Northstar Pulaski Podcast Northstar Pulaski

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

Discovery Bible Study:

-- Was there anything you committed to in last week's discussion to share?

-- Do you find yourself relating more to the younger son or the older son? In what ways?

-- How easy is it to live under our cultural and social norm of 'being a good person' and completely miss out on the Father's invitation to the party through repentance and grace?

-- In what ways do you (currently or in the past) drift into this 'religious/self-righteous' sin?

-- Have there been moments or situations where you were angry or disappointed in God for 'blessing' someone else or not giving you what you have prayed for? (describe)

-- In what ways, have you lived like the older son, wanting the benefits of Jesus without surrendering your life to Jesus?

-- Did the older son have a 'right' to be angry? Why or why not?

-- Do you have a 'right' to be angry in your situation?

-- Are you currently angry with, envious and/or jealous of someone?

-- Is the Holy Spirit stirring you to repentance and confession?

-- How can we pray for you this week to humble yourself, repent/confess, and accept the Father's invitation to the party?

“Behavioral modification doesn’t work because whatever reigns and rules in your heart will eventually overflow out of your heart and into actions and attitudes”