Tag: Epic

Daniel 3:1-30 // Bow Down For What?!: Epic Wk 8

Lean In // 5 minutes

What are some bold ways you’ve shown support for a team or generated awareness for a cause?

Sample answers may include…

  • Taken a challenge to raise awareness
  • Painted your face for a game
  • Ran a marathon
  • Gave money

Look Down // 15 minutes

Read Daniel 3:1-30

What sticks out to you about the story?

What do you learn about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego?

The Story

  • There is a clash between King Nebuchadnezzar and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
  • King Nebuchadnezzar builds an image of gold to be worshipped
  • Music is used to initiate the worship
  • No one seems to have a problem bowing down except for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
  • The penalty for not worshipping the image is death by furnace
  • King Nebuchadnezzar becomes furious at Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s refusal to bow and throws them into the fiery furnace

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

  • They are officials in the Babylonian Kingdom
  • They refuse to bow down and worship the image of gold
  • They take a stand
  • They are willing to be thrown into the furnace instead of worshipping the image
  • God allows them to be thrown into the furnace but shows up in the fire alongside them
  • The faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego inspires the faith and worship of Nebuchadnezzar
  • Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are a unit or community throughout the story

Commentary: The King of Babylon—King Nebuchadnezzar—conquered Jerusalem and carried away articles from the Temple as well as some of the Israelites from the royal family and nobility (Daniel 1:1-3).  These conquered people were to be assimilated into the Babylonian culture by learning the language and literature, eating the food and wine, training, and even receiving Babylonian names.  However, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego emerge as unique and exemplary characters for their ability to assimilate while also remaining committed to The Lord. 

Look Out // 20 minutes

What are the things people are standing for today?

Leader Note: The question can either solicit positive or negative responses.  As a leader, the key is to look for the story behind the response as it can provide some insights into the group member’s life.  As always, be ready to provide your own responses and stories to the question, which will invite others to share. 

Look In // 15 minutes

Where in your life do you feel nudged to take a stand?

Who are people in your life that could take a stand with you?

Leader Note: The Look In question is designed to let the truth that’s in their heads, sink deep into their hearts.  Help your group to identify specific areas where they feel prompted to take a stand.  It could be areas such as: an unhealthy relationship, growing debt, problems at work, or taking a stand for faith in Jesus. 

Live It Out // 10 minutes

What would happen if this was the week you took your stand? 

Leader Note: Listed below is a Key Verse and Key Thought that is designed to help your group have one simple takeaway from the discussion.  Encourage the group to possibly memorize the verse and discuss how it impacted them at the next life group gathering.  Also, discuss with your group a possible action item to do or experience, in the week ahead, that might help reinforce what you have learned.

Key Verse(s): “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” – Daniel 3:17-18

Key Thought: Knowing who you are is the secret to where you will place your trust.

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.

 

Matthew 14:22-33 // Man Overboard: Epic Wk4

Lean In // 5 minutes

What are some things you are hoping to accomplish “someday”?

Leader note: This question is intended to be light-hearted to get the group talking and create energy.  As a leader, jump in and guide the direction and tone of the discussion.

Sample answers may include…

  • Get married
  • Have kids
  • Travel
  • Go back to school
  • Buy a boat
  • Retiring
  • Learn a skill

Look Down // 15 minutes

Read Matthew 14:22-33

What do you observe about Jesus and the disciples?

Sample answers may include…

Jesus

  • After feeding the five thousand (Matt. 14:13-21), Jesus gets alone to pray (v. 23)
  • It is Jesus who comes to the disciples (v. 25)
  • Jesus shows up in the storm, walking on water (vv. 24-25)
  • Jesus reveals his identity and calms the disciple’s fear (v. 27)
  • After rescuing Peter, Jesus handles the doubts of the disciples (v. 31)
  • Jesus calms the storm (v. 32)

The disciples

  • The disciples battle a storm for most of the night (vv. 24-25)
  • They are afraid when Jesus comes walking toward them (v. 26)
  • Wanting Jesus to verify his identity, Peter asks if he can walk on the water too (v. 28)
  • Peter is the only disciple to get out of the boat and walk on the stormy water (v. 29)
  • After Jesus walks on water and calms the storm, the disciples confess him as the Son of God (v. 33)

Commentary: When Jesus sends the disciples away by boat, they traveled about a mile or two off shore but were caught up in an intense wind and storm.  Also, it was just before dawn before Jesus came to the disciples, which meant they had been battling the wind and storm for a large part of the night.  Although they were exhausted, cold, and wet, Matthew focuses on their fear when they see something walking on the water and toward them.  Jesus’ walking on water is suggestive of his mastery over the chaos of the storm and the disciple’s fear.  Help your group to see that not only can Jesus walk on the stormy waters of life but he also invites us to do the same.

Look Out // 10 minutes

Where have you seen people take risks to start something new?

What are the barriers of launching into something new?

Sample answers may include…

  • Quitting a job to follow a passion
  • Adopting kids when the house is full
  • Moving to a lower income neighborhood because you feel called to it
  • Giving generously when faced with hardship
  • Getting out of an unhealthy relationship without knowing what’s next

Look In // 20 minutes

Where in your life is God inviting you to get out of the boat?

What is holding you back?

What’s a truth from the passage that could help you take a step?

Leader note: It is important to help your group understand that just because you take a risk, it doesn’t always mean success.  God doesn’t promise success, in the way that we might understand it, but he does promise the power of his presence.  When Jesus showed up in the midst of the stormy water, he didn’t immediately calm the storm and fix the situation.  However, he did provide his presence and an invitation to step out into the impossible in the midst of the unthinkable.  As we take a step of faith, help your group see that we don’t have to be afraid because God is already there.

Live It Out // 5 minutes

What if we responded to God’s invitation and took “that” step out of the boat?  How will it strengthen our faith and also inspire the faith of those around us?

Leader Note: As you finish the discussion and enter into a time of prayer, help your group to imagine what it could look like to step out.  As a leader, it is difficult to take people to places that you haven’t been.  Before leading the group, take some time to consider this question for yourself.  What would it look like for you to take a step of faith in a specific area?  Find some time this week to pray about where God may be leading you as well as your group.

Key Thought: God invites us into the impossible in the midst of the unthinkable.

Key Verse: But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage!  It is I.  Don’t be afraid.” – Matthew 14:27

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.

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2 Kings 5:1-27 // Gracefully Clean: Epic Wk2

Lean In // 5 minutes

When was a time you buried yourself in a lie and had to come clean?

Leader Note: The question will naturally lead to a story.  So, as you pose the question, make sure everyone has an opportunity to share while also being mindful of time.

Look Down // 15 minutes

Read 2 Kings 5:1-27

What do you learn about the characters in the story—particularly Naaman and Gehazi?

Sample answers may include…

Naaman

  • Military leader- “Commander…of the army of Aram” (v. 1)
  • Highly respected- “Great man…and highly regarded” (v. 1)
  • Warrior/Hero- “Valiant soldier” (v. 1)
  • Very Wealthy- “Naaman took…silver…gold…clothing…” (v. 5)
  • Highly influential- “…the letter he took to the king of Israel…” (v. 6)
  • Major flaw- “…but he had leprosy.” (v. 1)

Gehazi

  • Pastor/Prophet-in-training- “…the servant of Elisha the man of God…” (v. 20)
  • Prejudiced- “[He] was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean…” (v. 20)
  • Greedy- “I will run after him and get something from him.” (v. 20)
  • Liar- “My master sent me to say…” (v. 22) // “Your servant didn’t go anywhere…” (v. 25)

Other characters

  • Elisha—Uses Naaman’s request for healing to point him to God (v. 8) and communicates God’s judgment to Gehazi (v. 27)
  • Israelite servant girl—Taken captive but points Naaman to God and healing (vv. 2-3)
  • Naaman’s servants— Talk Naaman into listening to Elisha’s instruction (v. 13)

Commentary: There are quite a few characters in the story but the author directs the reader’s attention to Naaman and Gehazi and also uses the irony in their stories to communicate a powerful truth.  The story begins with a leprous Naaman and his attempt to cover it up.  It’s not until he uncovers his leprosy that he finds healing.  However, Gehazi begins his story without leprosy but attempts to cover up his brokenness to Elisha and ends up with leprosy.  As you lead your group, help them to see how each character dealt with their brokenness.

Look Out // 10 minutes

What is some of the armor people use to protect or cover-up their flaws and brokenness?

Sample answers may include…

  • Gaining knowledge to appear smarter than others
  • Making it look “good” outwardly
  • Only showing strengths; never weakness
  • Associating with the “right” people
  • Buying stuff (cars, clothes, toys, etc.)

Look In // 20 minutes

Where are some areas that you have attempted to camouflage brokenness in your life?

Where are places that you have received God’s grace?

Leader Note: Naaman’s story is not too different than our own.  We all have flaws and a tendency to cover-up those flaws.  However, the way to fix a flaw is to come clean and receive God’s grace.  Naaman couldn’t earn it or buy it and neither can we.  Gently help your group identify potential areas where they have attempted to cover-up or fix a flaw.  Also, help them to see places where they have received God’s grace in their life (Example- Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace).

Live It Out // 5 minutes

What if we didn’t try to cover-up our flaws and brokenness with “armor” but rather came clean before God and one another?  Imagine the depth of relationship it would create and the impact on our world to see us living in God’s grace?

Leader Note: As you finish the discussion, it could be a great time for confession.  This can be accomplished through a general prayer over the group or by splitting up into smaller units (men with men; women with women) for a time of confession and prayer. 

Scriptures:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. -1 John 1:9

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. –James 5:16

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

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Judges 15:9-20 // Everyone Needs A Hero: Epic Wk1

Lean In // 5 minutes

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

Leader Note: Keep in mind the importance of having everyone play here. The more people talk upfront the more likely it becomes that they will share later.

 

Look Down // 15 minutes

Read Judges 15:9-20

What are the strengths of Sampson? What are his weaknesses?

Sample answers may include…

Strengths

  • Physical strength
  • Quick, stealthy (killed 1,000 men)
  • Resourceful (used a donkey’s jawbone!)
  • Determined
  • Calculated, he had a plan, became his own Trojan horse!
  • He knew what he could handle, knew his own strength
  • Bold, no fear!
  • Leadership, lead the people of Israel as Judge for 20 years

Weaknesses

  • Self absorbed, no concern for others
  • Takes credit, arrogance
  • Irreverence for life
  • Takes revenge into his own hands
  • Anger
  • Passes blame on to others, “I’m doing what you did to us!”

What do you observe about the relationship between strengths and weaknesses in this story?

Commentary: We see here and in other points in Sampson life that his strengths quickly turn to weaknesses; there’s a direct correlation between the two. For example physical power is strength but also a weakness in that it lead him to arrogance.  

 

Look Out // 10 minutes

Where have you seen a strength turned into a weakness?

Sample answers may include…

  • The Wizard of OZ: Powerful voice of authority yet isolated, not known
  • Batman: Rich, strong, deliver of justice yet hides in the shadows alone
  • The kid who excels in sports at an early age: No one wants to play with him/her in fear of being beaten.
  • Good Looks: People can assume something to be not true of you based on your looks, i.e. a lack of intellectually depth.

 

Look In // 20 minutes

Where have you seen your strengths work against you? How were you and those around you impacted?

Where have you seen God work through your weakness?

 

Live It Out // 5 minutes

How would those around you be impacted if you were to rely on God’s strength and not your own?

 

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

Listen to or download this message here