EKKLESIA: THE Church and This church
Join us this fall for a new series called “EKKLESIA” as we look at the first expression of the Church as recorded in the book of Acts. We will also explore who we are as a church here at Live Oak. What was the Church like THEN and how should that shape who the Church should be NOW? We will also explore who THIS church is by exploring our mission, strategy and core values, as well as start exploring “what’s next” for Live Oak Community Church.
Week 10: People Matter
One of Live Oak’s core values is People Matter to God. All people. Always. You have never locked eyes with someone who does not deeply matter to God. This has been a core value of Live Oak since day one. What does it look like for us to embrace that value and live it our daily?
LIVE OAK CONNECTION POINT:
Next Sunday we have our Thanksgiving Night of Worship at 6:30pm. Childcare is available for babies – 3 years old. Don’t miss this extended time of worship through song. Also don’t forget that Giving Initiatives are due on or before Nov. 24, with the ideal turn in date being the 17th!
DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- Talk about a time that something valuable to you went missing. What was it? What did you do to recover it?
- READ: Luke 15 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) Why do you think the older brother didn’t celebrate when the younger brother returned? Who do you see yourself as in these parables? Why?
- READ: Read the following passages and talk about how they inform the belief that people matter to God:
Genesis 1:26-27
Psalm 139:13-14
John 3:16
- A key word in this story is “repent”. What is your reaction to that word? Why do you think it can seem like an offensive word to people?
- READ: Read the following verses about repentance and briefly discuss them:
Jeremiah 15:19
Mark 1:15
Romans 2:4
Acts 3:19
- 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.”
- What do you think the call-to-action Jesus had in mind with these 3 parables? What is the “now what” application Jesus wants us to take?
- What else stood out from this week’s sermon?
- What is your big takeaway from this week’s sermon?
- What is a big takeaway for us as a church?
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:
Romans 2:4 “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”
PRAYER:
Spend some time praying for each other. And pray this prayer as a group: “Jesus, build your Church and show me my part and show us our path. Amen.” ***Challenge your group to make this a daily prayer throughout this series.
Scripture References:
Luke 15; Romans 2:4; Acts 3:19; Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-14