them, invite to church, ask about their faith, etc.)
2. What can you do to support First Covenant Church's mission of "bringing people to Jesus"? (giving financially to support the general budget so we can increase ministries and staffing, volunteer in ministries and church events, etc.)​
3. What do you think of using the statement "Bringing people to Jesus" as the first half of mission statement?

PRAYER
Take time to ask for personal prayer requests. Then pray for our church's efforts to fulfill this mission of bringing people to Jesus followed by the other prayer requests.

START THINKING ABOUT "BRINGING HEAVEN TO EARTH"
To get ready for next week's discussing about "bringing heaven to earth" go to Pastor Jim's teaching page. You can find it on the website under "Teachings" and the title of this series. There are some short videos and a podcast series from the Bible Project, some past sermons, and some book recommendations.

ICEBREAKER
When have you been on the receiving end of either someone else's intense anger or deep compassion? How did that feel?

DISCUSSION

1. What is the significance of God revealing Himself to Moses by the name "The LORD, The LORD, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness"?
   
2. What might this suggest about why God chose to reveal Himself this way?
3. Psalm 145 says that God's compassion "extends to all his handiwork". How does this expand your imagination for how God's compassion is at work in our world?
4. Jonah resented that God's compassion and slow to anger ways were available to people he didn't think deserved it. Where/towards whom are you prone to respond like Jonah?

APPLICATION

1. How have you experienced God's compassion in your own life? How might this increase your desire to be compassionate with others?
2. In a season in our nation where anger seems to be the response du jour, how might you imitate a 'long-nose' example that points to a God who is slow to anger?