The Main Thing May 16 & 17, 2015 – John Ortberg Note to Leaders: Every small group is different, so we are providing a summary study with additional discussion questions in the Going Deeper section. Please choose the questions that relate best to your particular group. Follow up from last week: How did last week’s teaching about women in the church affect your perspective? Connect 1. Who brought you/invited you the first time you went into a church? 2. Share with the group your different experiences with church outside of your time at MPPC and/or outside of the U.S. Engage Read Psalm 78:2b-‐7. • What does the Psalmist instruct the believer to do? • What is the outcome/intended purpose of us following these instructions? Apply 1. From the four actions identified in the sermon (Be inviting, Be connected, Be generous, Be serving), which area do you need to work on first? What is a concrete first step that you can take this week? 2. Discuss how you plan to share with the next generation what previous generations have passed through our church to us. Consider the four actions in your answer. Pray Lord, thank you that we are part of your long plan for your people / your church. Help us to be more inviting, more connected, more generous and serve with our talents. Grant us wisdom and faith in you, so that we can step out boldly to further your church. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. This resource and additional sermon study guides are available at www.mppc.org Share your feedback at http://bit.ly/MPPCSSGSurvey Send questions to [email protected] Going Deeper Connect 1. Share about a time when you invited someone to come to worship service or a church event with you. How were your sensitivities heightened because you brought a guest? What did you learn? 2. What is the value of people being connected in a Life Group (small group)? Engage: Read Deuteronomy 6: 4-‐7 What does God instruct his people to do with his commandments? Is it practical today? Apply 1. What, if anything, hinders you from inviting non-‐Christians to church? What can you do about it? 2. What would it take for your group to have an “open chair” in your group? Whom would you invite first? 3. What area of need do you feel most drawn to make a difference? Serving Opportunity Contact your campus staff to set up a meeting to discuss how you can serve others (within the church and/or beyond the church). Personal Spiritual Practice Idea/experiment. If you have not already, try the practice of tithing to help you grow your trust in God in the area of finances. To make it an easier step, take the Tithe Challenge: http://www.mppc.org/tithe-‐challenge-‐1 This resource and additional sermon study guides are available at www.mppc.org Share your feedback at http://bit.ly/MPPCSSGSurvey Send questions to [email protected]