Small Group Guide: Why Believe? Understanding Our Faith and Its Impact
Opening Prayer
Begin your session with an opening prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion and open your hearts and minds to God’s truth.
Key Takeaways
God’s Love: The sermon highlighted the unconditional love of God for humanity, regardless of imperfection or brokenness. God wants to hold us and guide us into a deeper understanding of our identity in Christ.
Role of the Church: The church exists to glorify Jesus and facilitate the encounter with God’s love in our lives and communities, striving to make a positive impact on the world.
Faith and Reason: Exploring the interplay between faith, reason, experience, and tradition can deepen our understanding and commitment to Christianity.
Christianity’s History: Acknowledge and learn from the past errors of the church (e.g., the Crusades, slavery) while recognizing the transformative impact of the gospel when lived out authentically.
Biblical Authority: Scripture is the ultimate authority for Christians, guiding our beliefs, actions, and understanding of God’s will.
Discussion Questions
- How does the metaphor of God as a Heavenly Father transform our understanding of divine love and presence in our lives?
- In what ways can the teachings of Jesus challenge our preconceived notions of worthiness and love?
- How can we reconcile the existence of evil and suffering with the belief in a good and loving God?
- What does it mean to truly encounter God’s love, and how can this be a transformative experience?
- How can the balance between preaching and teaching influence a church’s ability to reach different types of believers?
- In a society that values reason, how can faith communities effectively engage both the heart and the mind in spiritual practice?
- How do historical events and interpretations of Scripture influence contemporary perceptions of Christianity’s impact on the world?
- What role does doubt play in the development of a mature and resilient faith, and how should we navigate our own doubts?
- How can church communities address historical and contemporary injustices done in the name of Christianity while remaining true to their faith?
- In what ways have Christian moral values shaped modern culture, and how can we see these influences even among non-believers?
Reflecting on God’s Love:
- How do you personally experience God’s love in your life?
- Share a moment when you felt ‘held’ by God.
Understanding Faith:
- How do you balance faith and reason in your spiritual journey?
- Have there been moments of doubt in your life, and how did you navigate through them?
Impact of Christianity:
- What are your thoughts on the historical mistakes made by the church?
- In what ways can Christians today ensure they reflect Jesus authentically to the world?
Scripture and Belief:
- How does Scripture guide your daily life and decisions?
- Discuss the importance of Scripture compared to tradition, reason, and experience in shaping your faith.
Personal and Communal Growth:
- How can you, as a group, encourage each other to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength?
- Share ideas on how the group can actively be the gospel to your community.
Practical Applications
Daily Scripture Reading:
- Encourage group members to commit to daily Scripture reading and share one impactful verse the next time you meet.
Community Service:
- Plan a community service project together, focusing on being the hands and feet of Jesus in your community.
Faith Conversations:
- Challenge each member to have a faith-based conversation with a friend or family member who may be seeking or questioning.
Reflective Journaling:
- Keep a journal of moments they experience God’s love and times they offer it to others, to discuss at future meetings.
Apologetic Study:
- Consider doing a group study on apologetics to build confidence in discussing and defending your faith.
Closing Prayer
Conclude with a prayer, asking God to empower each member to live out their faith boldly, loving others as Christ does, and seeking constant growth in their relationship with Him.