Wendy Powell, Community Outreach Pastor

   The Hebrew word ger has been translated into English as:
foreigner, guest, alien, sojourner, outsider, stranger

Leviticus 19:32–34
Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord. When a [ger] foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The [ger] foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were [ger] foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.

Psalm 146:6–9
He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the [ger] foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

Job 29:11–17
Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me, because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them. The one who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing. I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the [ger] stranger.

Ezekiel 22:29–31
Again the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, say to the land…This people practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the [ger] foreigner, denying them justice. I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.’ So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

Matthew 22:37–39
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Deuteronomy 10:17–19
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the [ger] foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are [ger] foreigners, for you yourselves were [ger] strangers in Egypt.

We were once ger, and the love and welcome he expects us to show the stranger is because that is how he has welcomed us.

We live the garden where we belong

Most of us are ethnically gentile, not part of God’s

As disciples of Christ, we are and here on earth

The Greek word like ger is xeno, and in these three passages it’s combined with another word:

Romans 12:9–13 (philoxenia) philo means love, xenia is of strangers

Titus 1:7–9 (philoxenos) literally stranger-loving

1 Timothy 5:10 (xenodocheō) translates as stranger-welcome

Matthew 25:31–46
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
      “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a [xenos] stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
      “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a [xenos] stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
      “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
      “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a [xenos] stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
      “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a [xenos] stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
      “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
      “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

If we love God, we will ; the two are inseparable.

Don’t let others tell you what is , what is ; find out for yourself.

We cannot rightly understand or rightly apply God’s truth without the help of .

The Bible’s View of the Stranger

8 Mondays, October 27–December 15

6:30-8:00 PM in The Meeting Place

Small Group Questions

1. How familiar were you with the biblical theme of welcoming the stranger before this message? Were the scripture passages familiar to you?
2. What do you know about your family’s immigration story? Where did your ancestors come from? Do you know what brought them to America?
3. In what situations have you been a stranger? Who welcomed you?
4. Think about the places you frequent in a typical week. Where might you have an opportunity to welcome someone who is unfamiliar to you or that setting?
5. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

A question from God to me and you:
Is there any prejudice within you?

Racism, prejudice, and discrimination in any form is evil and
completely antithetical to the heart and gospel of Jesus.

The God of the Bible is not color.
He is currently and historically color.

How do we reclaim our common humanity?

Reframe

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9-10

Reframe the original

⁵ Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven…  
⁹ Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome ¹¹ (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs…
¹⁷ In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people…
³² God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.
⁴¹ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:5, 9-11, 17, 32, 41

Reframe the

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Reframe the of Jesus

⁷ When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.

The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) John 4:7-9

Reframe the of Jesus

Jesus was a dark-skinned, Middle Eastern, Jewish man. (Matthew 2:2)

Reframe the of Jesus

As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:11-13

God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him, and do what is right. Acts 10:34b-35

Reframe the of today

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:26-29

Reframe biblical

From one man, he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. Acts 17:26

Reframe

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created them. Genesis 1:27

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to
bring praise to God. Romans 15:7

Small Group Questions

1. Do you like the rain? Why or why not?
2. Why do you think the topic of race so uncomfortable for people to discuss?
3. What spoke to you from Grant’s experiences? How will this change your own future conversations?
4. Read all the scripture in the outline out loud. What is revealed to you about God’s character and his love for all people?
5. What is one tangible action step you can take today regarding the issue of our common humanity?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer 
to everyone who asks you to
give the reason for the hope that you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect…
1 Peter 3:15

The Tough Truth about Suffering

Suffering was of God’s original design (Genesis 1-2)

Suffering is (John 16:33 and James 1:2)

Christians are from suffering (2 Corinthians 12:8-10, Isaiah 53)

The Origins of Suffering
Some of the suffering we endure is…

Because of sinful decisions (Galatians 6:7-8)

The result of another person’s sin against us (Genesis 37:18–20)

The result of other people’s sinful decisions (Genesis 6:5–8)

Because we live in a world that was (Genesis 3 and Romans 8:22–23)

The result of for those who love God (John 10:10 and Ephesians 2:1–2)

Where is God in my suffering?

(Psalm 23 and Deuteronomy 8:15–16)

What’s good about suffering?

Suffering draws me (John 9:1–38)

Suffering (1 Peter 5:8–10 and Romans 5:3–4)

Suffering reveals my true (Job 23:10 and Psalm 139:23–24)

Suffering softens my heart toward (2 Corinthians 1:3–5)

Small Group Questions

1. What is your favorite family tradition in the fall season?
2. How would you define suffering?
3. Do any of the truths about suffering and its origin surprise you? Which one, and why?
4. How have you seen God show up for you in your suffering?
5. What has been good about your most challenging moments?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor

The grass withers, the flower fades,
      but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8

What does the Bible say?

Every life is by God.

So God created mankind in his own image… Genesis 1:27

For you created my inmost being;
     you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made… Psalm 139:13-14

Every life is by God.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
    before you were born I set you apart. Jeremiah 1:5

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7

Every life is to God.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

What do we do?

We start with .

We exchange “” for “.”

We speak the in .

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15

Small Group Questions

1. Why do you think some people are so obsessed with taking selfies?
2. How does knowing you’re made in God’s image shape the way you see yourself and others? How do you think would our world be different if everyone truly believed this?
3. Why is starting with Scripture so important when we talk about divisive issues?
4. Have you ever had a moment where what you think was challenged by what God says? What happened?
5. What does it look like in real life to speak the truth in love? Where do you personally find that difficult?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

construct

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” Genesis 1:28

construct

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” … But for Adam no suitable helper was found. Genesis 2:18, 20

construct

That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Genesis 2:24

Construct

Genesis 1 & 2 is not ; it’s .

Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,
      but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered; Proverbs 28:26

Jesus every single construct.

“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:4-6

How Jesus responds to someone living outside God’s framework:

² At dawn he [Jesus] appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. ³ The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery.
     They made her stand before the group ⁴ and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵ In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” ⁶ They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 
     ⁷ When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸ Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
     ⁹ At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. ¹⁰ Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
     ¹¹ “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:2–11

Small Group Questions

1. What is your favorite part of the fall season?
2. How do you emotionally approach the topics of gender, sexuality, roles and marriage? Are you fearful, anxious, excited, empowered, etc.?
3. Which of the four constructs prompt the most questions for you? How does the scripture help you move towards an answer?
4. Jesus responded with kindness, grace, and truth in offering the woman a new way to live. How are you doing at balancing these three as you represent Jesus in your everyday world?
5. What is your biggest take away from this message?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

Recent Headlines

• From the Guardian in the UK: A revival is happening: Church hails resurgence among young in UK
• Axios Magazine: Young men are leading a religious resurgence
• USA Today: Not just at Easter: Gen Z is returning to Christianity. Data proves it
• The Wall Street Journal: Sales of Bibles are booming

8 realities regarding the authority and veracity of the Word of God

1. The Bible contains verifiable .
2. The Bible is a story woven together by , not .
3. spoke to the authority of God’s Word.
4. The Bible contains future-proof .
5. The Bible’s is a testimony to its validity.
6. The timeless wisdom of the Bible .
7. The original followers of Jesus believed this “truth” was .
8. The Bible doesn’t shy away from its own .

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16–17

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.” Jeremiah 29:13–14

Key Signs of Authority Issues

Difficulty accepting

Chronic

Distrust of

Fear of

Once again…

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

People often think they can have three responses…

1. the truth
2. Seriously the truth claim and stay there forever. (Ultimately, you do have to make a choice.)
3. the truth

²⁴ “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
      ²⁸ When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, ²⁹ because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. Matthew 7:24–29

Small Group Questions

1. What was the highlight of your summer?
2. What is one word you would use to describe the Bible?
3. What is one part of the Bible that you love? One part that you struggle with?
4. Which of the 8 realities primarily leads you to believe the Bible is true? Which one causes more questions for you?
5. What are your toughest questions about the role of God’s authority in your life?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

What do superheroes do?
They evil, people who need help, and the world.

Then Thomas said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” John 11:16

Thomas began as a devoted man of .

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
      Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:5-6

God uses to speak truth into our lives,
but who do you go to ?

²⁴ Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
      But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”
      ²⁶ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
      ²⁸ Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
      ²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:24-29

One more time…
“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not yet seen, and yet have believed.”

The path of Thomas’ questions led him to a deeper passion for .

Small Group Questions

1. Who is your favorite superhero?
2. What is your toughest question for God?
3. Where do you go to find God’s wisdom?
4. Read John 20:24-29 out loud. What does God say to you about the conversation between Jesus and Thomas?
5. How can you change your world tomorrow?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor

Judas means “”

LESSON 1: is not the same as .

Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

LESSON 2: Giving is not the same as giving .

John 12:3–5
Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
      But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 

Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

LESSON 3: Following a is not the same as following a .

Matthew 26:25
Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”

Small Group Questions

1. Have you ever been physically close to someone but emotionally or spiritually distant? What was that experience like?
2. What do you think kept Judas from fully connecting with Jesus on a heart level?
3. What fears or barriers keep us from giving everything to God?
4. What are some ways we can make sure we’re actually connecting with Jesus—not just showing up to church activities?
5. What is one step we can take this week to give more of ourselves to Jesus?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Josh Lease, Student Ministries Pastor

Our  influences our .

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
      “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38–42

Martha’s heart posture is one of .

Mary’s posture is one of .

“The active life in the world for God can only properly flow
from a deep inner life with God.”
– Pete Scazerro

After she [Martha] had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
      When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” John 11:28–32

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked.
      “Come and see, Lord,’ they replied.” John 11:33–34

“Jesus wept.” John 11:35

Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”
      But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” John 11:36–37

Honest that is greater than .

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
      But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
      “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” John 12:1–8

Mary of Bethany shows us to position ourselves in a place of extravagant over self-righteous .

No matter the circumstances, Mary’s posture remains the same: .

Mary’s posture and position models the life of a —at Jesus’ feet.

Small Group Questions

1. What do you think of the statement “Your position influences your perspective?” How have you seen this to be true? 
2. What would you say is the position of your heart toward Jesus in this season of your life?
3. Who do you relate to most: Martha, the crowd, or Judas? Do you relate to Martha’s busy productivity? The crowd’s cynicism? Or Judas’ self-righteousness?
4. What might it look like for you to reorient yourself to Jesus’ feet?
5. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

An Invitation to Some Ordinary Heroes

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.
     A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too.  They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind. Matthew 4:18–22 (New Living Translation)

The invitation from God to any potential disciple:

Become a (there’s a new goal!)

John 1:43–50 (New Living Translation)
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown.
      Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses, and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”
      “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
      “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.
      As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.”
      “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.
      Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”
      Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”

Breaking down the invitation:

As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.”
      “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked.
      Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.
      Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”
      Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”

A heartbreaking statement you hear in the counseling world:

Hurt people hurt people.

When Jesus steps into the conversation:

Forgiven people people.

Healed people people.

Found people people.

Invited people people.

Small Group Questions

1. Which of the original twelve disciples do you most relate to? Why?
2. What cost did you consider before you agreed to come, follow, and fish for men?
3. What keeps you from inviting people to “Come and see for yourself”?
4. What do you learn about the heart of Jesus in his conversation with Nathaneal?
5. How can you live out the mission of a true disciple this coming week?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?