Group Discussion Guide
Storyline, Part 4
This guide is designed to help your group create a space for genuine connection and conversation within your discussion time. Don't feel pressured to address every question each week. Instead, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you as you lead your group in uncovering what God intends to communicate during your time together.
This guide comprises three sections: Loving, Learning, and Living. Each section aims to steer your conversation towards meaningful discussions about spiritual growth as individuals and as members of the body of Christ.
This guide comprises three sections: Loving, Learning, and Living. Each section aims to steer your conversation towards meaningful discussions about spiritual growth as individuals and as members of the body of Christ.
LOVING
First moments together as a group to connect and pray (approx. 10-15 min).
Open with prayer and invite God to be part of your conversation and relationship.
- How have you seen God at work in your life since the last time we met?
- What has been one high and one low since the last time we met?
- How did you do with living out what we talked about last time we met?
Open with prayer and invite God to be part of your conversation and relationship.
LEARNING
The majority of the group discussion is devoted to open dialogue, reflecting on God’s Word and its personal application to each of our lives (approx. 60-75 min).
Scripture References from Message: John 1:1-5, 14, 3:16-21; Luke 4:16-20; Isaiah 53:1-10, 61:1-4
Big Idea from Message: What sin shattered, Jesus came to restore, and He is still doing it for us.
Why do you think it was important for the author to connect the person of Jesus to the creation narrative?
In John 1:14, the author uses the word “tabernacled,” which means “made his home among,” to describe the incarnation of the Word. How might this lead us to see the life and work of Jesus as more than him popping into our world to do a good thing then disappearing?
Condemnation is a legal word that means a negative judgement has been rendered by the appropriate authority. Why does this matter when we talk about the work that Christ has done for us?
Notice in verses John 3:19-21 that the things someone does (works) are connected to what they believe and, ultimately, whether they live under condemnation or not. How does this reality shape what the author must mean when using the word “believe” in verses 16-18.
In verse John 3:21, the word Jesus uses for “fulfill” also means, “bring to the expected end.” How does this factor into this week’s discussion of Jesus’ place and purpose in the storyline of Scripture?
In both Luke 4 and Isaiah 61, the year of God’s favor includes the reversal of the fortunes of his people. At the heart of this reversal, is the work of the one who brings this message and work of God’s activity into the world. How does Jesus live this out in his own life (think about Isaiah 53, but also his life and ministry as a whole)?
If Luke 4 and Isaiah 61 is Jesus' own description of his mission and purpose, does that make it the mission and purpose of the people who call themselves followers of Jesus? If so, does that mean we are also to be people who experience something similar to the way of life of the “Suffering Servant” from Isaiah 53?
Scripture References from Message: John 1:1-5, 14, 3:16-21; Luke 4:16-20; Isaiah 53:1-10, 61:1-4
Big Idea from Message: What sin shattered, Jesus came to restore, and He is still doing it for us.
Why do you think it was important for the author to connect the person of Jesus to the creation narrative?
In John 1:14, the author uses the word “tabernacled,” which means “made his home among,” to describe the incarnation of the Word. How might this lead us to see the life and work of Jesus as more than him popping into our world to do a good thing then disappearing?
Condemnation is a legal word that means a negative judgement has been rendered by the appropriate authority. Why does this matter when we talk about the work that Christ has done for us?
Notice in verses John 3:19-21 that the things someone does (works) are connected to what they believe and, ultimately, whether they live under condemnation or not. How does this reality shape what the author must mean when using the word “believe” in verses 16-18.
In verse John 3:21, the word Jesus uses for “fulfill” also means, “bring to the expected end.” How does this factor into this week’s discussion of Jesus’ place and purpose in the storyline of Scripture?
In both Luke 4 and Isaiah 61, the year of God’s favor includes the reversal of the fortunes of his people. At the heart of this reversal, is the work of the one who brings this message and work of God’s activity into the world. How does Jesus live this out in his own life (think about Isaiah 53, but also his life and ministry as a whole)?
If Luke 4 and Isaiah 61 is Jesus' own description of his mission and purpose, does that make it the mission and purpose of the people who call themselves followers of Jesus? If so, does that mean we are also to be people who experience something similar to the way of life of the “Suffering Servant” from Isaiah 53?
LIVING
The challenge for the week ahead is to grow in our faith and lovingly hold each other accountable through the community.
This week, circle back to Tyler’s 3 Big Question: How have you responded to the God who makes all things new?
This week, circle back to Tyler’s 3 Big Question: How have you responded to the God who makes all things new?
- Where in your life can you see that the new creation work of God has happened?
- Where in your life do you need God to continue making you new?
- How will you say “Yes!” to God’s new creation work this week?