1. Understanding God’s Design for the Family |  09/15/24

Study questions

1.  How has your family of origin shaped your understanding of God and faith? 

     a) In what ways do you hope to shape your own family's spiritual journey differently?

2.  Read Genesis 1:27-28. How does this passage reveal God's purpose for families?

3.  The sermon mentions that we often expect the church to raise our kids for us.  Why do you think this happens? 

     a)  How can we shift this mindset?

4.  Discuss the three elements of family discipleship: 

     a. Teaching: What challenges do you face in teaching your family about Jesus? 

     b. Modeling: How can we better model discipleship in our daily lives? 

     c. Equipping: What's the difference between teaching/modeling and equipping?  Why is equipping important?

5.  How does the biblical design of family discipleship apply to those who are single, childless, or empty nesters? In what ways can single individuals or those without children participate in family discipleship within the broader church community?

6.  How does the analogy of training an astronaut illustrate the importance of equipping in discipleship?

7.  How might equipping our families for discipleship look different at various life stages, from young children to adult offspring?

8.  Identify one area where you can improve in teaching, modeling, or equipping your family (or those in your sphere of influence) this week. Or create a simple plan to intentionally disciple someone in your family or extended church family over the next month.

9.  Reflect on your own discipleship journey.  What tools or experiences has God used to equip you? 

     a). How can you pass these on to others? 

10. "God created our families to be the primary structure or vehicle for raising the next generation to become disciples of Jesus." How will you respond to this calling in your life and family?

2. Understanding God's Design for Marriage |  09/22/24

Study questions

1.  How does the architectural principle of 'form follows function' apply to God's design for marriage and family? 

     a) In what ways might our culture prioritize 'form' over 'function' when it comes to relationships?

2.  What are some ways we can ensure our marriages reflect God's relationship with the Church, as described in Ephesians 5:32?

3.  Read Malachi 2:14.  Discuss the concept of marriage as a covenant with God. How does this differ from viewing marriage as just a legal or social contract?

4.  Read Ephesians 5:21-28.  Paul mentions different roles for husbands and wives.  How can these roles be understood and applied in a way that honors both partners and reflects God's design?  

     a) What are some practical ways husbands and wives can live out the call to 'submit to one another out of reverence for Christ' (see Ephesians 5:21)?

5.  How might our marriages and families look different if we consistently viewed their purpose as being for God's glory rather than our own pleasure or fulfillment?

     a) The purpose of family is to create disciples of Jesus. How might this understanding change the way we approach marriage and parenting?

6.  Share with the group one way you feel challenged to change your approach to marriage or relationships based on this teaching.

• For married couples: Identify one area where you can better reflect Christ's love for the Church in your marriage this week.
• For singles: Reflect on how you can prepare yourself to be a godly spouse in the future, focusing on your personal growth and relationship with God.
• For all: Commit to praying for the marriages in your church community this week.

3. Understanding God's Design for Parenting |  09/29/24

Study questions

1.  What have you always considered the goal of parenting to be?  Why?

     a)  Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9.  How might our parenting change if we shift our focus from 'saving our children' to 'teaching them about God and modeling what it looks like to live with Him’?

2.  These verses emphasize loving God ourselves as the first aspect of biblical parenting.  Why do you think this is so crucial? 

     a) What challenges do you face in prioritizing your relationship with God?

3.  Discuss the importance of modeling what it looks like to live with God.  Share an example of when you've seen this done well, either in your own life or someone else's. 

     a) What are some specific ways we can model Christ-like behavior to our children, especially when we fail or make mistakes?

4.  How might our parenting approach change if we truly embraced the idea that our children belong to God rather than to us?

5.  How can we effectively teach our children about God's character and their relationship to Him without resorting to mere behavior modification?

6.  In what ways can we intentionally create opportunities to discuss spiritual matters with our children in everyday situations, as described in Deuteronomy 6:7?  

     a) Plan a specific time to have a spiritual conversation with your child(ren) or a younger person in the church family this week.

7.  The sermon talked about being present and adaptable in parenting.  Which of these do you find more challenging and why?

8.  For those without children or empty-nesters: How can you play a role in discipling the next generation within our church family?

9.  Evaluate how you spend your time.  Are there ways you can be more present for your children or for others in the church family?

4. Understanding God's Design for the Extended Church Family |  10/06/24

Study questions

1.  Read Deuteronomy 6:4-12 and note how God switches from speaking to Israel as a collective versus speaking directly to the individuals to make up the nation.  How does the concept of Israel as both singular and collective challenge our modern, individualistic approach to faith and community?

     a)   How does understanding the church as an extended family change your perspective on your role within it?

     b)  In what ways has our culture's emphasis on individualism and independence affected our ability to live out God's design for community within the church?

2.  Read Titus 2:3-8.  How might our approach to mentoring and discipleship change if we truly embraced the biblical model of older believers teaching younger ones?

3.  Read 1 Corinthians 12:26-27.  How might our church look different if we all actively used our spiritual gifts for the 'common good' as described in these verses?

     a)  What fears or obstacles might prevent people from embracing this responsibility?

4.  Share an experience where someone in the church (outside your immediate family) had a significant impact on your spiritual growth. What made it meaningful?

5.  In what ways can people without children themselves contribute meaningfully to family discipleship within the church?

6.  How can we balance our responsibilities to our immediate family with our calling to invest in the broader church family?

7.  Choose one of the following opportunities to do this week:

     a)  Identify one person in the church (of a different generation than you) that you could intentionally connect with this week. Make a plan to reach out to them.

     b)  Initiate a conversation with someone new at church next Sunday. Come prepared with a few questions to ask beyond just “hello."

     c)  Think about a younger believer in your life (family member, friend, or church acquaintance).  What's one practical way you could invest in their spiritual growth this month?

8.  As you go through this week, pay attention to opportunities God might be giving you to engage more deeply with our church family.  How might embracing your role in the extended family of God impact your legacy and the discipleship of future generations?  Pray for God to give you a greater vision of how He could use you in the lives of others, and for the courage to step out of your comfort zone in serving the church family.

5. Curveballs in Marriage  |  10/13/24

Study questions

1.  It’s easy to feel like a failure when we’re confronted with God's ideal for the family.  Have you ever felt this way?  How can we balance striving for God's design while accepting His grace in our imperfections?

2.  Read 1 John 1:6-7. How does ‘walking in the light’ relate to healing in our marriages and families? 

     a)  What makes this difficult to do?

     b)  In what ways might we be avoiding 'walking in the light' as described in 1 John 1:6-7, and how can we take steps to be more honest with ourselves and others?

3.  Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-2.  How can we balance showing grace and forgiveness while also maintaining healthy boundaries?

4.  Read Ephesians 4:17-18.  Why is the world’s way of thinking futile, and why does it result in a hardened heart?

     a) Read verse 32.   How can we do this when it seems so illogical and unfair and foolish?

5.  Read 2 Corinthians 5:18.  We’ve not only been reconciled by God to Himself, we’ve been given the ministry of reconciliation.  What difference does this make to the way we approach our marriage?

6.  What are some practical ways we can emulate God's forgiveness and seek reconciliation in our relationships, even when it feels impossible?

7.  What does it look like to truly love our spouse 'as Christ loved the church' in practical, everyday terms, especially when facing significant challenges?