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?

OPENING QUESTION
What's the memorable "win" you've ever had?
Optional: What are some jingles or taglines you can remember from some major product brands?

We're discussing a teaching series called, "As I Am: How the Character of God Defines the People of God." Each week we'll be discussing a different character trait of God's. We'll explore how his character bless us and then how we can bless others with that same character trait. But it all starts with God's call to us to "Be holy as I am holy."

​​DISCUSSION

1.  Read 1 Peter 1:13-16.
   1. When Peter says, "for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'” he's quoting Leviticus 11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:7.
   2. What does it mean to be "holy"?
   3. Is it possible for we humans to "be holy"?
   4. Notice his command came first to the people of Israel in the Old Testament before Jesus. How is it possible that God could expect them to be holy?
   5. During the message, pastor pointed out that in the phrase "be holy because I am holy," the word "because" or "as" in the original Hebrew is to burn, scar, or brand—as in branding a sheep or cattle. Why do you think God commands us to be holy "as" he is holy?
2. Read 1 Peter 1:13-14 again. What are some steps Peter gives us toward becoming holy?
   1. Do not conform to the evil desires.
      How do we recognize what are evil desires?
      What are some things we can do to help us not conform to these desires?
   2. As obedient children.
      What role does "obedience" play in the life of a Christian?
   3. Set your hope on the grace to be brought to you.
      Why is it important to remember God's grace as we pursue holiness in our lives?
      
   4. Having a mind that is alert and fully sober.
      Actually this phrase in the original greek is "gird up the loins of your mind." What does that mean? Here's a picture to help you understand.
3. As we go through this series

PRAYER
Take some time for people to share prayer requests. Then pray. First, ask God to help you become more like him and his holiness. Then pray for each other's prayer requests.

OPENING QUESTION
Would you rather have physical wings so you can fly or be invisible like a spirit?

We're discussing a sermon series from church called "Spirit World." This last Sunday, Pastor Jim answered the question, "What Angels?"

​​DISCUSSION

1. What are some books you've read and shows or movies you've watched that had angels in them?
2. How are angels portrayed in pop culture and what are some misconceptions people have about angels?
3. Angels are spiritual beings created by God to worship and serve God. Read the following verses.
   1. Hebrews 1:6-7
      6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” 7 In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.​
      1. The ancient Jewish writers thought of angels as being made of fire. How does that make sense?
      2. Why is it significant to understand that angels serve God?
   2. Psalm 148:2,5
      2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
      5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created
      Revelation 5:12
      12 In a loud voice [the angels] were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
      1. Why is it significant to understand that angels were created?
      2. Why is it significant to understand that angels worship God?
4. Angels are many.
   
   1. Revelation 5:11
      Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.
      Hebrews 12:22
      But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly.
      
      1. ​What difference does it make to know that there are multitudes of angels?
         
5. Angels are mighty.
   
   1. Psalm 103:20
      Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
      2 Kings 19:35
      That night the angel of the LORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp.
      1 Chronicles 21:15
      And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But as the angel was doing so, the LORD saw it and relented concerning the disaster and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand.
      
      1. What do these verses indicate about the strength and power of angels?
      2. How would you feel if you were to encountered an angel?
   2. 2 Peter 2:11
      10 ... Bold, arrogant people! They [false teachers] are not afraid to slander the glorious ones; 11 however, angels, who are greater in might and power, do not bring a slanderous charge against them before the Lord.
      
      1. ​Recalling from Sunday's message, why does Peter mention the false teachers?
         
      2. What difference is Peter highlighting between the false teachers and the angels?
6. Angels are messengers.
   1. Luke 1:19 is one example of many throughout the Bible.
      The angel said to [Zechariah], “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.”
      The modern English word “angel” is a translation of the biblical Greek word ἄγγελος (agg´-el-os) and the biblical Hebrew word מַֽלְאָךְ  (mal-awk). Both mean messenger, conveyor of news, or ambassador.
      
      1. What are some other instances in the Bible that you can recall where an angel was sent as a messenger of God?
7. Angels are ministering to us.
   
   1. Acts 5:19-20
      19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought [the Apostles] out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
      Acts 12:7
      Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists [while he was sleeping between two soldiers].
      Hebrews 1:14
      Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
      Matthew 18:10
      [Jesus said] “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. 
      Psalm 34:7
      The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
      Psalm 91:11-13
      11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
      
      1. In these passages, how do you see angels ministering to people and for what purposes?
         
      2. Do you think angels minister to people today?
         
8. Read 2 Kings 6:15-17.
   
   1. What are the key statements we see in this passage?
      
   2. How can we apply this to ourselves today?
      

PRAYER
Take some time for people to share prayer requests. Then pray. First, thank God for his angels. Then pray for each other's prayer requests.