Read Genesis 29:1-20 to establish the context for the group discussion. What is your favorite love story movie? The past two massages at GPC, first with Caleb and now with Mike, they both drove home “Serving matters”. Do you agree with their hypothesis? Why or why not? Mike added to the statement this week: “Serving matters because Love Serves” How does God’s ABC (Abrahamic Blessing Covenant) model a loving covenant? Re-read how God restates his unilateral commitment to the covenant in each of the generation starting with Abraham. (Genesis 12:3; 26:3-4; 28:14). How does it make you feel when you consider how dysfunctional patriarch’s families were, yet God’s unconditional commitment to his BLESSING covenant? Read Genesis 29:15-18. Fill in the first blank: Love serves. How did Jacob demonstrate his loyal love for Rachel? In loving the church, how did Paul and the church demonstrate his love for one another: (1 Thessalonians 1:3) Complete the blank Love serves _________. How does Jacob model “sacrificial love”? (Gen 29:27; 31:41) Fourteen years of faithful service to get the wife whom he loved. Mike shared stories of some people who have been serving in the church for 10 years and longer, many in the same position. What does that tell you about their commitment to love the bride of Christ well? Should our service of love be a DUTY or a DELIGHT? How do we know that Jacob serving Leban was a delight? Read Genesis 29:20. Explain this life principle: LIFE PRINCIPLE I LOVE WHAT I SERVE I SERVE WHAT I LOVE What grade (or class) might your group consider adopting and serving together in loving the next generation?

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SERVING MATTERS because LOVE SERVES - Audio

What is God calling you to "get up" from so that you can serve others? Caleb mentioned Jesus having the most "significant status." Are you willing to negate status to serve in a way that may not make sense to others around you? One could say that Jesus "got his hands dirty," meaning that through the physical act of washing dirty feet, he demonstrated a willingness to get into the messy. How is God calling you to get involved in messy acts of service? How have you and/or your family served within the church in the past? Jesus mentions in John 13:17 that God will bless the disciples if/when they do these things. What do you think that blessing looks like? For those of you who have followed in this example, can you share how you've been blessed when serving others in this way? How were you impacted by the ministries highlighted in the gallery on Sunday? Share with the group how God is leading you to serve in a ministry or how He is already blessing you through where you currently serve at GPC.

Serving Matters - Audio

Sunday, July 18 Genesis 27 What is the biggest legacy passed down that you received from your up bringing ("the good" and "the not so good")? How are you amplifying "the good" and how are you correcting the "not so good" for the next generation you are influencing? Brainstorm a list of different forms of lies or words for lying: keep them on a white board or in front of people for the entire time together so they can continue to refer back to them. Here is a starter list…manipulate, swindle, white lies, conspiracy theories, fake news, deceitful, 2 faced, misleading, delusional, etc Read Exodus 34:6-8 and explain what are “generational sins.” Have you ever identified generational sins in your past? Re-read Genesis 27:18-26 and trace the compounding lies in which Jacob is caught up. How have you seen lies compound in other people’s lives. How has someone’s lies hurt you in the past? Can you think of a time you weren’t completely honest and when the truth was known what was the impact of the lies? Why is truth such a irreplaceable element in a relationship?

The Truth About Lies - Audio

Sunday, July 11 Genesis 26:19-34 1. Sibling Rivalry is at the root of this story - How have you seen sibling rivalry play out in your life or family? 2. Some theologians suggest that Issac and Rebekah chose to self actualize (realization or fulfillment of one's talents and potentialities) through their children. Do you see this in the story? What about in Genesis 27 when Rebekah helps Jacob be deceptive? If you are a parent, how does this impact your parenting? 3. Esau sold his birthright (a double portion of his father’s wealth and the leadership responsibility of being the eldest in a patriarchal society) for a bowl of stew - the literal translation is some “red stuff”. How have you seen your desire for instant gratification derail the things for which you are created? (Also see Philippians 3:18-19) 4. Read Romans 9:16. How does this scripture inform our understanding of both Jacob and Esau - Two men in Abraham’s familial line with all kinds of character flaws, supposed to bring about God’s blessing to the many nations.

Sibling Rivalry and God's Redemption - Audio

Sunday, July 4 Genesis 24:1-9 What were the three heart conditions of the three chairs, based on Mike's message? How did Abraham demonstrate a hot-hearted faith? Who have you known or who's been an example to you as having a hot-hearted faith? What kind of impact did they have on your own faith? What does a lukewarm heart look like? How did Isaac model a lukewarm heart? How cold is your heart? Have you ever seen someone progress from a hot heart to a cold heart? How can you practically help someone when they have lost their passion and their heart's grown cold? How do you prevent a cooling of your own heart?

Who's in What Chair? - Audio

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Make us One - Audio

Sunday, June 20 Mark 3: 1-6 1. What are some of the differences in Mark's version, Matthew's version, and Luke's version of this story? (Mark 3:1-6; Matthew 12:9-13; Luke 6:6-11). What are 2 things that stick out to you? 2. Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath (see Mark 2:27). What is the importance of that verse in light of this story? 3. Nathan talked about capturing the "characters" in this story in a "6 word story." How would you synopsize the characters in the story in 6 words? The man with the shriveled hand; Jesus; the Pharisees. 4. "Through the spirit of God IN you, God wants to USE you to make people BRAND NEW." What would it look like if you lived your life by this mantra this year? What are a couple areas where this may play out in your life? 5. What would the "6 word story" for your life be if it was penned today? What do you hope it to be? (NOTE: this may be a thought provoking question. Be sure to give it some thought before your meeting time.)

Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath - Audio

Sunday, June 13 Hebrews 11:8-19 What is something new you have learned about Abraham from this message series? What is something new you have learned about being a friend of God from this message series? (give some time to reflect) Why do you believe God is so vague in what is required or where He is leading us when He calls us to follow? (Heb. 11:8, Mark 1:17, Luke 5:27) Of the list of God's names, can you say that you have experienced God in any of the same ways Abraham experienced God? When was that and what was that like? Context/Name/Revelation Gen 12:1/Initial calling/YHWH/The LORD Gen 14:18-22/Melchizedek/ěl·yôn/God Most High Gen 14:19/qnh/Possessor/creator of heaven and earth Gen 15:1/Battle/māgēn/I am your shield Gen 16:13/Hagar/ěl·rŏʾî/God who sees Gen 17:1/Covenant /ěl·šdy/God Almighty Gen 18:25/Sodom’s sin/špṭ/Judge Gen 21:33/Treaty w/ Abimelech/ěl·ʿôlām/God Everlasting Gen 22:14/Offering Isaac/rʾh/The Lord will provide How comfortable of a life did Abraham live? (read Heb. 11:9) Why do you think one of Americans' chief underlying goals is to find greater comfort? What would it mean to live with a "sojourner's mentality" today? Read Hebrews 11:13 & 11:39. What does it mean if we live a full life but don't see all our promises, hopes, and dreams fulfilled? Does it crush your faith? Or are you okay with it? Why was the offering of Isaac for Abraham a test of faith and a priority check? When have you experienced a real priority check?

The Faith of a Friend - Audio

How did you first hear about Grace Point? What was it about Grace Point that kept you here? Joshua led the Hebrew people into the promised land. How many years had it been since God first made the promise to Abram that the land would be theirs? What kind of emotions do you think Joshua was feeling stepping into Moses' sandals? Read Joshua 1:6-7, 9, & 18. What was the key message that God was communicating to Joshua about leading into the future? What are two things Joshua asked the people to do before inheriting the promised land? Read Joshua 4:1-7. Why is remembering and honoring the past so important when moving into the future? (read 1 Chron. 16:12) Beyond the work of God in Grace Point's history, what did Mike say was the "secret sauce" to GPC thriving the past 20 years? What does it mean to "consecrate ourselves" before moving into the future? And why is it so important? (read Joshua 3:1-5)

Successfully Moving into the Future - Audio

Sunday, May 30 Genesis 21-22 Mike talked about "expanded time" and "compressed time" in the historical narratives (ex. Compare the length of time between Gen 21:1-2 and v.3-4). What is the purpose for slowing down the narrative and compressing time? How is baptism an expression of our covenant relationship with God? What does it mean when God tests us? (Gen. 22:1) What two test results is God looking for when he “tests” us? (answer: Where is our love and loyalty lay? and Where does our trust and obedience stop?) How radical is the call to follow Jesus? Is it a causal "follow at will" or "when it’s convenient" or is it an "all-out surrender"? Assign the following verse for people to read: John 6:53; Luke 14:26, 33; Luke 9:23. Why do you think that trust and obedience to God such an important component of following Jesus? How did Abraham demonstrate his trust and obedience and how far was that trust and obedience willing to go? Read Hebrews 11:17-19. What did Abraham believe 2000 years before Christ sacrifice of his life and resurrection?

Test Day - Audio

1. What does Genesis 17 teach us about God? 2. Do you find yourself resonating with any character in Abraham's family? Who and why? 3. Read Exodus 34:6-7. What character of God have you personally experienced recently in your life? 4. Read Ephesians 2:11-15. What do these verses say about those who are in relationship with Jesus? 5. How does is understanding our relationship with Jesus as a COVENANT relationship new or different to you?

Promises and Partnership - Audio

Sunday, May 16 Genesis 16 What is the spiritual and emotional difference between chapter 15 and 16 with Abram and Sarai? How can you rationalize such quality of relationship with God 'mood swing'? Have you ever had a chapter of your life when you really felt close to God and then the next chapter your faith fails? (Ask some to share of their time) Review the paradigm that Mike mentioned for living out God’s promises: PROMISE --> Pathway --> PROVISION. Why is the “pathway” to the provision of God’s promise so long sometimes? What are the various contributing factors in the pathway to God’s promises? (Conditions met, character developed, circumstances to align) When Sarai got tired of waiting on God, how did she take matters into her own hands? (Gen 16:1-4) When you become impatient, how does your impatience manifest itself? (with God, spouse, children or work). How do you 'reign your emotions back in'? True or false: hurt people hurt people? Why or why not? Who was hurt by Sarai? Was this abuse? How does God respond to Hagar (v. 7-13)? How does v.13 bring comfort to the person who has been hurt or abused. (God sees you)?

When My Faith Fails - Audio

Genesis 15 If you gave yourself a letter grade on your over all prayer life, what grade would you give yourself (A, B, C, D, F)? In what area(s) are you strongest in prayer and what area(s) are you the weakest? How many names for God can you think of? What do the varioius names of God tell us about God? Genesis 15:1, 12 – What emotions was Abram struggling with in chapter 15 and how did God help him address those? What is an emotion that has crippled you in the past? Can you point to prayer as an antidote? What is the difference between talking TO God and talking WITH God? Why is Genesis 15:6 considered by some to be the most important verse in the Bible? What is something God has told you in prayer, that you are still anticipating because it hasn’t become a reality yet?

An Intimate Friendship - Audio

My Jesus, My King, and My Priest" - Audio

Genesis 12-13 Share a time in your life, work, relationship, or family, that you had such a misalignment that you had to walk away to be at peace. In what way was Abram partially obedient to God’s clear directive? Compare and contrast Genesis 12:1 with 12:4. How did the prosperity of Lot, and Abram’s time in Egypt, become a contributing factor to their loss of tranquility? Gen 13:1-5 Can you think of a time when blessings (maybe prosperity) ended up messing up a family and causing dissension? Quickly list the 3 moves Mike mentioned that Abram modeled in HOW TO WALK AWAY. How important is it that we strive for peace? (divide up and have different people read: Hebrews 12:14; Romans 12:18; Matthew 5:9) How is sometimes separation the most peaceful thing to do? Compare and contrast Lot and Abram’s separation with Paul and Barnabas' separation. (Gen 13 v. Acts 15) How was Lot selfish and where did his selfishness lead him? How was Abram selfless and where did that lead him? How does Abram stay "God centered" through life’s ups and down? What is the common thing in all these verses (Gen 12:7; 12:8; 13:18). How does building an altar point to a God centered life? How can we (in our day and age) keep a God centered life?

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