Sunday Night, Joel’s Testimony - Matthew 9:35-37

Is there anything you heard tonight that you disagree with or have questions about?
Why did Jesus want workers to go out into God’s harvest fields?
What would it look like for you to work in God’s harvest fields?
1. (far horizon/near horizon – i.e. career but also next school year)
Joel talked about taking small steps in obedience to Jesus. What does it mean to take small steps instead of huge steps?
1. (Joel talked about James 4:13-17 at this point in the message)
What kind of things might you have to give up to take small steps in obedience to Jesus?
1. (again pull them into near-horizon, this* summer, this* school year,)
Joel said that giving those things up to follow God is worth it. Do you think that is always true or do you think there are sometimes exceptions?
(fun) Joel shared some memories from camp tonight – do you have any camp memories (good/bad/otherwise) that you think you’ll still have when you’re 39 like him

Monday Night, Jesus’ Thesis Statement - Luke 4:14-23

Is there anything you heard tonight that you disagree with or have questions about?
Did anything in or about Jesus’ thesis statement in Luke 4 surprise you or stick out to you?
Why does Jesus want to set you free? (he loves you)
How does Jesus set us free?
Do you see people in your family, school, neighborhood that need set free? - - What do they need set free from?
Do you know what Jesus set you free from / wants to set you free from? - is there anything keeping you from experiencing that freedom
How can you be an agent for Jesus’ freedom-work in you family / school / town

Is there anything you heard tonight that you disagree with or have questions about?
Did anyone know the true answer to Joel’s fill-in-the-blank game that he played at the beginning?
Did you know that the Church was that* important to God? why do you think that many people don’t understand how important it is?
(joel talked a little about baptism tonight: I’d just extend an invitation here - that if there is anyone in the group that hasn’t taken that step, that you’d love to talk to them about doing so. I (joel) would also be happy to speak to them if you wish.)
Do you understand what the Church’s job is? Can you explain it?
How is the Church that you go to doing that job right now? Are there ways that they can do it better?
How can you help your Church do that job better? How will you serve at your church?
(fun) tell me your most hilarious church story

Is there anything you heard tonight that you disagree with or have questions about?
Did you know how much it cost God to buy you back? How did you feel when Joel was reading the price for your redemption?
If you were Hosea, would you have wanted Gomer back? Why did God make him take Gomer back? Why does God want YOU back?
Is the deal that Hosea made with Gomer at the end a fair one?
Why do you think that Hophni and Phineas were doing all those bad things even though they were worshiping God?
How did it go for Hophni and Phineas when their faithfulness was tested, how would it go for you when your faithfulness is tested?
What needs to change in your life for you to have confidence in your standing with God?

I’d like this group discussion to be all about identifying your next step when you go home
What is the next step you need to take in following Jesus
- (faith/baptism)
- (growing deeper - Bible reading, prayer, accountability, church/ youth group attendance)
- (getting rid of weeds/distractions)
- (serving producing fruit)
If you had anyone make a decision for Christian service tonight, you could pray over them as a family group.