1. Living With a God | 08/07/25

Study Guide

Opening Discussion: How would you describe your current relationship with God? Do you feel like you're living with God or more just doing things for God?

Key Scripture: Micah 6:8 "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

 Key Takeaways:

• God desires for us to live with Him, not just for Him.
• Living with God means having a close, trusting relationship where we depend on Him.
• Jesus made it possible for sinful humans to live with a holy God.
• Living with God has implications—we belong to Him and ought to listen to Him and obey Him.
• We listen to God reading the Bible, praying, living in community with other believers, and by fasting.

Discussion Questions:

1. Read Genesis 3:8-9 and Revelation 21:2-3. God's deepest desire has always been to live with us, not just have us do things for Him. Reflect on your relationship with God. Are you focused on doing things for Him, or are you cultivating a close, personal relationship? 

     a) We can all do things for God without living with God. How have you experienced this in your own life? 

     b) How might your daily life change if you prioritized living with God rather than just working for Him?

2. Read Romans 6:23 and Romans 10:9-10. Sin creates a chasm between us and God, but His love provides a bridge. How does the reality of your salvation impact your daily life? 

     a) Are there areas where you struggle to fully embrace God's forgiveness and love? If so, why?

3. Read Micah 6:8 and Isaiah 55:8-9. God calls us to walk humbly with Him, recognizing His supreme wisdom and authority. What does it mean to "walk humbly with your God"? 

     a) Think of areas in your life where you might be resisting God's guidance—decisions or situations where you're struggling to trust His wisdom over your own. How might embracing humility change your approach to these challenges? b) How might our lives look different if we truly embraced the idea that we belong to God and are ‘not our own’ (1 Corinthians 6:20)?

4. Read Psalm 46:10 and John 10:27. In our noisy world, hearing God's voice requires intentional stillness and attentiveness. Consider how the noise of life might be drowning out God's voice in your life. What practical steps can you take to create more space for listening to God? 

     a) How can you create more space to listen?

5. Read Jeremiah 29:11 and Ephesians 2:10. God has a unique purpose for each of our lives, a plan that unfolds as we walk closely with Him. As you reflect on how God’s guided you in the past, can you see His hand at work, even in challenging times? 

     a) How might God be using your current circumstances to speak too you—to shape you and prepare you for His purposes?

6. The sermon mentioned 4 ways we can listen to God: through God’s Word (the Bible), through Prayer, through other Believers, and through Fasting. Which of these do you find easiest/hardest? Why? 

     a) Which of these ways of listening do you need to start using more—and what can you do to ensure that happens?

 Practical Applications:

1. Bible Reading Challenge: Commit to following the church's daily reading plan this week (click here for Time With God tab). Share insights with the group next time.
2. Prayer Focus: Spend time in prayer each day this week, focusing on listening to God rather than just speaking. Journal any impressions or insights.
3. Community Connection: Reach out to another believer this week for encouragement or to discuss what God might be saying to you.
4. Fasting Exercise: Choose something to fast from this week (food, social media, etc.) to in crease your ability to hear God. Discuss the experience next meeting.

Closing Prayer: Lord, help us to truly live with You, not just for You. Open our ears to hear Your voice through Your Word, prayer, other believers, and times of fasting. Give us the humility and trust to walk closely with You each day. Amen. 

2. Living Generously | 08/14/25

Study Guide

Opening Discussion: In the sermon it was said that, 'God never asks for too much, He just asks for everything you have.'  What do you thinks this statement means?  How does it make you feel?  Why?

Key Scripture:  2 Corinthians 9:10-11  …He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

 Key Takeaways:

• Living generously is about trusting God is in control of our lives and all we possess.
• Generosity goes beyond money—it includes our time, energy, attitude, and resources.
• An abundance mindset, rooted in faith, leads to greater freedom and generosity.
• Our identity as children of God should inform our approach to generosity.
• God promises to provide what we need to live the life He's planned for us.

Discussion Questions:

1.  Read 1 Kings 17:12-15, Proverbs 3:5-6 and Matthew 6:25-34.  God is in control, and living with God means trusting His leadership, even when circumstances seem dire.  How does this challenge or comfort you? 

     a)  Reflect on areas in your life where you struggle to relinquish control.  How might your perspective shift if you truly believed God was orchestrating every detail? 

     b)  Consider the birds and flowers Jesus speaks of—how does their carefree existence challenge your own anxieties?

2.  Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 and Philippians 4:19.  Discuss the difference between a scarcity mindset and an abundance mindset.  Which do you tend towards and why? 

     a)  Consider how a scarcity mindset might be holding you back from living generously—are there areas where fear of not having enough prevents you from giving freely? 

     b)  Reflect on God's promise to supply all your needs according to His glorious riches.  How might your life look different if you truly believed in God's abundant provision?

3.  Read Romans 8:14-17 and 1 John 3:1-3.  How does your status as a child of God change your perspective on your worth, your security, and your purpose? 

     a)  How might this identity affect your willingness to live generously? 

     b)  Loving parents provide for their children.  Take a moment to reflect on how much more your perfect heavenly Father will care for you.

4.  Read Acts 20:32-35 and 1 Peter 4:8-11.  True generosity encompasses all aspects of life: our time, energy, attitude, hospitality and resources.  Consider ways you can be generous that don't involve money.  How can you give of your time, talents, or encouragement to others?

5.  Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-5.  Like the Macedonian church, our generosity should come from an overflow of joy, not obligation—joy should precede generosity, rather than result from it.  How might cultivating joy in God, regardless of circumstances, lead to greater generosity in your life?

Practical Applications:

1. Reflect on an area of your life where you struggle to trust God's control. How might embracing an abundance mindset change your perspective?
2. Identify one way you can be more generous this week that doesn't involve money (e.g., with your time, skills, or attitude).
3. Write down three blessings God has provided in your life. How might acknowledging these cultivate a more generous spirit?
4. If you're comfortable, share with the group a time when you experienced God's provision after stepping out in generosity.
5. As a group, brainstorm ways your small group could practice generosity together in your community.

Closing Prayer: Thank God for His generous provision and ask for the faith to trust Him more fully, leading to lives of greater generosity.

3. Sharing Jesus | 08/21/25

Study Guide

Opening Discussion: What stood out to you most from the sermon? Why?

Key Takeaways:

• Living with God means focusing our lives on Jesus and His mission.
• God's primary purpose is to reconcile people to Himself.
• As followers of Christ, we are called to be ambassadors and witnesses for Him.
• Sharing Jesus involves both living a transformed life and verbally sharing God's story and our own story.

Discussion Questions:

1.  What we focus on matters.  How does focusing on Jesus change the way we live our daily lives?

2.  Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-20.  What does it mean to be an "ambassador for Christ"? 

     a)  How should this role impact our everyday interactions?

3.  Read Colossians 2:6-7 and John 3:16-17.  Being rooted in Christ comes from understanding and accepting God's love.  How does knowing you are deeply loved by God impact your desire to share Him?

4.  Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 and Romans 5:10-11.  Reflect on your own reconciliation story.  How has God restored your relationship with Him? 

     a)  Reflect on the people in your life.  Who might God be wanting you to be His ambassador to? 

     b)  We're called to be witnesses, not judges or prosecutors.  Why is this distinction important when sharing our faith?

5.  Read 1 Peter 2:12, Matthew 5:14-16.  How has God transformed your life—how is your life different because of Jesus? 

     a)  Are there areas in your life that stop your light from shining more brightly?

6.  Read 1 Peter 3:15 and Romans 10:14-15.  Hope is a rare commodity in our world yet, as believers, we have a unique source of hope in Christ.  Sharing it takes preparation and courage.  Share your ‘before and after’ story with each other in a concise, compelling way. 

7.  Read John 15:18-21 and 2 Timothy 1:7-8.  When we face opposition or fear because of our faith, we can draw strength from God's constant presence and the power of His Spirit, who isn't a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.  Reflect on any fears you have about sharing your faith, then share them and pray for each other.

Practical Applications:

• This week, intentionally look for opportunities to share your faith story with someone, and share with the group next time.
• Spend time developing your 3-minute testimony, expanding on your 15-second version.  Practice sharing it with a friend or family member.
• Identify one area of your life where you need God's transforming power.  Commit to praying about this daily and invite accountability from the group.
• Memorize 1 Peter 3:15 as a reminder to always be ready to share the reason for your hope in Christ.

Closing Prayer: Thank God for reconciling us to Himself through Jesus.  Ask for courage and opportunities to share this good news with others.  Pray for those in your life who don't yet know Christ.

4. Sharing Jesus | 08/28/25

Study Guide

Opening Discussion: Share a time when you had to give up control of something important in your life.  How did it feel?  What was the outcome?

Key Takeaways:

• God's vision for us is to live with Him, not just for Him.
• God wants to completely transform us, not just make minor improvements.
• Transformation (sanctification) is God's work through His Spirit, but we must cooperate.
• Our growth often comes through hardship and difficulties that test our faith.

Discussion Questions:

1.  Read Romans 12:1-2 and Ephesians 3:20-21.  “God doesn't just want to change your life—He wants to change you.”  What's the difference between these two concepts? 

     a)  We often resist change because we're driven by comfort and convenience.  How have you experienced this in your relationship with God? 

     b)  Abraham, Moses, and Paul were called to lives they never envisioned for themselves.  How do you respond when God calls you to do something that takes you out of your comfort zone? 

     c)  Reflect on areas of your life where you might be resisting God's leading today—are there dreams or plans you're holding onto that may not align with God's plan and purpose for you?

2.  Read John 15:1-11 and Galatians 2:20.  Living for God typical leads us into a religious life, but living with God leads us into an intimate relationship with God.  Do you typically try to please God through your own efforts, or are you living with God—abiding in Christ, allowing His life to bear fruit through you?  Why? 

3.  Read 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 and Galatians 5:16-25.  The process of sanctification—being transformed by God—is the work of the Holy Spirit in us.  Discuss the metaphor of having two "dogs" within us (our sinful nature and God's Spirit).  How have you experienced this internal conflict? 

     a)   Reflect on the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5.  Which of these characteristics of Jesus do you see growing in your life?  Why do you think it’s happening? 

4.  Read James 1:2-4 and Romans 5:3-5.  Suffering and hardships can be powerful tools in God's hands to make us more like Jesus.  What is a current challenge you're facing that God might be using to develop perseverance, character, or hope in your life?      

     a)  How might trusting that God is working through it make a difference to how you respond to it? 

5.  Read Hebrews 10:24-25 and Acts 2:42-47.  Spiritual growth doesn’t happen in isolation.  Are you actively engaged in worshipping, serving, and living in Christian community?  Why/why not?

     a)  What is a step of obedience you could take this week to trust God and cooperate with His Spirit’s sanctifying work in you?

6.  Eastpark's Mission Statement is 'To see people transformed by Jesus Christ as we proclaim the gospel with our words and our lives.'  How does this challenge you personally?

Practical Applications:

• Identify an area of your life where you're resisting God's leadership.  What step can you take this week to surrender that area to Him?
• Practice ‘contemplating the Lord's glory’ (2 Corinthians 3:18) through daily Scripture reading and prayer.  Share with the group how this impacts you over the next week.
• Reflect on any current hardships or challenges in your life and how might God be using them to transform you.  Spend time in prayer, asking for God's perspective on these situations.
• Consider how you can engage more fully in the church community through worship, service, and fellowship.  Make a commitment to take one specific action in this area.

Closing Prayer: Thank God for His desire to transform us.  Ask for His help in surrendering control and trusting His leadership in our lives.  Pray for the courage to embrace the challenges that lead to growth.