The Compassion of God

CG Discussion Questions

1. How do you define compassion? Who is a good example of someone who shows compassion? How have you been shown compassion in the past?
2. Reread Isaiah 63:7-16. Verse 9 says that in the midst of distress, God too is distressed. In what way is God distressed and how does He enter into our distress?
3. Verse 9 also communicates a very tender image of God lifting His people up and carrying them. Have you ever bent down and carried someone in need? Can you think of a time that God has done that for you?
4. Reread verse 15. The Israelites were not experiencing the compassion of God. Why not? What are we to learn from their experience?
5. Read Luke 7:11-17. What stands out the most to you about this narrative? What might that widow say to people about Jesus after that day?
6. Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-5. Based on these verses, Who or what is the source of our comfort as well as the purpose for which we have been comforted?
7. Do you need to experience God’s comfort and compassion? Share your trial with your group, giving others an opportunity to either pray for you or to comfort you with the comfort they have received from God.

Bonus:
If your group has additional time or desire, read John 14:1-27.
1. Why were the disciples scared?
2. How would God provide for them in their time of fear?
3. How is the Holy Spirit described in this passage?
4. What implications do these verses have for us as Spirit-filled Christians?

What Isaiah Would Say Today About Jesus.

Read 1 Peter 1: 10-12 and discuss.

1. If Isaiah lived today, what do you think he would say about the book of Isaiah?

2. What do you think his relationship with Jesus would be like?

3. What do you believe would encourage him most about the believers in Cornerstone?

4. What would discourage him?

5. How should studying Isaiah embolden our faith and fill us with joy?

Isaiah 65-66

1) What are the three types of relationship that were broken by sin in
the opening chapters of Genesis? What is an example of one of these
that you have faced recently?
2) In 65:17-25, in what ways do we see the curse of sin being reversed
in the New Heaven and New Earth?
3) How does the above passage compare to Revelation 21:1-4? Do they
contradict each other on whether there is death in the New Earth? Is
it signficant that the heavenly city comes down to earth rather than
us escaping earth to Heaven?
4) Why do you think both Revelation and Isaiah make a point of
describing those excluded from the new city God will create?
5) Look at the following passages that we did not cover in the sermon
in depth. How does each one relate to the main themes of the passage?
a) Chapter 65:13-16
b) Chapter 66:1-6
c) Chapter 66: 7-12
d) Chapter 66:13-17
6) How will our lives be different if we are confident of the truth of
these passages and think about that truth often?

Isaiah 63-64

1. When you think of your father, what are the first pictures that come to your mind?

2. When you think of Jesus, what is the first picture that comes to your mind? How do you see Him? Describe that picture as best you can.

3. Read Isa. 63:1-6. What are your first impressions? Do any initial questions come to mind?

4. What’s the deal with Edom and Bozrah? Who does Edom represent?

5. As a group, reread these verses and jot down phrases that describe this One coming from Edom. To Whom is this passage portraying?

6. Read Revelation 19:11-18. How does this picture of Jesus compare or contrast with the one that first came to your mind?

7. What are some of the benefits of a more complete picture of Jesus? What are some downfalls of emphasizing His love and mercy and excluding His anger, wrath, power, and judgment?

8. As a result of the message and this group discussion, how is God calling you to apply this passage? Is there something you should do differently, an attitude that needs to change, or some other point of application?

9. Close in prayer, worshipping Jesus, the One Who is both the Lion and the Lamb.

Isaiah 54-55

1. Share about an incident when you shared the gospel with someone. In particular- How did they respond? What was the biggest hurdle for them to overcome in trusting Jesus?
2. What are objects, people, ideas, things, etc., other than God, that you pursue to find satisfaction?
3. What percentage of people would describe themselves as "wicked?" What percentage would you describe as "wicked?" What makes a person wicked in our eyes? In God's eyes? (Optional question- Are you wicked?)
4. In reading verses 55:10-11 what do these say about God? God's promises? God's word? How should knowing these things affect our daily living?
5. What is Isaiah saying in the second half of verse 55:13?
6. Have you accepted the Invitation of life from God to you? If no, Why not? If yes, when was the last time you shared the Invitation with someone else?

Isaiah 42-43

CG Leader Discussion Questions

1. What is the one thing that Troy discovered about God that we all have in common with Him that comes natural to us?

2. What is the problem with this thing we share "in common"?

3. What are some idols in your life?

4. How should understanding this passage change the "way" and the "reason" we worship God?

Isaiah 40-41

Discussion Questions:

1. What did the people of God do to earn/deserve the punishment they were receiving by being taken captive to Babylon? What have we learned about them in Isaiah so far?

2. When we say that "God's goal is not punishment, but redemption," what do we mean by that? How does that help us?

3. In 40:3-11 there are three "voices" crying out some truths about God. What are each telling us about God?

4. Isaiah is painting a picture in our minds with 40:27-31. What picture does it paint in your mind?

5. Read back over the way God is described in Isaiah 40. Find an aspect that especially stands out to you. Why?

6. Pray that aspect of God back to Him (everyone pick one and pray).

Isaiah 36-39

CG Discussion Questions:

1.When was the last time you were confronted with an overwhelming situation where you literally had no idea what to do? What did you do? Share with the group.

2.Read Isa. 36:4-22 (long section). Describe how you would have been feeling had you been an Israelite on the city wall, listening to the taunts of the enemy.

3.Why do you suppose Hezekiah turned to Isaiah? When was the last time you poured out your heart to another Christian man or woman about how you are REALLY doing?

4.Read Isa. 37:14-20. Having received a new threat in the form of a letter, what did Hezekiah do? What was the basis of his confidence? How can your prayers change to reflect this confidence?

5.Read Isa. 37:36-38. Be amazed at the ease with which God can answer prayer.

6.Read Isa. 38:1-8 and then 39:5-8. How could Hezekiah go from such urgent prayer for himself to an almost total disregard for the fate of his own children? How might we also plummet from the heights of desperation for God to utter disregard for those we should love?

7.While Hezekiah models faith in the face of the Assyrian threat, he fails as well with pride and a lack of love towards those he leads. How is Isaiah preparing his audience for the upcoming Messiah?

8.Get honest with prayer. Spend at least 20-30 minutes calling upon God together. Only our pride stands in the way.

Isaiah 28-35

1. Why is it so difficult for us to truly Trust in God?

2. What kind of things do we tend to put our trust in?

3. Do you hear the voice of God saying to you, "this is the way, walk in it?(Isaiah 30:21)" Explain.

4. What is your reaction to the challenge of the elder team?

5. What steps of obedience do you believe Christ is calling you to?

Isaiah 13-27

1. As a group, what do you remember about Egypt and their interactions with the Jews?

2. Read Isaiah 19:1-4. When it came to a threatening invasion, what did Egypt put their trust in? In times of crisis, where do people tend to put their trust? Share a recent crisis when you didn’t first put your trust in God. In what did you initially place your trust?

3. Read Isaiah 19:5-15. According to these verses, where else did Egypt place their trust? How was this an expression of independence and not dependence on God?

4. Like Egypt, how might you and I place our trust in finances and the voice others in times of overwhelming crisis?

5. Read 19:16-25. Beginning in verse 16, Isaiah begins using the phrase, “In that day”, to describe tremendous events in the future. What are some of Isaiah’s amazing predictions?

6. Reread 19:23-25. If you were a Jew, how excited would you be to hear that your past enemy, Egypt, and your present enemy, Assyria, will one day be profoundly blessed by God ahead of you? What does that say about your heart?

7. God will punish the sin and pride of all and He will bless all who humbly turn to Him. What area of pride or self-confidence do you need to confess to this group? Is God revealing any other actions you need to take or attitudes that He wants to change in you?

Isaiah 7-12

To Whom Will We Turn?

Read Isaiah 7:1-9. What do you remember about the historical context? Who are the main characters? What is about to happen? What nations are represented and what role do they play in the story?

Have you had many "crisis moments" where you were challenged to look to God ... or try to go it alone? Describe one of these crisis moments to the group.

How are we to understand prophecies like we find in Isaiah 7:10-14? When we talk about a "near / far" relationship in these prophecies, what does that mean?

Read 8:19 - 9:7. A people who were very lost and very godless suddenly found themselves in the light of the gospel - in the face of Jesus! Talk about the hope that this story should bring us.

Does anyone remember the story of Gideon from the book of Judges? Go back and find it and reflect on why it is referenced by Isaiah.

Jesus is given four beautiful names in 9:6. What do those names/titles mean and how do they impact your faith? How should they specifically be considered as you enter "crisis moments?"

What will it take?

Isaiah 2-6 Questions:

1) What is the greatest experience you have ever had with God?

2) At what level do you feel like you are encountering God regularly? Explain. Is the experience you are having with God what you desire? Is is what He desires?

3) What would have to happen in your life for you to be totally willing to do "whatever" God was desiring for you to do?

Isaiah Begins!

Opening question: when you heard we were going to study Isaiah, what
was your reaction?

1) Have you had "wow" experiences of worship that left your life unchanged?
2) What does it mean to say that God is "the Holy One of Israel?"
3) What are tangible ways we could pursue justice?
4) What are the two paths we can choose between? Where does each lead?
5) When you read the opening verses of chapter 2, does the knowledge
that God will eventually bring peace and justice to the world
encourage you to pursue peace and justice even more, or does it cause
you to become complacent?
6) (If you have extra time) How does this passage compare to Romans 6:1?

Hello my name is Cornerstone: CG Discussions

Connection Group Discussions for, “Hello, My Name is Cornerstone Church”

For the weeks surrounding this series, we’re asking Connection Groups to have discussion both prior to and after each sermon. In other words, discuss what you heard in the most recent sermon AND preview the topic for the following week. The following can be used as a guide – just a starting point – to give you some direction:

The week before the sermon  Invite the people in your group to begin thinking about the topic before they hear the sermon. Help people to gauge where they are in relationship to the specific topic. What is their understanding of the topic going into the study? What is there practice of it? What do they lack (understanding, obedience, etc.)? Also, read over the passage that will be used in the sermon and discuss it as well.

In the meeting following the sermon that covers the topic  Find out what people learned. Did it answer their questions? Did it impact them or affect change in them?

Some starter-questions…

Prayer (Key text: Luke 11:1-13)
Prior to the sermon:
1. Try to define “prayer” in one sentence.
2. How often do you pray?
3. What does prayer look like in your life (what do you do)?

After the sermon:
1. What was one new insight you gained concerning prayer?
2. Is there something specific you think you’ll do in your prayer life?
3. How can our Connection Group grow in the area of prayer?


The Gospel (Key text: Romans 3:21-26)
Prior to the sermon:
1. If someone were to ask you, “What is the bottom line message of the Bible?” what would you tell them?
2. As a group, make a list of all the key terms related to the gospel. Once you’ve listed them, narrow down to the 3-5 most important. (This will help to clarify the central truths of the gospel).

After the sermon:
1. Go back and use the same questions (above) and see if you’d change anything.
2. How do churches or Christians mess the gospel up? How do we confuse people when telling them the gospel?
3. Ask yourself, “Have I understood the true gospel before now?” When?


The Bible (Key text: Psalm 19)
Prior to the sermon:
1. What did your commitment to the Bible look like growing up? What about now?
2. What motivates people to know and apply the teachings of the Bible?
3. What motivates you personally to know and apply the teachings of the Bible?

After the sermon:
1. Based on Psalm 19, what motivations are given to know and apply the teachings of the Bible? Share specific verses.
2. What practical lifestyle change could you make to better know God through the Scriptures?
3. How will the members of this connection group help you to follow through with this?


Baptism & Communion (Key text: Acts 8:26-40 / 1 Cor. 11:17-34)
Prior to the sermon:
1. If you were raised going to church, what traditions did you have in regard to baptism and communion?
2. What did you think that theses practices did for you – what was the purpose?
3. Have each one take a 3x5 card and on one side write the Biblical purpose for baptism and on the other side write the Biblical purpose for communion. Share your findings and discuss them.
4. Read the key passages (above) together.

After the sermon:
1. Has your understanding of these practices changed? How so?
2. Have you been baptized? When? For the right reasons?
3. How will you enter into times of communion from now on?
4. Consider having communion together – or at least put it on the calendar for a future meeting. Talk about what would make it meaningful in your group.


Growth (Key text: Phil. 3:7-14)
Prior to the sermon:
1. What are some things that have changed in your life after becoming a Christ-follower?
2. What has been the key to keeping spiritual growth happening?
3. What are the things that you know would help you grow, but frankly it is hard for you to do it?
4. What do you make of people who say they’ve become Christians but have not evidenced any spiritual growth?
5. Read the key passage (above) together.

After the sermon:
1. Did God teach you some things about spiritual growth that you had not considered before? Be specific.
2. How can we sometimes pursue a “righteousness of our own” instead of a “righteousness that comes from God and is by faith” as we seek to grow in Christ? What’s the danger here?
3. How are you going to pursue growth now as a result of hearing the Word?


Worship (Key text: Psalm 33)
Prior to the sermon:
1. Write down the first 5 words that come to mind when you think of "worship." Now as a group, try to define "worship."
2. The Westminster Catechism says, "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." What Bible verses support that?
3. What was worship like in the church you grew up in?
4. What helps you engage your heart and mind in worship at Cornerstone? What do you find distracting?
5. If you could create your own "song/set list" for Wally to lead on the weekend, what would it be?

After the sermon:
1. What's one thing from the message that stuck out to you?
2. Looking back on your life, when was a time you were closest to God in worship?
3. What has been the most difficult time in your life to worship?
4. How can you grow as a worshiper in your: personal life? family? car? workplace? connection group?

Hello my name is Cornerstone: Prayer

Passage: Luke 11:1-13

Luke emphasizes the amount of time Jesus spent in prayer. Whether He was getting up early in the morning or spending the entire night in prayer, Jesus’ prayer life was of crucial importance to maintaining His connection with the Father. Through faith in Jesus, we can address God knowing that he listens to us, and wants to provide for us as His adopted as sons and daughters. Asking God for houses, cars, jobs, health, and comfort is safe. Asking for the Holy Spirit to guide you and empower you will change your life. With that in mind, here are some possible discussion questions for group discussion.

1. Have you ever had someone provide a good model of prayer life for you, like Jesus did for His disciples? What did you learn?

2. How would you feel if you got a chance to pray with Jesus? Do you think that you would pray for the same things Jesus prays for?

3. If we make time for what we value, how does your prayer life reflect what you value in life?

4. How does what we pray about reflect what we value in our lives?

5. Inside each of us is a desire to be part of something bigger than ourselves. If God were to answer all your prayers today, how would it affect God’s Kingdom?

6. How does our pride (self-reliance, perfectionism, and arrogance) hinder the boldness with which Jesus wants us to pray? What does this say about our dependence on or trust in God to provide for the things we need(or want)?

7. What would Jesus say is the ultimate goal of prayer?

8. Prayer is powerful and God is infinite in power and resources. How often do you ask to be filled with and led by the Spirit with greater power for ministry and intimacy with God?

9. Do you ever hesitate to ask for the guidance of the Spirit, afraid of where it will lead you?

10. Do you ever limit the power of your prayers because what God might want for you, could be different what you desire?

11. In those situations, how hard is it to trust that what God wants for us is better than what we want for ourselves?

Philemon

Onesimus, a newly converted Christian and runaway slave, had two options. He could keep on running, or return back to his master as Paul calls him to do what is right in God’s eyes. Philemon, a Christian, has the legal right to immediately execute him or brand him a fugitive for life if he returns. Paul writes this letter on behalf of both parties to call them to do what is right in God’s eyes.

1. Do you feel the weight Paul is putting on Onesimus by writing this letter to his master(Now he pretty much has to return, right)?

2. Do you feel the weight Paul is putting on Philemon by writing this letter to do the right thing?

3. Do you feel that Paul, by stating, “I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,” undercuts the sincerity with which he requests Philemon to welcome back Onesimus? Is this letter really a request at all?

4. What do you think about Paul using this kind of diplomacy/pressure?

5. How does this compare with how you deal with co-workers or friends when requesting a favor that they ought to carry out as a Christian?

6. What do you think Paul is hinting at in verse 22: “And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.” ?

7. How would you feel if a Christian brother approached you in this manner with a request to welcome back into your home, someone who once wronged you(stole from you, vandalized your house, etc.), but has since come to Christ? Would you be skeptical? Would you be obedient?

8. Would you trust that God would bless you for being obedient to how the word calls you to forgive, even though you have the legal right to press charges?

9. From Onesimus’ perspective, would you be able to trust God enough to return to your master and except the consequences of your actions, knowing legally you could be put to death for what you have done?

10. Read verse 15. Think about Onesimus and ask yourself, “Have you ever found yourself running from something, or even away from God, and found He actually used that to bring you closer to Him?”

11. Think about Philemon. How has God taken a problem in your life and solved it in a way that was better than what you could have or would have done, but in a way you did not expect?

12. How has God used a trial or failure in your life to bring you closer to Him?

Ephesians 6: 10-20

Leaders,

Spiritual warfare is all around us and attacks from the Enemy are inevitable. God provides the only armor effective in this war. Paul tries to prepare us for this spiritual battle by urging us to constantly live(stand firm) in truth, righteousness, and readiness. He calls us to live in the truth of the Word, allowing it to govern our lives and hold everything together like a belt buckle. He calls us to live righteously, to protect our hearts from latching on to any idolatrous desires that can pull us away from God, out into darkness. Paul calls us to stay alert with readiness to respond when God calls us into action. If we are not putting God first, we will surely hesitate when we have to sacrifice chasing the materialistic idols of this world to respond to God.

When under attack, Paul teaches us to protect ourselves with the shield of our faith, the security of salvation, and to fend off the evil forces at hand with the sword of the Spirit. Alerted by the presence of the Enemy, we should pick up our shield of faith, made strong through the constant refinement of living a life for Christ. Just like the security a helmet provides in battle, we trust in the security of our salvation, knowing we are saved eternally no matter what happens. Lastly, positioning ourselves at the point of attack, we pick up the sword of the Spirit(the word of God), the only weapon with which we should counterattack Satan’s temptations. All the while, we should be praying in the Spirit continuously, for ourselves and for the fearlessness of others to fight for the Gospel with how we live our lives.

Here are some possible questions for your connection groups:

1.What are the rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world? Are these seen or unseen? How are these different from the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms?

2.Why do you think these verses are all about defending yourself, instead of attacking the forces of evil?

3.If this struggle is not of flesh and blood, where is the most common battlefront in this spiritual war?

4.What are some examples of spiritual attacks in your lives and how do you deal with them?

5.How does knowing the truth from the Bible, help you protect yourself when under attack?

6.What is the one weapon Paul lists that we can use to counterattack the enemy?

7.How did Jesus respond while Satan was tempting Him in the desert? (Luke 4, Matthew 4)

8.If Paul, superhero of the New Testament still struggles with fearlessly declaring the Gospel, then how do we stand a chance at being fearless?

9.How does God’s sovereignty play into this spiritual war in our lives? (1 Corinthians 10:13)

10.If strength in numbers is as true in spiritual warfare as it is in flesh and blood war, we should be praying for each other constantly. How often do you pray for others? How often do you check to see how they are doing with struggles in their life? If not often, what are some practical ways to change this in your lives?

Ephesians 6:5-9

Read over this passage and pray for God to reveal better ways to live out this passage in your jobs. Jesus, ruler of all creation, served His disciples by washing their feet and said, "14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.(John 13:14-15)" Then he said in verse 17, "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

Whether you are a slave(employee) or a master(employer), I would challenge you to go to your boss or employees and ask them how you might serve them better. Here are some possible discussion questions for your connection group:

1. Notice that the passage is void of conditional obedience(ex. obey your boss only if he treats you in a manner deserving of respect). Do you serve your boss wholeheartedly, regardless of how he treats you?

2. How does the unconditional obedience towards your boss in this passage testify for our relationship with Christ? What are some practical examples in your work life?

3. Bosses do you shepherd your employees, as Christ shepherded His disciples, even when rebuking them? What does this look like in your office?

4. Do you believe that God will bless you if you obey your boss, even though you don't agree with what he is asking you to do(as long as he is not asking you to sin against God)? Give some practical examples of this in your life.

5. For many, work is the place where you spend the most time with non-believers in your life. How well do your work habits testify for your relationship with Christ?

Ephesians 6:1-4

If you are a parent, take time this week to work through these verses with your kids.

Connection Group Discussion Questions:

1. What is the goal of being a parent? Children: What is the goal of growing up?

2. Parents: What does it look like in your home to bring your children up in the "training and instruction of the Lord?"

3. Children: Do you really believe that it may not go well with you if you do not honor your father and mother? Then why do we disobey?

4. Once we, as children, have “grown up,” do we still have to obey our parents? What does it look like to honor them? - ex. When do parents stop telling their children what to do and when do children get to stop obeying?

5. Parents: What does exasperating your children say about your trust in God‘s sovereignty over their lives?

6. Adult Children: What does not honoring your parents say about your trust in God’s sovereignty over both your life and their lives? Do you ever try to play the role of the parent with your parents? Do you honor your father and mother as adults in a way that glorifies God?

7. If parents and children are both playing the roles God has given them, (children honoring and obeying; fathers not exasperating and training) does this verse apply to these relationships throughout life?

8. Parents: What does it look like to not exasperate your children as they get older, even moving into adulthood?

9. Thinking about this passage: Parents, how does being a child of God and our relationship with Him affect the way we parent our own children? Children, how does our relationship with God the Father affect the way we serve those who look up to us?

10. Do we as children of God really believe that He, the father, is trying to train and instruct us for the best life He has to offer? Then why do we disobey?

Ephesians 5:21-33

1. Prior to reading this passage / hearing the message, how would you finish the following sentence: The goal or the purpose of marriage is __________ .
2. Read Eph. 5:21-24 and verse 33. How is God challenging wives in general and you in particular? When wives reject this passage, how do they tend to relate to their husbands?

3. Ladies, does this calling in the marriage relationship threaten your worth or acknowledge and accentuate it? How so?

4. Read Eph. 5:25-33. How is God challenging husbands in general and you in particular?

5. When men reject this passage, how do they tend to treat their wives?

6. Based on this passage, what is the goal of the husband, the wife, and the marriage? Is your marriage an attractive picture of the gospel?

7. Go around the room and have everyone finish this sentence: As a result of this passage and with God’s strength (5:18b), I plan to ______________ .

Ephesians 5:1-20

Meditate again on the phrases "created to be like God" (4:24) and "be imitators of God" (5:1). What have you learned so far about what those phrases mean?

What have you learned from chapter 4 about "putting off the old self" and "putting on the new self"?

When you discuss the temptations we face toward sexual immorality, it may be good to split the men and women into two groups so that each can discuss the unique ways this temptation comes to us.

How do we allow a "hint" of sexual immorality into our lives (:3)? We can often justify baby-steps toward immorality and justify it because we are stopping short of fully giving into this sin. But there is to not even be a hint! Explore this idea.

How does greed become idolatry (:5)?

How do we "expose" the deeds of darkness?

Paul speaks of the psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with which we are to "speak to another." Has coming to Christ changed the music you listen to and sing? Why do you think music is such a big deal?

Have everyone pick one verse that they are going to meditate on and memorize over this next week. These practical truths are to be lived out in tangible ways. Let's hold one another accountable to be doers of the Word and not simply hearers.

Ephesians 4:25 - 5:2

Now Paul gets very specific about what it means to "put off" the old self and to "put on" the new self. Remember from (:24) that we were "created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Read through the passage together - perhaps more than once.

Make a list of those things that the Christian is to "put off" and then another list of that which is to be "put on" according to these verses.

One of the most powerful means by which Cornerstone can become a blatantly bold and undeniable church is for each of us to "speak truthfully to his neighbor" (:25).

Do you believe that we, as a culture, have a difficult time being truth-speakers? How so?

How do YOU specifically struggle with being a truth-speaker? (Let each person answer this one).

Do you find yourself losing your temper? When? What does that look like?

Do you hold grudges? Ever? Against whom?

What does stealing (or petty pilfering) look like at your workplace? Where else do you see such ongoing stealing?

When you find yourself using "unwholesome talk" against someone, what typically instigates it?

Look again at 4:32 through 5:2. How do these verses motivate you to treat others well?

Ephesians 4:17-24

1. Read our passage, Ephesians 4:17-24. Paul says that Gentiles (non-Christians) live with futile thinking - thinking that is incapable of producing any meaningful result; pointless. Describe some futile thinking that is prevalent in our day and age among those who don't know Christ.
2. Walk through the downward spiral of sin Paul describes in vv. 18-19. Give some real life examples of how people descend down that path of mental and moral compromise?
3. Here's where the rubber meets the road. Paul wrote this to Christians because we are prone to put on the old "clothes" of sin and head back into old behaviors. How have you headed back into the old way of living?
4. Reread 4:20-24. What is God clearly calling us to do?
5. Throughout this passage, Paul emphasizes right thinking alongside of right living. How can believing lies lead to godless behavior? Conversely, how can believing truth lead to godly living?
6. What specific lies does the devil whisper in your ear? As a CG, when someone shares a lie, allow others to share truths from the Scripture to combat those destructive lies.
7. Before praying for each other, try and summarize 4:17-24 in a single sentence.

Ephesians 4:7-16

1. We know that Salvation is a "grace gift" of God (2:8-9). How isthis "grace gift" in verse 7 different than that? Who has this gift?
2. Verse 11 describes certain men who are "gifts" to the church.What are the specific gifts these men have and how do they function?
3. What is the primary role of these gifts? (vs. 12-13)
4. When these men are doing their jobs and gods people are prepared,what does that look like? (14-16)
5. What does it mean to "speak the truth in love"? Why is this sucha difficult thing for people to do?

Ephesians 4:1-6

A Little Background…
For thousands of years, the Jews and Gentiles had known tremendous religious and social separation. Earlier in Ephesians, Paul said the Gentiles were “separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.” Because of Jesus, everything had changed for the Gentiles. Now, they were beginning to understand that they too were the object of God’s eternal affection, love, and grace. With that background and context, reread Eph. 4:1-6.

1. What might the Gentiles (and Jews) have heard in Eph. 4:2 as Paul begins his exhortation with, “Be completely humble and gentle”?
2. How does God want you to be humble, putting others above yourself? (See Ph.2:3-4). How can you grown in gentleness towards others, remembering that gentleness means to have your strength under control?
3. God calls us to bear with one another or put up with one another in love (4:2). How might the Jews and Gentiles have been challenged with that command? Who, specifically, do you need to learn to put up with in love? What will that look like once you leave this connection group?
4. God calls us in verse 3 to, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Yet many are too proud to say, “I was wrong will you please forgive me?” while others are too cowardice or politically correct to say, “You were wrong when you did or said that to me.” As a result there is much disunity in God’s family. Is there currently brokenness between you and anyone else and how will you make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit?
5. Go around the group and have each person complete the following sentence: “As a result of these verses, I am asking God to help me _______________ . “ (Talking about verses is easy. Stepping out in faith and obedience is hard, but tremendously rewarding!)
6. Reread verses 4-6. It is clear that God wants unity in His family. This thought seems to dominate Jesus’ prayer time in the garden of Gethsemane the night before His execution (Jn. 17:20-23). This would be a great time for your connection group to celebrate communion together. Perhaps you could first have some time as a group to confess any sin the Lord has brought to mind through this passage. Next, you could share communion, celebrating the sacrifice of Christ that made our unity with both Him and others possible. Lastly, close in prayer, asking Him for strength to live out the life giving commands the Apostle Paul shared in this passage.