Category: As I Am

08/25 Be Compassionate and Slow to Anger

8/25/2024

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

DISCUSSION

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"?
What might this suggest about why God chose to reveal Himself this way?
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?
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

How have you experienced God's compassion in your own life? How might this increase your desire to be compassionate with others?
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?

07/21 Be Approachable As I Am Approachable

7/24/2024

OPENING QUESTIONS

Who do you consider to be one of the most approachable people in your life?
What, exactly, does this person do to make themselves so approachable?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Read James 4:8.
1. Notice that the passage urges us to first approach God.
2. What are some hurdles that you’ve personally faced when trying to “approach God”?
Continue to Hebrews 10:11-12, 19-22.
1. What stands out to you about the “old” ways of connecting with God versus the “new” ways?
2. And how does it change your perception of God’s character?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

What encourages you most about the stories of Jesus being approachable?
What do you desire for your own routine of “approaching” God?
How is God specifically calling you to be more approachable?

07/07 Be Righteous As I Am Righteous

7/8/2024

OPENING QUESTIONS

Have you ever built or made something only to realize after you were done that it was crooked?
Have you ever felt like someone else was "crooked" and took advantage of you?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Psalm 11:7 says, "For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face."
1. Can you recall from this week's message what it means to be "righteous"?
2. In what ways is God righteous and how does his righteousness benefit us?
Deuteronomy 6:25 says, "And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness.” And, Isaiah 33:15-17 says, "Those who walk righteously and speak what is right, who reject gain from extortion and keep their hands from accepting bribes, who stop their ears against plots of murder and shut their eyes against contemplating evil—they are the ones who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. Their bread will be supplied, and water will not fail them. Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar."
1. According to this passage, in what ways are we to be righteous?
2. What are some other ways we are to be righteous?
Isaiah 32:17 says, "The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever."
1. Why does God want us to be righteous?
2. These verses are found in the Old Testament. Has God's desire for us changed since Jesus and the New Testament?
At Romans 3:22, Paul says, "This righteousness [the righteousness of God] is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." And, at 1 John 2:6, John says, "Whoever claims to live in him [Jesus], must live as Jesus did."
1. What role does Jesus play in our righteousness?
2. What role do we play in our righteousness?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

Who is someone from your life that you would consider to be an example of righteousness?
Are there any areas of your own life in which you'd like to develop more righteousness?
What benefit might that righteousness bring?

PRAYER
Take some time for people to share prayer requests. Then pray. First, ask God to help you grow in righteousness. Then pray for each other's prayer requests.

6/23 Be Reliable As I Am Reliable

6/26/2024

OPENING QUESTIONS

Who do you consider to be one of the most reliable people in your life?
In what way do you believe you might be considered dependable?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Read Deuteronomy 7:9.Notice that the passage urges us to remember that “the Lord is God.” How does emphasizing God’s authority help us grasp the magnitude of his love?
Continue to Deuteronomy 7:10. Notice the strong language directed at those who reject God. How does this contrast to a “loving” God actually reinforce God’s reliability?
Read Psalm 62:1-2. We are taught that there is a way to become “never … shaken” by the world’s troubles, but how do we reach this point?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

In what ways can you more fully rely on God in your day-to-day life?
How has God specifically gifted you to be reliable to others?
In what areas would you like to become more reliable, through God’s help?

06/02 AS I AM: Be Holy as I am Holy

6/3/2024

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

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?
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.
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.

08/25 Be Compassionate and Slow to Anger

07/21 Be Approachable As I Am Approachable

07/07 Be Righteous As I Am Righteous

6/23 Be Reliable As I Am Reliable

06/02 AS I AM: Be Holy as I am Holy

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