3/30 - 4/3 Life Group Questions
^ 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)
2. 2 Little 2 Late
Luke 16:22-24
22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’
On Sunday Pastor Vaughn said that one of the things Jesus is teaching through this story is that there comes a time when it is “2 Little 2 Late” to make a decision on going to heaven or going to hell. Pastor Vaughn said that a decision to believe in Jesus has to be made before we die and that death was the doorway into the eternal. Eternal life for some and eternal death for others. Pastor Vaughn said that essentially, those who believe and die shall live but those who don’t believe and die shall die continuously.
In John 11:25 Jesus said…
25 “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
Let’s talk about hell based on the passage above from Sunday (& other passages that you know from the bible). Is hell a real place or a metaphor for something else? Is hell a physical place or solely a description of a type of spiritual existence? Is hell fair and “Godly” consequence for people to suffer in forever? What would you say to someone who asked you if they were going to hell for not believing in God? Is hell something we should avoid talking to unbelievers about? (Group Discussion)
3. Enter Into Life
Luke 16:25
25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.
On Sunday Pastor Vaughn said that the bible teaches us that our current existence is something closer to death than it is to life and that only through Jesus can we experience real life and everlasting life. He said that for Christians death is the process by which we enter into true and eternal life.
In John 5:24 Jesus says…
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
Jesus says that believing in Him by His Spirit and through His word allows us to pass from death to life or to exit this state of death and “enter into life”.
In John 10:10 Jesus says…
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Do you believe that this life is closer to death than it is to true or real or eternal life? What are the things that make thinking and living this way hard? What are the things that make thinking and living this way easy? What do we learn about God if this is true? What do we learn about the purpose & priorities of our current “lives” if this is true? What are some of the areas of this life that will look different if you have an eternal “real life” expectation vs. those who live as if with no expectations beyond the grave? How can we balance enjoying this life without being a YOLO (you only live once) type of person? (Group Discussion)
4. In The Palm Of Your Hand
Luke 16:27-31
27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”
What do you think about Abraham saying that the bible will lead people to salvation in a way that seeing someone raised from the dead won’t? What do you think about the fact that Jesus is the one telling this story shortly before He is crucified and raised from the dead? What do you think is more powerful in your own life, miracles or the bible in the palm of your hand? What do you think most non believers are looking for, miracles or someone to explain the bible to them? What role does and should church invitations play in this challenging situation? (Group Discussion)
Right now TONIGHT please text one person that doesn’t already go to church our Good Friday and/or Easter Sunday service invitation. Go to it in the calendar and there is a “share” button. Please also share these invitations on your social media accounts this week. (Each Individual)
* 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!