Keys to the Future

Lesson 1

Discussion Guide

4-27-2014

Text: Luke 14:27 Whoever does not carry His own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

Synopsis: Jesus tells us to live differently than the world around us and introduces us to two values we need to have that will guide our lives.  Zeal and Authenticity are big ideas in the Kingdom of God.  It is hard to serve without them. 

Discussion Questions (scripture from Luke 14:25-35)

1.    What are values?

2.    Why are values important to us?

3.    What are the two values mentioned in this lesson?

4.    How do these values impact your life?

5.    What does it mean to carry your own cross?

6.    What are two keys to “Victory In Jesus?”

7.    What are three things that salt accomplishes?

8.    How is our walk with Christ like salt?

A Slave To All

"A Slave To All" Discussion Guide

8 - 25 - 2013

Scripture:        1 Co 9:19

                        “I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.”

Synopsis:          Paul was willing to do anything short of sin to win others for Christ.  Paul was not                                         concerned with race, nationality, religion, job, or anything else when it came to                           telling the story of Christ.  He is willing to do what he needed to do, wherever he                               needed to do it, if a soul was on the line.  This scripture challenges us today to                                  become more willing to move out of comfort zone to reach others for Christ.

1.         Who was Paul willing to become a slave for, so he could teach them about Christ?

2.         Why is it a big deal to be willing to become enslaved for someone else?

3.         What is the most important thing for Paul?

4.         What are the implications of this message for us today?

5.         Why was this so important to Paul and consequently to us?

6.         What are some categories of "leavers" from today's Church?

7.         How can we reach out to them?

Write It On Their Hearts!

Write It On Their Hearts!"

Discussion Guide

8-11- 2013

1.         Deut. 6:6  "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart."              

2.            God has an expectation that we will nurture our children in His ways.  The method has to change continuously as culture changes.  Researchers tell us that our young people are walking away in droves.  Something has to be done to stem the tide.  Today is the first in a series of lessons that will teach us what we learned and what we  can do to save the next generation.

Discussion Questions

1.            What does the Psalmist teach us about the children that God gives us?

2.            What are some lessons we can learn from Deuteronomy  6.

3.            According to Chuck Swindoll where do our families learn principles for living?

4.            What was your impression of the statistics of the loss rate of Christian Children as they mature?

               

5.            Discuss the six reasons our children are disengaging from the church.

6.            What are the two most important influencers in children's lives?

7.            Why must these two partner with each other? 

                       

Scripture

Psalm 127:15  Deuteronomy 6:4-6       Joshua 24:15      Proverbs 11:29       1 Timothy 5:8       Proverbs 22:6

Who Can Ovecome?

Who can overcome?"

Discussion Guide

8-04- 2013

1.         1 John 5:1  Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father             loves the child born of Him.  

2.            John teaches how we overcome the sin of the world and the schemes of Satan.  We name Jesus as our savior   and lord.  Through this act of faith we are delivered into the arms of God out of the clutches of Satan.  John  proclaims that we have assured salvation through the one who is greater than anything this world has to offer.     John teaches us that we can overcome sin and be assured of our salvation.

Discussion Questions

1.            Who can overcome Satan and the temptations of this world?

2.            How can we overcome Satan and the temptations of this world?

3.            What are three ways God testifies concerning Jesus?

4.            How can we assured of our salvation?

5.            What is the sin not leading to death?

6.            What is sin that leads to death?

7.            Are you ready to overcome the world?

                       

Scripture

1 John 5

Who loves the world?

Who Loves the World?

Discussion Guide

7-21- 2013

1.         Scripture 1 John 3 6

            6 No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.

2.         John continues a discussion concerning the relationship between God and Man.  The discussion becomes serious as John asserts that love is the component that God looks for in man when He wants       to see who is with Him or not with Him.  How we treat our fellow man indicates whether or not we love God.

Questions for Discussion

1.         Why is it special for God to call  us "children"

2          What does it mean to be called a child of God?

3.         What causes people to fall out of relationship with God?

4.         Who do those that practice sin belong to?

5.         What exactly is "sin"?

6.         What does it mean to practice sin?

7.         What is the differentiating mark  between the righteous and unrighteous?

8.         How can we know that God loves us?

                       

Scripture

1 John 3

Who is the Anti-Christ

Who is Anti-Christ?"

Discussion Guide

7-14- 2013

1.         Scripture 1 John 2:18

            1 Jn 2:18-20

            Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many             antichrists  have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. 

           19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us,

           they  would have remained with us; but they  went out, so that it would be shown that

           they all are not of us.

            NASU

2.         John prepares us for a sad reality in this chapter. The sad reality is there are those in the body of

            who do not believe that Jesus came in the flesh and was not the savior of the world.  John lets us

            know what we can count on as we live in this world, that is God and His son Jesus.

Questions for Discussion

1.         Who is our advocate with God?

2.         What is "propitiation" in simple terms?

3.         What makes Christians liars?

4.         What are the old commandments made new by Jesus?

5.         What are the consequences of treating each other inappropriately?

6.         What are three categories of sin that kill us?

7.         What is the main difference between sin and righteousness?

8.         What do we need to know about Anti-Christs.?                    

Scripture

1 John 2

"Change"

Discussion Guide

6-30- 2013

1.         Mt 4:17

            17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at    hand."

2.         The Gospel Message is a message concerning change!  If you are going to follow Christ you must             change your heart, mind and soul in regards to how you approach other people especially your brothers and sisters in Christ. God wants us to "love another." In doing so we must learn to live with         each other's likes and dislikes.

Questions for Discussion

1.         What does it mean to repent?  Why is this so important for us to do?

2.         What are some observations concerning a church that will not change?

3.         How do you respond to change?

4.         What are you willing to change to help others in their faith?

5.         Who are people in the bible who changed when God asked them to change?

Scripture

Mt 3:2-3          Mt 4:17           Mk 6:12-13      Lk 13:1-5         Jn 15:12-14      Acts 2:38