Click here for a PRINTER-FRIENDLY copy.

Click here for PRINTER-FRIENDLY copy of the curriculum 

THE TABLE
(The Party at the Table)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship (optional)

Big Idea:
The church is a table of sorts; a place to gather for spiritual nourishment, life, laughter, and love. And yes, it is also a place to party. God has called us to the table to “party on purpose.”

Summary:
God created and even demanded that his people party. In the Old Testament we see seven celebrations, called feasts, which God commanded. But, why did God want his people to party? These feasts allowed them to remember his goodness, to look forward to his future promises, and to glorify him. For instance, the purpose of the Passover party is to remember the deliverance of God’s people, to look forward to the Messiah, and in doing so glorify God. In the New Testament we see Jesus promoting parties that celebrate redemption – the finding of those things (people) once lost. God calls us to celebrate! But wait, I thought that following Christ meant giving up some of the pleasures of this world. I thought I had to live differently now. The answer is “yes”! Jesus said we “must take up our cross and follow him.” But, that doesn’t change the fact that God has prepared a party at the table anymore than long lines at Disneyland change the fact that you are visiting the “happiest place on earth.” God understands the importance of his people celebrating his goodness and he wants the table (the church) to be a place of celebration: a party of righteousness, peace, joy, purpose, fulfillment, blessing, prosperity, increase, and thanksgiving. Simply stated, when we gather at the table we are called to celebrate the glorious things God has done, the lives he has transformed, and the promises he will fulfill.

Discussion Questions: (read the Scripture & discuss)

Exodus 12:24-28:
Who called for the celebration? Why did they celebrate? What things do you need to celebrate in your life and in your church? Why?

Luke 15:1-10 & 20-32
What was the response to finding the lost sheep and coin? When does Jesus say we, along with heaven, should throw a party? Who does the brother of the prodigal son represent? What was his response to the party? What is the father’s response? Is this our perspective or do we wish the party was about us and for us? How does this change our view of the purpose of the weekend church service?

Luke 14:15-24
Jesus is throwing the ultimate party and has sent out his invitations. Who is invited? What is the celebration? Who will be allowed to partake in the cake, ice cream, and party favors? What happens to those who found excuses to not attend? Do you think we ever give excuses? Are you aggressively inviting others to this party? If not, why?

Taking Action: Does your LifeGroup party together? Intentionally spend time at each of your gatherings celebrating what God has done and is doing in your lives. Party on purpose and rejoice together.

Ministry Time

Click here for PRINTER-FRIENDLY copy of the curriculum 

THE TABLE
(The Purpose of the Table)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship (optional)

Big Idea:
The church is a table of sorts. It’s a place where followers of Christ gather for spiritual nourishment. It’s also a place where we share life, love, and laughter. Unfortunately, many people don’t come to the church table. Whether because of misconceptions or simply because they are not invited, people stay away.

Summary:
The church, like a table, has a primary purpose and was designed for a specific function. However, many churches have allowed “mission drift” to confuse their primary purpose with their secondary purposes and as a result they are majoring on the minors and minoring on the majors. To them, the table has become about a lot of things; good things, important things, but not the main thing. So what is the main purpose of the table; of the church? Here’s the answer. The table (church) exists to bring the family together in close proximity in order to receive spiritual nourishment while exchanging love, laughter, and life. The challenge that we have in building a church in this culture is to get people to the table and to get them connected to others at the table and to keep them growing at the table. This week, let’s take a look at three things that prevent people from coming to the table and how we can make the table an inviting place.

Discussion Questions: (read the scripture & discuss)

1. It is perceived as irrelevant and boring: However, if you are on fire with a passion for God, people will come running to watch you burn. The antidote to boredom and irrelevance is not entertainment; rather it is passion.
Acts 2:42-47  => What was the passion of the early church? Passion isn’t just what you do, but how and why you do it. What was the result of their passion? What would this look like today? How are you displaying your passion?

2. People are used to eating junk food: Eating the same thing at every meal is not healthy, especially if it is only dessert. We need a balanced and nourishing spiritual meal in order to grow and remain strong.
1 Peter 2:1-3 & Hebrews 5:11-14 => What kind of food does Peter suggest we crave and why? Should we only drink milk? Why not? What does the writer of Hebrews say we should eat in order to mature and how often should we be eating it? Give examples of spiritual junk food. What would a healthy spiritual meal look like?

3. We don’t invite them to the table: Every one of us is called by Christ to bring people into the family. We are to be fishers of men who are actively sharing the good news.
Matthew 9:9-13 & Mark 1:14-18 => Matthew’s initial response to meeting Jesus was to invite others to the table. Are you actively bringing people into the family, inviting them to the table, and feeding them? Give examples and tell stories.

Taking Action: What are you doing at City of Grace to prepare for company; to make this table an inviting and nourishing place? Examine your LifeGroup as it relates to these three criteria. Is it inviting and nourishing? Pray together about who you will be inviting to the table.

Ministry Time

Click here for PRINTER-FRIENDLY copy of the curriculum

NEW BEGINNINGS
What is the cost?

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship (optional)

Big Idea:
You might be familiar with the saying, “for anything worth having, one must
pay the price.” There is nothing worth more than Christ; nothing of greater
value exists in all creation or eternity. Christ himself sums up his price with the
command to “love God and love others.”

Summary:
God is doing new things in his church and also in our lives. He is stretching us,
moving us forward, transforming us, and taking us to new places in him. This
process is exciting and eternally rewarding, but it comes with a cost. Yes, you
heard it right, there is a cost associated with following Christ and being his disciple.
So, what is the cost? We know the ultimate cost is everything: God demands
your life, your soul, your all. This week we will discuss four specific focuses
associated with the Christian walk and the cost of being a disciple of
Christ.

Discussion Questions: (read the Scripture & discuss)

1. We must be courageous for Christ and go where he leads. We must have a
passion to do the will of God, fulfill his purposes, and never stop short of going
all the way. We must dare to dream again and to dream big.
Numbers 14:1-9 & 26-35. Why did Joshua and Caleb get to enter the
Promised Land? What character qualities are rewarded by God? What qualities
met with discipline? How can we apply this to our lives and our church?

2. We must selflessly serve God and his church. God has gifted us with talents
and abilities so that we can be involved in doing his will and accomplishing his
purposes. We cannot selfishly use these gifts only for our own good. Rather,
we are called to employ our gifts for the benefit of the entire body of Christ.
1 Peter 4:10-11. Discuss the different gifts God has given you and how
these gifts can be used to build up and serve others in the body of Christ. Who
are we ultimately serving? How does this change the way we live and where
we invest our time?

3. We must earnestly seek God and give ourselves to prayer and fasting. We
need God’s grace, his guidance, and his direction in our lives. Prayer and fasting
are critical spiritual disciplines that touch the heart of God and deepen our
relationship with him.
Matthew 6:5-7 & 16-17. What view did Jesus have regarding prayer and
fasting? Was it optional? Discuss your experiences and the outcomes you
have had as a result of prayer and fasting.

4. We must live humbly before our God with pure hearts, treating one another
with love, grace, and compassion. What we say to each other and how we
treat each other is extremely important to God and to the health of his church.
Ephesians 4:29-32. Why should we treat each other with compassion?
Why is unwholesome talk so dangerous? Give examples of how we should
treat each other.

Taking Action: Spend this week praying for each other and for City of
Grace. Ask God to direct you to opportunities in the body of Christ to use the
gifts he has given you. Courageously step out and follow his lead.

REMEMBER THIS
(In the Meantime)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship (optional)

Big Idea:
How should we be living in the meantime; as we await our Savior? Do we strive to earn our salvation? How about kicking back and relaxing? Paul directs our eyes and hearts to Christ as we passionately press on and strain toward our eternal life with our Lord. 

Summary:
Can we do it without Christ; can we make it on our own? In the third chapter of his letter to the Philippians, Paul responds with an emphatic “NO,” and states that apart from Christ we have no righteousness that will lead to salvation. Does he mean that good works and obedience are worthless and wrong? Not at all, but Paul does point out that doing these things solely out of our own strength is of no profit. He goes even deeper by stressing the importance of knowing Christ, the power of his resurrection, sharing in his suffering, becoming like him, and ultimately being eternally saved because of him. Paul isn’t saying that he has completely accomplished all of this, but instead of sitting back and just hoping for it to happen he declares that he is pressing on and straining toward what is ahead in order to get this ultimate prize. Paul then amazes us by encouraging us to follow his example. Instead of being enemies of the cross, remaining selfish, and having our minds on the things of this world, Paul is telling us to join him in his pursuit of Christ, to eagerly await our Savior, and to live as citizens of Heaven. Is this what your life looks like? Are you going after Christ with a passion because you know that he is the only way? Are you willing to suffer with Christ, obey him, pursue him, and forsake all others save him? Yes, this is Paul’s story, but it must be our story as well.

Discussion Questions: (read the scripture & discuss)

Note: first read Philippians 3:7-21 in its entirety

Philippians 3:7-11
Knowing Christ involves knowing the power of his resurrection, but also sharing in his sufferings. How do we share in his sufferings? Give personal examples if appropriate.

Philippians 3:12-14
What does Paul mean by pressing on and straining toward what is ahead? What are some examples of “pressing” and “straining” in your life?

Philippians 3:18-21
Paul tells the Philippians to “follow his example”. What is Paul talking about? Can you confidently instruct others to follow you; to imitate you? What should we be doing in the meantime?  

Taking Action: Spend this week examining your life. Does it reflect someone who is eagerly awaiting Christ? Are you giving your whole life to gain the prize? Are you living through your faith in Christ and like a citizen of Heaven or are you still captivated by the world?

Ministry Time

Click here for PRINTER-FRIENDLY copy of the curriculum