MISSION GROUP QUESTIONS FROM ESTHER: THE PEOPLE’S PRINCESS SERIES - 28/6/09

Esther Chapter 1 & 2 Lisa Mason retold the story of Esther and made three points:

1) God is Sovereign:
King Xerxes had 6 months to show off his riches but how long would it take for God to do the same?  He is ruling and reigning even though it often appears like he isn’t.
Can you think of other stories from scripture that emphasize God’s sovereignty.

2) God is sovereign and works for the good of all who love him:
Queen Vashti’s actions seemed rash but eventually led to the salvation of the Jewish people.
What do you think about this?  Discuss together how you seen this in your own lives.

3) God is sovereign and uses our circumstances to display his glory:
Lisa asked if we let Jesus shine though our lives (2 Cor 3:18)  - what do you think about this? How can we let people see Jesus in us?

MISSION GROUP QUESTIONS FROM HEBREWS: CURIOUS ABOUT CHRIST SERIES - 21/6/09

Hospitality: Hebrews 13:1-6,11-14. Matt finished our series this week with a challenge to be those who actively practice hospitality as a way of life, a kind of hospitality that has it's roots in the Garden of Eden, in heaven and in the very fabric of the Christian life.

Matt spoke on three main points

1) The history of hospitality. 
Originally, in the Garden of Eden, God was the ultimate host!  In 2009, our societies provide a common benchmark for typical hospitality, whether it be by invite of only friends for dinner in the West, or food and lodgings (for a few days) on arrival of unknown guests in the East.  In Deuteronomy and again in Hebrews, God raises the bar far beyond the social or culture norms for His people.

What are the normal ways of hospitality expressed by the society or culture you live in? 

Take a look at Matthew 25 (sheep and goats).  What could it mean to be a Matthew 25 host?

2) The Practicals of hospitality.
“Even a sandwich can change someone’s life”.  Hebrews 13 suggests that there is a spiritual element to our physical hospitality.  Matt challenged us to think about who the strangers are in our church (prisoners, mums and dads, children, the unemployed, teenagers, etc). 

Who are your strangers? 

As a mission group, how can you show hospitality to strangers at Mosaic?   

3) The source of hospitality.
Only a change on the inside will affect a real change on the outside.  Sometimes its easier to just look as if you’re friendly and welcoming when in fact, inside, you are resentful of the very people you are helping - it means you don’t have to address the heart issues.

In 2’s or 3’s discuss whether there is anything that stops you truly loving strangers and extending your hospitality to them.

Matt explained how Jesus was crucified outside the city gates so you could receive Gods hospitality inside the city gates, Heaven, even though you don’t deserve it.

Why was it important that Jesus was crucified outside the city gates?

In the light of the hospitality shown by God the Father to you, what is your response?

MISSION GROUP QUESTIONS FROM HEBREWS: CURIOUS ABOUT CHRIST SERIES - 14/6/09

Our God is a Consuming Fire: Hebrews 12:18-29 Steve Vaughan explained that the book of Hebrews is more like a preach than a letter. The author is pastoring a struggling house church full of doubts and troubles and for some reason his final point is focussed on 'God being a consuming fire' (12:29). Why?

Steve made three points:
1) God is a consuming fire because he is a God of love.
Do you agree with this?  Or can God be loving without his righteous anger?
When did you last think and meditate on the ‘fear of the Lord’. 

2) God is a consuming fire makes us live in light of eternity
One day God will get rid of everything bad on earth therefore only invest in things that last into eternity. 
How can you invest in the future?  What things in your life will survive into the future?

3) God is a consuming fire that causes true worship to rise up in us.
If we fully appreciate God’s saving work through Jesus, it fuels our worship. 
How can your mission group regularly remember the cost Jesus has paid to save us?
Discuss together the cost of God’s love.
Is your life of worship marked by awe, reverence and gratitude or is the Jesus you worship safe and cuddly?

Mission Group questions from Hebrews: Curious about Christ series - 7/6/09

A Community of Enduring Holiness: Hebrews 12:1-3. Chris encouraged us to think about three things from this text:

1) Look to the faithful witnesses.  Are you familiar with some of the hero’s of faith listed in Hebrews 11?  Could you spend time reading/studying them in mission group?  Who are you favourite characters and why?

2) Throw off everything that hinders and run with perseverance
i) Stopper: Has guilt caused you to stop running the race?  What other things cause you to stop running?
ii) Slow Walker: Does apathy or tiredness mean you have fallen off the pace in your relationship with Jesus? What has happened? How can this mission group support you right now?
iii) Sprinter: Does your passion for Jesus mean that you are racing ahead on your own?  How can you help others rather than pursue Jesus individually?

3) Look at Jesus:  The only way to run the race is by imitating Jesus and receiving fresh grace to empower us to change.  How are you doing with this?