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In this series, we'll be exploring some modern trends by seeking to graciously and carefully understand them in light of Scripture. Austin challenged us by saying, "rather than approaching culture with an attitude of either contemptuous judgment or an attitude of naïve acceptance, we want to instead approach culture with a posture of critical curiosity, believing that culture (just like all creation) is fallen and confused, but also that it is nevertheless filled with glimpses and echoes of the good news of the gospel. Because while the world may be hostile to God, God is not hostile to the world...because God loves the world." We hope you have great discussions and learn how to better engage with the world like Jesus would.
Remember to find time to practice confession/accountability in your group. These get honest questions are a great resource.
Technology: Eliminating the Human- September 15th
The story of the Tower of Babel reminds there are things we can do that we nevertheless should not do. Using this story as a source of wisdom, we discuss how Christians might use or not use modern technology. Technology is good when it produces connection, attention, and creation, but bad when it produces isolation, distraction, and endless consumption.
Questions:
1. Read Genesis 11:1-9. Spend time discussing the story. What does it teach us?
2. Where have you seen technology be used for good?
3. Is your involvement with technology harming your connections, attention, and creativity? Why or why not?
4. What changes with technology should you make in your life to be more of the human God created you to be? Where are you taking the easy way instead of the better way?
5. For small groups with parents: how you are handling technology with your kids?
Action step: Conduct a technology audit.
Note: Next week we will start a new series on Proverbs!
Hype (The Rise & Fall of Nothing)-September 8th
Hype is the rise and fall of nothing, and we live in a hype culture wherein big, exaggerated promises of the next thing that is going to change everything fill our lives. But Jesus was, if anything, an anti-hype man who lived a mostly obscure life. Because life's basic-ness is beautiful, and we don't need to live high on hype.
Questions:
1. In what ways are you living on the high of hype?
2. Read Luke 3:21-23 and Luke 4:1-2. How do these passages reveal the obscurity of Jesus' life? What other stories in the gospels can you think of that point to Jesus living a quiet life?
3. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 and Matthew 6:1. In our culture, how would you describe a life of quiet faithfulness? (Austin mentioned accepting the beauty of the basics)
4. How can your life better reflect the example Jesus sets and the descriptions given above in order to live a quiet life? How can you rebel against hype culture in areas like your career or social media? (Remember, Jesus did not think he was too important to live a quiet and obscure life.)
Action step: Make it your ambition to live a quiet life. (Bonus action step from Sydney: what is one thing you are going to do this week to rebel against hype culture?
Politics-September 1st
Politics is such a "hot button" topic. Some Christians feel that the church should be very engaged in the political process. Some feel the church should stay out of politics altogether. Should Christians care about politics? If so, how do we do so in a God-honoring way?
Questions:
1. Dave posed the question, "Should Christians care about politics? Should Christians be political?" What was your answer prior to today's sermon?
2. Read Romans 13:1-7. What does this text teach Christians about being political?
3. How do you engage with people who think differently than you in a God honoring way? Read Rev. 7:9-10.
4. How can our small group better care for the needs of our city?
Action step: Take time this week to specifically pray for our country and our political leaders at the local, state, and national level.
The Age of Anxiety- August 25th
One of the only things almost everyone agrees on is that we're living in the midst of a mental health crisis. And far from belittling our anxiety or outsourcing treatment of it solely to "the professionals", God understands our anxiety and wants to help. A less anxious life is the byproduct of having a mission in life greater than the self.
Questions:
1. What role have you seen the Church (and also Vista specifically) play with mental health?
2. Do you believe God is Lord over the psychological universe? What role have you allowed God to play with your mental health?
3. What is your relationship like with introspection? Do you need to confess that you lean towards rumination (sitting in introspection in an unhealthy way)? *this is an opportunity tell the truth*
4. Read Matthew 26:36-39. Austin reminded us that Jesus himself experienced anxiety. How does this story encourage/challenge you?
5. Are you living with a mission greater than yourself? What changes do you need to make in your life to remind yourself that you are!
Action step: Live with a mission > your self.
Safety/Protection- August 18th
There's no question that safety and protection are at the forefront of people's minds these days. The world is sometimes dangerous and hostile, so it's easy to get consumed with staying safe. The question we must ask as Christians is, "How does God want us to live?" Or, to put it another way, "How can we live with courage in a dangerous world?"
Questions:
1. Why is fear such pattern of this world? How have does fear and the desire for safety affect your life?
2. Have you had a time when you felt like God’s mission and your safety were in competion? Share about it. (Matt. 10:16 Rom. 12:2)
3. How are you focusing on the power and presence of God in your life? (Deut. 31:6, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 94:14, Matt. 28:19:20, Heb. 13:5-6)
4. Where do you need God’s power right now?
Action step: Commit Joshua 1:9 to memory. Focus this week on the power and the presence of God.
Everything Sucks- August 11th
Why do we feel like everything is getting worse when most things are actually getting better? In short, entitlement, and entitlement is a huge psychological, sociological, and spiritual problem because it makes us forget everything is a gift.
Questions:
Action step: Live entitled to nothing and grateful for everything.
Remember to find time to practice confession/accountability in your group. These get honest questions are a great resource.
Technology: Eliminating the Human- September 15th
The story of the Tower of Babel reminds there are things we can do that we nevertheless should not do. Using this story as a source of wisdom, we discuss how Christians might use or not use modern technology. Technology is good when it produces connection, attention, and creation, but bad when it produces isolation, distraction, and endless consumption.
Questions:
1. Read Genesis 11:1-9. Spend time discussing the story. What does it teach us?
2. Where have you seen technology be used for good?
3. Is your involvement with technology harming your connections, attention, and creativity? Why or why not?
4. What changes with technology should you make in your life to be more of the human God created you to be? Where are you taking the easy way instead of the better way?
5. For small groups with parents: how you are handling technology with your kids?
Action step: Conduct a technology audit.
Note: Next week we will start a new series on Proverbs!
Hype (The Rise & Fall of Nothing)-September 8th
Hype is the rise and fall of nothing, and we live in a hype culture wherein big, exaggerated promises of the next thing that is going to change everything fill our lives. But Jesus was, if anything, an anti-hype man who lived a mostly obscure life. Because life's basic-ness is beautiful, and we don't need to live high on hype.
Questions:
1. In what ways are you living on the high of hype?
2. Read Luke 3:21-23 and Luke 4:1-2. How do these passages reveal the obscurity of Jesus' life? What other stories in the gospels can you think of that point to Jesus living a quiet life?
3. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 and Matthew 6:1. In our culture, how would you describe a life of quiet faithfulness? (Austin mentioned accepting the beauty of the basics)
4. How can your life better reflect the example Jesus sets and the descriptions given above in order to live a quiet life? How can you rebel against hype culture in areas like your career or social media? (Remember, Jesus did not think he was too important to live a quiet and obscure life.)
Action step: Make it your ambition to live a quiet life. (Bonus action step from Sydney: what is one thing you are going to do this week to rebel against hype culture?
Politics-September 1st
Politics is such a "hot button" topic. Some Christians feel that the church should be very engaged in the political process. Some feel the church should stay out of politics altogether. Should Christians care about politics? If so, how do we do so in a God-honoring way?
Questions:
1. Dave posed the question, "Should Christians care about politics? Should Christians be political?" What was your answer prior to today's sermon?
2. Read Romans 13:1-7. What does this text teach Christians about being political?
3. How do you engage with people who think differently than you in a God honoring way? Read Rev. 7:9-10.
4. How can our small group better care for the needs of our city?
Action step: Take time this week to specifically pray for our country and our political leaders at the local, state, and national level.
The Age of Anxiety- August 25th
One of the only things almost everyone agrees on is that we're living in the midst of a mental health crisis. And far from belittling our anxiety or outsourcing treatment of it solely to "the professionals", God understands our anxiety and wants to help. A less anxious life is the byproduct of having a mission in life greater than the self.
Questions:
1. What role have you seen the Church (and also Vista specifically) play with mental health?
2. Do you believe God is Lord over the psychological universe? What role have you allowed God to play with your mental health?
3. What is your relationship like with introspection? Do you need to confess that you lean towards rumination (sitting in introspection in an unhealthy way)? *this is an opportunity tell the truth*
4. Read Matthew 26:36-39. Austin reminded us that Jesus himself experienced anxiety. How does this story encourage/challenge you?
5. Are you living with a mission greater than yourself? What changes do you need to make in your life to remind yourself that you are!
Action step: Live with a mission > your self.
Safety/Protection- August 18th
There's no question that safety and protection are at the forefront of people's minds these days. The world is sometimes dangerous and hostile, so it's easy to get consumed with staying safe. The question we must ask as Christians is, "How does God want us to live?" Or, to put it another way, "How can we live with courage in a dangerous world?"
Questions:
1. Why is fear such pattern of this world? How have does fear and the desire for safety affect your life?
2. Have you had a time when you felt like God’s mission and your safety were in competion? Share about it. (Matt. 10:16 Rom. 12:2)
3. How are you focusing on the power and presence of God in your life? (Deut. 31:6, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 94:14, Matt. 28:19:20, Heb. 13:5-6)
4. Where do you need God’s power right now?
Action step: Commit Joshua 1:9 to memory. Focus this week on the power and the presence of God.
Everything Sucks- August 11th
Why do we feel like everything is getting worse when most things are actually getting better? In short, entitlement, and entitlement is a huge psychological, sociological, and spiritual problem because it makes us forget everything is a gift.
Questions:
- Austin defined entitlement as, "believing that you have a right to something or believing that something is owed to you." How have you seen entitlement play out in your life? Is there anything you feel like God owes you?
- Read Luke 17:1-10. What does this text teach us?
- Read Psalm 100:2-3. Austin said that God doesn't owe us anything. We aren't entitled to anything. Do you believe this? Why or why not?
- What was the last gift you were given? How do you respond when you received that gift?
- If you believed every good thing you have is a gift, how would that affect your life/happiness?
- How can you practice being grateful?
Action step: Live entitled to nothing and grateful for everything.
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