Tithing first appears in Scripture in Genesis 14. But is it still something that's relevant to Christians today? How are believers in the Church to approach the subject of giving?

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

- How does viewing yourself as a steward of God's resources rather than an owner change your daily financial decisions and priorities?

- Should giving to God make you more or less worried about money? Why?

- Have you ever experienced God’s faithfulness to provide for material needs in miraculous ways? If so, share a story with the group.

- What does it mean practically for your giving to be 'felt' or sacrificial, and how might that look different for people in various financial situations?

- Why do you think Jesus spent about a third of His teaching time on money and material wealth?

- How do you navigate the tension between wanting clear rules and being called to a Spirit-led relationship with God in areas like giving?

In this special Easter Sunday message, we'll dive into the wonderful hope of the Gospel and the picture painted for us through the tenth plague in Egypt in the Book of Exodus.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

- We often judge ourselves, for better or worse, by comparing ourselves to others. How can comparing ourselves to Christ instead lead to greater freedom and humility?

- Do you view Jesus as having ownership of your life? What does that look like practically for any person?

- How should the reality that God is the source of everything good affect our thinking and behavior?

- Romans 8:38-39 promises that nothing can separate believers from God's love. Do you feel closer to God in good times or in trying times?

- Why couldn’t God just forgive sins without Jesus having to die?

Abram's ne'er-do-well nephew, Lot, gets himself and his family kidnapped, leading to a daring nighttime military rescue and dramatic encounters with the kings of Salem and Sodom - the mysterious Christ-like figure Melchizedek and the "son of evil" Bera.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

- How have you seen Christians use wealth well to serve God?

- How have you seen Christians be led astray by wealth?

- Have you observed the difference gratitude makes in your spiritual life and in battling temptations?

- How does Lot's decision to prioritize financial prosperity over righteousness serve as a warning to parents about choosing where to live and how they raise their children?

- How can Christians “practice” being kings and priests to God in daily life?

God begins to grow Abram's faith by putting it to the test. We'll learn from both his successes and failures as we explore how fear and faith shape our actions under pressure.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

- Abram fled to Egypt during a famine rather than trust God to provide in Canaan. What areas of your life are you tempted to take into your own hands instead of trusting God's provision?

- What worship practices (“altars”) have you built into your life, and how do they help you stay focused on God in both good and bad times?

- How can a Christian resist the natural urge of the flesh to be controlled by fear, leading to compromising our faith?

- Do you think it’s possible to grow in knowledge (e.g., of the Word) without growing in Christlikeness? Why or why not?

- What should a Christian do when they’re seeking God for help with a decision, but it feels like God is giving them a clear answer?

As Abram enters the Promised Land, we look ahead to see how God's initial counsel was designed to save him from a whole lot of trouble, and learn from his example of prioritizing worship.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

- Abraham partially obeyed God by leaving his homeland, but brought his father and nephew Lot with him. Have you ever experienced tension between honoring family relationships and fully obeying what you believe God is calling you to do?

- How do you discern which difficult relationships you are called to maintain sacrificially versus which ones God may be calling you to limit or leave for the sake of your spiritual growth?

- The question from Amos 3:3 asks, 'Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?' How does this principle apply to the relationships you prioritize in your life, particularly regarding shared spiritual direction?

- Paul taught that bad company corrupts good morals. How do you evaluate whether you are influencing others for Christ or whether you are being negatively influenced?

- What does it look like practically in daily life to "build" worship and "pitch" the less important things?

As we conclude our study of Israel from a biblical perspective, we'll look at the events of 70AD and God's incredible plans to turn Israel's heart back to Him through the crushing of the Great Tribulation and the glory of the Second Coming.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

- In Romans 11, Paul warns the Church not to be “arrogant” (V.20), “ignorant” (V.25), or “conceited” (V.25) concerning Israel. How might a Christian fall into these categories in their perspective of Israel?

- What doctrine, theology, and Scripture can protect a believer from falling into spiritual pride and wrongly thinking they are saved because they are somehow better than other people?

- What does the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD teach us about the transition from Old Covenant worship to New Covenant reality, and why is attempting to rebuild Temple Judaism problematic?

- Bible prophecy tells us it will take the Great Tribulation to finally break Israel and bring her to repentance. What does this reveal about the depth of human stubbornness and the extent of God's redemptive plan?

- Instead of Israel, the Church is now serving as Christ’s ambassadors on the earth. What does that mean in your life, and what do you think it should look like in the life of believers in our part of the world?

As we continue our examination of who Israel is in Scripture, we see God's chosen nation walking in continued rebellion by rejecting Jesus, orchestrating His death, and persecuting His Church.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

- Why do you think there were only 120 people in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost, following the ministry and Resurrection of Jesus?

- Do you feel like you’ve observed 2 Timothy 2:13 in your own life?

…if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.

- Why would the Jewish leaders and priests simply repair the torn curtain that guarded the Holy of Holies in the Temple, and continue as though nothing had happened?

- Do you think most people aren’t Christians due to a lack of evidence? And if not evidence, then what?

- What ungodly political compromises might Christians be tempted to support in the name of pragmatism (as the Jewish leaders did in Jesus’ day)?

In Genesis 12:3, God famously comes to Abram and says, "I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt." In this study, we'll do our best to address some of the controversial questions surrounding Israel, her identity, her relationship to the Church, and what Jesus and His Word have to say about these matters.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

- God chose Israel because she was “the fewest of all peoples”. Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. What has God had to overpower in your life to bring you to salvation and sanctify you (e.g., stubbornness, wrong beliefs, self-centeredness)?

- Why do you think Israel is back in their land today?

- Do we, like Israel, experience blessings for faithfulness to God and curses for unfaithfulness to God, or is our relationship with Him different? How? Why?

- The Jews in Jesus' day rejected Him as their savior because He didn’t meet their expectations and desires (they wanted a militant deliverer). Are there any wrong expectations Christians sometimes have of Jesus today?

- If God knew that Israel was going to be so difficult, why did He choose them to be His nation?