ICEBREAKER
When you are especially hungry or thirsty, what are your go-to foods or drinks? And do they tend to be healthy or comfort foods/drinks?

This is the second week discussing a new teaching series called “Come to Me.” Over the course of three weeks, we are discussing three invitations from Jesus. This week we’re discussing his invitation to have your thirst quenched.

REVIEW & DISCUSS
Read John 7:37-38.

1. Can you recall from Cody’s message some of the historical background of the Festival of Tabernacles, during which this passage takes place? What did the tabernacles, or temporary huts/booths/structures, symbolize?
2. What was the importance of the water ceremony? And why was it notable for Jesus to choose such a time to make his declaration about offering “water”?
3. To whom does Jesus offer “rivers of living water” at the ceremony? What are the requirements, in his invitation, to have your thirst quenched?
4. What does it mean to have “rivers of living water flowing” within?
5. What does Jesus’ invitation tell us about God’s heart for people?
6. What can Jesus’ invitation teach us about our own posture toward people?

TAKEAWAY
1. What are some things (other than Jesus) you’ve used to try quenching thirst or hunger?
2. Have you experienced the flow of “living water” that Jesus provides? If so, what has that felt like? How has it impacted your desires, passions, motivations, etc.?
3. What are some ways you can better drink of Jesus’ living water, and share it with others?

PRAYER
First, take some time to identify prayer needs related to the discussion about thirst, hunger and having your soul quenched. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in prayer.

ICEBREAKER
Would you rather have time stop every time you go to sleep so you don’t waste any time or only need to sleep for two hours and feel fully rested?

This is the last week of discussing a teaching series from Pastor Jim called Triggered. During this series, we’ve been exploring various emotions that are easily triggered in us, the commands Jesus gives us about those emotions, and how to manage them. This week we're talking about own fear and insecurity and how it can lead to judging others.

REVIEW & DISCUSS

1. Have you ever felt judged by others? Tell us about it? How did that feel to you?
2. Read Matthew 7:1-5. What does the word “judge” mean? (evaluate, decide, or condemn depending on context)
3. Let’s review what Jesus does NOT mean when he says “do not judge.” What are your thoughts on these?
   1. It’s wrong to think critically for making wise decisions
   2. It’s wrong to evaluate doctrinal or moral issues.
   3. It’s wrong to confront those in error.
   4. It’s wrong to have a system of courts and judges.
4. Let’s review what Jesus DOES mean when he says “do not judge.”
   1. It’s wrong to judge by appearances (John 7:24)
   2. I’s wrong to judge hypocritically (Matthew 7:5)
   3. It’s wrong to judge harshly (Matthew 5:7).
   4. It’s wrong to judge self-righteously (Luke 18:14).
   5. It’s wrong to judge personally (Romans 2:1). Leave that to God.
5. Let’s review some of the emotions that can lead us to judging others.
   1. How can our own insecurity lead us to judge others?
   2. How can …
      1. … fear of change (cultural change, organizational change, political change, etc.) lead us to be judgmental toward those who bring or represent that change?
      2. … fear of loss (loss of comfort, loss of stability, loss of relationship, loss of status, etc. lead us to be judgmental toward those who bring or represent that loss?
   3. How can a feeling of helplessness, rejection, or protectiveness lead us to being judgmental toward others?

TAKEAWAY

1. Catch It - Have you been judgmental toward anyone recently? What words or phrases do hear yourself saying or thinking when you’re being judgmental?
2. Name It - What’s the emotion you’re actually experiencing when you’re being judgmental?
3. Train It -
   1. What are some questions you could ask yourself about those emotions?
   2. What are some lies you can replace with truths?​

PRAYER
First, take some time to ask people to identify prayer needs related to the discussion about feeling used by others. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in prayer.

ICEBREAKER
Would you rather get a "we need to talk" email from your boss or get a voicemail from your doctor asking you to call them back immediately?
Would you rather get stuck in traffic when your flight boards in an hour or have to parallel park into a tight space during rush-hour traffic?

We’re discussing a new teaching series from Pastor Jim called Triggered and during this series, we’re  exploring various emotions that are easily triggered in us, the commands Jesus gives us about those emotions, and how to manage them. This week we're talking about worry.

REVIEW & DISCUSS

1. What are some common things that you tend to worry about?
2. Read Matthew 6:25-27.
3. What do you know or remember from Jim's message about the meaning behind the word for "worry"? It can be translated as concern, worry, or be anxious.
4. What's the difference between having concern for someone or about something, being worried about someone or something, and being anxious or having anxiety? Remember, clinical anxiety should be taken seriously and professional help should be sought.
5. The English word "worry" has its roots in the Old English word "wyrgen" which means "to strangle." A less known use of the modern word "worry" is "to gnaw at, tear, or drag around with the teeth" like a dog "worrying" a bone. How is "worrying" like gnawing on a bone?

TAKEAWAY

1. What's your bone? What do you tend to worry about or obsess over the most? Finances? Health? Safety? Politics? Image? Job performance?
2. Catch It - What feelings do you usually have or things do you usually do when you worry? Chew your nails? Have a tight chest? Nervous ticks? Leave extra early? Ponder repetitively?
3. Name It - Worry is not an emotion. As Brene Brown says, "Worry is the thinking side of anxiety." What emotions are you actually experiencing when you worry? Be specific. Take a look at the Emotions Wheel if you'd like help.
   • Do you feel afraid?
   • Do you feel dread?
   • Do you feel insecure or inferior?
4. Train It -
   1. What are some questions you could ask yourself about those emotions?
      1. ​What am I dreading? Why do I dread it?
      2. Why am I feeling so insecure? 
   2. What are some lies you can replace with truths?​
      1. ​I won't be okay if this happens.
      2. I can't control my worry.
5. Read Philippians 4:4-9. Walk through this passage and have each person name one practical thing that Paul tells us to do and give a real example of how they will do this in their own life.​

PRAYER
First, take some time to ask people to identify prayer needs related to the discussion about feeling used by others. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in prayer.

Be ready with a printed copy of the Wheel of Emotions to hand out to your group or have them download it themselves.

ICEBREAKER
Describe one of your biggest pet peeves.
Well, we’re discussing a new teaching series from Pastor Jim called Triggered and during this series, we’ll be exploring various emotions that are easily triggered in us, how they can lead to sin, the commands Jesus gives us about those emotions, and how to manage them.

REVIEW & DISCUSS

1. What are some of your anger triggers? Name some things that happen, things people do, or things people say that trigger an emotion in you that feels like anger.
2. Read or Review Matthew 5:21-26.
   1. In what ways can expressing anger toward someone be just as bad as murder? How can anger hurt others?
   2. Notice the phrase ‘Raca’ which means “empty headed’ and ‘you fool.’ Do you ever catch yourself using similar phrases or worse?
   3. What do verses 23-24 say about God’s priorities?
   4. In verse 25, the phrase “settle matters quickly” is a little more like “be favorable quickly” or “be agreeable quickly.” Have you ever had to compromise and become agreeable with something you originally didn’t?
3. Read or Review 1 Samuel 18:6-9. Notice how Saul was “angry” but, as the NLT and other translations say, “he kept a jealous eye” on David. The initial expression was anger but the real emotion was jealousy.

TAKEAWAY

1. Download and look at the Wheel of Emotions. Maybe print and hand it out to your group. Many people express anger when their real emotion might actually be found under Bad, Fearful, Angry, Disgust, or perhaps even Sad.
2. Catch It - When you start experiencing an emotion that feels like anger, what are some practical ways you can “Catch it.”
3. Name It - What’s an emotion you’ve felt that you thought was anger? “Name it” now. Can you share a story?
4. Train It - What are some simple things you can do or remind yourself of to train your body to manage your emotions better?
   1. Pause, deep breaths, take a walk or a break (some research shows that our bodies need 20 minutes, not 5, to calm down from anger)
   2. Replace the lie with the truth, etc.​
5. Read Psalm 4:4-5. The "sacrifices of the righteous" IS "trusting the Lord."
   1. How is trusting the Lord a sacrifice?
   2. With what specific emotion (Name It) do you need to trust the Lord?

​
PRAYER
First, take some time to ask people to identify prayer needs related to the discussion about anger. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in prayer.

As groups begin to wrap up the year and we enter into summer, starting May 8 there will not be any other discussion guides provided until Kickoff in September. If your group plans to continue meeting and would like to consider another option for content, contact our Groups Coordinator Rebecca Beaulieu.