Ice Breaker:  On Sunday morning, Mike told about a time that he thought a new Atari game would bring him lasting joy J.  Can you remember a time when you thought some kind of a purchase would bring you lasting joy?  How long did it satisfy?

1.  There’s many different ways to be a father figure.  Think of positive examples from your life…think of some negative examples you’ve seen...discuss.

2.  Have you ever leaned your ladder against the wrong wall?  Discuss.

3.  Give three signs that show our culture, while having so much, still lacks a sense of contentedness.

4.  What did Adam and Eve lean their ladder against when they decided to eat the fruit God had told them not to?
       i.  What did Cain lean his ladder against when he killed Abel?

       ii.  When reading through Genesis 6, what do we see that the whole world leaned their ladders against?

5.  When you are looking to find someone to marry, what important theological truth is pointed out when we say, “I have already found my right one….I’m looking for my right two.”?

6.  Read Genesis 11: 1-9.
       a.  How did settling on the plains of Shinar show a rebellious attitude in the men that did so?

       b.  Bricks are man made….stones are found naturally, part of creation.  Any significance in that to the Babel story?

       c. 

              i. What’s significant about the ladder leaning up against the side of the tower?

              ii.  The top of the ziggurat was called the “exalted place”.  When a man or a woman arrived at the top, they had “arrived”.  Why is this a great symbol of all the things we lean our ladders against?

              iii.  What would it be like at the top of the tower?  Would the climb meet all your needs? :)

7.  It was an act of mercy for God to scatter the people at Babel.  Discuss.

8.  Where does Jesus say our ladder should be leaning in Matthew 6:33?

9.  Read Acts 4:12.  Discuss in the context of this study.

10.  What is Southside’s mission statement?  How does that statement make it clear where our hope lies?

11.  What did Jesus say is the number one competitor with God to be the “main thing” in your life….to be the wall you lean your ladder against?

12.  Malachi 3:10.  Discuss.  Philippians 4:19.  Discuss.
       a.  Discuss how God’s way of blessing us and meeting our needs might be different (but better) than we might chose if it was left up to us.

The picture below is a hint:

 

13.  When Corinne and I first got married, I’d say to her, “Can’t afford to give.”  She’s say to me, “Can’t afford not to give”.  Discuss the difference in perspective.

14.  Can you remember an example of how God looked after the Mannes family through the years?  Can you think of examples of people you know that are givers and how God “met their needs”?

15.  Why does Proverbs 18:11 speak so powerfully to our affluent society?

16.  Does your time reflect the words of Psalm 119:11?  Why or why not?

17.  What does God promise when we lean our lives against Him?

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Small Group Study from Sunday, June 13th, 2010

*Written by Chris Colvin, a SouthSide Small Group Coach

This Sunday was Baptism Sunday and instead of a specific sermon, Pastor Mike had the various candidates come up and share their testimonies.

However he did remind us of the theme of last week’s sermon, that our Heavenly Father is the One who runs towards us.  That’s an amazing thought.  So this week I thought we would take that thought further and look into why He runs towards us.

Many years ago someone put together a series of verses, often known as The Roman Road, that summarize the Gospel.  Not only are they are a very useful reminder for ourselves but they also form a very solid foundation for a young Christian and are very useful for sharing the Gospel with those seeking after Jesus.

Now there have been various variations on this list, but the one I keep in my Bible is given below.  (Incidentally I mark each verse with the letter and also put a note to say where the next verse is.)

A – Romans 3:23   For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Here’s the problem in a nutshell.  We are dealing with Someone who is completely holy, and in comparison our lives and attitudes are nothing like His.  In fact Isaiah 64:6 describes “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags”.

I think of it this way.  Imagine we have been told that a dear friend has had a heart attack and needs immediate open-heart surgery.  We are in the middle of a really dirty job, but we don’t care.  We rush off to the hospital.  Can you imagine the chaos if we were to try to go into the operating theatre!!  We would contaminate the place.

We have to face the fact that no one, with one exception, has ever lived such a perfect life that they could walk straight into God’s presence without contaminating everything.

B – Romans 6:23   For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Not only do we fall short of God’s standard, but also we are cut off from Him.  This verse describes the condition as death, because at this point in time there is no relationship between God and us.  As 2 Samuel 12:9 notes, “Like King David, by sinning we have despised God and His word, the Bible.”  As Lamentations 3:42 notes, “we have transgressed and rebelled against God.”  Note also Romans 6:23 uses the word “wages”, we earned this situation, our actions were deliberate.

But not all is lost, what does the second half of the verse say?  God is offering us a gift.  It has something to do with eternal life and it comes via the Lord Jesus Christ. 

John 17:3 describes eternal life “as knowing God, and Jesus Christ whom God had sent to earth”.  So despite our “filthy rags” there is a possibility of getting right with God.

C – Romans 5:8   But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

And this is where we see God running.  Long before we ever thought about God, He knew there was a problem and He provided a sacrifice for us.  But why do we need a sacrifice?  Take a simple example of a hockey game.  If the referee never called a penalty, the game would be chaotic.  If someone checked you in an obviously vicious and illegal way, they are not going to be your best friend.  For that to happen, some penalty or compensation would need to be paid.

In our case the offense to God is so serious that a very serious price had to be paid. 

1 Peter 1:18&19 reminds us “we were redeemed not by silver or gold but by the very precious blood of Jesus Christ.”  In other words, amazingly enough, God was prepared to pay the penalty Himself.

D – Romans 10:9   If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

So far God has made the entire running, now it is up to us to respond.  If someone is drowning and I stretch out my arm to help, if they do not grab my arm, they will still drown.

God offers to forgive us, based on Christ’s sacrifice, but we have to accept it.  I have to publically acknowledge that what Jesus did applies to me, and that I can do nothing to earn God’s favour.  What He is offering me is a pure gift.

The immediate result, I am no longer heading for hell, but will spend eternity in heaven with Him.

E – John 1:12   Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

Not only do I have the promise of heaven, but God immediately considers me His child.  In fact Galatians 4:6 says I can use the term “Abba” or Daddy.  Personally I prefer to call Him Father, but still the intimacy is amazing and true.

If necessary, we could stop there.  But the remaining verses reinforce the message.
 
F – John 3:16&17      For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Probably the most well known verse in the Bible, but look again at what the verse says.  It starts with God.  That God loves.  A love that involves giving His Son.  The result is that we immediately avoid going to hell, and instead have eternal life.

G – John 5:24  I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

Here is the same message in a slightly different form.  Once you believe in what Jesus has done for you, you immediately cross over, and become one of God’s people.

H – John 10:27-30   My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30I and the Father are one."

A useful confirmation that once you become a Christian you cannot lose that salvation.  You are child of Jesus Christ and He will not let you go.  However it is important to bear in mind Jesus’ parable of the sower, where seed fell on thistles or stones, indicating that a person can hear the gospel and give the impression that they have trusted Jesus.  But in actual fact they were not serious and no permanent change had taken place.  

As 2 Corinthians 5:17 points out, when a person becomes a Christian they become a new creature, old things have passed away and all things become new. 

If you want a checklist, you can tell a person is really converted because:
1 – They are truly repentant
2 – They are very thankful
3 – They care for other people
4 – They start to show the fruits of the spirit (Gal 5:22), love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, gentleness, kindness, goodness and self-control.
5 – They start to show the fruits of righteousness, they become concerned about sin and want to consciously follow after their Heavenly Father.

I – John 20:31   But these are written that you may[a] believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

This is what it is all about.  As Jesus says in John 10:10, I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly.

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Small Group Study from Sunday, June 6th, 2010 - Dead Man Walking: Week 9 - Back (preached by Mike Mannes)

Ice Breaker:  When you think of the parable of the lost son (or the Father who runs), is there a story from your life that comes to mind?  Is there a story you’ve seen someone else go through that comes to mind?  Talk about that for a while.

1.  Why did we call this series Dead Man Walking?

2.  “The flood was God saying to a world full of self seekers, ‘all right, have it your way’”.  Discuss.

3.  What is the biggest competitor to God in your life of worship?  See Matthew 6:24 for the biggest competition.

4.  When we step away from God to pursue other things, what are we hoping they will bring us?

5.  Genesis 8:1 speaks of God’s sovereignty and power.  How?  (Seep Psalm 135: 7).  Can you think of other examples in the Bible of God showing His power to control “nature”?

6.  The rainbow means God promises to delay His justice and extend His mercy.  How?  Discuss.

7.  What is the program Jim Wells spent a year in?  What did God teach him while he was there?  Discuss.

8.  Read Luke 15: 11-24:
       a.  What’s the title of this passage?

       b.  What does Mike say should be the title?

       c.  Why would it have been a major hardship for the father in this story to give 1/3 of everything he owned to his younger son?

       d.  By demanding his inheritance while his dad was still alive, what was this son saying about what he felt about his dad?

       e.  When the youngest son set off for a distant country it seemed to offer him something he wanted….but it soon took him places he never wanted to go.  Discuss.
              i.      Talk about times in your life that this has happened to you.

       f.  All this time, the father in this story never stopped loving his boy….and this boy….he never stopped needing his dad.  Discuss in light of Jim Wells’ story.

       g.  Kezazah.  Discuss.  Break a glass on the floor of your small group leaders’ house. :)

       h.  Why does the father run to the son?  Why does he want to get there before Kezazah?

       i.  Sending Jesus was God’s way of running to His rebellious children….you me and you.  Discuss.
              i.  Jesus became Kezazah on the Cross so we didn’t have to.

j.  The story ends this way in Luke 15 – There will be no kezazah. Brokenness does not get the last word.  Not this time!  Not for my boy. Not for MY SON.
              i.      What does that mean to us today?

k.  Why does the story of the father who runs resonate with us to such a great degree?

l.  In what sense does this clip below demonstrate a Father that runs and a son who can always come back?  Discuss.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRWve1dr2JI

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Small Group Study from Sunday, May 30th, 2010 - Dead Man Walking: Week 8 - Evangelism (preached by Brock Adams)

Ice Breakers
-Why is evangelism scary for non Christians?
-Why is evangelism scary for Christians?
-Can you relate to the video of the evangelism linebacker?
-What were some of the excuses given for no evangelising in the video?

-Is any evangelism good evangelism? Why or why not?
-How can aggressive evangelism be helpful and how can it be harmful?
-How can silent evangelism be helpful and how can it be harmful?

God may ask you to talk to someone or give someone a tract. God may tell you not to tell someone you are a Christian. They key is letting God tell you to do those thing and not taking Gods work into your own hands and doing it you way. Explain

Evangelism is about balance, it is about lifestyle. Explain.

Details:
-  What is some evidence in Genesis 7 that proves God cares about the details?

-  Details are easy to take care of at church and small group. What areas of our lives are challenging in regards to taking care of the details?

-  Why do the details matter?

-  Why do non Christians care about details more than the fact they you go to church?

-  How do details show people the difference God has made in your life?


Obey
-  Verse 5 says that Noah did All God commanded him. Why is this important?

-  Why do we not like the word obey?

-  Why do we find it so hard to obey?

-  Has God told you to do something and you did not do it? How did you feel after?

-  Had God told you to do something and you did it? How did it work out for you?

-  Who misses out when we don’t obey?

-  God wants to use you to impact eternity. Why do we so often forget this?


Grieve
-  Why is it important to know that God’s heart was grieved before the flood?

-  What evidence can we find in chapter 7 that shows Noah’s heart was grieved?

-  What grieves your heart?

-  Why is it important to know the heart wrenching Noah’s ark story instead of the happy one?

-  How do you think Noah felt watching the people he loved die? Is this any different than the us living with non Christians today?

-  Time will run out. Did I do enough? Why are these important things to remember and remind ourselves of?

-  How will grieving over the destination of human souls motivate us into action?

The people in our lives don’t have to share the same fate as those who died in the flood. How does a life of details, obeying and grieving point people to Jesus?

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Small Group Study from Sunday, May 23rd, 2010 - Dead Man Walking: Week 7 - Unstoppable Grace (preached by Mike Mannes)

Ice Breaker:  Talk about a time from your childhood when your mom said to you, “Wait until your dad gets home!”.  How did you get in hot water?  How did it all work out for you?

1.  What’s a simple way to define sin?  You may want to use Adam and Eve’s first sin as an example to help you find the answer to this one.

2.  Last week we talked about truth seekers and self seekers.  How does this concept relate to the following quote from C.S. Lewis?

“There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way”

3.  What did a world full of self seekers lead to….see Genesis 6:5

4.  Why does a SUPERFICIAL reading of the Noah story lead to discouragement and dread.  Hint….if you forget that Genesis 6:9 comes AFTER Genesis 6:8, you could miss the whole point of the Noah story.

5.  Grace is:

       a. Unearnable
              i.  Discuss the phrase in Genesis 6:8, “Noah found favour?”
                     1.  What is another word for favour in this context – hint…see the title of this sermon!

                     2.  In what way did Noah “find himself in a state of grace”?

                     3.  What comes first, a relationship with Jesus or a changed life?  Discuss.

                     4.  How does Ephesians 2: 1-9 show us that its impossible to earn God’s grace?
                     -  Who did earn it for us?

                     -  If grace is a gift, what do we show when we refuse to accept the gift and keep trying to earn it?



                     5.  Discuss this quote from Tim Keller:
"No one, no one, no one, not even the greatest does not need the grace of God. And no one, not even the lowest can fail to receive the grace of God."

                     -  What does this show about God’s grace?

                     6.  How is buying a twinkie, a bag of chips, a candy cup AND... a Diet Pepsi, like people who try to earn God’s Grace with good deeds?

                     7.  God’s plan for us, instead of trying to earn His grace, or distract Him from areas of our lives that aren’t all the should be, is to confess our shortcomings humbly to Him.  What will follow?  Read 1 John 1: 8-10 to help with this.

       b.  Unexpected:
                     1.  How does the story of Noah show that God’s grace can show up in the harshest of circumstances?

                     2.  Can you think of stories in your life when all seemed hopeless and God showed up?  Discuss.

                     3.  Read Matthew 14: 22-31.  Discuss how this story illustrates that God can do even the impossible.
                     -  How do things work when we try to do the impossible without His help?

       c.  Undeniable:
                     1.  Think of times Noah must have been tempted to lose faith in God’s grace.  Have there been times in your life you were tempted to do the same?

                     2.  Read Genesis 6:22 – how is Noah an example to us in that verse?

                     3.  Present circumstances must not cause us to question what we KNOW to be true….discuss.

6.  How do the following song lyrics relate to Grace?

I see Your face in every sunrise
The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes
The world awakens in the light of the day
I look up to the sky and say
You’re beautiful

I see Your power in the moonlit night
Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright
We are amazed in the light of the stars
It’s all proclaiming who You are
You’re beautiful, You're beautiful

I see you there hanging on a tree
You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me
Now you are sitting on Your heavenly throne
Soon we will be coming home
You’re beautiful, you're beautiful

When we arrive at eternity’s shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We’ll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we’ll sing
You’re beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful

I see Your face, You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful
I see Your face, You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful
I see Your face, I see Your face
I see Your face, You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful

7.  God’s grace forgives us….God’s grace cleans us up, heals us, empowers us and changes OUR world and THE world….discuss in light of Acts 3 and 4

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Small Group Study from Sunday, May 16th, 2010 - Dead Man Walking: Week 6 - Turth Seekers and Self Seekers (preached by Mike Mannes)

Ice Breaker:  There’s a really popular show on tv nowadays called American Idol – I’ve never really watched it, but I’ve heard one of the funniest parts of the show is the auditions where people come out to try to get on the show but can’t sing at all.  It is so interesting to watch someone who doesn’t see what the rest of the world sees about them (that they can’t sing!! :) ).  During your life, have there been areas in your personality or character that you just couldn’t see but everyone else knew?

1.  Why do you think churches are called to celebrate communion regularly?

2.  There are sins of commission and sins of omission.  Discuss with examples.  James 1:27 might help with the sins of omission discussion.  The ten commandments might help with the sins of commission discussion :).

3.  Romans 3:23 illustrates how Adam and Eve’s mistake affected all of us.  Discuss.

4.  Jesus never sinned, never turned His back on God…yet God turned His back on Jesus.  How did Jesus’ separation from God on the Cross pay for our reconnection (adoption)?

5.  Communion calls us to remember the difference the Cross and the empty tomb make to our past, our present and our future.  Discuss.

6.  Seth turned to God.  He even named his son Enosh (Frail man in need of God).  How did Seth’s descendants walk away from God again?  (Genesis 6: 1-2)

7.  C.S. Lewis said, “There are two different types of people:  those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done’, and those to who God says, ‘All right, have it your way’.  How does this quote relate to the discussion of truth seekers and self seekers?

8.  Read Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:13.  In light of this passage, will we gravitate more towards being truth seekers or self seekers if we just float in culture’s current?

9.  Mike said on Sunday, “The first step away from God is usually a small one”.  Give examples from our study of Genesis so far.  Give examples from your life or the lives of people you know or have heard of.

10.  Three questions to ask when determining whether we’re truth seekers or self seekers:

       a.  Where are your from?
              i.  If this earth is your home, you will try to find fulfillment here.  Discuss.
              ii.  If heaven is your home you will look to God for your fulfillment and look to give to this world instead of trying to take from it what it can never offer. Discuss.

       b.  What are you measurements?
              i.  What does it mean to say we need to “Magnify God in our lives”?  (OH GREAT GOD)
              ii.      Self seekers minimize God.  (OH GREAT ME)
                     1.  Instead of following Jesus, they tell Jesus to follow them.  Discuss.
              iii.  Is there a part of your life that you’ve labeled as “off limits” to God.  Repent of that today.

       c.  What do you do?
              i.  Wise men and women obey God…..like the guy that built his house on a rock….they are truth seekers.
                     1.  Truth seekers have “seen enough” to trust and obey Jesus.  Discuss.
              ii.  Self seekers delay, debate and disobey.
                     1.  Can you think of a time you’ve delayed obedience to God?
                     -What were the consequences to you and others?
                     2.  Can you think of a time that you’ve debated God’s truth instead of obeyed it?
                     -What were the consequences to you and others?
                     3.  Can you think of a time you’ve flat out disobeyed God?
                     -What were the consequences to you and others?

11. Read John 8: 31 and 32.  What does Jesus promise to those who obey Him?  Read also Matthew 7: 24-27.  How doe these passages reinforce one another?

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Small Group Study from Sunday, May 9th, 2010 - Dead Man Walking: Week 5 - Love (preached by Mike & Corinne Mannes)

Ice Breaker:  Highlights and lowlights…..Tell of one great memory you have of your mom and one not so great.  Get as real as you can.

1.  How did Corinne say God helps to shape mothers through adversity?  Can you think of ways that God has shaped you (even if you’re not a mother J) through adversity?

2.  Sin starts with temptation.  Our adversary, Satan, offers us something we think we want and then if we act on the temptation we sin, and we’re taken some place we never would have chosen to go:

       i.  When Adam and Eve ate fruit off the wrong tree in the Garden of Eden what did the THINK they wanted?  Where did they end up?

       ii.  What do practical atheists think they want?  Where do they end up?

       iii.  What do spewers and stewers think they want?  Where do they end up?

3.  What are three patterns of relationships that many people in our day THINK they want to follow?

4.  Why do beautiful people in our culture often end up being flawed human beings?

5.  God calls men to be Protectors, Providers and Pastors in their homes.  Discuss each one in the physical, spiritual and emotional context.

6.  Corinne has summarized Proverbs 31 this way when it comes to defining a Godly woman:

       A Wife of Noble Character...
       1.  runs her household and isn't lazy about it
       2.  is concerned about her kids and very involved in their lives at every stage - not distracted following her own pursuits
       3.  doesn't waste money
       4.  cares about what she looks like (although not too much)
       5.  is concerned for the poor
       6.  lives her life based on what God says, not what our culture says
       7.  is wise - gives good advice to her children and others
       8.  doesn't worry but trusts God
       9.  laughs easily
       10.  realizes, as does her husband, that charm and beauty are not what it’s all about—a good wife loves and obeys Jesus
       11.  is teachable - lets Jesus mold her into the woman He created her to be
       12.  builds up her husband when he’s there and when he’s not there

“She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life”

Discuss it.

7.  How is lust more than just physical or sexual?  How is it an attitude of the heart?  Read Philippians 2: 3-4.

8.  Why do people who see their marriage through a lens of lust often not see their character grow?

9.  What does Corinne think about One Tree Hill J?  What does that have to do with seeing our relationships through a lens of worship?

10.  Who is the “right one” in your life?  So, what does it mean when we say you’re really looking for the “right two”?  Read Mark 12: 29-31.

11.  Fredrick Buechner says that a marriage made in heaven is where two people get together to become more truly themselves.  Discuss this quote and also discuss the fact that God doesn’t want to take two half people and make them one whole person, but that He wants to take two whole people and unite them?

       a.  How are we made whole?

12.  People who believe in romanticism as their saviour often nag a lot.  Why?

13.  God’s pattern for Love within relationships and within our marriage is the CAR principle.  Discuss:
       a.  Confess
       b.  Ask
       c.  Reward / Rejoice

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Small Group Study from Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 - Dead Man Walking: Week 4 - Spiritual DNA (preached by Mike Mannes)

Ice Breaker:  Our parents pass on certain traits to each one of us in our genetic coding (our DNA).  Can you think of three similarities between you and either your mom or your dad?  How about differences?  If you grew up not knowing your biological mom and dad, how did you come to resemble those who raised you?

1.  What’s Uncle Willy’s (or buffet) Christianity?

2.  Read Micah 6:8.  What are the things that God wants us to be angry about?

3.  How does Genesis 4:17 show that Cain has a problem with pride?

4.  Genesis 4:26 is a key verse in this week’s study.  Read it and discuss its significance to the topic of spiritual DNA and world history.

5.  In the beginning of Genesis 5, Seth takes on a new role in his family.  Explain.

6.  What are three explanations of the long lives of the patriarchs listed in Genesis 5?

       i.  Hint….is the Almighty God who created the entire universe capable of granting long life?

7.  Compare Luke 3 and Genesis 5.  Any similarities?  What’s the significance?

8. Read Psalm 121: 1-2 and Psalm 40: 1-3.  How do both of those passages illustrate that when it comes to children from rough backgrounds, ITS NOT WHERE YOU COME FROM, BUT WHERE YOUR HELP COMES FROM.

9.  What does Proverbs 10:11 inspire us to do as parents?

10.  When Adam and Eve named Seth, their name itself carried with it encouragement…explain.

11.  When’s the last time you followed God’s example in Matthew 3:17 towards your kids, or towards some “spiritual kids” in your church.

12.  If you knew you could only say one more thing to each of your children before you die….what would that be?

13.  1 Corinthians 11:1 is a powerful parenting verse!  Discuss.

14.  Do you have spiritual grandmothers and grandfathers in your life?  Discuss.

15.  How many times is retirement mentioned in the Bible?  :)

16.  Has God given you the role of a parent or a grandparent to someone in our church who isn’t actually related to you?  What an honour!  Pray that He would enable you to fulfill that role in such a way as to build their spiritual DNA!
 
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Small Group Study from Sunday, April 25th, 2010 - Dead Man Walking: Week 3 - Why Are You Angry? (preached by Mike Mannes)

Ice Breaker:  Sin offers us something we think we want to take us someplace we don’t want to go.  In other words, sin makes us lost.

Geographically speaking, have you ever been actually lost?  Where?  For how long?

1.  What does it mean to love God with all your:
       a.  Heart
       b.  Mind
       c.  Soul
       d.  Strength (Romans 12:1)

2.  In Revelations 3, a luke warm church is described. What is the way around that “luke warmness” according to verse 20?

3.  When we read the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4: 1-15, it becomes very clear what Cain’s idol is.  What is it?  How can you tell?

4.  Why does God ask Cain, “Why are you angry?”.  Much like his offering, Cain’s problem here is with his heart, not his outside.  Why is Cain angry? 

5.  In Genesis 4:7, God tells Cain that “sin desires to have” him.  Ephesians 4:27 says it a different way.  Compare the two verses and discuss the meaning.
       a.  In military terms a foothold is a “base of operations”.  Discuss.

6.  James 4:7….how do we “master” sin in our lives?  See also 2 Cor. 10:5.

7.  Are you a spewer or a stewer when it comes to your anger?  Discuss.

8.  If God asked a spewer like Cain, “Why are you angry?”, what would the honest answer usually be?
                                                    
9.  How can the story of Cain and Abel serve as a warning to “spewers”?  What were the consequences to Abel for Cain’s sin?  What about the consequences for Cain?

10.  Ready Proverbs 29:11.  Discuss times when you’ve been the “venter” and the “ventee”.  What has the cost been?

11.  “Stewers”.  What is in the heart of a stewer?  (Col 3:13)

12.  Stewing is easier to justify than spewing, but its consequences are still severe.  Discuss.

13.  Bitterness is like drinking a glass of poison and waiting for the person that hurt you to die.  Discuss.

14.  How does bitterness effect us:
       a.  Spiritually
       b.  Physically – Proverbs 17:22

15.  Why is a renewer angry?

16.  C.S. Lewis said, “Anger is the fluid that love bleeds when it gets cut”.
       i.  How is this true of God – that anger is not the opposite of His love?

17.  What does Micah 6:8 say we should pursue if we want to love the things that God loves and be angry about the things that God’s angry about?
       i.  What are some injustices that we see in the world around us – things that just aren’t the way they were designed to be.

       ii.  Can you think of a time when anyone has shown you mercy?  How did it impact you? 

       iii.  How is the story about the rich guy who bought the boy a basketball a little reminiscent of what Jesus did for us on the cross?

       iv.  Jesus didn’t just get angry, HE ACTED to set things straight.  Is He calling you to a sanctified anger today?  Pray that He would.

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Small Group Study from Sunday, April 18th, 2010 - Dead Man Walking: Practical Atheist (preached by Mike Mannes) 

Ice Breaker:  luke warm Christian is an oxymoron.  Here are a few others:  “Microsoft works”, “airplane food”….think of a couple to share with the group.

1.  Sin offers us something we think we want, but takes us somewhere we never would have wanted to go.  Think of examples in your life and share them.

2.  Define practical atheist (Titus 1:16)

3.  Judas Iscariot was a practical atheist….explain.

4.  Read Genesis 4: 1-5 and answer the following:

       a.  What does the name Cain mean (read Genesis 3:15 to see the significance of this)

       b.  What does the name Abel mean?

              i.  Can you see even by looking at the names how Cain may have grown up arrogant?  What about Abel’s humility and faith?  Can you see how even his name might have helped bring that about?

       c.  What, mainly, was it about Cain’s sacrifice that didn’t favour?  See Hebrews 11:4 for help.

5.  Matthew 22: 37-38 says we must do more than just believe in God... discuss.

6.  John Calvin said the human heart is an idol factory.  Do you agree?  Give examples.

7.  Eight of the idols of our culture are:
              i.  Money
              ii.  Success
              iii.  Good looks
              iv.  Intelligence
              v.  Relationships (co-dependence)
              vi.  Pleasure (addiction)
              vii.  Religiosity
              viii.  Work

Talk about how each one could be an idol?

8.  Which of them are the most tempting for you to worship in your life?

9.  Do you remember the three main costs of idolatry?

10.  Blessed are the Pure in Heart, Jesus said in Matthew 5:8.  How does this relate to loving God with ALL our heart (worship).  What does Blessed mean in this context?

11.  When we open the Bible (God’s word), He opens His mouth to speak to us.  That’s great news!  Do we live our lives as if that’s the case?

12.  Our mind is bombarded by trivia, lies and garbage….discuss how each of them take their toll on our minds.

13.  God made you just how He wanted you.  How do names like Peter, Thomas, John and Paul encourage you in this light?

14.  Read the quote below and discuss:

Giving our best isn’t about earning God’s favour, its about putting it on the alter as inadequate and asking God to do something with it that we’re not able to do.

15. Read Revelations 3: 14-16.  This is a church of practical atheists. 

       a.  What does hot and cold represent in this passage?

16.  Where do you struggle in loving God?  Heart (idolatry), Mind (trivia, lies and garbage), or Soul (Purpose).  Take it to God today.  Read Revelations 3:20 and remember, Jesus wrote this passage to a church!

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Small Group Study from Sunday, April 11th, 2010 - Dead Man Walking: The Price is Wrong (preached by Mike Mannes) 

Ice Breaker:  If there was an Olympic games for fashion faux pas….speedos would win the gold medal.  What would win the silver?  If you look back at your life, what would be your gold medal winning fashion faux pas moment?

1.  Look of John 8: 31-32.  There are three steps to applying truth to your life – believing, applying and being set free.  Identify those steps in this passage and discuss.

2.  God is the author of THE beginning.  Think of an example of how He has been the author of a personal beginning….a new start for you or someone you know.  Talk about the process, and relate it again to John 8: 31-32.

3.  Looking back to the Fall, can you remember any of the truths we discussed during our snapshots series?  Discuss.

4.  Sin is turning your back on God.  Discuss that in light of Proverbs 16:25.

5.  Sin offers us something enticing but takes us to a place when never wanted to go.  This is Mike’s paraphrase of Proverbs 16:25.  Have you seen examples of this?

6.  Reading through Genesis 3: 21 and 24, we see some consequences for Adam and Eve’s sin – death, shame and life radically altered.  Discuss.

7.  Amazingly, men and women today are still falling for sin….chasing after something that looks enticing which takes them some place they never wanted to go.  Mike said three heart attitudes that lead people toward sin are Doubt, Defeat and Diversion.  Which one is more of a temptation to you.

8.  What is the opposite of faith?  When did Eve fall for doubt?

9.  Two reasons people “fall” for doubt – the truth is inconvenient and the truth is challenging….discuss.

10.  When we have an attitude of defeat it can manifest itself in two main ways:
       i.  We play the victim
       ii.  We feel unworthy.

       How did Adam play the victim after Eve and him chose to break connection with God?

       How did Adam and Eve show they felt unworthy by hiding from God after they sinned?

       Have you ever allowed the victim mentality or a sense of unworthiness to get in the way of your relationship with God?  Explain.

11.  What wrong picture of God did Adam and Eve have and do we have when we choose to hide from God instead of asking His help?

12.  The third heart attitude that leads us into sin is diversion.  How did Adam and Eve fall for diversion when they first sinned?

13.  How do we miss out on what God has for us by always looking for something different or better “out there”?

14.  Genesis 4-11 paints a picture of a dark world.  What hope does John 1: 1-5 bring?  Keep in mind that “the light” is Jesus.

15.  What’s the heart attitude you need to repent of today?  Doubts?  Defeat?  Diversion? 

       i.  Southside Church exists to invite people into an authentic and deepening relationship with Jesus Christ.

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Small Group Study from Sunday, April 4th, 2010 (Easter) - Story (preached by Mike Mannes)

On Easter Sunday, a video was shown called "Story".  (Here is the link to the sermon with the video in it.)  On the video, SouthSiders discussed their "story" and how Jesus' story had changed theirs.

In your small group, go around and discuss your stories:

     -your life before Jesus

     -how you met Jesus

     -how Jesus changed your story

Also, if someone was interested in learning more about this Jesus, what would you tell them?

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Small Group Study from Sunday, March 28th, 2010 (Palm Sunday) - LUKE 19:28-40 (preached by Pastor Dave Huebert)

1.  Ice Breaker:  What verses in Zechariah chapter 9 are believed to be prophecy regarding Palm Sunday?  Do we also find a reference to this prophecy in Matthew 21?  Discuss.
 
2.  It was a triumphal entry into Jerusalem, but did his disciples expect that his triumph would be a humiliating and brutal death on a Roman cross?  Jesus spoke about his coming death many times, so how come no one saw it coming?
 
3.  What were Jesus’ followers and disciples expecting Jesus to do once he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey? 
 
       a.  A donkey took Jesus to his crucifixion – to receive a crown of thorns, not one of gold, precious jewels and honor.  What eternal crowns would he be given?  See Hebrews 2:9 and Revelation 19:11-13.  Discuss.
 
4.  In the New Testament, is there a strong message of defeatism or triumph for the Church?  We have enemies, suffering, sin and Satan coming against us – we are all under attack, but what does 2 Corinthians 2:14 tell us?
 
       a.  “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:2 NIV

              >>So in the face of defeat, how are we as Christians challenged to think – how do we approach today? Why?
 
       b.  “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…”  Revelations 12:11a

              >>Do we approach life with an overcoming attitude as the scriptures say we should?  If not, what can we do to change that?  Is it worth it?
 
5.  In the Old Testament and in ancient times a King would ride to his coronation on a donkey.  This person WOULD be crowned King.  Does this knowledge add to your appreciation of the story?  In what ways?
 
6.  Pastor said in a way we are all “donkeys”.  In Luke it says, “the Master has need of it”.  Even donkeys have a purpose in God’s kingdom!  We need to go with Jesus like the donkey did; donkey’s aren’t known for their intellect, yet a donkey can by used by God to accomplish amazing things for His purposes.  Jesus wants to loose you too – you don’t have to be smart to be used by God.  Do you recall another time in scripture when a donkey did an amazing thing? Find that scripture and discuss.
 
7.  Do not underestimate yourself, especially in God’s hands.  Our thinking limits ourselves.  We can’t be governed by our yesterdays – don’t dwell on them!  Jesus is more interested in your potential for tomorrow than in your past.  Deflect defeatism and come alive in Christ.  Is it easier to get our focus off the past, or to have faith in God’s bright future for us?  How does the donkey’s story on Palm Sunday encourage our hearts?
 
8.  “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”. “I tell you,” he (Jesus) replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19:39-40
 
       a.  Every Church has a few Pharisees: Yes or no?  Did the Pharisees welcome change?  God is unchanging, but how does He feel about change in our lives?  Why do we always seem to gravitate towards man-made tradition and “safety”?

       b.  Step out and do something new for God.  Some may think you’re crazy, but donkeys aren’t too self conscious are they?
 
Summary:  You don’t have to be smart or good looking or “all together” for God to use you!  Jesus loves donkeys.  Do you? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Small Group Study from Sunday, March 21st, 2010 - HABUKKUK (preached by Pastor Dave Huebert)

Icebreaker: How is the world we live in today a lot like the world Habukuk was in?

BURDEN  (Habukkuk 1:1-2)  

-Discuss the ways we can sense a burden.  Where should we take our burden?

-Reformation (setting things right) comes after sensing the burden.  Revival always follows Reformation.  Discuss.   

-Have you ever wondered why we are in the state we are in?  What happens if we resist change?  How do apathy, laxness, and compromise pervert God’s mercies? 

-Habukkuk is getting upset with God’s inactivity, and questioning His power.  How does the meaning of his name (to embrace, cling to) show what he decides to do?

-What answers (change) are you tenaciously clinging firmly to God for?

-Discuss the statement “the just shall live by faith”   Like Habukkuk, does our burden drive us to our knees?

-God’s answer comes in verse 5.  I will work in “your days”….  Why is believing for the present more difficult than for the future?  Jesus gives faith for TODAY. He told Lazarus to “get up”  2 Cor 2:14  He always causes us to TRIUMPH.

VISION

-Habukkuk 2:1  Discuss the significance of  “stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts”. (eg. Great Wall of China)

-Habukkuk 2:2  Habukuk said “I will look to see….”  Where are our eyes focused?

-Apply these verses to having our vision lifted up.  Proverbs 23:7, Matthew 12:34, I John 5:4.

PRAYER

-What is significant about the prayer “On shigionoth”?  Habukkuk 3:1

-Faith is ACTION.  If you never act on it, you don’t have faith.  What area in your life does this speak to?

-Discuss the “Hilarity of Faith:  Joy at its best with circumstances at their worst”.

SUMMARY

1.  Burden – FAITH sighing, grappling with the problem

2.  Vision – FAITH seeing, grasping the solution

3.  Prayer – FAITH singing, glorying in assurance

FAITH takes you from reality to promise

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Small Group Study from Sunday, March 14th, 2010 - What’s Your Profile - EVANGELISM (preached by Mike Mannes)

Ice Breaker:  Evangelism is challenging.  What is the most challenging thing you’ve ever done in your life?  How did you feel when it was over?  Tell the story.

1.  Who is someone if your life that led you, in word and by example, to Jesus.  Tell the story.  Would you consider writing them a letter this week?

2.  Around us in the world we see a lot of people trying to find wholeness in a bunch of different ways.  Think of people that are trying without Jesus.  Discuss.  How’s it working for them?

3.  The death of Jesus on the cross wiped our slate clean, and defeated death, so that while our body might wear out, if we trust in Jesus our soul lives eternally with Him.  Do you think often of this promise? 

       a. Discuss the statement, “We need to live in light of eternity”.

4.  Read Romans 8: 10-11.  In the last question we talked about what the death of Jesus has bought for us.  What has the resurrection of Jesus won for us in light of this passage?

5.  Here are the ten themes of the ten week, “What’s your profile series”:

       1.  We are created on purpose by the same all powerful / all loving God that created the universe.
       2.  We are created FOR purpose as well.

 Southside’s Eight Core Values comprised weeks 3 – 10:

       1.  Authenticity
       2.  Relevance
       3.  Discipleship
       4.  Community
       5.  Integrity
       6.  Excellence
       7.  Engagement
       8.  Evangelism

Is there a week that sticks out to you when God really spoke?  Share it with the rest of your group.

6.  Southside Church’s new mission statement:

“Southside exists to invite people into authentic and deepening relationship
with Jesus Christ.”

Look at the core values above.  Try to see where the core values fit in best with the missions statement:

Example – discipleship certainly fits in with deepening….as God works in us our relationship with Him grows deeper.

7.  On Sunday, Mike said that Jesus started AND ended His earthly ministry with a call to evangelism.  Discuss (see also Mark 1: 16-18 and Matthew 28:19)

8.  Read Luke 19: 1-10:

       a.  In this story, Zacchaeus was trying to get a really good look at Jesus.  There are people in your life, if you’re a Christ follower, that are watching you carefully too.

              i.  Can you think of any right now?
              ii.  Why is this a good thing?
              iii.  How does this explain why we left evangelism until the last week of our series to talk about?

Evangelism is about proximity, perspective and promise…discuss.

       b.  Does this mean that only perfect people can evangelize?  Discuss.

                      
       c.  Evangelism outside of relationship can often seem “hit and run”.  Discuss.

       d.  Explain the phrase “Invest and invite”.

       e.  Who are the lost causes in your life?  Has Jesus given up on them?

       f.  Can you think of a time that you might have seemed like a lost cause to others?  Who reached out to you anyways?

       g.  Talking to your kids about sex, praying with and for your spouse, saying you’re a Christian at High School.  All of these are challenging things…but all of them are worth while.  I think evangelism is like that.

       i.  Why is it no surprise that some of the most worthwhile things are the most challenging?

       h.  “When you mix the message of Jesus Christ with the human heart, amazing things happen….like salvation….like the lost found…..like eternity secured”.  Discuss.

              i.  How does this statement drive home the importance of evangelism?

       i.  Can you think of people that God has placed in your life that you need to invite to the Easter service? 

              i.  Pray for God to work in the hearts of those invited.

              ii.  Pray that each of us that call Southside our home that we would have the courage to invest in others and the faith to invite them to know Jesus.

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Small Group Study from Sunday, March 7th, 2010 - What’s Your Profile - ENGAGEMENT (preached by Mike Mannes)
 
Ice Breaker: What’s your favorite genre of movie?  What’s your least favorite?  Can you think of a time that you’ve run into controversy with a friend, a spouse, or a member of your family over picking a movie to watch?  Who won the battle?  How was the movie?


1.  Discuss the statement – “We weren’t made on an assembly line”.
       a.  Relate it to us as individuals.

       b.  Relate it to our church’s creation.

2.  Someone once told me, “Death feels so wrong because its not the way it was intended to be.  It’s the most powerful expression of the brokenness of our world”.  Discuss.

3.  Engagement – “to enter into a conflict”.  How do we automatically enter into conflict just by being born?  How does that conflict increase when we become Christ followers?

4.  Read Ephesians 6: 10-13:
       a. Compare Paul’s thoughts in this passage to this speech by Winston Churchill:

The Battle of France is over. I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilization.  The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us. Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be freed and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands.

But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new dark age…Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves, that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, 'This was their finest hour.

       b.  There were two reasons that the British people and politicians felt they didn’t have to worry about Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany.  Do you remember them?  Why were both wrong?

       c.  Why is there no such thing as neutrality when it comes to this spiritual battle in our world?

       d.  Can you think of ways that other people suffer when churches refuse to engage?

       e.  Whether we want to believe it or not we have an adversary, Satan.  He fights against us for two main reasons.  Can you think of them?

       f.  What was the “lucky break” that turned the tide in the Battle of Britain?

       g.  Can you find a connection between “be strong IN THE LORD AND HIS MIGHTY POWER”, from Ephesians 6: 10 and Churchill’s words here:

Never give up. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give

in… Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.

       i.  How does that truth from Ephesians 6:10 give us a reason to “never give up”?

       h. Do you find that sometimes God helps us in unexpected ways?  Are there times that God answers prayers differently than we would like?  Discuss.

              i.  Read John 16:33 and Hebrews 13:5.  Discuss these passages as they relate to our spiritual battles in this world.

       j.  Jesus fed 5,000 people with five fish and two loaves of bread.  How can this be an encouragement to us and to our church that even though we’re not perfect He can use us to help the people and situations around us.

       k.  Churchill said, after they won the Battle of Britain that “never in history have so many owed so much to so few”.

              i.  Who were the “so few” Churchill was referring to?

              ii.  When talking about Jesus, I would say that never in history have so many owed so much to one man.  Discuss.

                     a.  Jesus engaged by giving.  Discuss.

                     b.  Engagement takes sacrifice.  How did Jesus model that?

                     c.  Jesus wants us to engage like He did.  Read 2 Timothy 4: 6-8.  Discuss this passage written by the Apostle Paul as it relates to engagement.

                     d.  Take a second and reflect…is God calling you to engage with His help:
                            i.          In getting to know Him better?
                            ii.         In your family?
                            iii.        In your marriage?
                            iv.        In your church?

God made you unique.  Only you can play the role God has for you in your family, your circle of friends and your church.  Spend some time praying for one another for God to help you engage in these key areas of your life.

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Small Group Study from Sunday, February 28th, 2010 - What’s Your Profile - EXCELLENCE (preached by Brock Adams)

Ice Breaker: Are you sad the Olympics are over?
-  Did you have a chance to go to Vancouver?
-  Are you happy with how Canada did?
-  What was your favourite event?
-  What was your least favourite event?
-  Were you satisfied with how the mens hockey team played?

Intro: So far we have covered the values of… being created on purpose for a purpose, authenticity, relevance, discipleship, community, integrity and excellence
-    Which one has impacted you the most and why?
-    Which one is your strength right now?
-    Which one is your weakest?

1.    God is excellence
-  Why is it important to know God doesn’t do anything with a half hearted effort?
-  What are some examples of when God completely blew your expectations away?
-  Why is it important to understand that excellence is not a contest but rather its about effort?

Read Malachi 1:6-13

2.  Excellence because it transforms us
-  God was not happy with the priest because they were giving God their leftovers
-  In what ways do you find it easiest to give God your leftovers?
-  Verses 7 and 8 make it clear that if anyone deserves our best effort it’s the all might God. How does this understanding change your view on you spiritual life?
-  What did Brock mean when he said “There is no magic formula to a healthy spiritual life. It is read the Bible and pray”. ?
-  Why do we need to not just read the Bible but study, memorize and devour it?
-  How does going deeper with the Bible transform us?
-  Why should we spend time with God outside of the times we want something?
-  How does having the right attitude lead us to exude excellence in our spiritual lives?

3.  Excellence because it transforms people
-  Read verses 10 and 11
-  How did giving up lame, blind, diseased sacrifices make God look bad?
-  How does excellence in our spiritual lives pour into excellence in our relationships?
-  What is meant by the statement “We reflect God to those who don’t know him”?
-  How can excellence in our spiritual lives and how we interact with people show that God is a God worth following?

4.  Excellence transforms the church
-  Read verse 13
-  Church had become a burden for the priests. Their love for God and his temple had vanished. This angered God.
-  Why is it common for many people to view church as a burden?
-  Why is church perceived by many to be boring?
-  Church is not a chore but rather an opportunity to grow and serve. Elaborate.
-  Does knowing that the church is the only hope for the world add a sense of urgency to your view of church?

5.  Conclusion
-  A life of excellence truly honors God
-  Excellence is about effort and its not a contest
-  Out of the 3 areas mentioned Spiritual lives, Relationships, Church which of the 3 in your life is lacking excellence?
-    Which of the 3 do you exude the most excellence in?

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Small Group Study from Sunday, February 21st, 2010 - What’s Your Profile - INTEGRITY

Ice Breaker: Canada wanted to “own the podium” this Olympics.  Have they?  Was it a good idea to try?

1.  Last week we talked about the fact that as members of Southside church we all have a “call to community”.  We can either abuse the call (sadly, many times we hurt those closes to us when we abuse the call), avoid the call (due to selfishness, fear or just “drifting along with the culture”) or accept the call (know that we will only be fully in God’s plan when we do life together).

Discuss all three options.  Can you think of times when you’ve been in any one of these?

2.  What do a frozen chicken and a wind shield have to do with integrity?

3.  Integrity means “whole”.  This means every part of our lives should be consistent with what we say we believe. If we don’t live with integrity, we are fractional….or hypocrites.

4.  Why don’t hypocrites make the power of God shine out in their lives?

5.  The world is full of hypocrites.  Can you think of a few in the headlines right now?  (Hint….one has a golf video game named after him J)

6.  “The Bible isn’t about great men and women of God, its about the Great God of men and women”.  Discuss.

       a.  How does the story of King David in particular illustrate this point.

7.  Integrity is about the heart, the mind, the soul and the knees:

       a.  Read 1 Samuel 16: 1-7.  How can people’s exterior’s be deceiving?  Have you ever met someone who portrayed themselves one way but when the pressure was on didn’t come through?

       b.  God isn’t about behaviour modification, He’s about heart transformation.  What’s the difference?

       c.  God is for you.  He wants you to live a life of wholeness.  Do you believe that?  What areas of your life are fractured today?  Can you hand them to God?

       d.  You are an eternal soul created in God’s image – and God is a God of purpose.  What sort of things happen to people when they lose sight of their purpose?
              i.  What happens to churches when they forget about their purpose….hint….have you ever seen a church that is more about don’ting than doing?

       e.  Read 2 Samuel 11: 1-17, 2 Samuel 12: 1-13 and Psalm 51.

              i.  How in the world could this sinner be called a “man after God’s own heart?”

              ii.  Integrity is about the knees….how does this story illustrate that?

              iii.  God loves a repentant sinner.  Discuss.

8.  Read 2 Samuel 21:15-17 as David nears the end of his life.    

       a.  How has God restored David’s heart, mind, and soul?

       b.  How can God restore you today?

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Small Group Study from Sunday, February 14th, 2010 - What’s Your Profile - THE CALL TO COMMUNITY

*Attention Small Group Leaders: Right now, we are looking for people who are interested in serving with the tech/media department at church on Sundays - anyone with a passion for videoing, spotlights, running the slides on the computer, etc.  They will be trained by the current tech/media team.  If you could take a look around your group and see if there is anyone that might be interested (or any other area of the church), please encourage them to pray about it.  You can let them know to call or email me at the church office and I will get them in contact with the person who oversees that ministry.  Thanks!*

 Ice Breaker:  Happy Hallmark day, I mean Valentines Day!  Talk about what you think of it….should be some spirited discussion.  No yelling please!

By the way, do you know anything about the story of St. Valentine?  If so, show off to your small group buddies and share it!!

1.  Psalm 139: 1-18 talks a lot about how we were created by God on purpose and for purpose.  See how many examples of each you can find as you read through this amazing passage and discuss them.

2.  Core values... we’re on our fourth now.  We’ve gone through authenticity (We are Sought, Bought and Taught), relevance (we’ve got to see people like Jesus does, reach out to people like Jesus does and be an example to people like Jesus was), discipleship (we can be deceived, derailed because of lack of depth, distracted or discipled….and now community.  Discuss the first three as a review and see the importance of each of them in our church.

3.  How do the Olympics display that God’s design for men and women is to live in community?

4.  Read 1 Corinthians 13: 1-8 and verse 13.

       a.  What was the health of the relationships in the church of Corinth?
              i.  give an example.

       b.  We defined community as A group of individuals living in unified relationship
              i.  If we as a church and we as individuals are called to community in our relationships, what are three responses we can have to this call?  (hint…they all start with A)

              ii.  Why is it easiest to hurt those closest to us?

              iii.  When we treat our family or our church well, how does that glorify God?  See John 17: 20-26.
                     1.  In this passage, Jesus says the stakes for unity are very high.  Explain.
                     2.  According to Jesus here, where will we get the power to be in true community?

              iv.  Paul writes here that no matter how many great things you do for God, it means nothing if you don’t love.  Discuss that.

              v.  Why does our culture gravitate away from community and towards isolation, do you think?  Give some examples.

              vi.  Being someone who really loves others in community is a big challenge (See 1 Cor. 13: 4-7)
                     1.  What is the hardest part of that list for you?
                     2.  Can you think of people in your life that display that kind of love?

              vii.  Read verse 13 of 1 Corinthians 13….what a strong testimony to community!  Discuss.

              viii.  Small groups….intentional community.  Southside cares a lot about them, that’s for sure!
                     1.  What struck you about what Julie, Mary, Sean and Chris had to share?

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Small Group Study from Sunday, February 7th, 2010 - What’s Your Profile - DISCIPLESHIP

*Attention Small Group Leaders: Right now, we are looking for people who are interested in serving with the tech/media department at church on Sundays - anyone with a passion for videoing, spotlights, running the slides on the computer, etc.  They will be trained by the current tech/media team.  If you could take a look around your group and see if there is anyone that might be interested (or any other area of the church), please encourage them to pray about it.  You can let them know to call or email me at the church office and I will get them in contact with the person who oversees that ministry.  Thanks!*

Ice Breaker:  People sometimes try to appear like someone they’re not on Facebook.  Have you ever been told you look like someone famous?  Who?

1.  On Sunday, Mike said we started off the series with Two facts, things that are true whether you believe them or not.  That each of us and our church are created:
     a.  On purpose
     b.  For purpose

Why are these truths important?

2.  2 Corinthians 5:17 says that if we’re in Christ, we become a new creation….

     a.  In what way is this instant?  How are we made right with God instantly?

     b.  In what way is this a slow process?  How are we made more like Jesus over time?

3.  Read Luke 8: 4-8; 11-15

     a.  The word Satan, means adversary.  What is his goal for you, for this church and for our world?

            i.  what is his primary weapon?

     b.  Have you ever experienced a moment in your life when you felt God directing you clearly, but then allowed doubt to creep in later (Did God REALLY say….).  Talk about it.

     c.  What would Satan like you to believe about the role that Southside has to play in bringing God’s hope to the world?

          i.  Have you felt temped in this area before, to write off the work God wants to do through you or Southside as unimportant or irrelevant?

d.  What does a shallow relationship with Jesus look like?

e.  With a shallow faith, hard times are seen as faith breakers….contrast this with God’s plan to:
          i.          comfort us through hard times

          ii.  shape us through hard times (C.S. Lewis once said God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.)

          iii.  use us to comfort others through hard times

f.  “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.”

           i.  Worries, riches and pleasure…how do each of those threaten to take God’s place as the Lord of our life?
                 1.  How can this circumvent discipleship?

One Solitary Life

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.

He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself...

While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress.

I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life.

Discuss this essay.

Pray that God would use us as a church, as His body being transformed into His likeness, to affect our world like Jesus did and does.

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Small Group Study from Sunday, January 31st, 2010 - What’s Your Profile - RELEVANCE

Ice Breaker:  What’s your favorite thing about facebook / twitter?  What’s your least favorite?

1.  God says that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, and He loves you.  However, each of us struggles from time to time with the image we have of ourselves.  Talk about your struggles throughout your life.

     a.  How are you doing right now?

     b.  What would you like prayer for in regards to the labels and names you’ve allowed yourself to carry?

2.  What does it mean to say that our church is “missional”?  For help on this one, see Matthew 28: 16-20.

3.  Brad Fry, one of our worship leaders, wrote a song based on the series that we’re going through.  The lyrics are below:

What is Your purpose for me Lord?
for Your word says I am Yours.
It says I've been chosen for Your plan
It says I've been created by Your hands

What is Your name for me Lord?
for Your word says I am Yours
It says I'm adopted as Your son
It says I'm called Your beloved one

Praise be to this God who has a plan for me
Praise be to this God who has given me this name
Praise be to this God whose glory never fades
Whose love will never change for me
praise His name

What words in this song convey God’s hope most clearly to you?  Why?

4.  Last week we talked about our core value of authenticity.  Explain briefly why it is important for a Christ follower to be authentic in terms of being SOUGHT by the Father, BOUGHT by the Son, and TAUGHT by the Holy Spirit.

5.  Why is it hard for a church to be relevant if they buy into the thinking that “life is a movie about them”?

6.  Who is the most relevant person to ever live?  See John 3:16

7.  Turn to Acts 17: 22-31 and answer the following questions:

     a.  Athens seems like a very religious place!

               i. how is our culture very religious also? - what are some areas of worship in our culture?

               ii.  Do you sense some desperation in having an altar to an unknown God?  How do you think Jesus feels about this?

     b.  How does legalism make it hard for people to hear the truth of the gospel?

               i.  What do you think of Paul’s decision to quote one of their poets to engage the people of Athens? 

     c.  “The most powerful apologetic in the world is a changed life.  Comment.

               i.  How does a changed life manifest the power of the Holy Spirit?

               ii.  How does a changed life draw men and women to Jesus?


8.  Read Matthew 25: 34-36.  Is this a good vision for our church?

     a.  How many different kinds of hunger and thirst do you see in our world and in our city?

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Small Group Study from Sunday, January 24th, 2010 - What’s Your Profile - AUTHENTICITY

Icebreaker: Can you think of a “cool shattering” moment you’ve had (where you were trying to be cool, but ended up looking not so cool)?  Have you seen it happen to someone else?

1.  Read Psalm 139: 1-16
     a.  How does this passage powerfully illustrate that you were created on purpose?

     b.  The same God that created the universe is the God of this passage.  How does that make you feel?

2.  You were also created FOR purpose, and so was our church.

     a.  A couple weeks ago we said God’s plans for our church and for us individually were:

     P  articular
     L  arge
     A  ware of our shortcomings
     N  ew
To  S  end us

Discuss.

3.  We’re all tempted to be less than authentic from time to time.  What’s the damage it can do?

4.  How is the church especially likely to struggle with authenticity?  What is the cost of lack of realness in the church?

5.  Read Philippians 2: 5-11.  In this passage we are challenged to model ourselves after Jesus…..to see that we’re SOUGHT by God the Father, BOUGHT by His Son and TAUGHT by the Holy Spirit.

     a.  Jesus took on human likeness.  When we accept that we are human and not perfect, we are more likely to realize that God SOUGHT us by sending His Son, because Jesus came to seek and save the least, the lost, the lonely and the last.  Discuss.

     b.  When we are self righteous, we are less likely to see that God SOUGHT us by sending His Son.  Discuss.

     c.  True Humility always brings us to the cross, because when we are humble we realize that we’re not capable of saving ourselves.  Discuss.

     d.  Jesus BOUGHT a fresh start for us on the Cross.  Its why we regularly celebrate communion.  How can we die to our past when we come to Jesus?

     e.  When we go to the Cross humbly, we can then be TAUGHT by the Holy Spirit.  Explain what that means in the context of Romans 8:11.

6.  Where are you right now?  Do you realize that you have been Sought, a fresh start has been Bought for you and that you can be Taught by the Holy Spirit to live the life that you were called to?  Spend some time in prayer with one other person thanking God and coming humbly before Him as you move forward.
 
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Small Group Study from Sunday, January 10, 2010 - What’s Your Profile Week 2 - PLANS

1.  Ice Breaker:  What are some of the life plans you had as a kid growing up?  How did that work out for you?  :)

2.  There is a line from last week’s video that says we humans experience “significant insignificance”.  What does this mean?  Discuss.

3.  Reflect on the thought, “I am God’s idea”.  What feelings, thoughts and emotions arise?

4.  Mike talked yesterday about the first two lines of your profile saying:
     i.  I am created on purpose.

     ii.  I  am created for purpose.
Talk about the feelings you have surrounding both of these.

5.  False Mission – its not just little kids that fall for it.  Discuss.

6.  Hidden Mission…..have there been times in your life that you’ve been sidetracked with your mission?

7.  Read through Isaiah 6:1-9 and talk about God’s plans for you in terms of His plans being:
     i.  Particular

     ii.  Large

     iii.  Aware of your weakness

     iv.  New

     v.  Sending

8.  How does it change the way you look at your family when you think that God placed you there intentionally?
     i.  Your job

     ii.  Your neighborhood

9.  How does it change the way you look at Southside church when you think of the fact that God has placed you here intentionally?

10. How does the coal placed on the lips of Isaiah give a great image of what Jesus does for us?

11. Larry King once said that if he could interview anyone from all of history it would be Jesus Christ.  What was the question he would ask Him?
     i.  Why?

12.  Jesus promised that He was THE Way, THE Hope and THE Life.  What path do you think He offers our world out of hopelessness and into Life and Joy?

Small Group Study from Sunday, December 20th  - Week Four Advent: REimagine Love.

We apologize but there will be no Small Group Study for this week, as we had a guest speaker on Sunday.

Small Group Study from Sunday, December 13th  - Week Three Advent: REcapture Joy.

We apologize but there will be no Small Group Study for this week, as we had a guest speaker on Sunday.

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Small Group Study from Sunday, December 6th  - Week Two Advent: REdefine Peace.

We apologize but there will be no Small Group Study for this week, as we had a guest speaker on Sunday.

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Small Group Study from Sunday, November 29th - Week One Advent: REstore Hope

1. Ice Breaker: Around the circle, share your highlights and lowlights for the week.

2. Why is it so easy to take lightly advent and the Christmas story?
     - Through the birth of Jesus God shows that he comes through on his promises. Why is this important? Has God come through on a promise in your life? Explain.

     - Through the birth of Jesus, the beginning of the end was marked for Satan. Why is this important?

3. The Christmas story isn’t "nice". Joseph and Mary suffered for this virgin birth. Babies were slaughtered in an effort to kill Jesus. Jesus was born in a disgusting, smelly barn with animals.
     - Why do we so often neglect this party of the story?

     - How does this change your view of Christmas?

     - We celebrate advent to remember Jesus first coming and to look forward to his second coming. Why is it important to take advent seriously?

4. Hope
     - Read Lamentations 3:21-24. Why is the passage so powerful?

     - Have you ever read Lamentations before? Why is it important to read every book of the bible?

5. Choose hope over despair, verse 21
     - Why is it so easy to think negatively?  How does the affect how we deal with adversity?

     - Why is it important to know Hope is a choice? How does this affect how we deal with adversity?

     - Have you ever had to choose to hope, even when you didn’t feel like it? What were the results?

6. Choose to trust God’s character rather than question it, verses 22-23
     - Why do we naturally blame God for stuff that isn’t his fault? Have you done this? Explain.

     - How do the attributes mentioned (unending love, mercy and faithfulness) affect how you view God?

     - God’s character is perfect therefore; he is worth to be trusted. Have you ever had to trust God when life didn’t make sense to you? Explain.

7. Choose God to be your portion, verse 24
     - Why do people put their hope in everything but God?

     - Why do people have a conditional relationship with God?

     - What does it mean to say that God is enough?

     - If God is not your portion how can you make it so?

     - Is God your portion? If yes, how has that gone for you? If no, are you happy with your relationship with God?

8. How can the understanding that Jesus will come back and restore the brokenness of humanity bring Hope?

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Small Group Study from Sunday, November 22nd - Final Week: Jesus

1. Ice Breaker – look over the last ten weeks of this series as detailed below – pick one and give some reflections, thoughts, areas of learning or testimony to how God has moved in and through you from that truth.

     1. Use your time well….you don’t know how long you have.

     2. IN THE BEGINNING – God has a new opportunity for you today….a fresh start….a restoration…..                                

     3. God spoke the universe into existence….you’re made in His image…Words have power….

     4. You are made in His image – While our bodies may wear out…our soul is eternal and created in His image to live with Him.

     5. Take a Sabbath….24 hours every seven days….

     6. We’re meant to be in relationship….not isolated.

     7. God thought up marriage…..our marriages are meant to thrive at Southside…not just barely survive….leave / cleave and believe.

     8. We have an adversary – Our adversary seeks our downfall through lies and through condemnation and through loss in this broken world.

     9. Engage – You will seek Me and find Me when you seek me with your whole heart….we want to see the Kingdom of God advance in and through Southside

     10. Bring your true self to God and others – Don't fall for “Blame/Shame/Fame”

2. Read the words full of hope in John 14: 1-7.  What relationship does Jesus claim to have with truth?  Discuss this.

3. In Genesis 3, we read about the broken connection between mankind and God.  How does Jesus’ words in John 14 show the restoration of that connection?

4. The word gospel means “good news”.  Why?

5. Why is Genesis 3, and especially verse 15, known as the first gospel?

6. What are some ways that our church has been reminded over the last couple years of the brokenness of our world?

7.What are some ways you’ve been reminded lately of your own brokenness?

8. Relate Genesis 3:15 with Jeremiah 29:11.

9. Emmanuel is a Christmas word.  It means “God with us”.  Why do we remember that word during the Christmas season?  Is there a deeper meaning to God with us if we look back to Genesis 1, 2 and 3?

10. Jesus defeated death.  Read 1 Cor. 15:55-56.  Does this mean none of us will now experience physical death?  Discuss this further.

11. Spend some time in prayer.  Consider breaking into pairs or small groups. In what ways has the brokenness of the world left you needing Jesus?  In what ways has your own brokenness left you with the need to turn to Jesus in repentance and prayer?  Be authentic with one another if you can and spend some time praying for each other.
 
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Small Group Study from Sunday, November 14th - Where Are You... Really?

1. Ice Breaker:  September 11, 2001.  Look back.
       i. What picture stands out in your mind most about that day?

       ii. Do you remember where you were when you first heard about what was going on?

       iii. How has life changed in “our world” because of September 11th?

2. We say that our defining moments series is about “Truth” that will set you free.  How do the September 11th incidents as well as ongoing terrorism around the world illustrate the importance of what you believe to be true?
       i. How does this passage relate to our studying of Adam and Eve in the Garden?

4. When Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened, they realized what they had lost.  What was their response?
       i. To each other?

       ii. To God?

5. When God asks us, “Where are you?”, we have the choice to stand and answer humbly, or to avoid.  What are the three ways we talked about avoiding that question?

6. Do you fall more quickly for blame, shame or fame?  In other words, do you hide your true self by not talking to anyone or even avoiding confessing to God?  Do you compare and blame others rather than dealing with your issues personally?  Or do you sometimes hide behind status or accomplishments rather than dealing with the real you?

8. Have you ever been in bondage to shame where you didn’t want to confess the real you to others, yourself or even God?

9. Harold Abrahams, the famous sprinter from England, said this right before the 100 meter final in the 1924 Olympics.

And now in one hour's time, I will be out there again. I will raise my eyes and look down that corridor; 4 feet wide, with 10 lonely seconds to justify my existence. But will I?

How does he obviously measure his worth?  Does God see it that way?

10. Romans 5: 12-21 draws a comparison between Adam and Jesus.  Discuss.

11. John 20: 3-4 and John 21: 7 give us two examples of how Peter responded to the question, “Where are you...really?”.  How can we learn from him in how we can respond to Jesus?

12. When it came to people of status and power and self-righteousness, Jesus wasn’t overly impressed.  Give some examples.  Why was Jesus this way?

13. Read Luke 18: 9-14.  Which character walked away right with God?  Are you more like the Pharisee or the tax collector?

14. What does it mean that we don’t live FOR God’s approval but FROM God’s approval?

15. What do you make out of the line in “Breathe on Me Now” which says, “Come satisfy until I am even more in need of You.”?  How does this relate to our journey with God?

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Small Group Study from Sunday, November 8th - "Apathy or Engagement?"

1. Ice Breaker: Go through the nine “defining moment” truths we’ve studied in this series. Which ones have stuck with you?  Why?  Which ones are the toughest for you to face?  Why?  Which ones were you already well aware of and living in light of?
 
2. "You don't have a Soul. You are a Soul. You have a body." - C.S. Lewis
       i. As a review, in week four of Defining Moments, we talked about the fact that we are all made in God’s image.  How does this quote speak to that?

       ii. How does this quote speak to our hope for eternity with God?

       iii. Is this quote the way our world views people?  Is it the way you usually view people?  In what way might this quote be a good reminder to us?

3. What is another name for half-heartedness?
 
4. As you read through Genesis 3: 1-6, find examples of apathy from Adam and Eve.
 
5. A man’s role is that of protector.  How does Adam fail his calling here?  Spiritually speaking, with North American churches 65% women, in what way to men seem to still be abdicating their responsibilities as spiritual protectors of their families?
 
6. Google Jeremy Glick.  Talk about how his simple act of engagement made him a hero.
 
7. Comment on how the graphic below relates to Jesus’ words in Matthew 6.
Apathetic gauge
 
8. Why do you think money is such an uncomfortable subject to talk about in church?  There might be a few reasons here.
 
9. Comment on the following quote: “Jesus called us to be doers….not just don’ters”
       i. How does that quote relate to the way we use / see money?

10. Read Mark 10: 17-23.
       i. What does this young man have going for him?

       ii. What is he lacking?

       iii. According to the “heart gauge” graphic from earlier, where would this guy’s heart be?

       iv. It says in the passage that “Jesus looked at Him and loved him”.  So, for whose benefit is Jesus urging this young man to break out of his worship of money?

11. What is the concept of “first fruits”?  How does it relate to giving the church 10% of your gross income?  In what ways is giving like this about worship and faith?
       i. Would we be more able as a church to truly be “Jesus’ hands and feet” if all the Christians at Southside gave in this way?

12. In what way does giving take courage and faith?
 
13. Read Phil. 4:18-19 as Paul thanks the Philippians for their giving to ministry.
       i. Does Phil. 4:19 mean that if we give to God, we’ll all get rich?
           1. In what way are our needs deeper than what even we might realize?

14. This summer, our church did a series called summer reading.  The “core” passage of this series was Romans 12:1.  In what way does money relate to “offering everything to Him” as our spiritual act of worship?

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Small Group Study from Sunday, November 1st - Adversary

1. Ice Breaker:  We live in a broken world...give three examples that show this to be true.  Comment on them.

2. What are some other names for the serpent mentioned in Genesis 3:1?  Do you know what these names mean?

3. How did the devil start out by lying to himself?
       i. Read Ezekiel 28 to help you with this question.

4. Read Matthew 4:1-11.
       i. Satan tried to find fulfillment outside of God.  He even tried to overthrow God.  He know tries to ask us to try the same thing.  How might this be seen as an act of malicious hatred and desperation?

       ii. What lies did Satan try to tell Jesus?
            1. In what ways is the Devil still trying to convince people to:

       i. Feed the flesh

       ii. Seek power and popularity

       iii. Pursue acquisition
            2. It has been said that one of the big temptations in our lives is to “make good things into ‘god-things”.  Explain.

       iii. What is the common way Jesus answered him in all three instances?

       iv. When does God send angels to help Jesus?
            3. What can we learn about temptation from this account?

       v. On Sunday, Mike said, “hunger begets hunger”.  What does that mean?  Give examples.

5. Read Romans 3:23:
       a. Is it true?
       b. How does the devil manipulate it to heep condemnation on us?
       c. How does the devil use the temptations of flesh, power and acquisition to lead us to feel condemned?

6. When we speak ill of others and to others, how are we speaking the devil’s language?

7. Why does the devil wish us ill to such a great degree?

8. How does John 10:10 describe the devil?

9. Read John 19: 28-30.
       a. Explain how Jesus was speaking the words, “It is finished” to:
            i. His Father.
            ii. The Devil
            iii. You and I.

10. The Devil is a liar, and accuser and a thief.  Read Below how Jesus has defeated the devil in each of those areas and discuss:

       a. While the Devil lies, Jesus is the truth... You DO need relationship with God... and that relationship is made possible through Jesus...

Jesus says, “Come every one of you who is weary and burdened”.

       b. While the devil accuses and slanders, telling you you’re not good enough.

Jesus says, that’s right, you’re not, but I’m good, and through Me you are made clean and spotless!

You’re forgiven.

You will NEVER be good enough...in your own strength...but my grace is sufficient for you, because my strength is made perfect in your weakness.

       c. While the devil steals, Jesus restores: Those who have been taken…there will be reuniting!

Even out of the brokenness of life, He will somehow make good out of the bad.

       d. While the devil devours….Jesus gives: His life.  So you can live with meaning and look forward to eternity with Him.

Adoption: You’re not a mistake….you are a masterpiece, created with a purpose and a future.

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Small Group Study from Sunday, October 25th - "Leave, Cleave & Believe"

1. Ice breaker:  Have you seen marriages that seem to bring life and joy?  Whose are they?  What impact did they have on you?

2. Have you seen marriages that struggle?  Why do you think this is the case?

3. What’s a Defining moment?
     i. What are the three steps of a defining moment as laid out by Jesus in John 8:31 and 32?

4. In the context of this week’s sermon, what does leave / cleave and believe mean in a marriage?

5. How does the concept of one woman / one man for life marriage seem under attack today?

6. In what ways have you seen marriage portrayed in movies and tv as less than ideal?  Have you seen other examples of good marriages on media?

7. The famous serenity prayer says this:
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can change and the wisdom to know the difference."
     i. How is this a prayer of conviction rather than:

        1. condemnation?
        2. bitterness?
        3. fear?

8. In Genesis 2:24 and 25, we read that marriage is about leaving, cleaving and believing.
     i. Some people seem to be in a hurry to “leave”.  Why?
       1. Why can this have serious consequences?

     ii. At Southside, why do we say that a woman needs to look for a “provider, protector and cherisher” as a husband?

     iii. A man needs to look for a comforter, encourager and help.  Why is this so significant?

9. Sex is something that many parents are shy about talking about with their kids.  Yet Much Music, the internet, movies and cable tv seem all too eager to talk about sex at every turn.  What do you think are the consequences to this?
     i. How long on average does it take in a committed, marriage relationship to start having great, unifying, passionate sex?

10. To cleave to our spouse in true fashion, we need to accept them and not reject them.  This can be challenging.
     i. If you’re married, can you think of some attributes that your spouse had which you thought were great when you were dating, but now test your patience?
        a. Talk about a few of them (in love :))

     ii. Comment on this quote:
"Something beautiful happens when  two people refuse to reject one another.  As they seek to truly know and be known and to serve one another in humility and authenticity they begin to change!

I’m not all I can be….but with your help, and with God’s I want to be the best husband I can be for you…the best wife I can be for you.

The person that God created me to be."

11. Challenges inevitably come in marriage, and need to be dealt with.

     i. How can we avoid despair when challenges arise?

 12. God’s got plans for a marriage revival at SouthSide Church.  Not just marriages surviving, but thriving.
     i. What did Mike say would be the best thing to say to our daughters and sons some day when they are looking for “the right one”.
        1. Could you say that honestly?

        2. What would be holding you back?

        3. Spend some time in prayer, believing that God has a plan for you and your marriage, that it would be everything that God created it to be.

"To Be One With Each Other" by George Eliot

"What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined together to strengthen each other in all labor, to minister to each other in all sorrow, to share with each other in all gladness, to be one with each other in the silent unspoken memories?"

Want to talk to someone about your marriage?  Feel free to get a hold of the church office.  We’d love to help in whatever way we can!

(604) 824-8724

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Small Group Study from Sunday, October 18th

a. Of the Defining Moments (or truths) that we’ve discussed so far, which has been most convicting to you?  How have you set about walking in this truth?

Was it a truth that you:
a. didn’t know before?
b. had forgotten?
c. had ignored?

b. Incidentally, what is the difference between conviction and condemnation…we know that conviction comes from the Holy Spirit and Condemnation comes from Satan. How can we recognize the difference?

2. John 8:31-32 says:
"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

What is the condition that Jesus places on having the truth set us free?

3. Do as much or as little as you have time for from the excellent study on the next two pages.

4. If you were trying to explain to a Southsider why being in a small group is such a great idea and had to give them three reasons, what would you say?

CLICK HERE for the list of "one another" and "each other" scriptures that Mike used to prepare his sermon.