The Seeker Group Series

Transcription

1 The Seeker Group Series All Rights Reserved Missions International PO Box Franklin, TN 37068

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3 For more information, please contact Missions International PO Box , Franklin, TN , ext Permission to photocopy this training material is granted by Missions International for use in Lutheran Church Missouri Synod congregations.

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5 Facilitator Guide The Seeker Series Table of Contents Facilitator s Guide Tips for Leading a Seeker Discussion The Search for Peace The Search for Meaning The Search for Relationship The Search for Significance The Search for a Cause The Search for Eternity Participant s Guide The Search for Peace The Search for Meaning The Search for Relationship The Search for Significance The Search for a Cause The Search for Eternity

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7 Facilitator Guide Top Ten Tips for leading a Seeker discussion Tip #1: The invitation is critical A warm, enthusiastic invitation goes a long way. An invitation given in a friendly winsome way can make all the difference in whether or not someone will check out your discussion. Here s a variety of phrases you could weave into your invitations: I m planning on starting up a discussion group for an hour discussion about the Bible and other spiritual things and it would be great to have you join us. Would you be willing to check it out once? It s for anyone who has always wanted to know what the Bible says but has never had the time to find out. You don t have to know anything about the Bible. In fact, the more questions you have the better. This discussion is for anyone who has questions and who wants to see what the Bible says. Think of it more as a book club. Can you join us? I d love to have you come. It s for people who are trying to find answers to life s problems. (adapted from How to Lead a Seeker Bible Discussion by Rebecca Manley Pippert) Tip #2: Set the Seeker at ease by giving a disclaimer Help your friend overcome any fears that they might have by saying: Try it once and see what you think. If it isn t your cup of tea, then don t worry about it. Tip #3: Prepare Spend some time going over the questions and the passage ahead of time. Also, you might consider calling your friends by way of reminder about the meeting time and place. Tip #4: Set the tone with the first meeting You ve heard the phrase, You only have one first impression. Pick a setting that will be conducive to a friendly and open discussion. Remember, your goal is to get folks talking and to draw them into a safe environment where they can discover God at their own pace.

8 Top Ten Tips Tip #5: Remember that Seekers have fears Seekers have a wide variety of fears when it comes to talking about God and spiritual things. Be sensitive to the fact that your friend may be apprehensive about: Being put on the spot Having their lack of Bible knowledge exposed Being asked for a commitment Being judged or looked down on Being asked to make changes in their lifestyle Tip #6: You re not the expert Don t feel like you have to have all of the answers. The purpose of the discussion is to get others involved in the process. A seeker discussion is not a time to teach but rather it is a time to openly discuss. Tip #7: The point is self-discovery You are simply creating an environment where a seeker can think, reflect, and discover what the Bible has to say. It s more about engaging people in dialogue than it is about providing bullet-proof answers to their questions. The less you are talking the better! Tip #8: Avoid rabbit trails The discussion questions are the train tracks for the discussion. Give the freedom for additional questions a Seeker might ask but keep the goal of working through the discussion questions in mind. Tip #9: Close the discussion on time Be careful with how you manage the clock. It s much better to end on time than to go over the one-hour time limit. This communicates that you respect everyone s time and that you will honor your word on how long the discussions will last. Tip #10: Pray for your friends Pray often and consistently that your friends will truly encounter God through the discussions. You can also pray that the Holy Spirit will draw them to Himself by His power. Facilitator Guide

9 Facilitator Guide The Search for Peace Icebreaker Questions If you could go back in time what period of time would you like to visit? How come? What do you picture yourself doing in the retirement years?

10 The Search for Peace Transition Questions What kinds of things do we worry about in our culture today? Of these things, which one(s) are you prone to worry about? What prices do we pay by worrying? The Search for Peace One of Jesus missions during His lifetime was to help people in their search for peace. Let s take a look at a portion of the Bible where Jesus talks openly about worry and where we can find much sought after peace. Overcoming Worry Someone out of the crowd said, Teacher, order my brother to give me a fair share of the family inheritance. He replied, Mister, what makes you think it s any of my business to be a judge or mediator for you? Speaking to the people, he went on, Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot. Then he told them this story: The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: What can I do? My barn isn t big enough for this harvest. Then he said, Here s what I ll do: I ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I ll gather in all my grain and goods, and I ll say to myself, Self, you ve done well! You ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life! Just then God showed up and said, Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods -- who gets it? That s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God. He continued this subject with his disciples. Don t fuss about what s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, Facilitator Guide

11 The Search for Peace The Seeker Series not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more. Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don t fuss with their appearance -- but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don t you think he ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God s giving. People who don t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don t be afraid of missing out. You re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself. Luke 12 (from the Message) Discussion Questions 1. What did the man seem to be worried about in the beginning of the passage? 2. What do you think Jesus would say in response to the bumper sticker that said He who dies with the most toys wins? 3. What does the phrase That s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God mean to you? 4. What are various ways we fill our barns with self? 5. What attitudes does Jesus seem to be concerned with in these verses? 6. What alternatives does Jesus provide for worry? What are some keys to finding peace? Facilitator Guide

12 The Search for Peace 7. What do you think it means to steep yourself in God-reality, God initiative, God-provisions? 8. What factors contribute toward us getting preoccupied with getting? 9. What do you think it means to relax and respond to God s giving? 10. On a scale from 1 to 10, where would you put yourself on the worry scale if 1= I got total peace in my life and 10= I m so stressed my eyeballs are bulging!? Share a little bit about how you scored yourself. 11. In what ways might God want to help you find more peace in your life? Facilitator Guide

13 Facilitator Guide The Search for Meaning Icebreaker Questions Share about one of your best vacations. Who was one of your favorite teachers and why? What s something that drives you crazy and why?

14 The Search for Meaning Transition Questions What are some of the reasons that we like to share and listen to others? What was one of the most meaningful films you have seen and what made it so meaningful to you? Share a meaningful experience you ve had and what made it meaningful. When you look at TV, movies, and advertisements, what is being communicated about what s important in life? Why do you think people are searching for meaning in their lives? The Search for Meaning One of Jesus missions during His lifetime was to help people in their search for meaning in life. Let s take a look at a portion of the Bible where Jesus spells out the meaning of life from His perspective. What the Bible Says About Meaning One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of questions and answers and seeing how sharp Jesus was in his answers, he put in his question: Which is most important of all the commandments? Jesus said, The first in importance is, love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy. And here is the second: Love others as well as you love yourself. There is no other commandment that ranks with these. The religion scholar said, A wonderful answer, Teacher! So lucid and accurate Loving God with all passion and intelligence and energy, and loving others as well as you love yourself. Why, that s better than all offerings and sacrifices put together! When Jesus realized how insightful he was, he said, You re almost there, right on the border of God s kingdom. Mark 12 (from the Message) Facilitator Guide

15 The Search for Meaning The Seeker Series Discussion Questions 1. What kind of conversation ( hearing the lively exchanges ) does it appear this religion scholar had walked into? 2. Why do you think the religion scholar replied, A wonderful answer? 3. What s the difference between passion and energy? 4. In what ways does this portion of the Bible help us understand what Jesus considered to be meaningful? 5. In what ways might loving God and loving others make life more meaningful? 6. What would be an example of loving others as well as you love yourself? 7. If you had to give yourself a score from 1 to 10, how would you score yourself on loving God and how would you score yourself on loving others? 8. What s one thing that you could do in the next week to love God more or love others more? Facilitator Guide

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17 Facilitator Guide The Search for Relationship Icebreaker Questions What movie have you enjoyed recently? What did you enjoy about it? Who was one of your favorite teachers and why? 11

18 The Search for Relationship Transition Questions Share a little bit about a friend (currently or in the past). What did you appreciate about the friendship you had with this person? What qualities do you look for in a friend now? The Search for Relationship One of Jesus missions during His lifetime was to help people in their search for meaningful connections in life. Let s take a look at a portion of the Bible where Jesus tells a story about the connection of a father to a son. The Story of the Lost Son Then he said, There was once a man who had two sons. The younger said to his father, Father, I want right now what s coming to me. So the father divided the property between them. It wasn t long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country. There, undisciplined and dissipated, he wasted everything he had. After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through that country and he began to hurt. He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any. That brought him to his senses. He said, All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day, and here I am starving to death. I m going back to my father. I ll say to him, Father, I ve sinned against God, I ve sinned before you; I don t deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand. He got right up and went home to his father. When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: 12 Facilitator Guide

19 The Search for Relationship The Seeker Series Father, I ve sinned against God, I ve sinned before you; I don t deserve to be called your son ever again. But the father wasn t listening. He was calling to the servants, Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We re going to feast! We re going to have a wonderful time! My son is here--given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found! And they began to have a wonderful time. All this time his older son was out in the field. When the day s work was done he came in. As he approached the house, he heard the music and dancing. Calling over one of the houseboys, he asked what was going on. He told him, Your brother came home. Your father has ordered a feast -- barbecued beef! - because he has him home safe and sound. The older brother stalked off in an angry sulk and refused to join in. His father came out and tried to talk to him, but he wouldn t listen. The son said, Look how many years I ve stayed here serving you,never giving you one moment of grief, but have you ever thrown a party for me and my friends? Then this son of yours who has thrown away your money on whores shows up and you go all out with a feast! His father said, Son, you don t understand. You re with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours -- but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he s alive! He was lost, and he s found! Luke 15 (from the Message) Discussion Questions 1. What do you think caused the young man to leave home? 2. What kinds of feelings do you think the son s request stirred up inside of his father? 3. Why do you think the father gave him the money? Facilitator Guide 13

20 The Search for Relationship 4. What caused the son to eventually return home? 5. What stands out to you about the reunion of the father and the son at the end of the story? 6. What might have been some of the reasons that Jesus told this story in the first place? 7. Have you or anyone you know ever acted the part of the son? 8. Has anyone ever acted the part of the father in your life? 9. In what ways might the father provide us with a picture of who God is? 10. If you were to place yourself in the story, where would you place yourself? - with your hand out asking for money - on the road as you move away from home - having a good time with my friends - stuck in the mud - coming to my senses - on the long walk back toward home - enclosed in the embrace of the father 11. What is one fresh insight for you personally from this discussion? 14 Facilitator Guide

21 Facilitator Guide The Search for Significance Icebreaker Questions Share about something you ve accomplished in your lifetime (education, sports, work, a hobby, an award, etc.). -What did it take to accomplish this? -How did it make you feel accomplishing it? -What sacrifices did you have to make to accomplish it? 15

22 The Search for Significance Transition Questions What makes giving to others so satisfying? Share about a time when gave your time, money, or talent away to help someone else. What was it like for you? The Search for Significance One of Jesus missions during His lifetime was to help people in their search for significance. Let s take a look at a portion of the Bible where Jesus shares His perspective on how we can find significance in our lives. Giving Your Life Away One day one of the local officials asked him, Good Teacher, what must I do to deserve eternal life? Jesus said, Why are you calling me good? No one is good -- only God.You know the commandments, don t you? No illicit sex, no killing, no stealing, no lying, honor your father and mother. He said, I ve kept them all for as long as I can remember. When Jesus heard that, he said, Then there s only one thing left to do: Sell everything you own and give it away to the poor. You will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me. This was the last thing the official expected to hear. He was very rich and became terribly sad. He was holding on tight to a lot of things and not about to let them go. Seeing his reaction, Jesus said, Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who have it all to enter God s kingdom? I d say it s easier to thread a camel through a needle s eye than get a rich person into God s kingdom. 16 Facilitator Guide

23 The Search for Significance The Seeker Series Then who has any chance at all? the others asked. No chance at all, Jesus said, if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it. Luke 18 (from the Message) Discussion Questions 1. What appears to be this official s viewpoint on how you get into heaven? 2. Why do you think Jesus challenged this man to sell everything? 3. What might Jesus have meant when He said, it s easier to thread a camel through a needle s eye than get a rich man into God s kingdom? 4. What does it mean to have riches in heaven? 5. Why do you think this man was holding on tight to a lot of thing? 6. How can wealth or our material possessions cloud our view of other important things in life? 7. What do you think Jesus meant by what He said in the last sentence? 8. Do you agree or disagree with the phrase It is more blessed to give than to receive? Why or why not? 9. Why do you think Jesus feels so strongly about giving? 10. How does giving our lives away create significance? Facilitator Guide 17

24 The Search for Significance 11. What can you take away from this discussion (pick one of the following)? -something about Jesus -something about giving -something about finding significance -something about yourself 18 Facilitator Guide

25 Facilitator Guide The Search for a Cause Icebreaker Questions Which of these organizations do you have the most respect for and why? World Vision Red Cross Peace Corps MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Habitat for Humanity (building homes for the poor) 19

26 The Search for a Cause Transition Questions When you consider these five issues that are impacting our world today, which one are you most drawn to and why? Poverty Disease Leaders (the need for more servant leadership) Illiteracy (education) Spiritual hope (experiencing God s love) The Search for a Cause One of Jesus missions during His lifetime was to help people in their search for a cause. Let s take a look at a portion of the Bible where Jesus shares His perspective on giving our lives away for a cause. Invest Yourself There was once a man descended from a royal house who needed to make a long trip back to headquarters to get authorization for his rule and then return. But first he called ten servants together, gave them each a sum of money, and instructed them, Operate with this until I return... When he came back bringing the authorization of his rule, he called those ten servants to whom he had given the money to find out how they had done. The first said, Master, I doubled your money. He said, Good servant! Great work! Because you ve been trustworthy in this small job, I m making you governor of ten towns. The second said, Master, I made a fifty percent profit on your money. He said, I m putting you in charge of five towns. The next servant said, Master, here s your money safe and sound. I kept it hidden 20 Facilitator Guide

27 The Search for a Cause The Seeker Series in the cellar. To tell you the truth, I was a little afraid. I know you have high standards and hate sloppiness, and don t suffer fools gladly. He said, You re right that I don t suffer fools gladly -- and you ve acted the fool! Why didn t you at least invest the money in securities so I would have gotten a little interest on it? Then he said to those standing there, Take the money from him and give it to the servant who doubled my stake. They said, But Master, he already has double... He said, That s what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag. Luke 19 (from the Message) Discussion Questions 1. How did the servants handle the money differently? 2. What expectations did the master seem to have regarding the use of the money while he was away? 3. Why do you think the master called the one servant (who hid the money) a fool? 4. What caused the master to remove the money from this servant and give it to another servant? 5. What do you think Jesus meant at the end when He said, Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of? 6. What do you think He meant when He said, Play it safe and end up holding the bag? Facilitator Guide 21

28 The Search for a Cause 7. If the money represents the way that we invest our lives, what point do you think Jesus is trying to make? 8. When you consider the advertisements that you are exposed to, what messages are being sent about the ways you should invest your life? 9. Why do you think some people are motivated to invest their lives in causes like the ones mentioned at the very beginning of the discussion (i.e., World Vision, Red Cross, etc.)? 10. Where would you put yourself on Jesus s investment scale: 1= Playing it safe 10= Risking my life for something bigger than myself 11. What can you take away from this discussion? (Pick one of the following.) -something about God -something about investing in a cause -something about yourself 22 Facilitator Guide

29 Facilitator Guide The Search for Eternity Icebreaker Questions Share about a time you locked yourself out of your car or home. 23

30 The Search for Eternity Transition Question What comes to mind when you picture what Heaven will be like? The Search for Eternity One of Jesus missions during His lifetime was to help people prepare themselves for the Eternity. Let s take a look at a portion of the Bible where Jesus shares his perspective on getting into Heaven. The Big Party Then he said, How can I picture God s kingdom for you? What kind of story can I use? It s like a pine nut that a man plants in his front yard..it grows into a huge pine tree with thick branches, and eagles build nests in it. He tried again. How can I picture God s kingdom? It s like yeast that a woman works into enough dough for three loaves of bread -- and waits while the dough rises. He went on teaching from town to village, village to town, but keeping on a steady course toward Jerusalem. A bystander said, Master, will only a few be saved? He said, Whether few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God. The way to life -- to God! - is vigorous and requires your total attention. A lot of you are going to assume that you ll sit down to God s salvation banquet just because you ve been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives. Well, one day you re going to be banging on the door, wanting to get in, but you ll find the door locked and the Master saying, Sorry, you re not on my guest list. You ll protest, But we ve known you all our lives! only to be interrupted with his abrupt, Your kind of knowing can hardly be called knowing. You don t know the first thing about me. That s when you ll find yourselves out in the cold, strangers to grace You ll 24 Facilitator Guide

31 The Search for Eternity The Seeker Series watch outsiders stream in from east, west, north, and south and sit down at the table of God s kingdom. And all the time you ll be outside looking in -- and wondering what happened. Luke 13 (from the Message) Discussion Questions 1. What s your reaction of the two pictures Jesus uses of Heaven (God s kingdom)? 2. What might Jesus have been trying to communicate about Heaven in these pictures? 3. What do you think was behind the bystander s question, Master, will only a few be saved? 4. What does it mean when He says, you ll assume that you ll sit down to God s salvation banquet just because you ve been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives? What do you think Jesus meant by hanging around the neighborhood? 5. The passage talks about knowing God. What is the difference between knowing about God and actually knowing God? 6. What does the passage tell us about who will be coming to the big party (Heaven) at the end? 7. What will it be like to be left out in the cold? 8. In the end, do you think only a few will be saved or will there be many at the great banquet? Facilitator Guide 25

32 The Search for Eternity 9. If the party started today, which statement best describes you and why? a. I m still trying to decide if I want to go to the party b. I think I get to go in the front door c. I ve got my dancing shoes on because I know I m going to the party! d. I ve got some lingering doubts about whether they ll let me in e. I m not sure I believe there is a party at the end 10. What can you take away from this discussion? (Pick one of the following.) -something about God -something about Heaven -something about yourself -a question that this discussion has surfaced for me 26 Facilitator Guide

33 Participant Guide The Search for Peace Warming Up Questions If you could go back in time what period of time would you like to visit? How come? What do you picture yourself doing in the retirement years? 27

34 The Search for Peace Focusing Questions What kinds of things do we worry about in our culture today? Of these things, which one(s) are you prone to worry about? What prices do we pay by worrying? The Search for Peace One of Jesus missions during His lifetime was to help people in their search for peace. Let s take a look at a portion of the Bible where Jesus talks openly about worry and where we can find much sought after peace. Overcoming Worry Someone out of the crowd said, Teacher, order my brother to give me a fair share of the family inheritance. He replied, Mister, what makes you think it s any of my business to be a judge or mediator for you? Speaking to the people, he went on, Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot. Then he told them this story: The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: What can I do? My barn isn t big enough for this harvest. Then he said, Here s what I ll do: I ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I ll gather in all my grain and goods, and I ll say to myself, Self, you ve done well! You ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life! Just then God showed up and said, Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods -- who gets it? That s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God. He continued this subject with his disciples. Don t fuss about what s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, 28 Participant Guide

35 The Search for Peace The Seeker Series not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more. Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don t fuss with their appearance -- but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don t you think he ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God s giving. People who don t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don t be afraid of missing out. You re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself. Luke 12 (from the Message) Digging Deeper Questions 1. What did the man seem to be worried about in the beginning of the passage? 2. What do you think Jesus would say in response to the bumper sticker that said He who dies with the most toys wins? 3. What does the phrase That s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God mean to you? 4. What are various ways we fill our barns with self? 5. What attitudes does Jesus seem to be concerned with in these verses? 6. What alternatives does Jesus provide for worry? What are some keys to finding peace? Participant Guide 29

36 The Search for Peace 7. What do you think it means to steep yourself in God-reality, God initiative, God-provisions? 8. What factors contribute toward us getting preoccupied with getting? 9. What do you think it means to relax and respond to God s giving? 10. On a scale from 1 to 10, where would you put yourself on the worry scale if 1= I got total peace in my life and 10= I m so stressed my eyeballs are bulging!? Share a little bit about how you scored yourself. 11. In what ways might God want to help you find more peace in your life? 30 Participant Guide

37 Participant Guide The Search for Meaning Warming Up Questions Share about one of your best vacations. Who was one of your favorite teachers and why? What s something that drives you crazy and why? 31

38 The Search for Meaning Focusing Questions What are some of the reasons that we like to share and listen to others? What was one of the most meaningful films you have seen and what made it so meaningful to you? Share a meaningful experience you ve had and what made it meaningful. When you look at TV, movies, and advertisements, what is being communicated about what s important in life? Why do you think people are searching for meaning in their lives? The Search for Meaning One of Jesus missions during His lifetime was to help people in their search for meaning in life. Let s take a look at a portion of the Bible where Jesus spells out the meaning of life from His perspective. What the Bible Says About Meaning One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of questions and answers and seeing how sharp Jesus was in his answers, he put in his question: Which is most important of all the commandments? Jesus said, The first in importance is, love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy. And here is the second: Love others as well as you love yourself. There is no other commandment that ranks with these. The religion scholar said, A wonderful answer, Teacher! So lucid and accurate Loving God with all passion and intelligence and energy, and loving others as well as you love yourself. Why, that s better than all offerings and sacrifices put together! When Jesus realized how insightful he was, he said, You re almost there, right on the border of God s kingdom. Mark 12 (from the Message) 32 Participant Guide

39 The Search for Meaning The Seeker Series Digging Deeper Questions 1. What kind of conversation ( hearing the lively exchanges ) does it appear this religion scholar had walked into? 2. Why do you think the religion scholar replied, A wonderful answer? 3. What s the difference between passion and energy? 4. In what ways does this portion of the Bible help us understand what Jesus considered to be meaningful? 5. In what ways might loving God and loving others make life more meaningful? 6. What would be an example of loving others as well as you love yourself? 7. If you had to give yourself a score from 1 to 10, how would you score yourself on loving God and how would you score yourself on loving others? 8. What s one thing that you could do in the next week to love God more or love others more? Participant Guide 33

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41 Participant Guide The Search for Relationship Warming Up Questions What movie have you enjoyed recently? What did you enjoy about it? Who was one of your favorite teachers and why? 35

42 The Search for Relationship Focusing Questions Share a little bit about a friend (currently or in the past). What did you appreciate about the friendship you had with this person? What qualities do you look for in a friend now? The Search for Relationship One of Jesus missions during His lifetime was to help people in their search for meaningful connections in life. Let s take a look at a portion of the Bible where Jesus tells a story about the connection of a father to a son. The Story of the Lost Son Then he said, There was once a man who had two sons. The younger said to his father, Father, I want right now what s coming to me. So the father divided the property between them. It wasn t long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country. There, undisciplined and dissipated, he wasted everything he had. After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through that country and he began to hurt. He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any. That brought him to his senses. He said, All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day, and here I am starving to death. I m going back to my father. I ll say to him, Father, I ve sinned against God, I ve sinned before you; I don t deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand. He got right up and went home to his father. When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: 36 Participant Guide

43 The Search for Relationship The Seeker Series Father, I ve sinned against God, I ve sinned before you; I don t deserve to be called your son ever again. But the father wasn t listening. He was calling to the servants, Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We re going to feast! We re going to have a wonderful time! My son is here--given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found! And they began to have a wonderful time. All this time his older son was out in the field. When the day s work was done he came in. As he approached the house, he heard the music and dancing. Calling over one of the houseboys, he asked what was going on. He told him, Your brother came home. Your father has ordered a feast -- barbecued beef! - because he has him home safe and sound. The older brother stalked off in an angry sulk and refused to join in. His father came out and tried to talk to him, but he wouldn t listen. The son said, Look how many years I ve stayed here serving you,never giving you one moment of grief, but have you ever thrown a party for me and my friends? Then this son of yours who has thrown away your money on whores shows up and you go all out with a feast! His father said, Son, you don t understand. You re with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours -- but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he s alive! He was lost, and he s found! Luke 15 (from the Message) Digging Deeper Questions 1. What do you think caused the young man to leave home? 2. What kinds of feelings do you think the son s request stirred up inside of his father? 3. Why do you think the father gave him the money? Participant Guide 37

44 The Search for Relationship 4. What caused the son to eventually return home? 5. What stands out to you about the reunion of the father and the son at the end of the story? 6. What might have been some of the reasons that Jesus told this story in the first place? 7. Have you or anyone you know ever acted the part of the son? 8. Has anyone ever acted the part of the father in your life? 9. In what ways might the father provide us with a picture of who God is? 10. If you were to place yourself in the story, where would you place yourself? - with your hand out asking for money - on the road as you move away from home - having a good time with my friends - stuck in the mud - coming to my senses - on the long walk back toward home - enclosed in the embrace of the father 11. What is one fresh insight for you personally from this discussion? 38 Participant Guide

45 Participant Guide The Search for Significance Warming Up Questions Share about something you ve accomplished in your lifetime (education, sports, work, a hobby, an award, etc.). -What did it take to accomplish this? -How did it make you feel accomplishing it? -What sacrifices did you have to make to accomplish it? 39

46 The Search for Significance Focusing Questions What makes giving to others so satisfying? Share about a time when gave your time, money, or talent away to help someone else. What was it like for you? The Search for Significance One of Jesus missions during His lifetime was to help people in their search for significance. Let s take a look at a portion of the Bible where Jesus shares His perspective on how we can find significance in our lives. Giving Your Life Away One day one of the local officials asked him, Good Teacher, what must I do to deserve eternal life? Jesus said, Why are you calling me good? No one is good -- only God.You know the commandments, don t you? No illicit sex, no killing, no stealing, no lying, honor your father and mother. He said, I ve kept them all for as long as I can remember. When Jesus heard that, he said, Then there s only one thing left to do: Sell everything you own and give it away to the poor. You will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me. This was the last thing the official expected to hear. He was very rich and became terribly sad. He was holding on tight to a lot of things and not about to let them go. Seeing his reaction, Jesus said, Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who have it all to enter God s kingdom? I d say it s easier to thread a camel through a needle s eye than get a rich person into God s kingdom. 40 Participant Guide

47 The Search for Significance The Seeker Series Then who has any chance at all? the others asked. No chance at all, Jesus said, if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it. Luke 18 (from the Message) Digging Deeper Questions 1. What appears to be this official s viewpoint on how you get into heaven? 2. Why do you think Jesus challenged this man to sell everything? 3. What might Jesus have meant when He said, it s easier to thread a camel through a needle s eye than get a rich man into God s kingdom? 4. What does it mean to have riches in heaven? 5. Why do you think this man was holding on tight to a lot of thing? 6. How can wealth or our material possessions cloud our view of other important things in life? 7. What do you think Jesus meant by what He said in the last sentence? 8. Do you agree or disagree with the phrase It is more blessed to give than to receive? Why or why not? 9. Why do you think Jesus feels so strongly about giving? 10. How does giving our lives away create significance? Participant Guide 41

48 The Search for Significance 11. What can you take away from this discussion (pick one of the following)? -something about Jesus -something about giving -something about finding significance -something about yourself 42 Participant Guide

49 Participant Guide The Search for a Cause Warming Up Questions Which of these organizations do you have the most respect for and why? World Vision Red Cross Peace Corps MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Habitat for Humanity (building homes for the poor) 43

50 The Search for a Cause Focusing Questions When you consider these five issues that are impacting our world today, which one are you most drawn to and why? Poverty Disease Leaders (the need for more servant leadership) Illiteracy (education) Spiritual hope (experiencing God s love) The Search for a Cause One of Jesus missions during His lifetime was to help people in their search for a cause. Let s take a look at a portion of the Bible where Jesus shares His perspective on giving our lives away for a cause. Invest Yourself There was once a man descended from a royal house who needed to make a long trip back to headquarters to get authorization for his rule and then return. But first he called ten servants together, gave them each a sum of money, and instructed them, Operate with this until I return... When he came back bringing the authorization of his rule, he called those ten servants to whom he had given the money to find out how they had done. The first said, Master, I doubled your money. He said, Good servant! Great work! Because you ve been trustworthy in this small job, I m making you governor of ten towns. The second said, Master, I made a fifty percent profit on your money. He said, I m putting you in charge of five towns. The next servant said, Master, here s your money safe and sound. I kept it hidden 44 Participant Guide

51 The Search for a Cause The Seeker Series in the cellar. To tell you the truth, I was a little afraid. I know you have high standards and hate sloppiness, and don t suffer fools gladly. He said, You re right that I don t suffer fools gladly -- and you ve acted the fool! Why didn t you at least invest the money in securities so I would have gotten a little interest on it? Then he said to those standing there, Take the money from him and give it to the servant who doubled my stake. They said, But Master, he already has double... He said, That s what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag. Luke 19 (from the Message) Digging Deeper Questions 1. How did the servants handle the money differently? 2. What expectations did the master seem to have regarding the use of the money while he was away? 3. Why do you think the master called the one servant (who hid the money) a fool? 4. What caused the master to remove the money from this servant and give it to another servant? 5. What do you think Jesus meant at the end when He said, Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of? 6. What do you think He meant when He said, Play it safe and end up holding the bag? Participant Guide 45

52 The Search for a Cause 7. If the money represents the way that we invest our lives, what point do you think Jesus is trying to make? 8. When you consider the advertisements that you are exposed to, what messages are being sent about the ways you should invest your life? 9. Why do you think some people are motivated to invest their lives in causes like the ones mentioned at the very beginning of the discussion (i.e., World Vision, Red Cross, etc.)? 10. Where would you put yourself on Jesus s investment scale: 1= Playing it safe 10= Risking my life for something bigger than myself 11. What can you take away from this discussion? (Pick one of the following.) -something about God -something about investing in a cause -something about yourself 46 Participant Guide

53 Participant Guide The Search for Eternity Warming Up Questions Share about a time you locked yourself out of your car or home. 47

54 The Search for Eternity Focusing Question What comes to mind when you picture what Heaven will be like? The Search for Eternity One of Jesus missions during His lifetime was to help people prepare themselves for the Eternity. Let s take a look at a portion of the Bible where Jesus shares his perspective on getting into Heaven. The Big Party Then he said, How can I picture God s kingdom for you? What kind of story can I use? It s like a pine nut that a man plants in his front yard..it grows into a huge pine tree with thick branches, and eagles build nests in it. He tried again. How can I picture God s kingdom? It s like yeast that a woman works into enough dough for three loaves of bread -- and waits while the dough rises. He went on teaching from town to village, village to town, but keeping on a steady course toward Jerusalem. A bystander said, Master, will only a few be saved? He said, Whether few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God. The way to life -- to God! - is vigorous and requires your total attention. A lot of you are going to assume that you ll sit down to God s salvation banquet just because you ve been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives. Well, one day you re going to be banging on the door, wanting to get in, but you ll find the door locked and the Master saying, Sorry, you re not on my guest list. You ll protest, But we ve known you all our lives! only to be interrupted with his abrupt, Your kind of knowing can hardly be called knowing. You don t know the first thing about me. That s when you ll find yourselves out in the cold, strangers to grace You ll 48 Participant Guide

55 The Search for Eternity The Seeker Series watch outsiders stream in from east, west, north, and south and sit down at the table of God s kingdom. And all the time you ll be outside looking in -- and wondering what happened. Luke 13 (from the Message) Digging Deeper Questions 1. What s your reaction of the two pictures Jesus uses of Heaven (God s kingdom)? 2. What might Jesus have been trying to communicate about Heaven in these pictures? 3. What do you think was behind the bystander s question, Master, will only a few be saved? 4. What does it mean when He says, you ll assume that you ll sit down to God s salvation banquet just because you ve been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives? What do you think Jesus meant by hanging around the neighborhood? 5. The passage talks about knowing God. What is the difference between knowing about God and actually knowing God? 6. What does the passage tell us about who will be coming to the big party (Heaven) at the end? 7. What will it be like to be left out in the cold? 8. In the end, do you think only a few will be saved or will there be many at the great banquet? Participant Guide 49

56 The Search for Eternity 9. If the party started today, which statement best describes you and why? a. I m still trying to decide if I want to go to the party b. I think I get to go in the front door c. I ve got my dancing shoes on because I know I m going to the party! d. I ve got some lingering doubts about whether they ll let me in e. I m not sure I believe there is a party at the end 10. What can you take away from this discussion? (Pick one of the following.) -something about God -something about Heaven -something about yourself -a question that this discussion has surfaced for me 50 Participant Guide