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Small Group Discussion Questions:
Biblical // Relational // Applicable
“Your Place At the Table”
Message by Dr. Ted Roberts
May 17, 2015
Special Note:
There will be no weekly sermon-based discussion questions written for the months of June, July,
& August.
Conversation Starter:
“The Lord has been teaching me…”
Discussion Questions:
1. Is there something Dr. Ted Roberts said this past Sunday that impacted you or stood out to you?
2. 1 Peter 1:22 says, “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere
love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.”
We all have the tendency to wear masks in public and even in personal relationships.
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What are some of the different masks we wear for different people?
What are the reasons we wear those masks?
Do you think those masks have any value?
In what ways do those masks prevent us from loving one another “deeply, from the heart?”
How can we be more intentional in our group to be authentic and let each other see beyond our
masks?
3. The story of Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 4:4 and 2 Samuel 9:1-13 shows how an individual, from early in
his life, can be formed or deformed by the emotional and physical scars of life. [In those days when a
new king came into power it was the custom to execute every living relative. In 2 Samuel 4:4
Mephibosheth had just lost his father in battle and his life was now at risk of being taken.]
Mephibosheth’s life is an example to us. In order to experience the King’s kindness, and to join him at
his table, we must be retrained to perceive ourselves and to receive his love. Read 2 Samuel 4:4 and 2
Samuel 9:1-13.
 Do you have any additional thoughts or observations as you read this scripture together?
 In order to understand David’s kindness towards Mephibosheth you may want to read 1 Samuel
20:12-17.
4. When we come into relationship with God he redefines us.
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What are some of the false identities and labels the world tries to put on us?
What are some of the ways that the world tries to assign value to us?
Here are some of the ways that God redefines us.
 We used to be sinners, he calls us saints.
 We used to be unwanted, he calls us chosen (Ephesians 1:4).
 We used to be illegitimate, he called us adopted (Ephesians 1:5).
 We used to be dead and decaying, he called us new creatures (2 Corinthians
5:17).
 We used to be unlovely, he calls us his bride (Hosea 2:16-19).
Using the scripture, can you come up with any other ways that God redefines us?
5. Looking at each of these, how does living according to God’s definition of me change the way
that I act?
6. Take 10-15 minutes to meditate on God’s acceptance and love over your life. Have someone
read each truth out loud to the group and then pause for two minutes as the group
contemplates what that means for themselves.
Example:
“I am a saint, set apart to God. I am no longer a sinner.” (pause)
“I am chosen. He desires me. I am not unwanted.” (pause)
“I am adopted as his child. I am no longer illegitimate.” (pause)
“I am a new creation, I am no longer filled with death and decay.” (pause)
“I am his bride. I am desirable. I am no longer unlovely.” (pause)
Other_________________________________________
7. Debrief: How did you encounter God during these 10-15 minutes?