flowmaster – Page 3 – Mariners Church Flow Questions

Hebrews 4:12-13 // The Ultimate Text

Lean In // 5 minutes

How many text message acronyms can you name?

Sample answers include:

LOL – Laugh Out Loud
RBTL – Read Between The Lines
TTYL – Talk TO You Later
WYWH – Wish You Were Here
TMI – Too Much Information
BTW – By The Way
SMH – Shaking My Head
BRB – Be Right Back
IDK – I Don’t Know
ROFL – Rolling On Floor Laughing
HTH – Hope This Helps

Leader Note: Text messaging is a way of life and so are the acronyms. Use the question to generate some fun and engage the group. As a follow up to the question, you could have group members make up their own acronyms and have others attempt to guess.

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read Hebrews 4:12-13

What do you learn about the Word of God?

Sample answers could include:

It is alive and active
It’s sharper than any double-edged sword
God’s word penetrates
It divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow
It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart
The word of God uncovers all and leaves us bare before Him

Look Out // 10 minutes

Where have you seen someone’s words bring life? And, where have you seen words bring death?

Leader Note: God knows that we are marked by the power of words, which is why He is so intentional with his words. They have the power to shape, give identity, reveal truth, direct our future, and guide decisions because God’s Word is active and alive. This is why it is critical to listen for and respond to God’s Voice in our lives.

Look In // 20 minutes

Leader note: This week’s Look In question will be more experiential to demonstrate how God’s Word is alive and active.

To begin, read Psalm 119:97-105 aloud to the group:

Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Then, have group members re-write a part of the Psalm that speaks to them (IE- “God’s Voice is a map for my future and a flashlight for the way”)

Finally, have group members answer the following question:

Where do you need God’s Word to light a path?

Live It Out // 5 minutes

Who might be impacted by you making God’s Word your light and path?

Click here for Life Group Serve Opportunities

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

John 10:1-5 // Father’s Day

Lean In // 5 minutes

What’s a song that triggers a memory for you?

Leader Note: Many of us have song’s that we associate for certain moments in our life. No matter where we are or what we are doing music has the power to take us back to a moment. Transition your group out of this question by saying something like… “just like music has the power to influence us, God’s voice is powerful and has ability to direct and change us.”

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read John 10:1-5

What do you learn about the shepherd and the sheep?

Sample answers may include…

There are some who try to steal the sheep
The shepherd enters in through the gate
The shepherd knows the gatekeeper, has relationship with the gatekeeper
The sheep listen to and know the shepherd’s voice
The shepherd calls each sheep by name, he knows them
The shepherd leads the sheep, goes in front of them
The sheep know the voice of the shepherd, the trust and follow him
Sheep run away from strangers, no relationship there, won’t trust won’t follow

Look Out // 10 minutes

What are the types of “voices” people follow?

What does it look like to follow those voices?

Sample answers may include…

Political commentators
Money, greed
Pop culture
Academic
Fitness and health
Appearance, beauty
Comparison and competition

Leader Note: Make the point to your group that these voices have great influence on the way we see ourselves and the world around us.

Look In // 15 minutes

When was a time you heard and responded to God’s voice?

Leader Note: At this point you may want to remind your group about the content from Rooted Week 3, How Does Good Speak To Us, which highlights the different ways God speaks to us. Have each person in your group describe the way God spoke to them. You may want to also asks other ways He has spoken. The main point to highlight is that God speaks today through various means. In whatever way He always speaks in accordance to His Word, the bible is our guide and standard for how God speaks.

1. God speaks to us through His Word.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

2. God speaks through His Holy Spirit

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26

3. God speaks to us through His creation.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1-

4. God speaks to us through other people

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22

5. God speaks through our circumstances

6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” Acts 16:6-10

6. God speaks through supernatural means

To Moses through a burning bush (Exodus 3)
To Balaam through his donkey (Numbers 22)
To Gideon through an Angel (Judges 6)
To Isaiah through a vision (Isaiah 6)

Where are you currently in need to hear God’s voice?

Leader Note: God’s voice often provides clarity and wisdom and reminds us of our identity in Christ? What’s a situation you’re facing where need God to speak and lead?

Live It Out // 5 minutes

How might your life and the lives of others be affected by you following God’s voice?

Click here for Life Group Serve Opportunities

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

Ephesians 4:26-32 // Forgive It

Lean In // 5 minutes

What an item you’ve kept from your childhood?

Leader Note: Keep this question light as to engage everyone in your group. Think along the lines of toys, the baseball cards in your parents garage or stuff animal. Transition to the next question by saying something like… “while these things may be fun to think about, the reality is many of us carry things, past hurts and pains, that weigh us down. Let’s see what God’s word has to say about forgiveness.”

Look Down // 15 minutes

Read Ephesians 4:26-32

What do you learn about anger and forgiveness?

Sample answers may include…

Anger often leads to sin
Don’t allow anger to go unchecked, deal with it right away, put anger in it’s right place
Don’t let anger run out of control in your life, don’t let it run around,
Decide to deal with anger
Anger gives the devil an open door into our hearts, a space and a place
Anger grieves the Holy Spirit
Kindness and compassion is sign of forgiveness
Forgiveness is something we offer
We learn what forgiveness looks like form Jesus
We are called to forgive as Jesus forgave us

Look Out // 10 minutes

What does forgiveness look like, where have you seen it?

What does un-forgiveness look like, where have you seen it?

Leader Note: The aim of this question is to get your group thinking about where they have seen these principles play out in the real world. These questions should invite stories, and get the group thinking about the effects, both positive and negative, as they relate to forgiveness and un-forgiveness.

Look In // 20 minutes

Where have you held onto un-forgiveness?

What would it look like to forgive?

Leader Note: As you ask this question be sure to also highlight for your group what forgiveness is and what it is not. Again, be clear that this may not be the case in situation of abuse and violence.

Forgiveness is…

Motivation: God forgave me
You owe, I pay
Refusing isolation, bitterness and vengence
Trusting God to make it right

Forgiveness is not…

Excusing, justifying or denying
Pardoning, letting of consequences
I heal myself, anger, taking control
Ignoring the pain
Reconciliation. It takes one person to forgive but two to be reconciled

This is the gospel, recognizing our part in sin and admitting that we are helpless in making ourselves clean.

This is what God has done for us… “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

This is what God calls us to do… “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionated to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32

Live it Out // 5 minutes

What would change in your relationships if you lived this way?

Click here for Life Group Serve Opportunities

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

Luke 6:37-42 // Own It

Lean In // 5 minutes

What is an excused you’ve used to get out of something?

Leader Note: Model this for your group by using story that is lighthearted and humorous. Encourage you’re group to get to story behind the excuse. From skipping out of helping a buddy move to avoiding the 4th kids birthday party in a row, most of us have come up with creative reasons why we can’t commit to people, places or things.

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read Luke 6:37-42

What do you learn about loving people?

Sample answers may include…

Loving people don’t judge or condemn others
Loving people forgive others
Loving people give to others
Loving people receive more based on how they express love to others, there’s a cause and effect
The loving thing to do is to first look at your own life before looking at others
Loving people want to help others, not judge them
Loving people want to help others because they have experienced freedom.
Loving people are motived by compassion, not judgment

Who are the blind in this passage and what do you learn about them?

Sample answers may include…

They focus on the faults of others
They are blind to their own failings
They judge and condemn to get the focus off themselves, not to help others
As the blind judge others the reveal something broken about themselves

Commentary: Draw your group’s attention to the correlation between the log and the speck. The sawdust in one person’s eye is directly related to the log in the other person’s eye. The log creates the sawdust just as our own faults or insecurities are often projected on others. The plank in our own eyes creates damage in others and causes us to have a skewed perspective on them.

Look Out // 10 minutes

What are some the reasons people shift blame? Where have you seen it?

Leader Note: Use care when asking and responding to this question. Don’t allow your group to turn to judgment of others. Pay special attention to the stories people share as often the things that agitate us are the things that we may also struggle with.

Look In // 20 minutes

Where have you struggled to own your part of blame in a situation?

Leader Note: This could be from a current situation or from the past. In both cases lead your group to see the importance of owning the ways we shift blame, or cover up our own misgivings. Refer your group back to the “circle of blame” illustration which points out the reality that are default is to own the bare minamium or no part at all of any given conflict.

What would it look like to own your part and ask for forgiveness?

Leader Note: As you ask this question be sure to also highlight for your group what forgiveness is and what it is not. Again, be clear that this may not be the case in situation of abuse and violence.

Forgiveness is…

Motivation: God forgave me
You owe, I pay
Refusing isolation, bitterness and vengence
Trusting God to make it right

Forgiveness is not…

Excusing, justifying or denying
Pardoning, letting of consequences
I heal myself, anger, taking control

Live It Out // 5 minutes

How would others be impacted if you lived this way?

Commentary: When we are able to deal with our areas of sin and pain we grow in compassion for those we called to encourage in their struggles. The promise of grace and freedom become our motivation, not judgment and condemnation.

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

Matthew 25:14–26

Note: The questions for this week have been pulled from the Life Group Study entitled Ten, which highlights the top ten passage for groups to study. Ten is a great summer option for groups and is available now in the Irvine Campus Bookstore.

Lean In // 5 minutes

You’ve been given a free ticket to three destinations anywhere in the world. Where do you go and why?

Look Down // 20 minutes

Read Matthew 25:14–26

What do you learn about the servants who invested what they had been given?

Sample answers may include:

They saw the master as generous and trusting
They believed they would have to answer for what was given
They lived out of thankfulness
They understood what was given didn’t belong to them
The master counted them as faithful and rewarded them with more responsibilities
They were invited to celebrate with the master

What do you learn about the servant who buried what he had been given?

Sample answers may include:

He saw the master as harsh and unfair
He was motivated by fear and selfishness
He wanted to protect himself
He had a lack of trust in the master
The master calls him called lazy
He loses everything and is left in isolation and darkness
According to this passage, what is the one way to miss out on what God has given you?

Commentary: There are only two types of people in this passage: people who try and people who do not. The only way to fail and miss out on what God has for you is to not try. There is no failing in trying!

Look Out // 15 minutes

Where have you seen a person not live up to their full potential?

Leader Note: This question can be a tricky one to answer because measuring ability and potential can be a subjective and sensitive discussion. It may be helpful to think in terms of athletic ability or some other kind of skill, like musical ability, that is often associated as a God-given talent. Also, ensure this question is answered by looking out in our world and not within the group.

What contributed to that person’s inability to maximize their gifts?

Sample Answers May Include:

Lack of risk taking
Lack of discipline to develop or work hard at that skill
Inability to dream big
Too hard on themselves, couldn’t live up to their own expectations
Fear of failure, fear of success

Look In // 20 minutes

What treasures have you been given and how are you using them?

Sample answer may be:

Public Speaking
Critical reasoning
Financial aptitude
Writing
Encouraging/affirming
Singing
Cooking
Organizing

Where are you “burying” what has been entrusted to you, and why?

Leader Note: Many of us tend to hide the shame or brokenness in our life as something that God heals, but cannot use. The reality is that people learn just as much, if not more from, our stories of failure and brokenness than from our stories of triumph. Lead your group to see that every aspect of their story is significant and has the ability to impact others for His Kingdom.

When we bury our treasures—for whatever reason—we bury the value of our lives. God is not concerned with how much we have but with what we do with what we have been given. The value of a life is always measured by how much is given away.

Live It Out // 5 minutes

How might God be calling you to use all of who you are to impact those around you?

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

Mike Pilavachi June 9th

We are extremely excited to have Anglican Pastor, international speaker and founder of Soul Survivor Ministries in the UK, Mike Pilavachi back at Mariners on Tuesday, 9th. Mike will be leading us through God’s Word and a powerful time of prayer ministry, specifically for those seeking emotional, spiritual and physical healing.

In addition to the all-church gathering at 7pm in the Worship Center, we would like to invite you to a very special Leader Lab and Dinner on the same night at 5:30 pm in the Upper Room. Mike will be sharing some thoughts on the Holy Spirit and prayer that I believe will be very beneficial for all leaders of community.

Because dinner is involved we ask that you take time to rsvp for the Leader Lab here. Childcare will be available for free for both the Lab and the 7pm gathering when you register.

I believe that God wants to show up and speak to us in unique ways on this night. Don’t Miss It!

Blessings

John Thomas // Life Groups Pastor

Romans 12:1-2 // Reset Your Thinking

Lean In // 5 minutes

What’s an item you can’t live without?

Sample answers…

My smartphone, tablet
Navigation system
Coffee maker
My car
My new boots, clothes
Netflix
Wireless internet
Electricity

Leader Note: You many want to ask a follow up question here… “what was your life like before those things?” Transition your group by staying something like, “it’s funny how quickly our thinking can change. Once we have something in our daily life we can’t imagine a world without, when in reality we lived without these things and did just fine. Let’s see what this verse has to say about how our worship and thinking affect the way we live.”

Look Down // 15 minutes

Read Romans 12:1-2

What do you learn about a life of worship?

Sample answers…

Worship starts with looking at God’s mercy
Worship is living sacrificially
Sacrificial worship pleases God
There are types of worship that are true and types that aren’t
It involves us looking and thinking differently
Worship involves a renewing or resetting of our minds from the ways of the world
It changes the way we see and think about things, enables us to see and learn God’s will

Look Out // 10 minutes

What are the “If I only” statements people make?

Sample answers…

If I only could find the right person then I would be happy
If I only had more money then I would be secure
If I only had that job then I would feel powerful
If I only had more friends then I would feel important and loved
If I only lived in that neighborhood then I would be content
If I only looked like them then I would feel valuable

Leader Note: Lead your group to see the ways that we depend on outside circumstances to change the way we feel about ourselves and how others see us. Jesus comes to offer us an entirely new way of thinking. A way of right worship that puts God in His proper view. A way of worship that completely flips our thinking on its head.

Look In // 20 minutes

Leader Note: In his message, Kenton challenged us to look through the following seven statements and identify which ones resonate personally with us. These statements represent the lies we believe in life that most often lead to a “What Was I Thinking” moment.

Lead your group through this next section by asking them to identify the statement or statements that they have or currently are holding on to. Each statement starts with a lie that is followed up with a truth statement that you’ll want to walk people through with care and grace.

Where are you living out these statements and what would it look like to allow God to transform your thinking?

1. If I find the right person, everything will be all right // Become the right person

2. My situation is unique // You are unique, your situation is not

3. It’s not right but it makes me happy…God wants me to be happy // If it is not right…it is not going to turn out right

4. If I only had ____________ I would be satisfied // Appetites are never fully and finally satisfied

5. I owe is better than I want // It is better to want than to owe

6. My secret is safe with me // Secrets leak

7. Sex will solve it // Sex will complicate it

Live It Out // 5 minutes

How would your transformed thinking affect others?

Leader Note: For instance, if we are living this way it will show in our lifestyle, how we treat people, teachers, coaches. It will impact our community.

Key Verse: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

Key Thought: Reset your thinking

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

1 Samuel 16:1-7 // Beautiful And Brave

Lean In // 5 minutes

Women, would you rather be Miss America or Madam President? Men, would you rather be Mr. Universe or Mr. President?

Leader Note: Create some banter back and forth here. Ask people to defend their answers. For fun have a some people take sides to argue why their position is better.

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read 1 Samuel 16:1-7 and 1 Peter 3:3-4

What do you learn about beauty?

Sample answers…

We look outwardly
We consider outward beauty to be an indication of status
God’s value system of beauty is different than ours
God looks at the heart
Beauty does not come from what we “put on” or what we have
Beauty of the heart lasts, it never fades
God values gentleness and humility

Look Out // 15 minutes

What does it look like to use the world’s standard of beauty, where have you seen it?

What does it look like to use God’s standard of beauty, where have you seen it?

Look In // 25 minutes

Where have you used the world’s standards of beauty on yourself?

Leader Note: After this question lead you group through a time of affirming and calling out beauty in one another.

Set this up by saying something like… “Many of us have been feed a string of lies concerning our beauty and worth. As we go through life it becomes easy to believe those lies and lose sight of the way God see’s us. We’re going to take time now to speak truth over one-another by calling out the beauty we see and affirming the truth of how God sees each of us.”

Here’s a sample of what this could look like…

“Jane, you are beautiful. God calls you His loved daughter. He has placed within you His very image. You are His masterpiece, created by Him and for Him. We have seen the way you serve and care for others, for your family. The life you live is a reflection of the very beauty God has placed in you. We replace every lie that has been spoken over you, every thought that comes to steal and destroy what God has given you with the truth of God’s word. We proclaim God’s healing and freedom in Jesus Name.”

Do this one at a time, asking the person who is being affirmed to say back what they hear when the group is done. It takes time for truth to sink in and we often don’t hear it the first time! If that’s the case speak those words again in love and ask them again what they heard. If you have a large group you may want to consider splitting up between men and women in order to save time.

Key Verse: The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

Key Thought: God’s standard of beauty is different than the world’s

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

Ezra 9:8-9 // Beauty Out Of Ruins

Lean In // 5 minutes

What was the last thing you ruined?

Leader Note: Remember to get your entire group talking here. The more they share at the lean in the more likely they will be to share all the way through the discussion. Set the tone to this question by modeling it yourself… keep this answer on the “lighter side.” Think of a commercial situation like the ones listed in the sample answers. Transition your group to the next section by saying something like… “Ruins are inevitable, as is the promise of God to never leave us or forsake us, despite the messiness of life.”

Clothes in the wash
Burnt dinner
Lego tower
Car accident
iPhone incident

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read Ezra 9:8-9

Commentary Note: The people of God were carried away into captivity in Babylon and God’s house was destroyed. However, Ezra and a remnant have been allowed to return some generations later to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. These verses are part of a prayer offered by Ezra on behalf of God’s people. They are standing among the ruins of God’s house praising God for the opportunity to join Him in the restoration of His house. Just one generation before, this would have been unimaginable to the people and yet God promised He would do it.

What does God give His people in the midst of ruins?

Sample answers could include:

Firm place
Grace
Revival
Light
Relief
His presence, “he has not bonded us”
The ability to still see Him at work… “brightened our eyes”
His influence… “he caused the kings of Persia to treat us favorably”
Gives us a purpose and strength to complete that purpose… “He revived us so we could rebuild the Temple of our God”

Look Out // 10 minutes

What do the ruins of someone’s life look like?

Leader Note: Remember at this point you are asking your group to respond to where they see this passage at work in the world around them. You want your group to look out, meaning outside of their own story. Where have they seen this in the lives of others, what stories can they share?

Divorce
Addiction
Debt
Bankruptcy
Foreclosure
Adultery

Where have you seen hope come from ruins?

Restored marriages
Recovery
Reconciled friendships
Family’s coming back together

Look In // 20 minutes

Where do you need ruins restored?

Leader note: The category of “ruins” pertaining to our lives is a difficult subject. In mixed gender groups this might be an opportunity to break off women with women etc. The hope is that we will be prompted to deal both with ruins we have yet to declare a need for restoration and ruins God is in the midst of restoring. James 5:15-16 tells us that we are forgiven and confession brings healing. Also, recall the context of Ezra 9:8-9 – a prayer of confession and thanksgiving offered by God’s people. When group members share remember to lean in and listen. This is the best offering the group can give in the moment! Offering any Care & Recovery Resources can happen generally at the end of group or offline in a private conversation.

What would your life look like with ruins restored?

Live It Out // 5 minutes

How might you live differently with restored ruins? Who else could you impact?

Key Verse: Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage…He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins… Ezra 9:9

Key Thought: Humanity takes what is glorious and ruins it. God takes what is ruined and makes it glorious.

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

Romans 8:11-17 // Reset Wk 3

Lean In // 5 minutes

If you could have one superpower what would it be and why?

Leader Note: Do your best to get everyone to answer this amusing question. Remember the more people talk in the beginning the more likely they are to stay engaged throughout the discussion.

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read Romans 8:11-17

What do you learn about God’s Spirit?

Sample answers may include

God’s Spirit raised Christ from the dead (v.11)
God’s Spirit is alive in us (v.11)
God’s Spirit gives us life and power now (v.11)
We can choose to live by God’s Spirit or our sinful nature (v.12-13)
Living by God’s spirit puts to death the ways of our flesh (v.13)
It is God’s Spirit leading us that identifies us as God’s children (v.14,16)
God’s Spirit does not make us fearful or slaves (v.15)
God gives us His Spirit, we don’t earn it (v.15)
God’s Spirit causes us to be heirs together with Christ, we share in His glory and we also share in His suffering (v.17)

Look Out // 10 minutes

Where have you seen people hold on to dead things?

Where have you seen people experience new life?

Leader Note: This can work its self out in a number of ways. Unforgiveness, regret, fear pain and shame can often be seen as our “just deserved” outcome for our actions that we come to accept death as the only reality.

Look In // 20 minutes

Where are you in need of God’s Spirit to bring a dead thing to life?

Live It Out // 5 minutes

Who could you impact by living in the power of God’s Sprit?

Leader Note: Read the first half of verse 11 again to your group. God’s spirit brings us life, freedom and healing. Our call as Christ followers is to then live out those things for the sake of others. Challenge your group to think about where God is calling them to live out new life… what could that look like, what could the impact be?

Key Verse: For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.. Romans 8:14

Key Thought: God’s Spirit in us brings life and freedom!

Click here for Life Group Serve Opportunities

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