Small Group Questions – May 20, 2012 Feel free to break up into men’s and women’s groups for this discussion if it makes it easier to talk freely. Sermon on Matthew 5:27-30 Mike mentioned that lust is a deep longing and that we long because deep down we are not fulfilled.  We are discontented.  This is what Jesus was referring to in this section of the Sermon on the Mount.

Child Dedication and Mother’s Day -Have you had a child dedicated at Vista? -Baby Dedication is something we do at Vista vs baby baptism, do you know why? -What does Mother’s Day mean for you? Is Mother’s Day a tough day for you? Spiritual Mothering (Being a Gospel Mom) Ruth 1: 1-17 What is a Gospel Mom?  Who can be one? -Some of the most profound mothering is outside the

Have you ever participated in the family challenge?  This a great way to apply values and tie them with the message.  You and your kids will see the truth and the need to practically apply God’s word.   Matthew 5:21-26″You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone

Righteous Tension Matthew 5   Do you feel, as Mike, that last week’s message was a water shed moment in your life?  How about in the life of the church at Vista?  Why or why not?   Do you better understand the gospel?  How so?   Do you feel eternally secure?  100%?   Why? Or, Why not?  What are your questions?   God’s full approval (righteousness) is found only in Jesus…Romans

If you were to die today how certain are you that you would go to Heaven? Review from last week: Following Jesus: Is an ongoing eternal transaction. Math 5:3-10 What have you seen God doing lately? Ask your friends what they have seen. What does “Now, but not yet” mean? Following Jesus threatens life as we know it. Mark 8:35 How has Following Jesus (the gospel) threatened your life as

Following Jesus Have you read Matthew 5: 3 – 16?  Sermon on the Mount How does God’s Kingdom manifest in our life?   What does this” Kingdom life”  look like? Jesus walked among the people.  He taught this sermon.  He informed them and us how God thinks.  Maybe they got in small groups.  One of the reasons we have Lifegroups at Vista.is to learn.  We want to be more than just

1. What does the  resurrection have to do with reconciliation? 2. Why did Jesus say “I am sorry” to God for each of us? 3. What does it mean to believe in Jesus?  What does it mean to not believe in Jesus? 4. Can we believe in things that we don’ t completely understand …what are some examples? 5. John 20:1,2 6. What do you think about the resurrection?  What

As we have gone through I Corinthians 12, has your impression or view of the Holy Spirit grown or changed? Have you experienced the Holy Spirit in a different way recently? What are some specific ways you see the beauty of God through His church? In 1 Corinthians 12:7 we see the manifestation (expression) the Spirit is given for the common good. The Spirit of God expresses himself in a

How is the 40 days working for you?   1Corinthians 12:1-7   Review of the past weeks:   In the past have you felt ignorant about spiritual things? vs.1   What are your questions about spiritual things these days?   What kind of mute idols creep into our lives? vs. 2   If you ever have a question of the Spirit of God, remember?  The Spirit of God will always

Read 1 Corinthians 12 1-7  The Focus this week is verse 3 How does Spirituality and Secularism collide in your life? We build a box for God to fit in.  How do we determine what goes in that box?  What has shaped the God you know? Is God living in the box you made? Who do you say He is, really?  Be honest.  Are there areas where you wrestle with

From the Inside Out—  Narrative of a false god   How might you identify where your heart is today?   1 Corinthians 12:1-7   Don’t be ignorant about spiritual things.   By what Spirit are you being spiritually formed?  Who do you bow your knee to, what leads you astray?   What does the word pagan mean?   How have you and I been Influenced and led astray to mute idols?

From the Inside Out —-Spiritual Things What have you been lead to do during the 40 days? Forgotten God, by Francis Chan….are you reading his book on the Holy Spirit? We are all coming from different places regarding the Holy Spirit….what has been your experience, thoughts or up bringing regarding the Holy Spirit? 1 Corinthians 12: 1-7 and verse 12, will be our focus during the 40 days. At first

February 19, 2012….3G:Greed/Gratitude/Generosity “Generosity” How have you changed over the post two weeks as your perspective on greed and gratitude has been revisited? Do you find yourself more generous because your heart has been changed or shifted from our natural tilt? What are you going to do for Lent?  What are you going to do to increase your time with God over the 40 days? Greed.the blind spot that threatens

Gratitude Rejoice!  The Lord is near. Before we talk about Gratitude, how did you do with last week’s homework in regards to greed?   Proverbs 22:9…Generous will be blessed……Do you think you have found your way to generosity?   Matthew 6:22-23….We tilt toward greed…how has God changed your heart toward generosity?   Why don’t we feel rich?   Gratitude in life is a shift in perspective…..Philippians 4:6-7…what does this shift

Membership at Vista…   Have you taken a step to be a member at Vista…why or why not?   What does it mean when Pastor Mike says membership is non- Biblical?   What does it mean that we enter into a relational commitment with one another at Vista?   What is the path in your life to know Jesus better?     Greed….. (Greed/ Gratitude/ Generosity series) “Then he said

How did you get to Vista? Five years…what did you learn about Vista that you didn’t know before? 1Corinthians 12:18…God has placed every one of you, just as He wanted you to be…..what does that mean to you….what does that mean to Vista? What is your place in the body? Deuteronomy 4: 9 How did the Israelites look back and remember. What were there photos, and movies? How do you

What do you think or feel about our growing ministry through Pastor Dan in Africa? What does Vista’s ministry in Africa mean to you? Pastor Dan is considered a movement leader …how might you define a movement leader? Why did Pastor Mike spend 5 years building a relationship with Pastor Dan before Vista got more involved? What might be the advantages to that kind of strategy? What are the advantages

Pretend that you “won” the $10 gift card to Starbucks.  Who would you take coffee?   Why do you think relationships are so important to God?  1 Thessalonians 2:8   What did you think about Brian’s story, about the dad and his son?  What was the main point of this story, what was your takeaway from this story?   What are some key ingredients to building good relationships? 1 Thessalonians