Life Group Discussion

May 10 - UNEXPECTED JOY!

5/11/2026

Unexpected Joy for the Fallen

Icebreaker
What is something you tried and failed at but eventually gave another chance?
Study Questions

Read John 21:12–17. What stands out to you most about the interaction between Jesus and Peter? Why?
Peter had denied Jesus three times before the crucifixion (John 18:15-27). The Gospels all show that Jesus first appeared to the women near the tomb. Paul tells us that Jesus then appeared to Peter before the other disciples (1 Corinthians 15:5). We have no record of what Jesus or Peter said during that appearance. After that appearance, we never see Peter say anything during any of Jesus' other appearances.
1. Why do you think Jesus appeared to Peter before the disciples?
2. What do you think that first conversation was like?
3. Why do you think Peter kept quiet during the other appearances?
Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?”
1. Why do you think Jesus repeated the question?
2. What might Peter have been feeling in that moment?
3. Why do you think Jesus chose to restore Peter publicly after what had been a very public failure?
What do you think Jesus meant by “Do you love me more than these?” Do you think He was referring to Peter’s fishing life, comparing himself to the other disciples, or something else? Why?
What does this teach us about grace, forgiveness, and calling?

Application Questions

Have you ever experienced a failure that made you feel “finished” or disqualified? What helped you move forward?
Failure does not disqualify someone from following Jesus. Is that easy or hard for you to believe personally? Why?
What “other loyalties” might compete with fully trusting and following Jesus in your life right now?
Imagine yourself sitting with Jesus on the lakeshore and hearing Him ask, “Do you love me more than these?” What do you think your honest response would be?

Prayer
Take time to quietly confess any failures, regrets, or places where you feel distant from Jesus, trusting His grace and restoration. Pray for one another's needs, to receive Jesus’ grace, and to experience unexpected joy.

April 26 - MISSIONS SUNDAY

4/29/2026

IcebreakerWhat’s one practical way someone has helped you in a time of need, and how did it impact you beyond the immediate situation?
Study Questions

Read Matthew 28:16–20. What stands out to you about Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples”?
Tom and Cody emphasized that “ministries are different, but the purpose is the same.” Where did you see that idea lived out across the six mission partners we highlighted this last Sunday?
Looking at Jesus Driven, how does meeting practical needs (like car repair) open doors for spiritual conversations and discipleship?
What does the work of LightSys Technology Services teach us about using professional skills (like technology) for God’s kingdom?
How does the mission of Alaska Christian College reflect both discipleship and justice, especially in serving students from underserved communities?
What challenges do you notice in the global ministries (the Pauls in Haiti, the Isazas in Colombia, and Marta Klein in Cameroon), and how do those challenges deepen your understanding of what it costs to follow Jesus in different contexts?

Application Questions

Which mission partner or story impacted you the most, and why do you think it resonated with you personally?
Where do you see opportunities in your own life to live out the Great Commission right where you are (work, neighborhood, relationships)?
The team emphasized that mission isn’t just “out there” but also something we support through prayer, giving, and serving here. Which of those feels like your next step?
What is one specific way you (or your group) could support one of these mission partners this week through prayer, encouragement, or action?

PrayerSpend time praying for one local partner and one global partner, asking God to provide strength, safety, resources, and open hearts—and to show you how to participate in His mission.

April 12 - BAPTISM SUNDAY

4/13/2026

Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ!

Icebreaker
What’s something you thought was finished or “over”… but somehow kept showing back up in your life?
Study Questions

In Romans 6:1–2, Paul asks, “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?” Why do you think some people might think that way, and how does Paul respond?
According to Romans 6:3–5, what does baptism represent about our relationship with Jesus? What stands out to you about being “united with” Him?
In verses 6–7, what does Paul say has happened to our “old self”? What does it mean that we are “no longer slaves to sin”?
How do verses 8–10 describe Jesus’ relationship to sin and death now? What does that imply about our new life in Him?
What do you think Paul means when he says we should “live a new life” (v. 4)? What might that have looked like for the Romans?

Application Questions

What is one lie, habit, or part of your “old self” that still tries to define you today? What would it look like to say, “That version of me is dead”?
How does remembering your baptism (or thinking about being baptized) change the way you see yourself today?
Where is one area of your life where you sense God inviting you to “live like someone who’s alive” this week?
If you have not been baptized, what questions or hesitations do you have about taking that step? If you have been baptized, how can you continue to live out what your baptism represents?

Prayer
Ask God to help you see yourself as dead to sin and alive in Christ, and to give you the strength to walk in that new life each day. Pray for one another to experience freedom, transformation, and courage to take the next step of faith.

April 5 - EASTER SUNDAY

4/8/2026

Unexpected Joy!

Icebreaker
Share about a time you received news that felt too good to be true—what made it so surprising?
Study Questions

Read Matthew 28:1–8. What emotions do you notice in the women at the tomb, and why do you think they experienced both fear and joy at the same time?
Why would the resurrection have felt “too good to be true” for Jesus’ followers based on what they had just experienced?
Which piece of evidence for the resurrection (empty tomb, eyewitnesses, transformed disciples) stands out most to you, and why?
According to Romans 8:1–2, 11-12, 14, what changes for someone who is “in Christ Jesus,” and what does that mean practically?
How does the idea that “sin is no longer your king, but you’re still on the battlefield” help explain the ongoing struggle with sin?

Application Questions

Where in your life do you need to experience the “unexpected joy” of Jesus right now?
In what ways have you been tempted to let your past or your sin define you, and how does the resurrection challenge that?
What is one step you can take this week to live more fully under Jesus as your King rather than sin or fear?
How can you actively participate in Jesus’ mission to bring change to the world (loving neighbors, seeking justice, showing mercy)?

Prayer
Proclaim your faith in Jesus and thank God for the unexpected joy of his resurrection. Ask for help to conquer sin like Jesus and to change the world with the gospel and teachings of Jesus as his followers.

March 28 - PALM SUNDAY

4/1/2026

Peace in the Wilderness

Icebreaker
What’s something you once thought would bring you peace but didn’t or no longer does?
Study Questions

In Luke 19:41–44, what stands out to you about Jesus’ emotional response to Jerusalem, and why do you think He wept?
Why was Jerusalem facing destruction, and what does it mean that they “did not recognize the time of God’s coming”?
How does the historical context (oppressive empires, internal division, violence, and rebellion) help us better understand Jesus’ warning about where their peace would come from?
What kind of “peace” were the people expecting, and how was Jesus’ vision of peace different?
Which of Jesus’ teachings (turn the other cheek, love your neighbors and your enemies, seek God's kingdom, etc.) feels most challenging—and why?

Application Questions

When you think about your own life, where are you tempted to seek peace through control, comfort, or being right instead of through surrender to Jesus?
What would it look like for you to more fully trust Jesus as King—not just in belief, but in daily decisions?
Where might God be inviting you to take one small step of obedience today (leting go, forgiveness, reconciliation, trust, etc.)?
As a group or church, how can we pursue the kind of peace Jesus offers rather than the kind the world pursues?

Prayer
Ask God to reveal where you are seeking peace apart from Him and to help you trust Jesus as King in your daily life. Pray for the courage to follow His way of peace through surrender, obedience, and love for others.

March 22 - FAITH IN THE WILDERNESS

3/22/2026

The Long Road of Trust

Icebreaker
What’s something in your life that took longer than expected—but ended up shaping you in a good way?
Study Questions

In Deuteronomy 8:2–3, what reasons does Moses give for why God led Israel through the wilderness?
What does the word “tested” (nasah) reveal about God’s purpose in difficult or delayed seasons?
How did the daily provision of manna teach Israel dependence on God?
In Deuteronomy 30:15–20, what choices are set before the people, and what is at stake in those choices?
How does Jesus’ command in Luke 9:23–25 connect to the idea of daily trust and obedience?

Application Questions

Where in your life right now does it feel like you’re on a long road instead of arriving at a destination?
What is one “daily bread” step of trust God may be inviting you to take this week?
How can you begin to see repetition in your life as formation?
What is one small, daily choice you can make to follow Jesus more closely?

Prayer
Ask God to help you trust Him in the process, not just the outcome, and to form your character through daily obedience. Pray for strength to choose His way each day and to recognize His work in the long road.

March 15 - FAITH IN THE WILDERNESS

3/15/2026

Healing in the Desert

Icebreaker
Think about a time on a long trip when people in the car started getting impatient, tired, or complaining. What happened, and how did the mood of the trip change?

Study

Read Numbers 21:4–9. What were the people complaining about, and what does this reveal about their attitude toward God and Moses?
In this passage, what steps did the people take after they realized they had sinned? What role did confession and prayer play in the story?
God told Moses to lift up a bronze serpent so the people could look at it and live. Why do you think God chose such an unusual way to bring healing?
Read John 3:14–17. How does Jesus connect the story of the bronze serpent to His own mission and death on the cross?
In both passages, people are invited to respond to God’s provision. What similarities do you see between “looking” at the serpent and “believing” in Jesus?

Application

The Israelites initially responded to hardship with complaint and blame. When you face difficulty or frustration, what is your usual first reaction?
The people’s healing began when they acknowledged their sin and asked for help. Is there an area of your life where God might be inviting you to turn toward Him with honesty or repentance?
The Israelites had to lift their eyes and look at God’s provision to receive healing. What might it look like in your daily life to “look to Jesus” instead of focusing on fear, guilt, or failure?
Healing often begins when we stop resisting God and start trusting Him. Where might God be inviting you to trust Him more deeply right now?

Prayer
Ask God to help you turn toward Him with honesty and trust, lifting your eyes to Jesus for forgiveness, healing, and new life in the wilderness seasons of life.

March 8 - FAITH IN THE WILDERNESS

3/8/2026

Thirsting for Jesus

Icebreaker
What is the thirstiest you have ever been? What did you do to get something to drink?
Study

In Exodus 17:1–7, what were the Israelites experiencing in the wilderness, and how did they respond to their thirst?
Why do you think the Israelites asked, “Is the Lord among us or not?
In 1 Corinthians 10:3–4, Paul says the rock in the wilderness was pointing to Christ. What do you think he means by that, and how does it deepen our understanding of the Exodus story?
Jeremiah 2:13 describes people digging “broken cisterns (wells) that cannot hold water.” What are some modern examples of these broken wells?
In John 4:13–14, Jesus contrasts ordinary water with “living water.” What does Jesus mean by living water, and how is it different from the things people usually turn to for satisfaction?

Application

Spiritual thirst can show up as a longing for meaning, peace, belonging, love, or purpose. Which of these have you experienced in your life?
When you feel spiritually dry, which “broken wells” are you most tempted to turn to (achievement, approval, comfort, control, etc.)? Why do you think those are appealing?
What might it look like for you this week to name your thirst and honestly tell God where you feel empty or dry?
What is one thing you might fast from this week, and how could that help redirect your attention toward Jesus?

Prayer
Pray that God would reveal the places where you are spiritually thirsty and help you turn from broken wells to the living water of Jesus. Take time to share personal prayer requests and pray for one another.

March 1 - FAITH IN THE WILDERNESS

3/4/2026

Hungering for God

Icebreaker
What happens to you when you get really hungry?

Study

In Matthew 6:16–18, what contrasts does Jesus make between hypocritical fasting and authentic fasting?
Jesus says “When you fast,” not “If you fast.” What does that suggest about how fasting was understood among God’s people?
Looking at examples like Moses (Exodus 34:27-28), David (2 Samuel 12:15-18) Esther (Esther 4:16), Daniel (Daniel 9:3), Jesus (Matthew 4:3–4), and the early church (Acts 13:2-3; 14:23), what different situations lead people to fast?
What lesson does God teach in Deuteronomy 8:1–3 about hunger and dependence on Him?
What did Pastor Jim say is the purpose of fasting, and how is it different from simply denying yourself food?

Application

What stood out most to you from the teaching about fasting—something new, surprising, or challenging?
In what ways do you see physical appetites (food, media, comfort, etc.) sometimes crowding out spiritual hunger for God?
If you were to try fasting, what would be a realistic and healthy first step for you?
The message said to focus “less on the blessing and more on the Blesser.” What might that look like in your daily spiritual life?

Prayer
Ask God to deepen your hunger for Him and to help you desire His presence and truth more than temporary satisfactions. Pray for the courage to practice habits that draw you closer to God and for grace to trust Him to fill the deeper needs of your soul.

February 22 - HOW TO PRAY

2/22/2026

Ask God for Help in Temptation

Icebreaker
When you’re under pressure — tired, stressed, or overwhelmed — what’s your default reaction: fix it fast, ignore it, pray about it, or eat something you probably shouldn’t?

Study Questions

In Matthew 6:13, what do you notice about the difference between asking God to remove testing and asking Him to deliver us through it?
The word "deliver" carries the sense of "pulling through." How does that shape your understanding of what Jesus is teaching us to pray when we are tempted by evil or the evil one?
In Matthew 4:1–4, how was Jesus’ hunger a real and legitimate need? What made the temptation wrong?
In Matthew 4:5–7, how can quoting Scripture or talking about faith actually become a way of testing God rather than trusting Him?
In Matthew 4:8–11, what does Jesus’ refusal of power without obedience reveal about the kind of kingdom He came to establish?

Application Questions

Where in your life right now are you feeling pressure or scarcity that could tempt you toward self-sufficiency rather than trust? What would it look like to pray, “Father, I trust You to provide”?
Have you ever found yourself subtly demanding that God prove His love to you? What might it look like to choose trust instead of control in that situation?
Is there an opportunity in your life that feels good but may require compromise? How can you pray for integrity and faithfulness before you make a decision?
What would it look like this week to pray Matthew 6:13 before the testing hits, rather than only after you feel overwhelmed?

Prayer
Ask God to show you where your faith is currently being tested and to give you the humility to depend on Him instead of yourself. Pray for one another to be rescued from evil and strengthened to remain faithful in seasons of pressure, disappointment, and ambition.

<<Previous

May 10 - UNEXPECTED JOY!

Unexpected Joy for the Fallen

April 26 - MISSIONS SUNDAY

April 12 - BAPTISM SUNDAY

Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ!

April 5 - EASTER SUNDAY

Unexpected Joy!

March 28 - PALM SUNDAY

Peace in the Wilderness

March 22 - FAITH IN THE WILDERNESS

The Long Road of Trust

March 15 - FAITH IN THE WILDERNESS

Healing in the Desert

March 8 - FAITH IN THE WILDERNESS

Thirsting for Jesus

March 1 - FAITH IN THE WILDERNESS

Hungering for God

February 22 - HOW TO PRAY

Ask God for Help in Temptation

ABOUT

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SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
9:00 AM (TRADITIONAL)
10:30 AM (CONTEMPORARY

Unexpected Joy for the Fallen

Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ!

Unexpected Joy!

Peace in the Wilderness

The Long Road of Trust

Healing in the Desert

Thirsting for Jesus

Hungering for God

Ask God for Help in Temptation

ABOUT

CATEGORIES

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP9:00 AM (TRADITIONAL)​10:30 AM (CONTEMPORARY

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
9:00 AM (TRADITIONAL)
10:30 AM (CONTEMPORARY