^ Click “Note” ^ Remember to write down some short notes for each of the questions below before heading to life group.

1.

Share 1 thing that stood out to you about Sunday's Message. (1 minute max please) Also press play button in image above to watch or listen to Sundays message if you missed it or just to refresh your memory. (Each Individual)

2A. Similar Stories/Testimonies

Genesis 17:1-4

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, 2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, 4 “Behold, my covenant is with you

On Sunday Pastor Vaughn talked about how similar every encounter story has been in the series so far. Whether it’s Abraham here, the disciples at the transfiguration of Jesus, Moses at the burning bush, or Jacob’s ladder, God appears or reveals Himself, God speaks, the person is humbled and gives reverence to God, and their life is impacted or changed in some great or small way. The frameworks we’ve used to see the similarities are revelation, reverence, reception or access, approach, anticipation or see, hear, and feel.

Share 1 “Encounter” you’ve had with God and try to identify how many of these foundational or framework pieces were a part of your encounter story/testimony? (Each individual)

2B. Thank You May I Have Another

Thank God for all of the encounters He has given your group AND ask Him for a Christianity that has one encounter after another with Him week after week!

3. Seeing God & Re-Seeing Ourselves

Genesis 17:5 & 15-16

5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.

15 And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.”

On Sunday Pastor Vaughn said that seeing and hearing God included a name and identity change for Abraham because he was becoming his true self as he was encountering the true God. Pastor Vaughn said that as image bearers of God, every time we see Jesus more clearly we should by default be seeing ourselves more clearly.

How has your growing “vision” of Jesus helped you to see yourself more clearly or more fully?  How is His identity changing your identity? Also, think of other ways that we should be seeing ourselves and other people because of who Jesus is that maybe we don’t and why? These can be super spiritual or super simple. For example: because Jesus got tired it is okay for me to be tired and to need a break from people or things. I don’t think I give myself that grace or give it to others because it feels lazy or as if I’m not depending on God for energy & strength and as if others are making excuses for not doing what needs to be done. (Group Discussion)

4. Laughing Away Our Blessings

Genesis 17:15-19

15 And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” 17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” 19 God said, “No

Genesis 18:12-15

12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” 13 The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” 15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

Why is it so hard to have faith and to act on what we know God wants for us instead of trying to get God to do what we want Him to do with our “Ishmaels” instead? What is the true impact of laughing at God’s plans in our lives and His plans in the lives of the people we care about? Does it really matter if we are imparting faith into our spouses, or kids, or friends? Are there any areas of your life or in the lives of those you care about that you recognize you’ve been laughing away the blessings of God? Who most consistently imparts faith into your life and who do you think you most consistently impart faith into? (Group Discussion)

* Remember to pray for each other before heading home from life group and to stay in communication here in the app throughout the week on your life group messaging thread!