December 8, 2024
The Lord Has Done Great Things for Us
Ice breaker:
What is 1 item you always take with you when you travel?
What is your favorite Christmas song?
Sermon Discussion
Read Psalm 126
1) Psalm 126:1: Describe what you think the Israelites felt like in going back “home” after all of those decades? Many of them would have been born during this time away and never experienced “home”.
2) What do you treasure most about returning home after a time away? What are some things you think they treasured most?
3) Read Psalm 56:3-4 and Acts 12:9 How do these verses relate to what is going on in Psalm 126?
4) The Israelites were experiencing redemption and restoration after a time of discipline. How does discipline feel in our own lives? In what way does God discipline us today?
5) Pastor Freddy T. said, “Have you ever experienced something so joyful all you could do was laugh or shout?” Share a time in your life that you can relate to the Israelites in their joy.
6) What has God done “BIG” for you?
7) How does discipline lead to restoration?
8) Psalm 126:4: What or where has your “Negev” been?
Read Isaiah 43:19. As God is bringing newness to our church life, how is He bringing newness to your life? What is He doing new in you?
9) What/who has God used to bring this newness to you this year?
10) What did Pastor Freddy T. mean by “endless Christian clutter”? How can those things be a barrier to newness?
He also said, “God rarely does something paved with joy that has not been on a path of sorrow. God’s deliverance stirs hope for more renewal.”
Moving forward for MORE, what is God giving you to HOPE for?
Pray:
Thanking Him for all He’s done since the very seed of Real Life was planted
Thanking Him for the many laborers who have gotten us here
For the transition into the new building
For those who may be in the midst of a “wilderness” experience
For those who need the joy that RL can share
For the Sango community to be soil ready for MORE
December 1, 2024
The Birth of Christ
Icebreaker:
What’s your favorite Christmas season tradition? Why do you enjoy that?
Discussion questions:
Who was Joseph? The Bible tells us that he was a just man.
When Joseph discovered that Mary was with child, he was careful not to expose her. This happened before the angel appeared to him. He was trying to protect Mary, as he loved her and didn’t want any harm to come to her.
How do we protect our loved ones? How do we protect our children? These examples paint a picture of how Joseph felt about Mary.
2. Joseph’s protection ensured people didn’t form pre-conceived notions about Mary. How do we allow things or people in our lives to shape our preconceived notions on how things are or should be?
3. The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, telling him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.” Matthew 1:21 Joseph guarded God’s word in his heart and saw it through to completion.
Today, we have God’s word to give us instruction and power. Psalm 119:11 says – “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” How can we prioritize ways to commit God’s word to our hearts?
4. The virgin birth is essential to Christianity, just like the resurrection. It proves beyond doubt that it was a divine birth. God chose to send his son, Jesus, to walk in our shoes and feel what we feel. He was the second Adam and the prophecies of the Old Testament lay out a fingerprint that only one man could fit and that man is Jesus.
How does this help us have confidence that Jesus can understand our situations and relate to what we’re going through as we walk through this life?
5. Genealogy was very important in early times. Where you came from was kind of like your resume. Jesus’s genealogy placed him in the lineage of Abraham and the line of David. Both were important because the line of Abraham places him in the nation of Israel and the line of David puts him on the throne. These genealogies were evidently kept by governments and would have been open to the public. His enemies would have had access to these and would have used them against him, if possible. There are many other prophecies that Jesus fulfilled during his time on earth aside from this one. Conservatively, he fulfilled over 300 different ones!
How does this build your faith that Jesus is who he says he is? Our God is a God of the details. He doesn’t miss a thing…
6. In the message this morning, we were reminded that we are betrothed to Christ if we are saved. Betrothed is defined as a promise to remain faithful and constant. An example of this today would be an engagement to be married. Amazingly, these attributes reflect how Jesus is toward us each and every day.
How can we help each other today to remain faithful and constant to Jesus as a body of believers? How can we lift each other up and bear one another’s burdens?
7. When Arius began to teach a false doctrine, undermining the divinity of God, he was confronted and eventually exiled for a time. Many have since picked up where Arius left off, working tirelessly to sow doubt about Jesus. This doesn’t surprise God. He instructs us in Ephesians 6:10-18, to put on the full armor of God and to use the shield of faith to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Perhaps the arrows being fired today look different, but their intent has not changed.
How does this heighten the importance of us memorizing scripture today?
Prayer thoughts:
Jesus, open our hearts to allow us to receive the truth. You were born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and died for all of us on the cross. You were raised on the third day and intercede on our behalf, having paid our ransom.
If there were ever good news, this is it! It’s amazing that 2000 years later, the gospels still stand. Think about that for a moment… People throughout thousands of years have sought to undermine and destroy their credibility, but they are as real and powerful today as they were when written.
November 24, 2024
Ice Breaker
With Thanksgiving coming up this week, what’s one thing you’re grateful for?
Scripture
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[a] a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Questions for discussion
Verse 7 mentions a "thorn in the flesh." On Sunday in his sermon, Joe Sherwin gave some examples of what this thorn could’ve been for Paul.
What “thorn in the flesh” have you experienced? In other words, where has your life felt extraordinarily challenging? How long did this challenging season persisted?Paul says his thorn was given to keep him from becoming conceited.
How do challenges or struggles in your life keep you humble or dependent on God?Joe described our thorn as “spiritual sandpaper?” What area in your life might God be shaping or smoothing?
In verses 8-9, Paul asks God three times to take away the thorn.
Have you ever prayed for something repeatedly but received a different answer than you expected? How did you respond?Paul says he will "boast all the more gladly about his weaknesses."
What might it look like for someone to boast in their weaknesses today? Why is this so countercultural?Would you share with us what it looks like when, in your weakness, you are strong? What does the strength in your weakness look like?
Sometimes God sends people to bring grace to us OR to act as “spiritual sandpaper.” And sometimes he sends you. Share a time when you God used you to bring grace and/or friction to someone’s life. What was your experience like?
What do you do to encourage yourself or others in the midst of thorny circumstances?
Can you think of a time when a thorny circumstance was self-inflicted? How did you experience grace and strength?
What does contentment in a thorny circumstance mean to you? How does gratitude play into this?
Prayer
Pray for the people who are thorns in your life.
Pray for wisdom and understanding for the areas in your life that God is using those thorns to perfect your faith and make you strong.
Pray for the staff and volunteers that are preparing the building for our use.
November 17, 2024
Sermon: God is Always on Mission
Exodus 7:1-13
Ice Breaker: Describe a time when you saw God work through you or another person where it was obvious it was God.
Read Exodus 7:1-13
1 And the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” 6 Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the Lord commanded them. 7 Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh.
8 Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 9 “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’”10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lordcommanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. 12 For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.
Discussion Questions
In verse 1, God tells Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharoah.” Why do you think God said this? How do you think this affected the way Pharoah viewed Moses and his message?
Read Exodus 7:5. What was God’s stated mission? Why do you think this was important to God and his mission to free his people?
How is God using your circumstances to reveal himself to the “nations” around you?
How does God’s commands to Moses and Aaron in Exodus 7:1-5 compare to Jesus’ commands for us in Matthew 28:18-20?
Read Exodus 7:6. How had Moses changed from Exodus 2:11 through Exodus 7:13? What does this say to you about our need for transformation? What substantial, significant, observable change has God worked in you?
It’s easy to talk about transformation but often hard to actually do it. What gap(s) in your life still need a “burning bush” encounter with God? What is your level of apathy about Jesus? What keeps you from stepping into change?
Verse 5 also speaks of their ages. Have you ever thought of someone (or of yourself), “They’re too young (or too old)”? Why did that matter to you?
After the examples given, what do they say to you about how God views our reasons or excuses?
In Exodus 7:1-13, God tells Moses and Aaron what to do AND what will happen. Jesus tells us the same. (Matthew 28:18-20, John 15:20, Acts 9:15-16) Who in your life is like a Pharoah? Share with each other the reasons you have that keep you from acting. Encourage one another by recalling the ice breaker stories.
We, as a church, are in transformation into our permanent home. How does Exodus 7:1-13 speak to us individually and collectively as we prepare to move into the church building?
Prayer
Pray for one another and the “Pharoahs” we face.
Pray for the gaps in your lives that need closing and transforming and/or that God is closing and transforming.
Pray for the transformation required of each of us as we prepare to move into the building. Include each other, the staff, and the surrounding neighborhood to the church building.
November 10, 2024
Sermon: Names Matter
Ice Breaker:
Names are important in our lives. They often, for better or worse, contribute to shaping our identity, how others see us and how we see ourselves. Did you have a nickname growing up? Did you like that? Why or why not?
Scripture:
Exodus 6:2-3, 10-30
Discussion Questions:
God reveals His name, YHWH, and makes His identity known to the Israelites as both their covenant-making and covenant-keeping God.
Take a look at these names of God, below. Which have you personally experienced, and why was that so significant at the time?
Yahweh Yireh ("The Lord Will Provide")
Yahweh Rapha ("The Lord Who Heals")
Yahweh Shalom ("The Lord is Peace")
El Rohi ("The God Who Sees Me")
Is there one above that you’ve heard others talk about but have yet to experience?
Genealogies in the Bible are not just lists; they are reminders of heritage, authority, and God’s purposes through generations. In these verses, Moses and Aaron’s lineage affirms their authority as leaders. Have you ever felt a sense of strength or identity from learning about your family history?
How does knowing where we come from (physically and spiritually) help us understand our purpose?
Read these following verses out loud:
John 1:12 – “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession.”
John 15:15 – “…but I have called you friends.”
When you think about these “new names” that God gives us (Child of God, Chosen, Friend), what stands out to you? Why do you think God chooses to give us these new identities?How does being part of God's chosen race and royal priesthood influence the way you live daily?
How might embracing and living out your identity as a child of God change the way you see yourself, especially when life grows challenging or your encounter doubts?
What does it mean to you that Jesus calls you a friend (John 15:15)? What are some practical ways you treat your friends? How do those actions parallel the way God treats us?
Prayer
Take a few moments to silently reflect on what you've learned about the importance of names and your identity in Christ.
Read back through the list of God’s names, and as you pray, refer to one of His specific names as you thank Him.
Read back through some of the names of your new identity. Close by thanking God for the new identity He has given us through Jesus.
November 3, 2024
Ice Breaker:
David is a ministry partner and the area director for Young Life, which encompasses 3 separate ministries. Were you familiar with Young Life before this morning? If so, did your opinion of Young Life change after hearing David’s heart for the mission of Young Life?
Discussion questions:
In reference to his ministry calling, David quoted C.T. Studd who said, “Some wish to live within the sound of a chapel bell; I wish to run a rescue mission within a yard of Hell.”
What would it look like for you to be running a “rescue mission within a yard of Hell?”David mentioned there is an end date for Young Life, but there is no end date for the church. Does this reality and urgency challenge you to approach the gospel and ministry differently?
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:4-5
but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.Acts 17 details Paul and Silas’ mission to Thessalonica. They were bold and truthful with their ministry, not people pleasing or self-seeking. In which ways do you struggle with the temptation to choose people pleasing over being bold to proclaim the gospel?
“Where he has you is where you need to be bold.” – David KissellDavid challenged us to be bold in our families, workplace, community, schools, in our finances, and right here at our church Real Life. Which of the above is the most difficult place for you to be bold? What steps can you take to be more bold in those spaces this week?
David cited Rosaria Butterfield and the concept of radically ordinary hospitality, which she uses as a framework for understanding daily service and sacrifice for the good of our neighbor, the glory of God, and the proclamation of his gospel. “[Radically ordinary hospitality is] using your Christian home in a daily way that seeks to make strangers neighbors, and neighbors family of God.”How does this concept of radically ordinary hospitality affect your understanding of hospitality? How can you be more intentional to use your home in a way that makes strangers neighbors, and neighbors the family of God?
Read Romans 12:9-13
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.Southern hospitality often gets mistaken for biblical hospitality. What do you think are markers of biblical hospitality? How can we remain bold as believers while also heeding the challenge to be caring and hospitable?
“When we stop being task oriented and we become people oriented, people look at the gospel message and say, this is real.” – David KissellDoes being task oriented ever prevent you from being people oriented enough that people would look at your life and say; ‘This gospel message is real?’
Often when we look at Christianity in the context of the culture around us. We see how the gospel has been watered down, and/or scripture has been twisted to say that sin is no longer sin, all to make the gospel more palatable to the world. Where have you seen this in your own life and community?
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:7
But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.David equated aggressive Facebook posts to harsh parenting, how it will cause his kids to hide from him instead of run to their father. Much in the same way our tendency to scold, belittle, or bash people over the head with scripture causes people to hide from the Father. How can we be intentional in all things to encourage others (and ourselves!) who need to confess their sin and run to the father? How do we do this with gentleness?
David challenged us to think of 3 people who you feel called to bring the gospel to with boldness, gentleness, and hospitality. Name 1 person who you feel called to bring the gospel to, and what practical steps can you take to do so starting this week?
Prayer prompts:
Freddy T challenged us to be mindful to pray for our country with the presidential and other elections this week. Remember that regardless of the outcome this is not our home, and we called to pray for our leaders and love our neighbors.
Pray for the ministries of Young Life that David so faithfully leads. Pray specifically for Young Life (high school), Young Life (college), and Young Lives (teen moms).
Pray that God would reveal who you are called to bring the gospel to with boldness, gentleness, and hospitality.
October 27, 2024
Sermon Exodus 5:1 -6:13
Icebreaker:
What’s your favorite Halloween Candy?
Read Exodus Chapter 5:1 – 6:13
Discussion Questions
When Moses obeys God, Pharoah responds with harsher treatment over the Israelites. Why do you think God allows this?
In Exodus 5:2 Pharoah says, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go?” How does one know the LORD? What does it mean to know him?
Reflect on the obstacles that Pharoh put in front of the Israelite people to beat them down and into submission. Have you ever felt like someone kept putting obstacles in your way? How did God use those to prepare you for something later? How has this grown your faith?
Moses calls out, “Lord, why have you brought trouble to this people?” (Exodus 5:22)
How do you cry out to God when his promises seem unfulfilled?God reminds Moses that he is a promise keeper through past provisions. Which times or past prayers in your life does God call you to remember when he provided for you?
In desperation have you heard the still voice of the Lord saying, “Be still and know…” (Psalm 46:10) Learning to feel and understand his presence is better than his provision. How did you proceed in those times? Does this offer hope?
God’s timing doesn’t always align with our timing. We certainly see this playing out with Moses and the Israelites…. Patience is developed only under trial and is one of the fruits of the spirit. Reflect on some events in your life where you have had to be patient.
As God commanded Moses to tell Pharoah king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his country, Moses was still hesitant and making excuses. Consider things in your life where you feel God is calling you to action. How can we have faith to act?
Prayer
In the text we studied this week, God wanted to assure Moses of who he was and what he was going to do. The God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob established his covenant and had heard the groanings of the Israelites and was going to deliver them. Seeing what God had done in the past for Isreal, pray confidently and boldly knowing that the Lord is firmly in control of the future.
God intervenes on our behalf today. If you look over your own life, you will find that he has been present when you didn’t realize it. Philippians 1:6 says: “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” God knows our needs today and understands the challenges we face in this time. Still, he wants to help us just like he helped the Israelites. Pray for faith to trust his plan.
October 20, 2024
Note: Welcome back after Fall break! Whether your group took a break or not, I hope you find yourself refreshed, and ready to press forward through to the end of this semester. We’re here to support you! Whether that’s through prayer, ideas for connection, or a practical way we could serve you, don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know.
Aren’t you enjoying this series through Exodus?!? Use these questions as a springboard into discussion. As a reminder from our training earlier this semester, the goal isn’t to get through all of the questions. Instead, the aim is to have a discussion with full group involvement. If you get through all of them, great! But if you only get through one, that’s fine too. Listen to the Spirit, and listen to your group members. And look for tears (who’s emotional? Why?), tension (is there tension with one question or another answer?), and truth (did someone just share a truth you didn’t know beforehand?). Those are good opportunities to linger.
Icebreaker
As we fully transition into the Fall, tell the group what your favorite season of the year is. Why do you like that season so much?
Read Exodus 4:18-31
1. Why do you think Moses approached Jethro for permission to leave? What does this tell us about his relationship with his family and community?
How do you handle major decisions in your life, especially when others are involved?
2. Why is it important to live under rightful authority? What does that look like for your life?
3. God reveals that Pharaoh’s heart will be hardened, meaning Moses' mission will face resistance. Have you ever faced a task where you knew you would face opposition? How did that shape your approach?
4. In whose heart are you praying God will exercise his sovereignty? Is there a heart you've given up on? Why?
5. Why do you think it was important Moses "get his house in order" by circumcising his son? Zipporah's quick action seems to save Moses (or his son). What can we learn from her response?
6. Share how you experience the reality of your "pre-eminence as a 1st born." (v22) How do you bring this experience to the people you meet?
7. God commanded Aaron to go meet Moses at the mountain of God. Has God ever commanded you to do something that scared you or made you think, "That can't be God?" How would God have to speak to you for you to respond as Aaron did?
8. What, if anything, stands in the way of you raising your voice in worship? How can we encourage one another to raise our voice in worship?
9. Reflecting on these themes of rightful authority, God’s sovereignty, obedience, and worship, what is one area of your life where you sense God is calling you to step out in faith or take action, even if it feels uncomfortable or opposed? How can we, as a group, support and encourage one another in responding to God’s call with the same trust and obedience we see in Moses, Aaron, and Zipporah?
Pray with each other
- for the hearts we want changed by God.
- for anything that stands in the way of raising your voice in worship.
- for our transition into our building on December 15th.
October 13, 2024
Note: keep an eye out for those attendance emails, leaders. Please be sure to keep an accurate attendance count each week! If you need help with that, don’t hesitate to reach out to ben@reallifesango.com
Moses and the Burning Bush
Exodus 3
Ice breaker
How do you handle tasks that you don’t want to do? Do you put them off or get them done as quickly as possible?
Read Exodus 3
Have you ever felt like God was asking you to make an adjustment in your life, similar to how Moses had to remove his sandals at the burning bush? How did you respond?
Why do you think encountering God's holiness often requires us to change something about how we live or behave?
What spiritual discipline do you know God has been asking you to press ahead on (e.g., fasting, reading Scripture, sharing the gospel) but you've been resistant to? What is holding you back?
God gave Moses both commands and encouragement when he expressed doubts. When was the last time God asked you to do something beyond your abilities? How did you respond?
Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. How can you better prioritize God's word (the "flame") in your daily life to guide your decisions and actions?
Have you ever made excuses like Moses did when God asked you to do something? How did you see God address your excuses, or how might He encourage you in that situation?
What role does accountability play in making the changes God is calling you to? Do you have someone who helps you stay on track spiritually?
God’s compassion led to a rescue for the Israelites through Moses. How has God's compassion impacted your life, and in what ways might He be calling you to show compassion to others?
In what ways do you feel God is equipping and empowering you, just as He did with Moses? How can you step forward in faith, trusting His promises?
In what areas of your life do you feel God may be calling you to holiness (e.g., marriage, finances, relationships, substances, etc.)? What practical steps can you take this week to make those changes?
Prayer guide:
As you close in prayer, consider praying through these areas of surrender, freedom, and hunger:
Lord, help me to surrender to Your will and obey what You're calling me to, whether it's in my daily habits, relationships, or sharing the Gospel. Give me the strength to make the necessary adjustments in my life to reflect Your holiness.
Father, help me trust You in areas where I struggle—whether it's in my finances, habits, or forgiveness. Help me to break free from the things holding me back and to seek and find accountability where needed.
God, give me a deeper hunger for Your Word, so I can hear Your voice clearly and be equipped to follow Your guidance. Help me to overcome excuses and walk confidently in the calling You have for me.
October 6, 2024
Note: there will be no childcare provided the week of October 14-20, since that’s Fall Break for students here in Montgomery County. You’re still welcome to meet as a group, just know there won’t be childcare available so your kids will need to stay with you during group time!
Politics, Prayer, and Perspective
Exodus 2:23–25
Ice Breaker
If you could elect any fictional character (TV, movies, books etc); who would you elect and why?
Read Exodus 2:23-25
God Hears Israel’s Groaning
[23] During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. [24] And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. [25] God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.
Exodus 2:23 references the death of the king of Egypt. The rise and fall of kings is ultimately a political reality as Pastor Freddy T pointed out. Have you ever considered how much politics was referenced in the stories of the Bible?
Scholars estimate that the Israelites were in slavery from 215-430 years, 9-16 whole generations of enslavement since Joseph died and was forgotten (Ex 1:8). How much do you know about your family from 8 generations ago? Taking that into consideration, do you think the familiarity or lack of familiarity contributed to or hindered the hopeful/hopelessness of the Israelites?
The Torah is the Jewish name for the first 5 books of the Old Testament. Written as a single scroll, the book of Exodus begins with the word “and,” a seamless continuation of the story of God’s people. Exodus is the first time we see God refer to Israel as a people group, not just the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and God’s promises to them. Pastor Freddy T referenced Romans 11:17-31 and how we are also grafted into God’s people and those same promises; how does this New Testament truth impact how you read an Old Testament book like Exodus? How does God’s faithfulness to His people in Egypt inspire us to remain committed to our values and communities in the face of adversity today?
Israel looked to the death of the King of Egypt with hope for a regime change that would lighten their burden or end their slavery. Pastor Freddy T pointed out that our temptation is to put our hope in the regime change, be it a new king, or even a new president; how does that temptation show up today?
Read Matthew 5:13 Pastor Freddy T encouraged us to be passionately engaged in politics, as Jesus calls us the “salt of the earth,” but to do so with kindness and respect, so that we may lovingly continue in community with one another. Is this call to engage with others of differing political views easy or difficult for you? How can you take a step towards kindly and respectfully engaging with others in this area?
Read Proverbs 21:1. It is not uncommon for humans to put their hope in the next political leader, but God turns the hearts of kings wherever He wills. Pastor Freddy T pointed out that God repeatedly softened and then hardened the heart of the king of Egypt. How do these reminders reshape our view of current political leaders? What should our response be in light of these truths?
Read Exodus 2:23 again. Israel’s response to the death of the king was to groan and cry out for help. Are you more wired to take action or go to the Lord in prayer? Name a recent event where you were tempted to action over prayer; what was the outcome and how has that impacted your attitude towards prayer since?
Last week Pastor Freddy T talked about how suffering can be our tutor. We apart from God are self-made, self-sufficient, self-sustaining, and prideful people, trying to do it all on our own until suffering comes along to break us. Pride expresses itself this way through prayerlessness, but God wants to hear our prayers in humility. How can we take on the example of the Israelites who groaned after hundreds of years of slavery and become people of fervent prayer? How does the reality that the entirety of God’s people in Israel crying out to God in their suffering challenge us as we come together as a community group?
Read Exodus 2:24. After hundreds of years of enslavement, the Israelites had to be wondering, “When will the promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob be fulfilled? Is God really good?” But God heard, remembered, saw, and knew the plight of his people! How can we cultivate a sense of hope in our communities, drawing from the assurance that God hears and sees our struggles, as depicted in this passage?
Read Philippians 1:6. Like the Israelites, the temptation is to forget that God exits outside of time, and He will bring a good work to completion. In a society that often seeks immediate solutions, what can we learn from the Israelites’ years of waiting for deliverance, and this truth from Paul? How does this inform our understanding of prayer, faith, and patience?
Prayer Guide
We serve the king of kings and Lord of lords!! In light of the upcoming election; commit to praying as a community group for the leadership of this country regardless of the outcome of the election.
So many right now are suffering, both in Real Life, in Clarksville, and beyond like the communities suffering in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Pray for all of those who are suffering, that God would hear, remember, see, and know their pain.
This week, Pastor Freddy T challenged us to come to prayer, not just with the shallow mechanics, but in personal, intimate communion with God. Commit to boldly bringing the groaning of your heart into the presence of God.
September 29, 2024
Note: please take attendance each week with your group. It’s important for us to know who’s engaged with your group, and help when someone begins to disconnect. You’ll get an email right before each group meeting. When group is over, simply indicate who was present, and who wasn’t. If you aren’t getting that email, or if something seems to be off, please let us know!
Sermon: Moses, Murder, & Midian
Key Scripture: Exodus 2:11- 3:2
Ice Breaker
What cartoon character best describes you? Why?
Discussion questions
Read Exodus 2:11-12.
Do you recall a time in your childhood when you looked around to see if your parent/caregiver/teacher wasn’t looking? What were your thoughts at the time?
Think about those moments and think about what may have been happening in your body as a response to that inner conflict. As adults, do we still have those same emotions? Or do we acclimate and harden ourselves to those situations when we are on the cliff of making those decisions?This is the first we see of a “grown up Moses,” a Hebrew raised in an Egyptian household.
What was it that made Moses angry? Do you think his motivation for anger was justified? Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your righteous anger was justified? How can you tell the difference between unrighteousness and righteous anger?
What could Moses have done differently? During our moments of angry weakness, what are some ways we can respond without reacting in sin? Brainstorm some potential strategies.“Private temptation gains power.” - Pastor Freddy T
Discuss what you think Pastor Freddy T meant by this.
Where have you seen this lived out in your life, or in the life of others?Read 1 Corinthians 10:13
God ALWAYS provides us a way out of temptation. Consider a time in your life where God provided the way out. Did you take it? How did you feel afterwards?
This verse states that no temptation comes to us that isn’t “common to man.” Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt as if you’re the only person struggling with a specific temptation, and that no one else can understand?
How is this verse a comfort and a challenge to us when we feel like we’re the only one struggling?You’ve likely heard it said, “God will never give you more than you can handle.”
Read Philippians 4:13 and Romans 8:37.
How does the truth you read there line up with the above quote?
How can you use these two verses as a help and hope for people who are suffering?Suffering brings us a challenge to allow God to draw us in to Him.
Pastor Freddy T issued a challenge to make our temptations public.
What fears does this bring up for you, if you were to make your temptations public?
What dangers exist if you choose NOT to make them public?
Who in your life are you willing to share your temptations with?Read Exodus 2:14.
Like Moses, we’ve had those “oh no” moments when we’ve been exposed. Describe a time when that has happened to you.Moses ran from Pharaoh, a “foster parent” of sorts for him.
In your life, have you ever run from others? What caused you to do that?Read Psalm 32:1-4.
How is our mental health affected by secret sins/struggles?
According to this scripture, how is our mental and spiritual health impacted by confession and repentance?
Discuss the difference in confessing sin and repentance of sin.Read Exodus 2:16-25.
Once again, Moses encounters a challenge.
What is the difference in his response vs what we read above, in Exodus 2:11?
What lesson do you think he had learned?
He is then invited to their father’s home and invited to “eat bread”. He was being restored. What does restoration look like for you? What does “breaking bread” mean to you? (hint: read John 6:35)
Consider having a time of “breaking bread” together before you close in prayer.
Prayer
Begin by thanking God for the example of Moses and what He shows us in His word.
Thank God for His gift of Jesus, that through Him we have a way out of all temptation.
Ask God to bring to the forefront of our hearts and minds anything that may need to be confessed and repented of.
Ask God for the courage to be public and to remove barriers in our hearts.
Ask God for restoration of any broken places in your life.
September 22, 2024
Note: please take attendance each week with your group. It’s important for us to know who’s engaged with your group, and help when someone begins to disconnect. You’ll get an email right before each group meeting. When group is over, simply indicate who was present, and who wasn’t. If you aren’t getting that email, or if something seems to be off, please let us know!
—
Ben
Sermon: Moses, Free Flights, & The Stunning Providence of God
Scripture: Exodus 2:1-10
Icebreaker: What do you like most about the fall?
Read Exodus 2
Discussion questions:
1) Consider how the Hebrews felt about the mandate to kill all the baby boys…. In a culture that wants everything instantly, how do we offer hope to others when God seems weak to them?
2) After the Levite woman kept her son for three months and knew she could hide him no longer, consider what she was feeling as a mother and her faith in giving up her child. Think about the courage she had along with her fear as she placed her baby boy in an ark made of bulrushes and pitch and set it into the river…
3) Reflect on the obstacles that Pharoh put in front of the Hebrew people to keep them from multiplying. How did God demonstrate his power using those very obstacles to accomplish his good plan?
4) In Exodus 2:6, Pharoh’s daughter saw the basket among the reeds and had it brought to her. When she opened it, the child started to cry. At that moment, she felt sorry for him, “Saying this is one of the Hebrew babies.” God brought together two things in that very moment, a baby’s cry and a woman’s heart. Reflecting on your life, can you remember a time that something happened, and you knew God brought all the right things together in that moment for you?
5) In Exodus 2:7, Moses’ sister speaks to the daughter of Pharoh and asks if she should find a Hebrew woman to nurse the child. The girl in this passage was young yet God chose her and gave her the courage, words, and timing to speak to Pharoh’s daughter. Have you ever seen times in your life where you watched God’s plan fulfilled through a child or an unexpected source?
6) God used the event described in the previous question to have Pharoh’s daughter order a Hebrew woman to be brought to nurse Moses. The child’s own mother then comes to nurse him and is paid for it! How does this show God’s providence over the entire situation?
7) Pastor Freddy T mentioned the hand of God orchestrating all the events around Moses being saved from the water. Have you seen God’s hand orchestrating events in your life? Have you been through something difficult and now,looking back, see how God used that to prepare you for something later?
8) Considering the passages in Exodus 2, have you seen God’s providential hand in a situation that seems evil? How has he used evil events or people in some cases to accomplish his plan?
9) In Isaiah 55:9, God says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher that your thoughts.” God essentially shows this in the ways he orchestrates the events in Exodus 2, using Pharoh’s own daughter to accomplish his plan. Thinking about your life, how has God used his waysthrough events and people to bring you closer to him?
Prayer
Think about some things you’re facing this week that are completely out of your control. Pray about these things and write them down somewhere. Later, come back and see how God was working in these things even though you couldn’t see it at the time.
Thank God that he has a plan for your life, and you don’t have to shoulder everything that life throws at you on yourown. Even though we don’t find out Moses’s mothers name until later in the scripture, she had to trust God’s plan. Pray for the faith to trust in God’s plan for your own life. Pray for faith to trust him with your children’s lives.
Ask God to be with you this week as you continue to pray and think about these scriptures. How can we learn from the text and grow our own faith as we see how God shows up time and again?
September 15, 2024
Note: please take attendance each week with your group. It’s important for us to know who’s engaged with your group, and help when someone begins to disconnect. You’ll get an email right before each group meeting. When group is over, simply indicate who was present, and who wasn’t.
If you need support, or aren’t receiving the email, please reach out and let me know!
—
Ben
Sermon: Exodus 1
Key Scripture: Exodus 1
Icebreaker:
What was your favorite thing about where you grew up?
Read Exodus 1
Discussion questions
From what area in your life do you want an “Exodus?”
We are individually saved by God. How does your relationship with Him multiply and grow the people of God?
People often isolate themselves when they suffer. What hinders you from letting the people of God provide you comfort? What are ways we can bring comfort?
Describe how the church has or hasn’t shared in your suffering. How has that affected you?
How do you best flourish during suffering?
Freddy T. observe that “Fear of losing power resulted in horrific evil.” How has your fear of losing power in an area of your life “come to evil.”
Has there been a time in your life when you acted lime pharaoh did? What did you learn from that experience?
Describe what it means for you to “fear God.”
How can we help one another grow in our “fear of God.”
The Hebrew midwives disobeyed “together.” What does this say about our need for community?
Prayer:
Share any areas of your life where you need freedom.
Thank God for the hope He offers us in Jesus.
Ask God for the opportunity to live in freedom this week.
September 8, 2024
Keep it Real. Keep it Jesus.
“Admit it…There’s a nail, in your head.”
Note: as your group kicks off for this semester, be reminded that we have additional resources if people in your group need care. Donnie and Beth Crawford are here and ready to support when the needs in your group extend beyond you. Just fill out this form HERE and they’ll be in touch.
Key Scripture: 1 John Ch. 1: 8-9; James 5:16
Ice Breaker: What is one of your favorite “slogans” or tag lines? (Examples: Lay’s “Bet you can’t eat just one!”; Nike’s “Just do it!”; Burger King’s “Have it your way!” )
1 John 1:8-9
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has a great power as it is working.
Questions for discussion
What did you hear as you listened to the Key Scriptures, and what do you think our Father is trying to encourage within us with these words?
Pastor Freddy T. spent time exploring the origins of our church name and the use of the word “Real” in Real Life Sango. Why is this word a key principle for us as a church body?
Do you find it easy to keep it real with God? Do you know why or why not?
How does the verse Pastor Freddy T cited from James (5: 16) provide us with instruction for our community groups? Though cautioned to not be reckless with our trust in others, in essence, what do you hear God saying to us about how we should relate to one another during Community Groups?
James 5:16 also encourages us to pray for one another that we may be healed. In this case, healing from sin is referenced. Can you recall a time you needed to be healed from sin? Though you may not be comfortable sharing the precise sin, what was it like to know you needed healing from a sin?
The prayer of another believer is cited as a key factor in healing from sin in our life. Is there a person in your life that you could go to right now if you were battling a particular sin and seek prayer? Which qualities make them your “person”?
When you finally find freedom from a sin, what does that freedom feel like? Can you describe it?
Pastor Freddy T. mentions that it is preposterous that we would ask or expect God to forgive us but that often we withhold forgiveness from others. Is there a grudge you need to lay down but have not yet chosen to forgive that individual? Is it possible that the grudge you are holding that is eating you up today is against yourself or your past?
The statement “We become what we behold” was made during the sermon. What are you choosing to focus on in Christ’s character in hopes that it will begin to be part of your character?
Pastor Freddy T. mentioned the growth of our town at present is not “normal.” We are being entrusted to be stewards of the population boom we are experiencing. How will you be faithful to this influx of His Children? What are you doing to help care for them?
Prayer:
Begin by thanking God for the opportunity to remove sin from our lives, and for the ability to forgive as we have been forgiven.
Invite members of the group to specifically pray with thanksgiving for their own spiritual partners who have helped them face sin
Ask God for the opportunity to become someone else’s trusted confessor as He sees fit.
Close with an invitation for prayer requests.
September 1, 2024
The Danger of Isolation
Real Life, we are in our values series right now and what a great way to kick off small groups with the topic of Grace & Truth in Relationships. Pastor Ben preached Sunday on The Danger of Isolation and we’re taking a step towards that “Antidote to Isolation” by kicking off our first week in Small Groups!
Icebreaker:
Pastor Ben set a generational divide when he asked how many Real Lifers remember navigating with PRINTED MapQuest directions. Sitting in a row with Boomers through Gen Alpha, there was quite the reaction to that question! So for the group, when you first got your driver’s license; what year was it, and how did you navigate to new places?
Key Scriptures
David and Bathsheba and Nathan confronting David
2 Samuel 11 and 12
Questions for Discussion:
Most people nowadays have smartphones, assuming you do as well; do you feel like we are more connected or less connected to others and the world with smartphones? Why or why not?
Pastor Ben shared some startling statistics of the health impact of isolation, how it can actually reduce your life expectancy. Whether it’s been a news story or something more personal, have you seen the impact of isolation play out around you?
Read 2 Samuel 11:1. David and Bathsheba is a very familiar Bible story to most, but Pastor Ben pointed out just how vital context is for our biblical understanding. What is the context of this story? What mark of complacency did David make that lead to his downfall?
“Get community before you need it!” – Joel ThomasDavid’s choice to be isolated contributed to a very premeditated path of sin with dire consequences. Pastor Ben outlined 3 Antidotes to Isolation in Sunday’s sermon, the first being proximity.
David removed himself from the proximity of other believers and it didn’t end well; how can we intentionally keep ourselves in proximity with other believers? (Hint: You’re at a small group which is a good start!)
Other than small groups, how can you encourage proximity with other believers in your day-to-day life?
“Don’t push community away before you need it!” – Ben ReedThe second Antidote to Isolation is accessibility. When life gets hard, the human condition generally tempts us isolate and turn within; how can we proactively give access to those who will speak into our lives with grace and truth?
Who has, (or who can you give) access to in your life? Who knows your hurts, habits and hang ups? Do you have someone to ask questions about the day-to-day things like your marriage, your parenting, your attitude, or how you show up at work?In this hyper-connected and lonely world, it is often easier to listen to the “help” offered by the world instead of the sometimes hard truths of faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.
How can you proactively limit the access of the world, particularly when life gets hard?Jon Acuff said, “People who can't be questioned often end up doing questionable things.”
Name one person in your life who has been faithful to ask you the hard questions. How has this helped you in hard seasons?Real community requires a measure of vulnerability, it is why every Sunday we say, “Keep it Real. Keep it Jesus.”
From the Real Life website - “We desire to be authentic. No pretense. No show. Just real.”
How can you take one step towards genuine authenticity, keeping it real, in community this week?
“Get a Nathan before a Nathan is sent to you.” – Ben Reed2 Samuel 12:1 “The Lord sent Nathan to David.” It’s a short sentence that set in motion huge implications. Before Nathan was rebuking David, he was God’s prophet, guiding David and speaking grace and truth into his life. (2 Sam 7) The remarkable turnaround of this story was how David responded to Nathan’s rebuke through humility, which is the third Antidote to Isolation.
How can we make steps to ensure we’re in a place to receive humility instead of humility being forced upon you?A beautiful example that Pastor Ben shared was of the root system of giant sequoia trees. Counterintuitively, the roots are fairly shallow, but they stretch very wide and are interconnected with the other giant sequoias in densely packed forests. This interconnected root system allows these trees to grow a staggering 300+ feet tall. Let’s not be tempted to believe that Christ-centered community requires knowing everyone’s deepest and darkest secrets to keep you rooted in authenticity and support. A great way to establish some interconnected roots this year is Keeping it Real!
How can you as a group be intentional about getting to know the hurts, habits, and hang-ups of the people in your group to establish a new root system? How can you faithfully grow those roots throughout the next year?