Mariners Church Flow Questions

Things I Wish Jesus Never Said // Wk 1 “Give everything you have”

“Give Everything You Have”- Matthew 19:16-21

Lean In // 5 minutes

What is one thing that you have given up in the past, and how was that experience for you?

Sample answers:

Read Meat for Lent, Challenging
Smoking, Felt healthier, but a very difficult withdrawal
Coffee, I got a BIG headache!
Social Media, I was bored!
An hours sleep, productive but tired!

Leader Note: Transition your group into the Look Down by acknowledging that the current series is going to be confronting, hence the title, but sometimes that which is confronting can be freeing.

Look Down // 20 minutes

Leader Note: The following passage appears at face value to be dealing with the issue of great wealth. To some degree, it is (see verses 23, 24 that proceed this passage). However there is more than meets the eye with this passage, when viewed in the light of several others. There is a pattern found in Jesus ministry, where, when he asks people to follow him, he also asks them to lay down their earthly life (see Matthew 8:18-22 and Matthew 4:18-22). Put simply, they had to lay down their own life, to follow Christ’s.

Read Matthew 19:16-21

What does the rich young man desire?

Sample answers:

Eternal life (v. 16)
Instructions for gaining eternal life (v. 16)
A way to have both his possessions and eternal life (v. 21)

What does Jesus desire for this young man?

Sample answers:

That he would sell all he has and give it to the poor (v21)
That he would realize his need for a savior, evident by pointing him to his “weakness” (v21)
That he would obey God’s commands (v18,19)

Why did the young man walk away from Jesus?

Sample answers:

Because he was very rich (v22)
Because he loved his money more than God (v22)
Because he didn’t actually want to pursue eternal life (v16)

Look Out // 15 minutes

Leader Note: The hope in the following section is that we would be able to identify the challenges to faith that are present, in our society. It is also hoped that the varying responses to God’s confronting call, would be shared at this time too.

Possessions were this man’s barrier to Christian faith. What are some others that exist in our society?

Sample answers:

Other “god’s” such as Sport, other Religions, Family, Safety
Lack of Faith
Peer pressure
Lack of self-worth
Busyness

How do people respond to God’s call on their barriers?

Sample answers:

Resist
Surrender
Compromise
Walk away sad

Why is this call so confronting?

Sample answers:

We want to be in charge
We want to have control
The world tells us we must have these barriers to succeed and survive

Look In // 15 minutes

Leader note: This following section provides a great opportunity for group members to surrender any barriers they may have to following God. For a non-Christian, this may be their, “I Believe” moment. For a Christian, this may be an opportunity to step out in faith into greater things that God may have for them, as they lay down more of their lives and follow him more closely.

What are your barriers to God’s call on your whole life?

Sample answers:

Money
Safety
Family
Career
Education
Worry
Addiction

How do you feel when God confronts your barrier?

Anxious
Scared
Defensive
Threatened

Imagine life if you let go and followed.

Live It Out // 5 minutes

What is one step you could take towards total surrender, today?

Leader note: Take time to pray for each other and affirm group members that are seeking to lay down their lives for God’s sake.

John 12:37-46 // Journey To Easter

Good Friday Services
March 25th at 12p, 3p, 4:30p, 6p & 7:30p

Before there is the resurrection and new life, there is darkness and death. We want to encourage you and your Life Group to attend a Good Friday service to feel the heaviness and weight of the cross so that you can also experience the joy, celebration and new life of Easter in a deeper and more profound way!

Lean In // 5 minutes

What food did you say no to as a kid and now enjoy?

Sample answers:

Brussel Sprouts
Salads
A type of candy
Chili
Fruit
Smoked BBQ brisket!

Leader Note: Transition your group into the Look Down by highlighting how in the lead up to Easter people have an amazing opportunity to say yes to something they may have said no to for a long time.

Look Down // 20 minutes

Read John 12:37-46

Leader Note: The weekend message covers this entire chapter in story form. Therefore, it may be useful to familiarize yourself with the entire passage and give your group some context to John 12: 37-46. Of particular relevance to this discussion; the contrast between Mary and Judas, in verses 3-6 (one pours out her resources on Jesus’ feet, the other hoards resources for himself); the fact that many in this passage had either seen or heard about Jesus’ miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, as seen in verses 17 and 18 and the way in which people heard a voice from heaven, as seen in verse 28 and 29.

What is the response of the people to Jesus?

Sample answers:

Most did not believe him (v. 37)
Many did believe him (v. 42)
Those that believed did so inwardly but were afraid to “go public” (v. 42)
They were afraid to believe him because of their fear of their leaders / society (v. 42)
They would not believe because they loved the praises of people more than the praises of God. (v. 43)

What is the response of Jesus towards the people?

Sample answers:

Jesus gives them another invitation to trust Him (v. 44)
Jesus reassures them that He is sent by God (v. 45)
Jesus does not judge them (v. 47)
He warns them that there is a future judgement (v. 48)
He points them towards the eternal life they could have (v. 50)

Look Out // 15 minutes

Leader Note: The hope for the following three sections is that we might be able to see that the Bible is very much applicable today. The world’s responses to Jesus then are similar to the responses we see today. The motivations for our responses are also similar, so to, is Jesus’ response to us.

How do people respond to Jesus today?

Sample answers:

They accept Him
They reject Him
They think He is irrelevant
They don’t understand Him
They are afraid to accept Him

Why do they respond this way?

Sample answers:

They have had a genuine encounter with God (for “Accept”)
It makes sense to them (for “Accept”)
Family pressure
Fear of what saying yes to Jesus may mean for their lifestyle
Ignorance
Arrogance
Fear of the unknown

What is the result of their response?

Sample answers:

A changed life (for “Accept”)
A relationship with God (for “Accept”)
Still in fear
No apparent earthly consequence
Nothing changes
At risk of future judgement (v.48)

Look In // 15 minutes

Leader note: This following section provides a great opportunity for you to see where your group members are at in their walk with God. This may be a great place to give group members an opportunity to say, “I believe”, and start or re-start their relationship with God.

How are we responding to Jesus today?
(Where are you saying yes to Jesus? Where are you saying no to Jesus?)

Sample answers:

I accept Him
I reject Him
I think He is irrelevant
I don’t understand Him
I am afraid to accept Him
I give Him partial control of my life
I give Him full control of my life

Why are you responding this way?

Sample answers:

I have had a genuine encounter with God (for “Accept”)
It makes sense to me (for “Accept”)
Family pressure
Fear of what saying yes to Jesus may mean for my lifestyle
Ignorance
Arrogance
Fear of the unknown
Fear of what total surrender may mean for me

How does your no change to a yes?

Leader note: This is a great opportunity for people in the group who have not yet said yes to Jesus to say yes to Him. Take time to pray.

Live It Out // 5 minutes

Who in your life needs to respond to Jesus?

Who needs your invitation to Easter?

Leader note: Point your group to neighbors, co-workers, family and friends. Take time to either pray for these people in the group, or commit to praying for them.

Easter Services
March 26 – 3:30p & 5:30p
March 27 – 8:15a, 9:45a, & 11:30a
Easter Egg Scramble – March 26 2p

Other Announcements:

Dream Event: Who was I created to be? How can I find significance? Can God use me? Chances are, you’ve asked yourself these very questions. We desire to make a difference in our world and spheres of influence, but we don’t always know how. We believe the answers lie in how God has created us, in our life experiences, and in the opportunities we have to influence our families, friends, businesses and communities.

Thu, April 7, Community Center
5-6p Food Trucks
6-8p Guest Speakers: Matt Olthoff and Mariners Church Senior Pastor Kenton Beshore

Serve Tank: This is an exclusive opportunity for your Life Group to dream of what the Lord could do in and through your group in the community. If finances weren’t an issue, what could your Life Group get behind as you care and serve your communities? What could you dream of doing to serve a ministry you have already been a part of? Has there been something the Lord has laid on one of your group member’s heart’s to serve and need help and guidance and finances to accomplish?

Take time tonight to discuss how your group is going to be a part of Serve Tank. What is the Lord putting on your hearts?

The Application to apply for Serve Tank will open on April 7, for one week only! Get Ready. Be prepared. Start Dreaming.

More Info | marinerschurch.org | search Serve Tank

Learn More About Flow Questions: Check out Kenton Beshore’s book Ask in the Irvine Campus Bookstore.

John 11:1-44 // Journey to Easter

Good Friday Services
March 25th at 12p, 3p, 4:30p, 6p, & 7:30p
Before there is the resurrection and new life, there is darkness and death. We want to encourage you and your life group to attend a Good Friday service to feel the heaviness and weight of the cross so that you can also experience the joy, celebration, and new life of Easter in a deeper and more profound way!

Lean In // 5 minutes

What are things that seem to always remain the same in life?

Sample answers:

Sunrise and sunsets
Waves at the ocean and the tides
Monday mornings
The smell of homemade cookies
Communication problems
Getting old
Anticipation of change of seasons
World systems (government, economic, etc.)
Teaching old dogs new tricks
UCLA fans and USC fans not getting along

Leader Note: Transition your group into the Look Down by highlighting how this week’s passage challenges the idea that things don’t change in life.

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read John 11:1-44

Leader Note: Before reading the passage, ask the question and encourage group members to take notes and write down observations. This week’s passage is written in story form and is longer than usual. As you read, it may be helpful to break it up into sections (IE- 11:1-16; 17-37; 38-44).

What do the disciples, Mary and Martha learn about preparing for Easter from this passage?

Sample answers:

Jesus promises that death is not the end (v. 4)
God uses even death for His glory (v. 4)
Jesus holds the power over death (v. 11)
Jesus speaks of death in ways we don’t understand (v. 12)
Death causes confusion and questions about God (vv. 20, 32, 37)
Jesus is the resurrection and the life (v. 25)
Where there is death, there is opportunity for resurrection and new life
Jesus promises life to those who believe in Him (vv. 25-26)
God turned a sad and hopeless event into a time of belief and celebration
Jesus’ words have the power of life (vv. 43-44)
Jesus allows us to participate in bringing life to others (vv. 39, 44)
New life points to God’s glory (v. 40)

Look Out // 10 minutes

What does Jesus ask people to do with things that are dead and buried?

Leader Note: This question is designed to get your group thinking about where they have seen the principles of this passage in the world today. Where have they ever seen God show and bring dead things to life in relationships or in areas of people’s lives that have seemed hopeless? What changed and what was the response of those who encountered the change?

Look In // 20 minutes

Where have you given up hope in your life and no longer believe God can show up and bring resurrection power?

Sample answers:

I’ll never get out of debt
I’ll never hear God’s voice
I’ll never get out of this place
My family will never come to know the Lord
My relationship will never be reconciled
I’ll always have this stronghold
I’ll always have this addiction

What would it look like to “roll away the stone” and trust Jesus?

Leader note: In the passage, Jesus’ desire was to bring Lazarus from death to life but he asked others to trust him and roll away the stone. In a similar way, Jesus’ desire is to bring life to our places of death. But, there is a part we play in trusting Jesus and His power and opening up those places that are dead and decaying.

Live It Out // 5 minutes

How do these truths prepare us for Easter?

What if we were ready for Easter, how would we be different and what conversations might we be having with others around us?

Easter Services: March 26th – 3:30p & 5:30p // March27th – 8:15a, 9:45a, & 11:30a Easter Egg Scramble – March 26^th 2p

Learn More About Flow Questions: Check out Kenton Beshore’s book Ask in the Irvine Campus Bookstore for more on the Flow Question model.

Lent Prayer Experience // 2016

We are 23 days into Lent which is past the halfway point and your group may or may not have given up something for Lent. Wherever your group is with that decision, now is a good time to check in with them and see where everyone is spiritually.

Lent is a journey of the heart in preparation for Easter. On the Life Group calendar, you are getting ready to end another session of study and take a break as you prepare for the spring session. Life Group is about life change. Lent is about drawing near to God thru examining and reflecting on the condition of your heart and relationship with Jesus. It is all too easy to show up day after day, week after week with everything on the outside looking like it is in order in our lives. The real work comes when we take the time to examine what is going on inside our hearts and minds. This prayer experience will hopefully draw your group to a place of vulnerability. As always, that will be dependent upon what you model for your group as the leader.

This prayer experience is based on the Beatitude in Matthew, chapter 5:3-12. It gives each person an opportunity to examine their heart and see where they are.

Set up your group time by talking about what you have seen God do in your group and in each of you as individuals during this session. Where have you seen answered prayer? How has your serve experience impacted you? If you have not served lately, is there somewhere God is directing your hearts? Maybe there is need in your community you can address?
Spend some time reflecting on Psalm 100 and praising God.
If you desire, you can go back to your Rooted Facilitator Guide and focus on the attributes of God listed there for you as part of your Week 3 Prayer Experience. You can also have everyone remember back to the verses on the bookmark given to everyone at Week 5 of Rooted, reminding us who we are in Christ.
Give each member a copy of the attached passage of scripture on the Beatitudes. It is listed in two versions: NIV and Message. Talk about how the message version is the common vernacular of the passage. As they pray over each section, have them note where God is speaking to them. There should be things God affirms and for most of us, also areas that He is directing us to further examine and change.
Give each person 30 minutes to pray over the passage and hear from God.
Come back together and share what God revealed to each of you.
Help each person to select one area they feel God would desire them to focus on and set a goal towards that. As the leader, make sure you note what is shared and are praying for each person in your group in that area. You could also have each person pray for another person in the group as well and set up accountability partners in prayer for the area they are focusing on.
As you end your evening in prayer, make plans to hold each other accountable for the areas you have discussed. With approximately two more weeks until Easter, maybe plan for your last session before Easter to be an evening to revisit what you talked about this week and take communion together.

The Beatitudes // Lent Prayer Experience

Art of Relationships // Wk 6 Made Beautiful

Message Recap

Sex is a gift from God! Let that sink in a minute. He gave us the gift of sex for our enjoyment and so that we could fulfill his command to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). Yet this wonderful gift has caused so much hurt and brokenness. You don’t have to look far to see the damage that a low view of sex and sexuality can cause. Theologian Christopher West said it best when he said that…”to find that which is most sacred in the world look to that which is most profaned.” Our sexuality, like all things on this earth is in the process of renewal. We have “been” made new in Christ and we are “being” made new. God, in His word, has shown us the design, meaning and purpose of sex. As we trust and surrender, He will bring healing, hope and freedom!

Guiding Verses

Genesis 1:26-28

26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” 27 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

28 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

1 Corinthians 6:15-20

15 Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! 16 And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.” 17 But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.

18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

Discussion Questions

Tell the story about one of your scars.
What do you learn about God’s intent for sex from the message/guiding verses?
What does culture tell us about the purpose of sex?
What does it look like to live out those beliefs?
Where have you experienced brokenness in your sexuality, where have you experienced healing?
What would it look like to trust God to continue to bring healing?

Moving Forward

As we did in this weekend’s service you may want to spend more focused time praying with one-another for healing, hope and freedom. If it seems appropriate for your group consider breaking off male and female to facilitate greater sharing. Let 2 Corinthians 5:17 guide your prayer in the belief “that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” Part of embracing that new life may also meaning walking in that healing in community and care. Visit the care & recovery section of our website for a complete list of resources and groups design to provide next steps towards healing.

To learn more about the Art of Relationships series, including how to join or host an Art of Relationships Series Group click here.

Art of Relationships // Wk 5 Intentional Parenting

Message Recap

This week’s message takes a look at what it means to be intentional and not only as parents, but as mentors and guides to the next generation. One of the things God calls us all to is to care for, raise up and disciple the next generation. The key elements we looked at were…

1. Having A Strong Belief – Mark 9:36-37

2. Beginning With The End Mind – Psalms 90:12

3. Encouraging Words – Proverbs 12:18, 12:6

4. Genuine Affection – Romans 12:10

5. Serious Fun – Proverbs 17:22

6. Delicate Discipline – Proverbs 3:11-12, Ephesians 6:4

Guiding Verses

Ephesians 5:1-2

1 “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God“

Psalms 32:8

“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.“

Discussion Questions

If you could join a “TV Show” family which would it be and why?
What are some things you’ve learned from your family or a mentor that you are currently, or hope to incorporate with your family?
What are some things you hope will be different?
Of the 6 elements of parenting/mentoring, which ones are you doing well and which ones do you need to grow in?

Moving Forward

Any healthy, life giving relationship requires intentionality. Health isn’t something that just happens. Rather, it’s a fruit that the Holy Spirit creates in and through us as we partner with him. Take inventory this week of the ways you see him working alongside you as well as the ways he may be prompting you turn around and change behavior that’s harmful to yourself and those around you.

To learn more about the Art of Relationships series, including how to join or host an Art of Relationships Series Group click here.

Art of Relationships Wk 4 // Believe In Love

Message Recap

We spend countless amounts of cash and invest large amounts of time to find and fall in to love. For example, this Valentines weekend we will spend $19 Billion dollars on gifts! What about the cost of staying in love? What does it take to build a long lasting and love filled relationship as the bible defines it? In word, sacrifice. Sacrifice of our pride, preference and desire to love in way that serves our needs first.

Guiding Verses

1 John 4:7-8

“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

Ephesians 5:21

“Submit to one another our reverence for Christ.”

Discussion Questions

Take a look at the 5 love languages. Which ones do you like to give? Which ones do you like to receive?
Where have you seen sacrificial love? What did it look like and what were the effects?
What are some things that keep you from loving sacrificially?
What would it take and how would others be impacted if you regularly loved sacrificially?

Moving Forward

“We Love because he first loved us.” John 4:19. Sacrificial love is something that is modeled to us by God through his son Jesus. Jesus is the complete and most compelling picture of love that the world has ever seen. The more we walk with him and listen for his voice the more we will be transformed by his spirit. Jesus is our model and our source which enables us to live and love as he did.

To learn more about the Art of Relationships series, including how to join or host an Art of Relationships Series Group click here.

Art of Relationships Wk 3 // Slow Burn

Message Recap

You have ever had one of those, “I wish I could take that back” moments? Chances are we’ve all said or done things in our relationships that we regret or wish we could “do-over.” So, where does that come from and what’s the way forward? How can we become people that are “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” when it seems like everything within us is compelling us to do the exact opposite?

Guiding Verses

James 1:19-21

19 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

Proverbs 16:24

24 “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

Discussion Questions

Let’s play “telephone pictionary!” (video instructions here)
When/Where is it easy to be mis-understood?
What are things that stifle healthy communication?
When was a time someone listened well to you, and how did that make you feel?
Which of the James 1 “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” encouragements do you struggle with?

Moving Forward

Here’s the deal… we all struggle with communication and left to our own will-power, we will fail time and time again. God’s has given us the gift of His Holy Spirit, to bring about the change in us that we could never accomplish by ourselves. As you close read Galatians 5:13-26 and pray for the Holy Spirit to work in and through your lives to empower you to be all that He as created you to be, a reflection of His love and grace.

To learn more about the Art of Relationships series, including how to join or host an Art of Relationships Series Group click here.

Art of Relationships Wk 2 // Busyness

Message Recap

One of the healthy relationship requires time. It comes to no surprise then that one of the greatest relationship killers is busyness. In our instant, get it now world, we can quickly find ourselves overcommitted and under connected. The lies and lure of success, meaning and security play on our time and pride to trap us in a perpetual state of hurry and shallowness. What if we could choose better? What if we flipped the script and invested in the things that matter the most? What if we stared with the most vital of all relationships… our relationship with our Heavenly Father. God speaks, restores and wants to teach us a better way.

Guiding Verses

Luke 10:41-42

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her.”

Matthew 11:28-30

28 “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Discussion Questions

What would you do with and extra 5 hours every day?
What are the lies of busyness and why do people buy into them?
What are the lies of busyness that you’ve bought into?
How are busyness and hurry damaging your relationships?
What choices can you make to combat business?

Moving Forward

Identifying the reality and impact of busyness is half the battle. Take time this week to ask God’s Spirit to illuminate the root causes, the lies even, that you’ve bought into that lead you to excuse or even defend busyness. Pray the truth of Ephesians 2:10 which reminds us that… “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us o do.” Our worth and identity are found in the creative and saving work of our Savior. He wants to teach you a new way that leads to an abundant and full life!

To learn more about the Art of Relationships series, including how to join or host an Art of Relationships Series Group click here.

Art of Relationships Wk 1 // Comparison: The Thief

Message Recap

One of the greatest killers to healthy relationships is comparison. No matter your age or season of life, there are traps around every corner luring us into the land of “er and est.” The land of er and est is mark with phrases like, “if I only I were rich-er, funny-er, or the smart-est and pretti-est.” Or how about these…“Why can’t they be bett-er, friendli-er?” Whether we look up and compare (jealousy), or look down and compare (pride), there is no win in comparison. When I compare… “I sin.”

Guiding Verses

“Love is not jealous or boastful or proud.”

1 Corinthians 13:4

“A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.”

Proverbs 14:30

Discussion Questions

1. What were some of the groups in your High School and which ones did you hang out with?

2. When was a time you felt “less than” or excluded?

3. Where are you currently playing the comparison game?

4. Describe how that game is playing out. What are the effects on your emotions and relationships?

Moving Forward

One of the remedies to comparison is found in understanding where our identity and worth comes from. Galatians 4:4-7 reminds us that while we were “slaves to the law” God sent his son to “adopt us as his very own children.” We have all we will ever need in Christ! Pray in your group for God’s Spirit to speak truth where lies have taken ground and for healing and freedom to break through places of hurt and bondage.

To learn more about the Art of Relationships series, including how to join or host an Art of Relationships Series Group click here.