The Heart of the Church: Week 4 - Fan or Follower

Most Christians believe they are a follower of Jesus, but when we look at Jesus’ description of a follower in Matthew 16, we may be more of a fan than a follower. So how do we follow Jesus the way he called us to?

Impact Card

Icebreaker: What do you do for work and what is your favorite part of your job?

Reading: Matthew 16

Discussion Questions: 

  1. What is the difference between a fan and a follower? Why is that difference important?

  2. What desires does follow God fulfill in your life?

  3.  What people do you know in your life that seems to deny themselves well? In what ways do you see self-denial play out in their lives?

  4. In what ways can you begin to “take up your cross” that you aren’t currently doing?

  5. When are you the most tempted to not fully follow God in your life?

  6. In what way can you be more of a follower of Jesus rather than a fan of Jesus?

The Heart of the Church: Week 3 - Evangelism

Evangelism is a church word that many of us shy away from. We don’t want to be awkward and don’t want to force our beliefs on anyone else. What if we as the church were looking at it the wrong way? What if evangelism is just recommending something you love to someone who needs it.

IMPACT CARD

Reading: John 3

Icebreaker: What do you do for work and what is your favorite part of your job?

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some things that you love to recommend to other people? (Movies, music, restaurants, etc.)

  2. How did you come to faith? Who are the people that helped you with your faith and how did they?

  3. Why is it important to start where people are rather than evangelizing with an agenda?

  4. Are you a good listener? Why is listening so important when sharing your faith?

  5.  Why shouldn’t we avoid hard questions and hard truths?

  6. How does helping others understand their real need help them get closer to Christ?

  7. Who are the people God has put in your life that you are called to share your faith with?

The Heart of the Church: Week 2 - Church Hurt

If you have been part of church for long enough, you have probably experienced church hurt. How can we handle church hurt in a way that doesn’t keep us from being part of the church?

IMPACT CARD

Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-10

Discussion Questions:

  1.  Have you ever experienced church hurt? As much as you are willing to share, what happened?

  2.  What is the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation? How has both of these played out in your life?

  3. What are some experiences that people tend to think is church hurt but it really isn’t?

  4. What are some godly ways to respond when you have experienced church hurt?

  5. Why is it important to still be part of a church community even after being hurt by a church community?

The Heart of the Church: Week 1 - Why is Church Important?

The church is very important, but a lot of us look at it as a luxury when we have time. Why do we see it incorrectly? Because we don’t understand what the church is and how it is supposed to function.

IMPACT CARD

Reading: Ephesians 3 and 4

Discussion Questions: 

  1. What are some of the reasons that you go to church? Why do you consider it important?

  2.  When looking at Ephesians 4:11-13, which do you think you are? (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, or Teacher)

  3. How has having a good community around you helped you in the past?

  4. Why is commitment important?

  5. Accountability is hard, but it is necessary. How are you held accountable? If you aren’t, who could you ask to hold you accountable?