Tribe Levi – Sermon Based Small Group

Priest

Ice Breaker Ideas:

• What season of the year is your most favorite and why
• Most memorable thing you did over the holidays.
• Introduce yourself and Tell in two minutes who you are.

Note to the Leader:  Before you dive into the questions below.  Take some time to ask your group what their impressions were from the message.  Did they have questions?  Did they write any highlights in their notes?

1. What were your perceptions of Leviticus before this series?

1. One of the key concepts in Leviticus is “Holiness” how would you describe holiness?

1. Think out loud what you might have seen, felt, smelled, heard or tasted in preparation to serve God as a priest? What would have been paramount in your thinking? (Review Chapters 1 & 8 to give you some ideas)

1. Unpack 1 Peter 2:9 and all of its implications.  Identify any parallels (if any) that there are between the preparation, ordination, and roles of the OT priests to our role as priests in God’s Kingdom.

1. Talk through the concept of the “human touch of holiness”.  What came to mind and how can you do it this week? (Recall the story of St. Francis)

Closing: Take some time to ask for prayer requests and pray for the group.

Tribe Levi Series: Kris Vos

January 2/3: Tribe Levi: Sacrifice
Big Idea: OT animal sacrifices help us understand the depth of God’s grace through the atoning sacrifice of Christ.
Thoughts on Sacrifice/Atonement:

• -Ritual is a bridging mechanism that spans a gap between people that could not ordinarily interact.
• -God gives the details for various reasons. (“slit the throat” – less suffering for the animal; kill first then spread the blood – common sense)
• -The goal of the ritual is atonement which is a sweet aroma to God.
• -The hand is laid on the head of the animal to symbolize transferring of guilt to the animal.
• -the sacrificial system was God’s “altar call” to his people.  The brought a tangible sign of their dependence on Him and their desire to be with Him.

Take home:  What does our worship cost us? Celebrate Communion.  Do we desire to connect with God as He requires or do we chafe at his requirements?

Big Idea:  The path to true peace on earth comes through a life dedicated to God’s glory.

• The angels give as a view from heaven.
• The close connection between heaven and earth is revealed in their brief prayer of praise.
• Our desperate search for peace on earth is bound by what we have at our disposal rather than the rich resources of heaven!
• The angels exist to give glory to God…what does a lifelong pursuit of God’s glory look like for us?

Take home:  Let’s learn to live all of life with a view toward heaven.

Big Idea: Zechariah’s prayer rejoices in the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises.

• As a priest Zech should have expected something like this!  He knew the prophecies and the promises and yet he is hesitant to believe!
• Zech’s doubt is reminiscent of Abraham and Sarah’s doubt about having Isaac.
• Where in your life are you hesitant to hope?  Do you believe your financial situation can ever be better?  Your marriage? Your health?
• Why are we so hesitant to believe what we know to be true about God and His faithfulness.
• God “shut-up” Zech for 9 mos to contemplate His promises to Israel!

Take home:  Even the smallest thread of hope is powerful when attached to God’s promises.

Mary’s prayer reflects the “great reversal” of the kingdom: the humble being exalted.

• Mary believes though she is an unlikely candidate.
• She is young and a woman yet in short order she accepts whatever God has for her.
• “Who am I” is her humble reflection
• Not so much what Mary does as what is done to her to bring salvation

Take home:  Your so-called small life becomes huge when attached to God.

Icebreaker: What was your favorite scene in the movie City Slickers? If you haven’t seen it, what’s you favorite men’s movie? Why? How are the men portrayed?

1. What insight, principle, or observation from the weekend’s message did you find the most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.

2. Who comes to mind or defined the concept of a “man” for you growing up? How did these men define it? How did you come to define what a man is?

3. What is the problem with defining manhood by the opinions of modern experts? In one sentence how would these experts define manhood? What’s the advantage of defining manhood by biblical standards?
4. Drew talked about Four Faces of Manhood in the message. Think of additional Bible verses or characters that exemplify each: King, Warrior, Lover, Friend. Which of these faces characterizes you best as a man, or the men in your life? Why did you answer that way? Which “face” do you, or the men in your life struggle with the most? Why?
5. Review the ugly caricatures for each of the faces: King, Warrior, Lover, Friend. Which do you see the most often? Ever worn one of those faces? Are there biblical examples of these extremes? How did this happen and what was the outcome?
6. Jesus is the perfect expression of manhood. Give examples of His King face, Warrior face, Lover face, and Friend face. (Hints: Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 9:51; Luke 19:41; John 11:35-36; John 13:23; John 15:15)

Ice Breaker Question: Last week Pastor Kris mentioned three “T’s” that kids need from their parents. Time, Talk, and Touch. What was your experience with those three needs when you were growing up?

Which “T” is easiest for you to give to your children?
Which “T” is most difficult to give to your children?

Perhaps you have heard the phrase “more is caught than taught”. The truth is that both modeling and teaching are important! Let’s talk about both!

The character modeled in our lives continues to be one of the most powerful ways to influence our children (or our parents). Write down each of the character qualities God’s Spirit wants to reveal in your life found in Galatians 5:22-23. After each one, write down how you might put that quality into action in your family setting. Is there one you’re really good at? Is there one you might need to work on more than the others?

Character is very important because it gives credibility to what we want to teach. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 clearly shows that God expects the home environment and a child’s relationship with his or her parents to be the primary context for discipleship and spiritual growth.

Think back to your childhood. Was your home and relationship with your parents the primary environment for your discipleship and spiritual growth?

How is Deuteronomy 6:6-9 being experienced in your home currently?

This week Pastor Todd introduced Daddy Doughnuts & Mommy Muffins as one simple idea to help parents move toward growing in the way of home discipleship. Who in our group will be using this tool? What other ideas or tools do you know of that would be helpful to parents who are looking for ways to live out Deut. 6:6-9.
Below is a sampling of the many verses the Bible gives as guidelines for “biblical family values.” Write out what value each passage reveals. Which would your family say is definitely part of your household?

Psalm 78:1-8
Proverbs 23:13-14
Proverbs 24:26
Matthew 19:13-15
Hebrews 12:8, 11
James 1:19
1 Peter 4:8-9
Learning to Think Orange! Red + Yellow = Orange
Red (the warm heart of home)
Combined with yellow (The Church Programming)
You get Orange!

Our goal should be to synchronize our influence and efforts to have maximum impact on our children’s lives. How are you doing in the realm of Orange?

Special note to those who aren’t parents or don’t have children in the home: Though the questions below are focused mostly on parenting issues, many of the answers can also apply to other significant relationships in your life or if you hope to be a parent in the future. There may also be insights to glean by applying the principles to how your parents raised you.

Icebreaker: What is your favorite memory of a family outing/vacation when you were a child? Why was it so memorable? Survey the group was it more often the things that went wrong or the things that went well that are most memorable?

1. Pastor Kris talked about how part of Paul’s concern in Ephesians 5 & 6 was that Christianity was often viewed as a subversive/troublesome movement by the empire. Christianity gave new freedom and rights to those who had none (women, children and slaves). He wants to make sure that marriages, parents and even slaves in that context understand the importance of order within the household. How does that shape your understanding of this passage? What kind of witness does your household have in your neighborhood?

2. Ephesians 6 tells fathers (parents) not to exasperate or make your children angry. What kinds of things that your parents did made you angry? What do you do to your child that makes him/her angry? Are there times when it’s okay for your children to be angry with you? How can you avoid exasperating your children?
3. A key piece in keeping a healthy balance of love and control is identifying and keeping in mind the unique God-given gifts and abilities your children have been given. Genesis 48 & 49 records Jacob’s unique blessing for each of his sons. How do you affirm the unique gifts of your children and paint a picture of their future?

• Take a moment and write down 2-3 abilities or positive character qualities of your children (if you have no children think of a couple of close friends).

• How do you communicate what you wrote above to your children? Think of specific examples in the recent past. Is it time to remind them how you specifically appreciate them?
4. Teaching children to love and follow Jesus is a foundational role God gives parents (1 Timothy 5:8; Proverbs 22:6). To do this it is important to remember that most instruction is “caught, not taught” – in other words our life needs to back up what we say. How does John 13:34 reinforce this idea?

How does your daily life reflect what you hope your children will catch regarding what it means to know, love and follow Jesus in the following areas?

…serving and putting others first
… forgiving others and owning up to your mistakes
… loving your enemies
… speaking the truth in others
… time with God
5. John Eldredge wrote in his booklet, “You Have What it Takes,” that a son needs to know ‘he has what it takes’ and a daughter needs to know that ‘she’s worth pursuing.’ How does your relationship with your son or daughter communicate this on an ongoing basis (even if they are an adult)?
6. How has your heavenly Father modeled the kind of parent you need to be to your children?

Ice Breaker (if needed): When was the last time you spent an extended period of time by yourself? What do you do when you are alone? Do you enjoy spending time alone or does it frighten you?

1. 1 Corinthians 7:6-7 (NLT) This is only my suggestion. It’s not meant to be an absolute rule. 7 I wish everyone could get along without marrying, just as I do. But we are not all the same. God gives some the gift of marriage, and to others he gives the gift of singleness.

a. Corinthians 7 says that marriage is a gift and singleness is a gift. What are some of the blessings of both?
b. Do these two groups need each other? How can married people benefit relationships with singles and vice versa? What keeps these two groups apart?

2. What are some of the unique challenges and myths that Pastor Kris talked about in the single life? Can you think of any others? How does this make marrieds feel toward singles? Singles toward marrieds?

3. Matthew 22:29-30 (NLT) Jesus replied, “Your problem is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God. 30 For when the dead rise, they won’t be married. They will be like the angels in heaven.
a. How do you feel about the fact that Scripture indicates we will all be single someday?
b. Imagine together and discuss what our relationships will be like in the new heaven and the new earth.

4. “Settle yourself in solitude and you will come upon Him in yourself.” St. Teresa of Avila “Where shall the world be found, where will the word resound? Not here, there is not enough silence.” T.S. Elliot
a. What thoughts do these quotes bring to mind?
b. Richard Foster identifies solitude as a spiritual discipline. Is it a discipline you practice in your spiritual life?
c. Scripture indicates Jesus often spent time in solitude:
i. Matthew 4:1-11
ii. Luke 6:12 (prior to choosing the 12)
iii. Matthew 14:13
iv. Matthew 14:23
v. Mark 6:31 (Jesus instructs His disciples)
vi. Luke 5:16
vii. Others?

5. We all have a deep desire to know another and to be known by another person.
a. If this is true it poses a unique challenge for the single person.
b. Sometimes our “gifts” come with dark sides. How might the single people in our community be able to overcome the pitfall of loneliness while still growing in the gift of their singleness?

6. As a single person, what kind of feedback would you give on the message? What needed said that wasn’t? As a married person, how sensitive are you toward singles? Any other insights gained from your perspective?

Ice Breaker: Talk about the last movie you saw. What were your expectations going in? Were your expectations met or even exceeded or maybe they were let down. If you saw it with someone how would they answer these questions? (Don’t let the movie lovers in your midst take over at this point! A discussion of the movie “Fireproof” would be another great starting point.)

1. If you are married what were some of your expectations going into marriage? Have they changed over time? If you are single what are your expectations of friendships, church, other? Have they changed over time? What shaped your expectations?

2. This week we looked at the importance of gaining understanding when your relationship with your spouse or other significant people seems to hit an impasse. What principles or guidelines do the following verses give you to gain understanding of the other person’s point of view?

Proverbs 1:5

Proverbs 2:11

Proverbs 11:12

Proverbs 20:5

Romans 12:19

I Corinthians 10:24

James 1:19

Which of the above verses is most important for you to put into practice when the conflict begins?

3. Keeping in mind the value and worth of the other person in the midst of conflict is key in being able to work toward resolve. Unfortunately, conflict, failed expectations and miscommunication can cloud our view of seeing any positive qualities in the other person and can send us into a downward spiral. How do the following verses help us keep in mind the other person’s positive qualities?

Genesis 1:27

Ephesians 2:10

Philippians 1:6

Philippians 2:3-5

Write down 3-5 other positive character qualities of your spouse or close friend that are important to remember when the conflict comes.

4. Identifying and communicating expectations of each other are oftentimes the missing link to resolving our differences. Get another piece of paper and write down your expectations in the following categories. Are there any that seem to be a source of conflict with your spouse or friend that you need to talk about? Are there any expectations you need to ask them about?

Work Ministry Social Life
Parenting Recreation Finances
Spiritual Growth Education Other

5. “People do not make us miserable, we choose to be miserable.” Do you think this statement is true? Why or why not?

6. Ephesians 5:15-20 says that Christ followers must “live carefully” and “be filled with the Spirit”. Is that tied to the discussion regarding mutual submission or is it a separate thought? Explain.

7. The opening verses of Ephesians 5 indicate there is a clear difference between a Christ-follower’s behavior and an unbeliever’s behavior. How might this help us understand the way we follow Christ in our marriages?

Ice-Breaker: What vacation or big trip (either as a child or an adult) did you enjoy the most?

1. This weekend we learned that a marriage is just like any other relationship in that it thrives or dies according to how we treat each other. Here are some verses that speak to how we treat one another. If married, jot down how they apply specifically to your marriage. If single, jot down how they apply to the relationships that are most important to you. (Note: each passage has multiple principles.)

John 13:1-17

Romans 12:9-21

Colossians 3:12-16

1 Peter 3:8-9

1 Peter 4:8-11

2. Think through the Paradox Principle. What other relational applications can you think of? Look again at Luke 9:23-24. What is Jesus asking us to do as he talks about 1) “deny self,” 2) “take up cross daily,” 3) “Follow me,” 4) “whoever loses his life…”

3. What stereotypes do you have about the word submission? Where did these come from? How do you understand the term now? How would you define it for someone who didn’t hear this message?

4. Part of submitting to each other means putting others’ needs in front of our own. Read Mark 14:1-11, Acts 9:36-43, and Luke 10:30-37. Why do you think these people were willing to put aside some of their own wants or needs and help others?

What did it cost them to give?

What might it cost you to follow their example?

5. Interact a bit over the Three Models of Marriage: The Top down Traditional, The 50-50 Identical Marriage, The Side-By-Side Biblical. Did you agree with Drew’s assessment of each? Why or why not? Are there any strengths to the first two? Any weaknesses in the last one?

6. If you are married, engaged or dating, take a minute to really think about your significant other and write down at least five strengths, gifts, or abilities that they possess. If you are single, do the same thing for a family member or friend that you care about.

7. Now read Hebrews 10:24-25. Think about each strength or gift listed above and jot down how you can encourage them or “spur them on” to develop or build upon a few of their strengths. Be as specific as possible.

Questions for Sermon-Based Pilot Groups
Divine Design for Women
Message from May 9-10, 2009

Ice Breaker (if needed): What section of the newspaper do you read first – comics, sports, world news, local news, editorial, business, or what is a newspaper? Why? Is there a pattern among men versus women?

1. Think of a woman you admire. What is/was it about her that causes you to feel this way? Is it in any way related to the fact that she is a woman?

a. For women: What are some of the words you would use to describe yourself? Are you a typical woman (in comparison to other women in your life) or not?
b. For men: What words would you use to describe the women in your life (wife, daughters, etc. – this is an opportunity to score some “brownie points”)? Are these women typical of other women you know?

2. In Genesis 1:27, we are told that God created man and woman in his image. What implications does that hold for us today?
a. Do you agree with Pastor Kris’s assessment of the image of God in women? Why or why not?
b. Pastor Kris mentioned beauty and creative power as two ways women reflect the image of God can you think of others?

3. When God created “man” he did so in his own image – male and female. Explore this concept of being created in the “image of God.” What does that mean? Not mean? What was the impact of the curse on this image? On our relationship with God? With each other? With our maleness/femaleness?

4. What role did the following women play: Sarah (Genesis 12-23; Galatians 4), Deborah (Judges 4-5), Rahab (Joshua 2), Esther (Book of Esther), Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11; 1 Kings 1), Elizabeth (Luke 1), Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:1-3; Matthew 27; John 20), Priscilla (Acts 18), Lydia (Acts 16)? How did these women reflect the image of God? Can we compile a “typical woman” outline from these individuals? Why or why not?

5. “Women are far more relational than men.” Do you agree with that statement or not? Does that teach us anything about God? Check out the following passages and discuss their application: Genesis 24:67; Isaiah 12:1; 49:13; 51:12; Jeremiah 8:18; Matthew 9:36; 15:32; 2 Corinthians 1:3; James 5:11

6. In Pastor Kris’s message he said that “Satan works overtime to attack women.” Think through historical events and point out a few things in the last 100 years that seem to verify Satan’s targeting of women? In more recent history? Does this seem to be changing worldwide? Why or why not? Ephesians 6:12 & Ezekiel 28

7. As a woman reading Proverbs 31:10-31, how do you feel – frustrated, overwhelmed, mad, or content? What do you think has changed since Solomon’s time? What hasn’t changed? Name 3-4 eternal principles for women that we can glean from this passage.

8. What events or people in your life have helped you discover your unique role in God’s kingdom? Tell us about that.

62% of young adults outside the church feel that conservative Christian’s involvement in politics is a serious problem for America. – UnChristian by David Kinnaman

Should we be concerned about that perception or should we be proud of it?

What does it mean for us that Jesus said, “Give to Ceasar what is Ceasar and give to God what is God’s?”  Do you agree with Pastor Kris’s message that this was a balanced approach to politics rather than an extreme one?

A major point in the message was that we tend to “demonize” those we disagree with — in what area of life is this true for you?

From Kinnaman and Lyons’ research, only 34% of young outsiders believe that Christians really care about them. But among Christians, 64% said outsiders would perceive their efforts as genuine. Why do you believe there is such a huge gap?

How do you define a biblical worldview? Give examples of how you apply this worldview in your daily life.

Do you find what is going on in the generation of Busters and Mosaics to be encouraging or discouraging? Why?