Northstar Pulaski Podcast Northstar Pulaski

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

⬆️ JESUS
1. How many initially presumed your prayer posture is more like the tax collector?
-- Has that opinion changed?  Why or why not?

2. When is the last time your prayer looked and sounded like the tax collector? (Including the times you did not
verbalize it…but still thought it)?
-- Is the Holy Spirit stirring something in you about it?

3. Have you ever prayed a prayer like, “God, be merciful to me, THE sinner”?
-- Share your experience.


➡️ MISSION
4. How can realizing you are in constant need of mercy/grace impact your relationships with ‘others’ who may or
may not know Jesus?

5. Have you built any walls between neighbors/coworkers/family by how you have thought less of them?
-- (Philippians 2:3→ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more
significant than yourselves) 
-- How can you begin tearing those walls down?

6. Compare and discuss how the life of the Pharisee vs the life of the tax collector (after leaving justified) can
impact your relationship (and spiritual influence) with ‘others’ around you?

⬅️ COMMUNITY
7. How easy and often do you tend to trust only in yourself? 
-- How can this impact your community?

8. How important is it to have a faith community around you to graciously point out your blindspots when it
comes to pride, self-righteousness, and/or contempt toward others?

9. How having that kind of support/encouragement/accountability galvanized your personal faith as well as the
chemistry of your community?

10. How can living in that kind of community become contagious to ‘others’ who do not have it?

11. How can your community cultivate that kind of depth and transparency?


(extra reading)
James 4:6 → But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

1 John 2:16 → For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

2 Corinthians 10:12 → Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measures themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.

Proverbs 18:10–12 → The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.  A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination. Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

2 Chronicles 7:14 → If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

⬅️ LOOK BACK
1) Share any stories or thoughts about previous discussions you have had and/or where you see God stirring your heart.

⬆️ LOOK UP
1) Read Luke 18:1-8 together

2) What do you think the main point of Jesus' parable is? Why?

3) What is confusing? Why?

➡️ LOOK AHEAD
1) Who or what are your prayers usually focused on?

2) How often do you pray for the return of Jesus?

3) What are some things you consistently pray about?  

4) What are some injustices you feel strongly about? 

5) How does your prayer life reflect your heart toward those injustices?

6) How can losing sight of Jesus' return impact your faith? Your perseverance during storms of life? Your prayer life? Your witness to those who do not know Jesus?

7) What tangible steps can you take this week toward including prayers for the return of our King?

Discovery Bible Study:

⬅️ LOOK BACK = share any steps made from last week's discussion about seeking and/or offering forgiveness

⬆️ LOOK UP (before teaching) =
- Pray together
- Read Luke 17:11-19
- What happened? What sticks out? What is the point of the story?
- How do you generally express thankfulness/gratitude?
- When reflecting on your prayers or time with God, what does gratitude look like compared to frustration/pleas/requests/etc?

➡️ LOOK FORWARD (after teaching) =
- Does the community around you (neighbors/co-workers/family) know your opinion about and gratitude toward Jesus?

- When you worship Jesus (whether privately or publicly), what is your posture? Is it calm and composed...or desperate and uninhibited?

- Does your typical response when worshiping resemble your 'worshipful response' to cheering on your kids, hobbies, or favorite sports team?

- If not, why do you think that is?

- Share a moment when your response has been similar to the Samaritan in this passage?

- Make a list, either individually or communally of things to be grateful for, that you have not expressed gratitude to God lately about. Pray over that list together (encourage everyone to simply thank God for some things on that list)

- This week, how can your life tangibly express gratitude for what God has done for you and in you through Jesus?

(BEFORE WATCHING TEACHING STREAM):
— Read through Luke 17:1-10 together (take turns)

— What stands out to you about this passage?
Why?
— What questions do you have about the passage?
— What do you think Jesus is saying here about temptations/stumbling blocks? And the warning about causing them?

— How Jesus says to respond to these situations sounds easy...but how do you typically handle them?
— How do you typically respond when someone offends or wrongs you (or someone close to you)?
— How do you typically respond when someone approaches you about something you have done/not done, said/not said to offend them or someone else?
— Why is it really difficult for you to forgive?
— Share a time when you have approached someone and/or when someone else has approached you? (was it approached correctly?
— Was it received correctly? What was the result?)

— Why do you think Jesus told the parable (vv7-10)

— Why do you think Jesus told the parable (vv7-10) to illustrate his point?

(DBS AFTER TEACHING STREAM):
— How can practicing rebuke, repentance, and forgiveness strengthen your pursuit of Jesus?
— How can practicing rebuke, repentance, and forgiveness strengthen your MicroChurch family?
— How can the rhythm of rebuke, repentance, and forgiveness be a light for Jesus Christ in the surrounding community?

— Is there someone you need to rebuke? Have you prayed about it?
— Is there someone you need to repent to (whether to God and/or someone else)?
— Is there someone you need to extend grace and forgiveness toward?
— Are you harboring sin (toward God and/or someone else) that you need to repent of?
— What are some tangible next steps THIS WEEK that can be taken to pursue reconciliation and restoration?

— Why do you think Jesus told the parable (vv7-10) to illustrate his point?

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE FOR CONVERSATION (DBS this passage further; discuss the pursuit of JESUS, discuss MISSION, or discuss COMMUNITY together)

DBS → Life application:
- Who is taking notes from conversations?
- Who is sharing prayer needs from convo?
- Following week…are there any intentional convos about ‘life application’ from previous discussion?

JESUS → What is God doing in and among you?
- What do your personal rhythms look like (Confess, Abide, Love, Invest)
- Do you need to discuss story (your story/God's story)…questions about baptism…
- Do you have an interest in a D28 group (intentional, high commitment group of 3-5 same gender)

MISSION → Where is God calling you?  To who is God calling you (individually and/or as an MC)?
- What are some ways you can use your tangible assets (money, house, boat, influence, resources) to love and/or invest in people for the sake of mission?
- Are you and/or your MC praying regularly about the "who and/or where and/or how"?
- What risks are you, your family, and/or your community taking for the sake of mission?

COMMUNITY → What are you doing together outside of your once a week gathering?
- Disciple making happens at the speed of relationship...so how are you investing in relationships?
- Discuss how can you cultivate community together? (Ask the kids. Ask the quiet ones in the room)
- Brainstorm several things you can do together this summer (i.e. park playdates, hikes, meals, parties, etc)
- Distribute responsibility...experiment and have fun together