Fall Kick Off – Mariners Church Flow Questions

Romans 7:15-25 // The Struggle Is Real

Lean In // 5 minutes

Tongue Twister Contest

Leader Note: A bit out of the norm, but it will make sense when you read the passage! See who the tongue twister champ is in your group, who can say one of these cleanly the most times. Think of a fun prize you could give the winner, i.e. twirlers or a Starbucks card fro extra caffeine!

“Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
Where’s the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?”

“How much wood would a woodchuck chuck
If a woodchuck could chuck wood?
He would chuck, he would, as much as he could,
And chuck as much wood as a woodchuck would
If a woodchuck could chuck wood”

“She sells seashells by the seashore.
The shells she sells are surely seashells.
So if she sells shells on the seashore,
I’m sure she sells seashore shells.”

“dish soap” (This one is harder than you think!)

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read Romans 7:15-25

What do you learn about Paul’s struggle?

He doesn’t understand what he does or why he does it
He hates what he does but he does it anyway
He affirms that the law is good, but still he fails to live up to it’s standards
He wants to do good the desire is there, but he can’t do it
The sinful nature is winning the struggle of sin over his will power
He’s at war with this new nature in Christ and his sinful nature
He understand that he can’t win the battle himself, that Jesus will deliver him

Look Out // 10 minutes

Where are people provoked to break rules and why?

Leader Note: Challenge your group to think about places where rules may be posted or implied but “people” seem all the more inclined to bend or break them. Then ask your group why do you think that is, what motivates people to break the rules anyway? Here are a few examples to get your conversation going…

Lines at amusement parks
Bringing in outside food/drink to the movies
Costco food samples, just take one please!
Rules of the road, speeding, carpool ect..

Leader Note: Transition your group to the next section by saying something like… “sometimes simply knowing the rules isn’t enough to keep us in line. Inheritetly we all have something within us that will test the boundaries, see what we can get away with even if we know it’s harmful. On the flip side some of us become legalistic with rules and will follow everyone to a tee and become critical of those that don’t. The passage today encourages us to consider that both approaches to sin and grace can become harmful distractions from what God really wants to expose and develop in us.”

Look In // 20 minutes

What are the things you hate doing that you do anyway?

Are you addressing those things and how?

Leader Note: As always set the tone for your group by being vulnrable yourself. Share with honesty places where you seem to be stuck just like Paul was in the passage. Think about how you are responding. Are you overcompensating with self-righethous behavior, are you ignoring that there’s even anything wrong with your actions? How might God want to transform not only your actions but more importantly your heart?

Live It Out // 5 minutes

What if you lived in honesty about that struggle? How would you and others be impacted?

Click here for Life Group Serve Opportunities

Looking to Join a Life Group? Check out our online group directory to get in touch with leader today.

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 6:1-14 // Free At Last

Lean In // 5 minutes

Who are some of your favorite villains?

Sample answers could include:

The Joker (Batman)
Wicked Witch of the West (Wizard of Oz)
Buzz (Home Alone)
The Shark (Jaws)
Darth Vader (Star Wars)
The New York Yankees (unless you’re a fan…)
Ben Linus (LOST)
Regina George (Mean Girls)

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read Romans 6:1-14

What do you learn about sin?

Sample answers could include:

Causes death
Not to live with it any longer
It can reign in my body
Can become enslaved by it
Set free from sin
Christ is more powerful than sin
Christ died the death once and for all
Sin is broken but it’s still present
It’s a choice

Look Out // 10 minutes

Leader note: The goal of this Look Out question is to get group members to reflect on the allure of sin. There is something attractive about sin otherwise it would not be so effective in entrapping.

Why does it feel so good to be bad?

Sample answers could include:

Appeals to desire
Thrill
Adrenaline
Excitement
Power
Pretend
It’s just fun

When does it become a bait and switch?

Leader note: With sin, at some point the “good” feeling wears off. This usually takes place right after the hook is set and are being reeled into sin’s effect. Help group members identify the “bait and switch” tactic of sin.

Look In // 20 minutes

Where is sin “baiting” you and how are you responding to it?

What would it take for you to believe sin is not your master?

Leader note: In this week’s sermon, Kenton explained how the penalty of sin is paid and the power of sin is broken but the presence of sin is still around. With that being said, there are still potential places in our lives where we are susceptible to temptation and sin. Help your group members to see that in those moments we have an opportunity to say: Sin is not my master!

The Apostle Paul reinforces this idea by saying, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” – Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Live It Out // 5 minutes

Who would be impacted if sin were no longer your master?

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.

Romans 5:1-5 // What Makes You Happy

Thursday, September 24th 7 pm, IR Community Center

Life Group leaders, members and Rooted grads looking for a Life Group are invited to join us as we kick off our fall session with a night of connection, vision and community. Dave Runyon, co-author of The Art of Neighboring, will be with us to continue our conversation about how to love and serve our neighbors with the love of Christ. To register, click here.

Lean In // 5 Minutes

What makes you happy?

Sample answers may include…

Family
A great meal
Being with friends
A day to myself
My car collection
My house
The way people view me
Chocolate
Netflix
Promotions

Leader Note: Ask a follow up question here, “Do those things always make you happy.” Lead your group to see that in reality even the things or the people that make us most happy can also bring us pain and sorrow! Our families will go sideways, our homes eventually get old and relationships hit speed bumps. Transition you group to the next section by saying something like… “Let’s look at what this passage has to say about happiness and the journey to joy.”

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read Romans 5:1-5

What are the reasons we have to be joyful?

Sample answers may include…

We have been made right, justified with God
It starts with what God has done, we receive it by faith
Being made right with God brings us peace
We stand in God’s grace, we have access to God
We have an everlasting hope
Even suffering isn’t wasted, it can be used to bring hope and joy
Our hope is not unfounded, it won’t run out or let us down
God’s love is active, given to us through the person of the Holy Spirit

Look Out // 10 minutes

Where does the world find joy? Is it sustainable?

What does it look like to have Romans 5 joy? Where have you seen it?

Leader Note: What the world calls joy or happiness stands at a contrast to what real God-filled joy looks like! Encourage your group to share stories of where they’ve seen this type of joy in others. What did it look like? How did effect others?

Look In // 20 minutes

When have you experienced this true joy?

Where do you need this joy today?

Live It Out // 5 minutes

How might embracing this joy impact your community, your family?

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.

Psalms 150 // Shut Up And Dance

Thursday, September 24th 7 pm, IR Community Center

Lean In // 5 minutes

What’s a great concert you’ve been to?

Leader Note: Be sure to ask follow up questions here… for example, “what did you love about it, how did it make you feel, how did others react?” You may even want to ask, “When was a time you had negative live music experience?”

Look Down // 20 Minutes

Read Psalms 150

What do you learn about worship?

Sample answers may include…

We are instructed to worship God
We worship him in his sanctuary, which is our hearts, where he lives
We worship him in the heaves, join the the angles
Worship him for his acts of power, saving grace, forgiveness, restoration
We worship him for his greatness, creative power
The passage list basically every known instrument of that time, we worship him with everything we have, don’t hold anything back!

Leader Note: Now, point your group to the weekend message (Shut Up And Dance, 9/12-13/2015) where we looked at the different words for worship in scripture. These words lay out the kind of worship God likes, His worship style! Look over these together as you set your group up for the next set of questions.

Set up this next section by asking….

What’s God’s Worship Style?

7 Hebrew Words For Praise

1. Halal

Halal is a primary Hebrew root word for praise. Our word “hallelujah” comes from this base word. It means “to be clear, to shine, to boast, show, to rave, celebrate, to be clamorously foolish.”

Praise (halal) ye the Lord, praise (halal) o ye servants of the Lord, praise (halal) the name of the Lord. Ps 113:1-3

2. Yadah

Yadah is a verb with a root meaning, “the extended hand, to throw out the hand, therefore to worship with extended hand.”

So I will bless thee as long as I live; I will (yadah) lift up my hands in thy name. Ps 63:1

3. Towdah

Towdah comes from the same principle root word as yadah, but is used more specifically. Towdah literally means, “an extension of the hand in adoration, avowal, or acceptance.” By way of application, it is appratent in the Psalms and elsewhere that it is used for thanking God for “things not yet received” as well as things already at hand.

Offer unto God praise (towdah) and pay thy vows unto the Most High. Ps 50:14

4. Shabach

Shabach means, “to shout, to address in a loud tone, to command, to triumph.”

O clap your hands, all peoples; shout (shabach) to God with the voice of joy (or triumph). Ps 47:1

5. Barak

Barak means “to kneel down, to bless God as an act of adoration.”

O come let us worship and bow down; let us kneel (barak) before the Lord our maker. Ps 95:6

6. Zamar

Zamar means “to pluck the strings of an instrument, to sing, to praise; a musical word which is largely involved with joyful expressions of music with musical instruments.

Be exalted O Lord, in Thine own strength, so will we sing and praise (zamar) Thy power. Ps 21:13

7. Tehillah

Tehillah is derived from the word halal and means “the singing of halals, to sing or to laud; perceived to involve music, especially singing; hymns of the Spirit.

Yet Thou art holy, O Thou who art enthroned upon the praises (tehillah) of Israel. Ps 22:3

Look Out // 10 minutes

Where have you seen this kind of worship?

Leader Note: Have you group think about places they’ve seen this type of worship, in a church setting or even out in our world. Then ask the next question.

Why does God like these things?

Leader Note: What do you think is the value of this type of worship in God’s eyes? What does it communicate to him, what does it do in us?

Look In // 20 minutes

Leader Note: This next section requires you as a leader to lean in to not only your group members but to yourself. We want our groups to see that all of these things are for us! You yourself may not be comfortable raising your hands or dancing… but don’t lean back and let yourself or others off the hook. The truth is we do all of these things in lots of settings. We dance at weddings, with our our kids. We shout at sporting events. Why would we hold back worshipping God with everything we have!

Which of these are you leaning into, which ones are you leaning back from and why?

Why would God want this for you?

Leader Note: Often the ones we are most uncomfortable with is where God wants to teach us more about himself and more about us. Press into your group here, don’t let anyone off easy! Remember, the aim is allow your group to see that these are for all us!

Live It Out // 5 minutes

What would change in if you worshiped this way, how could others impacted?

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.

Proverbs 14:1-16 // Right Things, Wrong Way: You Make The call Wk 1

Lean In // 5 minutes

What are some things you’re looking forward to this fall? What are some things that you have reservations about?

Leader Note: Pay good attention to the answers here as they may help you guide the rest of your discussion and shape your group’s prayer time.

Look Down // 10 minutes

Ready Proverbs 14:1-16

What does Solomon say in the passage about wise living and it’s benefits?

Sample answers may include…

A wise woman builds her home
Fears the Lord
Does not lie
Understands where they are going
The godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation
The prudent carefully consider their steps
The wise are cautious and avoid danger
Knowledge comes easily to those with understanding
Words of the wise keep them safe
Tent of the godly flourish

What does he say about foolish living and it’s consequences?

Sample answers may include…

A foolish woman tears her house down with her own hands
Those who take the wrong path despise him
Proud talk becomes a rod that beats him
False witness breathes lies
Mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it
Fools make fun of guilt
The house of the wicked will be destroyed
The path before each person that seems right, often ends in death
Simpletons believe everything they’re told
Fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence

Look Out // 10 minutes

When people live wisely, how does it affect those close to them?

When people live foolishly, how does it affect those close to them?

Leader Note: This question may be a bit harder for people to answer as they may have been affected by someone’s poor choice and foolish living. Direct your group to not use names – they can talk about personal experiences, but steer them away from naming names.

Look In // 15 minutes

Where are you currently in need of wisdom?

What verse from the passage can you hold onto as you pursue wise living this week?

Leader Note: As your group answers the second question ask them what it is about that verse that stands out to them, and what it would look like to not only hold onto that verse but live it out in the coming weeks.

Live It Out // 5 minutes

How would those around you be affected if you lived wisely in the area you identify in the look in question?

Key Verse(s): “The wise fear the Lord and shun evil. but a fool is hothead and yet feels secure.” Proverbs 14:16

Click here for Life Group Serve Opportunities

Life Group Leaders, have you rsvp’d for the Leader Vision Night on September 14th? Get more information and rsvp here.

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 // Together: Welcome Home Wk 3

Introduction // 10 minutes

You’ve been given a free ticket to 3 destinations anywhere in the world. Where do you go and why?

Observation // 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 that they would have to answer for what was given
They lived out of thankfulness
They understood that 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 the passage… those that try and those 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.

Understanding // 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 as measuring ability and potential can be a both 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 that 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/work hard at that skill
Inability to dream big
To hard on themselves, couldn’t live up to their own expectations
Fear of failure, fear of success

Application // 20 minutes

What treasures have you been given?

How are you using what God has given you?

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

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.

Others of us may hold on to what we have been given because we have a false view on stewardship versus ownership. We have been called to steward what we have for God’s glory not our own. All we have and are belong to Him. We are entrusted with what we have, good and bad, not for our sake but for the sake of others.

When we burry our treasures (for whatever reason we do so) we burry the value of our lives. God is not concerned with how much we have and what we keep 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.

What causes you to hold back on using all that you have given?

Live It Out // 10 minutes

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

Prayer: We thank you Lord that you are generous, kind and entrust us with so much. Help us we pray to understand more fully what it means to steward all we have for the purpose of your Kingdom. Free us from fear where it is present. By the power of your Spirit build trust and risk in us where it is lacking. Further develop our passion to share your gospel through the whole of lives as a response of worship for all that you are and all that you have done. We pray these things to you our Father, through the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Luke 18:1-8 // Serious: Welcome Home Wk 2

Introduction // 5 minutes

What habits does your significant other have that drive you crazy?

Leader Note: Use roommates, co-worker, family member or friends those not currently in a relationship.

Observation // 10 minutes

Read Luke 18:1-8

What do you learn about the Judge?

Sample Answers May Include…

He doesn’t know God (v2)
He is compassionless (v2)
He is motivated to action by his own selfish desires (v4)

What do you learn about the widow?

Sample Answers May Include…

She’s in a desperate situation where someone is opposing her (v3)
She has nowhere else to turn for help (v3)
He has power (v3)
People come to him for help (v3)
She is extremely persistent (v3)

Commentary: Widows are identified throughout scripture as hopeless, vulnerable, and poor. They stand in isolation without rights, with no advocate or anyone to provide for them. (Exodus 22:2-24, Isaiah 1:17, 1 Timothy 5:3, James 1:27)

Understanding // 20 minutes

What is the difference between this judge and our God?

Leader Note: The judge has no honor; he is unrighteous and lacks compassion. He appears to be annoyed with her request, has no time for her. He finally acts but only to appease himself. While he has power to “fix” certain things he does so in a disengaged and self-seeking manner. God on the other hand is involved with us. He is compassionate, righteous, kind and full of love. God is more than a “problem fixer.” He is someone that we can trust in. He is quick to act, gracious and just.

Why is it important to understand the difference?

Leader Note: If we view God as a (this) judge we may conclude that He doesn’t have time for us and that He only answers our request when He has something to gain by it. We may also come to believe that God can be persuaded by our hopeless begging versus our prayers that our full of faith. This judge is distant and is viewed as someone that we get something out of while our God is near and is someone we come to know. God is not a means to an end for us. He is our creator and sustainer and He desires to give good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:7-11).

What do we have in common with the widow? What’s different?

Leader Note: We are both helpless and incapable of rescuing ourselves. We need the saving power of someone to intervene and make us whole. Lead your group to see that the most crucial difference is in whom we cry out to for help! We do not have a bad judge and we are not alone. We have a loving Father who is not annoyed by our cries but draws near to us with His loving kindness. God, although moved by our faith and persistence, does not ask us to beg or make deals. He asks us to prayer to Him, to let go of worry and trust in His peace, which will guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6-8).

Application // 25 minutes

What in your life are you currently concerned about?

Where are you turning to with that concern?

How might you be more persistent or serious in seeking God’s help?

Leader Note: Lead your group to see that God has called us all to a persistent, faith filled relationship of prayer (Luke 11:8-13).

What happens when we pray?

Sample Answers May Include…

Shifts our perspective
Teaches us more abut surrender
Aligns our hearts with God’s heart
Gain more insight into what I am praying about
Teaches us to hear God’s voice
Gives us hope
Builds relationship
Calls to remembrance the ways we’ve seen God work
Prayer gives peace
Keeps us from temptation
Extends God’s power to us
Right sizes God and right sizes our problems

Live It Out // 10 minutes

How might your increased relationship with God in prayer affect those around you?

Prayer: Father we thank you that we are no longer widows or orphans but have become your sons and daughters. We thank you that you are not far off but are near and intimately involved in each of our lives. Help us by your spirit to prayer to you wither greater faith, power and consistency. Teach us to be concerned about the things hat you are concerned about and help us to grow in our dependence on you when we face the difficulties of this life. Be with us, guide us and have your way in us we pray… Amen.

2 Timothy 2:1-8,13-14 // Get In The Game: Welcome Home Wk 1

Introduction // 5 minutes

What most excites you about fall?

Leader Note: This question is designed to get everyone talking and engaged early in the discussion. Make sure that you leave time for everyone to play here as it will be that much easier to keep them involved in the rest of the discussion.

Observation // 15 minutes

Read 2 Timothy 2:1-8,13-14

Commentary: Written by Paul while in prison during the final years of his life and ministry, this letter or his “final words” serves as an encouragement to young Timothy to stand firm in the faith and walk into God’s calling with confidence, courage and boldness.

What are the things Paul encourages Timothy to walk in?

His genuine faith (v5)
His heritage of faith (v5)
Remember his calling and gifts (v6)
Live out his calling with boldness (v8)
Hold on to the teachings of the faith (v13)
Live through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit (v14)
To guard truth (v14)

What warnings does he give?

To actively steward and grow in his gifts (v6)
To combat fear with power, love and self-discipline (v7)
To be prepared for suffering (v8)

Understanding // 15 minutes

Have you ever been on the receiving end of a mentor relationship? Describe that relationship.

Commentary: Be it a coach, teacher or parent many of us have had people in our lives that have helped shape us. A great mentor speaks encouragement with love and offers wisdom that comes from experience.

Application // 25 minutes

Commentary: Paul’s overarching statement to Timothy is this… Do Not Be Afraid! Don’t be afraid because you have been called. You are equipped and empowered to live out your God designed purpose. Don’t be afraid because God will strengthen you, even in the face of suffering. Paul reminds Timothy that with God’s spirit he already has all that he needs. He calls him to remember. Remember what God has done. Remember who He is and who He has called you to be.

Does fear hold you back in living out you purpose? If so, how?

Leader Note: Fear works it way into our lives in many ways. For some of us it is masked in our need to control, or in our resistance to forgive others. Fear could look like holding on to the pass and avoiding jumping into new things. If given way, fear has the potential to rob us from community and stifle our effectiveness for God’s kingdom.

What things do you need to be reminded of in living out your purpose?

Leader Note: Like Timothy we often need to be reminded first that God has a calling or a purpose for our lives. We may also need to be reminded that we are to live out that calling in the power of God’s spirit and not our own. We experience more of that power as we root ourselves in discipline to a greater connection with God’s spirit.

Where is God calling you to live with greater boldness?

How might you experience suffering as result of living more boldly?

Leader Note: With greater boldness comes increased power and freedom. It also has the potential to bring moments of suffering. Timothy could look at Paul and see this. He could also see that through suffering Paul came to know Christ in a richer way.

Suffering may look very different for each of us. Very often it is connected with our fear. God calls us to meet that fear head on with His power. That process may bring suffering but ultimately reveals more of God’s kingdom to us and through us.

Live It Out // 10 minutes

How can your group collectively embrace this “bold” living?

Prayer: Pray that your group will be reminded of the ways that God has already worked in their lives. Pray that they will be able to recall how He has, and continues to equip them for what he Has called them in to. Ask God’s spirit to fill them with a fresh power and love to combat whatever fears they may be facing; and prayer for greater discipline to stay connected in their walk with God’s spirit.