3/24 - 3/28 Life Group Questions
^ Click Take A 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 listen to Sundays message if you missed it or just to refresh your memory. (Each Individual)
2. Anything Doesn’t Really Mean Anything
In John 14:14
14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
In Matthew 18:19
19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
On Sunday Pastor Vaughn said that Jesus doesn't really mean "anything" we ask in the way that we'd like it to mean. He said that Jesus often says no or not now but the good news is that when Jesus doesn’t give us what we ask for, its always because He has something better for us or because the lack of what we ask for will lead us to better desires.
Luke 23:35-39
35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
Thank God that Jesus didn't give these people what they were asking for when they wanted Him to save Himself and come down from the cross. Often times Jesus will not give individuals/couples/families what they want because He is doing something bigger. It is hard for us to think this way but if we remember that Jesus is Lord of all it will help.
Share the following: (Each Individual)
1 prayer request in the PAST that wasn't answered but later you received something better.
1 prayer request in the PRESENT that may not be what's "best" AND what a "better desire" might be in order to upgrade your prayer request.
3. Arrived or Surprised
Luke 4:17-21
17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
On Sunday Pastor Vaughn said that Jesus was speaking to people who were expecting and looking for the Messiah. The people weren't surprised that a deliverer was coming because they knew they needed deliverance. When Jesus quoted Isaiah 61 He expected the people to know what He was talking about. When Jesus said that the anointed one had arrived He gave them a list of things that they should expect. The list in this passage doesn't read like individual prayer requests but instead it reads like general blessings that every child of God should expect to receive. Good news, liberty, sight, favor. Pastor Vaughn challenged us to know what to expect and then to live expecting.
What are some examples of general gifts/blessings God has prepared for all believers? What are some examples of specific and individual prayer requests? How do the general gifts/blessings of God "arrive" in the lives of believers? Is that different than how the more specific and individual prayer requests we make "arrive" in the lives of believers? How do we know what to expect from God? Examples? How can we live with greater expectations of God with confidence that packages will be arriving? (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!