evangelism – Mariners Church Flow Questions

Mark 5:1-20 // Riskology: Epic Wk 7

Lean In // 5 minutes

What’s a great risk you’ve taken?

Sample answers may include…

Relocating to a new place, not knowing any one
A business investment
Leaving a career to pursue a dream

Look Down // 15 minutes

Read Mark 5:1-20

What do you observe about the man with impure spirits?

What do you learn about Jesus from his interaction with him?

The Man

Lived in isolation, despised and marginalized
Tormented by demonic spirits
Unnatural strength
He knew he Jesus was, the messiah
He knew Jesus’ power
His identity was completely taken over by the demonic spirit… Legion
Once the impure spirits left him his sanity is restored
He wanted to be around Jesus, recongnized what he did for me
He was obedient to Jesus, began telling everyone about Jesus and what he did for him
His life served as a testimony of Jesus healing power for others

Jesus

He notices the man a long way off
He immediately recognizes that the man has an impure spirit
He speaks with authority over the spirits, commands them to leave
He speaks directly to the spirit, not the man
Jesus doesn’t allow the man to just stay with him, he sends him out to tell others

Look Out // 20 minutes

Where have you seen a persons life transformed by Jesus?

Leader Note: Invite stories here from where people have witnessed or been involved in seeing people come to faith in Christ. What were the circumstances, what prompted the change and how has the persons life been impacted?

Look In // 15 minutes

How do you feel about telling your story of faith to others, what holds you back?

Leader Note: This is a great week to refer your group back to Wk 9 of Rooted, Why and How Should I Tell Others? Remind them of the importance in engaging in their story of faith, the before and after pieces of how their life has been impacted by Jesus. You may want to spend time asking each person if they can clearly communicate their “before” and “after” sections. Use some of questions below from Wk 9 of Rooted to help guide the conversation.

Your Story Before…

What was your lifestyle like?
What were your emotions in your day-today life?
How did you deal with challenges, setbacks and crises?
What did you feel was lacking in your life?
What were your hopes and dreams?
What did your relationships look like?

Your Story After…

How has Christ made a difference in your life?
How has forgiveness impacted you?
How have your thoughts, attitudes, and emotions changed?
What has changed in your relationship with others?
How does your faith in Jesus affect your hopes and dreams?

Live It Out // 10 minutes

Who can you share your story of faith with this week?

Leader Note: One of the main components of Life Groups at Mariners is that they would continue to live out the rhythms of Rooted; service, prayer (including breaking strongholds and taking communion) and sharing our faith. Encourage your group to ask the Holy Spirit to increase our awareness of where he leads us to share with others.

Key Verse: “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you.” Mark 5:19a

Key Thought: Jesus transforms our lives to free us and use us to tell others about Him!

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 5:27-32 // Is There A Doctor In The House: What If Wk 4

Lean In // 5 minutes

What are some of the more creative ways you’ve seen or heard of people being invited to an event or occasion?

Sample events or occasions may include…

Prom
Birthday parties
Weeding
Engagement
Dances, dates

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read Luke 5:21-32

What do others (outside of Jesus) see in Levi?

Sample answers may include…

A tax collector. Tax collectors were despised. They worked with the Romans against the Jews. They were seen as greedy traitors. (v.27)
Crazy. He left his position of wealth and influence to follow Jesus. (v.28)
Influential. He had a lot of friends within his trade. (v.29)
Sinner, scum, morally “sick” and “contagious.” (v.30-32)

What does Jesus see in Levi?

Commentary: Remind your group of the context presented in the message. As a Rabbi, Jesus reputation would be largely based on the quality of his students. Rabbis would only select the best of the best ensuring that their status would be maintained and respected. Jesus looks beyond the standards of culture. In selected Levi to follow him he is saying, “come learn from me, I believe you can be like me!”

Sample answers may include…

Someone who can be like him (v.27)
A person of influence (v.29)

What do you learn about Jesus’ mission?

He invites others into his mission (v.27)
He’s not afraid to associate with “sinners” or “scum.” (v.29)
He makes time to be with people (v.29)
It upsets “religious” people (v.30)
He pursues and offers healing to the “sick” and not those who think they are “well” or “clean.” (v.31)

Look Out // 10 minutes

What makes a great party?

Who do you know that throws the best parties?

Leader Note: After the group has discussed this question tie Levi’s response to encountering Jesus. Levi threw a “meet Jesus party” to celebrate the change in his life.

Look In // 20 minutes

Who are the people in your life that you want to meet Jesus?

What prevents you from reaching out to them?

What kind of “party” could you invite them to?

Leader Note: Sharing our faith with others can often be intimidating. Jesus, along with Levi model to us what it could look like to reach out to others in a way that is relational. What type of gathering moments could you create to display your faith in the same way?

Sample answers may include…

Graduation party
Birthday party
Movie night
BBQ
Children’s play day
Neighborhood dessert and coffee night
Sports activity or viewing party

Live It Out // 5 minutes

How would your faith change if you lived this way?

How would others be impacted?

Prayer: Father we thank you that you model for us in Jesus what it looks like to invite others into your story of freedom and salvation. We pray for courage to reach out to those around us who don’t know you. We ask for an increased desire to join you on your mission to seek and save the lost. Make us bold; make us contagious for your cause. Let our lives be a living example of who are and what you’ve done in us. Amen.

Make Labor Day, “Neighbor” Day!

A note from Pastor Kyle…

“What if we took this week, the last week of summer, and used it as a unique opportunity to reach out and love our neighbors? For some of us, it may mean introducing ourselves to the people on our street, in our workplace, or at school–people we see routinely, but perhaps have never engaged in conversation. What if we took the time to not only learn more about who they are, but find out more about their stories? What if we invite some neighbors into our existing plans for the weekend? Throw one last BBQ, picnic, beach or street party? For some of us, it may mean reaching out to those we were once close to, but have now drifted away. Neighbor Day gives a beautiful reason to initiate a conversation that’s long overdue, one that might allow for healing and restoration to begin. Just tell them your pastor had this crazy idea called “Neighbor Day,” where we all love and serve (maybe even meet our neighbors. And what if it’s not for just one weekend…but is instead a launching pad for a spirit and posture that moves with us through the entire fall season?

I believe people in our communities, in our lives, are desperate for a hope that transcends the circumstances of this world– a hope that provides a way through the confusion and emptiness this world can create. I believe they are longing for the grace and truth found in the gospel of Jesus. It’s a truth that is most profoundly on display in the people of Jesus – YOU! I believe that God has given you unique relationships for Him to be seen in and through your life. I’m praying you can see the opportunities He’s providing and that you have the courage and trust in the Holy Spirit to lean into them with the freedom and confidence that God is at work!

So, let’s make Neighbor Day real in our lives and in OC. This is a great season when people naturally recalibrate the rhythms of their life, creating the perfect opportunity to invite someone to church. I can’t wait to hear about all the stories from the parties, the conversations, the relationships being built, and ultimately the life transformation that takes place because we all decided to meet, love and serve our neighbors!”

Here are a few questions to consider with group this week…

Summer Recap

How did you find rest this summer? How did you experience God in that rest?
What’s the most fearless thing you did this summer?
Where did you see God at work this summer?
How did God speak to you?
What are the ways you learned to trust Him more this summer?

Looking Ahead

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt 28:16-20

These familiar words of Jesus remind us of our call to live as sent people on mission whose lives point to the work and power of our Savior. Jesus sends us as His Kingdom representatives in the power of spirit with all the authority in heaven. He is saying here that I have power, I am in control and in that power and authority I commission you. Commissioned for what? Well, first we are commissioned to go. And then as we go, or in our going, meaning in the normal rhythms of life (where you work and play) make disciples and cause others to follow as a result of how you go/live.

This call has never changed. These words are just as true today for us as they were as Jesus spoke them to His disciples. In light of this call consider these questions with your group.

What if anything, prevents you from sharing your faith?
Who is God calling you to share your story, the gospel story, with?
How can you become more intentional about sharing your faith with others?
In what new ways may God be calling you to use your gifts for His Kingdom?
What are things your group can do to embody the call to “go” and “make” disciples?