GRACELAND: A place where grace rules and prodigals can call home.
On April 27 we will start a 4-week series called “GRACELAND”, A Place Where Grace Rules and Prodigals Can Call Home. As we focus on and dig into Luke 15, we are praying that this series impacts how you see others, how you see yourself, and how you reach out to the prodigals in your world.
Week 1: Gathering Around – Luke 15:1-11
Jesus told 3 stories, back to back to back, all to make a point. People matter to God. All people. All the time. They matter so much that Jesus came to gather them to Himself. When something valuable is missing, God goes searching…and so should we.
LIVE OAK CONNECTION POINT:
We are currently collecting hygiene items to fill the hygiene closet at Lubbock Impact! Please bring: body wash, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, razors, shampoo, and conditioner.
Return to Live Oak through Sunday, May 11
DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- What is your favorite movie? Why?
- What was your favorite movie as a child?
- If your life story was a book, what would the title of the chapter be for this current season of life?
READ: Luke 15:1-11.
Spend some time SOAPing this passage. You can either spend time SOAPing individually and documenting for a several minutes and then spend time sharing with each -OR- SOAP in real time with each other. Either way make as many observations as you can.
- Observations: What are the things that stand out to you about this passage?
- A parable is a story that is told to make a point. What point do you think Jesus was trying to make? Why?
- Who is the audience Jesus is addressing? Why does Jesus tell these 3 parables? (see Luke 15:1-3)
Doug said, our value comes from our CREATOR (Genesis 1:26-27, Psalm 139:13-14).
And our value is evidenced by the search of our CREATOR who intervenes to be our SAVIOR (Romans 5:5-9; John 3:16). Read the verses mentioned here and briefly discuss each one.
- Why do you think people have 2 lists, “people who matter” and “people who don’t matter”?
- Discuss the quote: “You have never locked eyes with someone who does not deeply matter to God.”
- Where is it challenging for you to live that out? Why?
- What do you think God wants you to do and what steps do you think God wants you to take to be a person of “one list” and to value people the way Jesus does?
Doug gave us a tool for Bible engagement to help with looking for a truth to grab hold of and an application to live out: Look for a S.P.E.C.K. of Godly truth.
S = Sin to avoid.
P = Promise to claim.
E =Example to follow OR avoid.
C = Command to obey.
K = Knowledge about who God is & knowledge of who I am in Christ.
- Do you see any of these in this passage?
- What else stood out from this week’s sermon?
- APPLICATION: What is your big takeaway from this week’s sermon? Be specific.
NEXT STEPS:
Everyone has a next step to apply what we have learned. What is your next step? Be specific.
MEMORY VERSE: *Challenge yourself or your group to commit this verse to memory:
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
PRAYER:
Spend some time praying for each other.
Scripture References:
Luke 15:1-11; Psalm 1:1; Genesis 3; Genesis 12:1-3; 1 Timothy 1:15; Romans 5:5-9; 1 John 2:2; Ephesians 2:8-9