Author: Ashley Armendariz

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

Register Now | Marinerschurch.org | search dream

 

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 26th 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.

  1. 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?
  2.  Spend some time reflecting on Psalm 100 and praising God.
  3.  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.
  4.  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.
  5. Give each person 30 minutes to pray over the passage and hear from God.
  6. Come back together and share what God revealed to each of you.
  7. 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.
  8. 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