This week's Life Group Questions
For reflection and LIFE Group facilitation:
1. God created us with an inborn awareness of eternity (Ecclesiastes 3:1). How do you notice this awareness in you?
2. The temporal and eternal mindset are in conflict with each other. A temporal mindset emphasizes that in order to have a fulfilling life you need pleasure, recognition of people, wealth, health and status. An eternal mindset, on the other hand, emphasizes that a fulfilling life is about knowing and pleasing God, serving others, integrity, character and humility.
a. Which of these mindsets dominates your view of life?
b. What circumstances or experiences have shaped this mindset?
3. Read Acts 20:22-24. God’s ambition is to draw people to Himself and He calls people like Paul, you and me to pursue that ambition with Him. Compared to what Jesus had called him for, Paul considered his own plans and desires of little value and therefore he was willing to go all-out, even if that included prison and hardships.
a. What is Jesus calling you to in pursuing God’s ambition to draw people to Himself?
b. How do you look at your life (e.g. relationships, health, career, possessions) in light of this calling?
c. To what extent do the things you chase and the way you spend your time and resources suggest that you are pursuing God’s ambition?
4. Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. In his life and ministry, Paul faced severe hardships and suffering. However, these temporary challenges did not discourage him from pursuing God’s ambition: he turned them into missional opportunities (like e.g. in Acts 16:16-34).
a. What do times of pain of suffering do to your ambition to pursue God’s ambition?
b. In what ways have you had opportunities to share Jesus with others while you were going through hard times? What impact did this have on others and on yourself?
5. Read Colossians 3:1-4. Although God set eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:1) we need to choose an eternal mindset, by setting our hearts and minds on things above. What does this look like for you in your everyday practice?
6. To be effective in the mission that Jesus has given us to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20) we need an eternal mindset, focusing on God and others instead of on ourselves. What is keeping you from such a mindset?
a. Break out in groups of 2-3 and share your obstacles or reservations in choosing an eternal mindset.
b. Spend time in prayer with and for each other about what you have just shared.
1. God created us with an inborn awareness of eternity (Ecclesiastes 3:1). How do you notice this awareness in you?
2. The temporal and eternal mindset are in conflict with each other. A temporal mindset emphasizes that in order to have a fulfilling life you need pleasure, recognition of people, wealth, health and status. An eternal mindset, on the other hand, emphasizes that a fulfilling life is about knowing and pleasing God, serving others, integrity, character and humility.
a. Which of these mindsets dominates your view of life?
b. What circumstances or experiences have shaped this mindset?
3. Read Acts 20:22-24. God’s ambition is to draw people to Himself and He calls people like Paul, you and me to pursue that ambition with Him. Compared to what Jesus had called him for, Paul considered his own plans and desires of little value and therefore he was willing to go all-out, even if that included prison and hardships.
a. What is Jesus calling you to in pursuing God’s ambition to draw people to Himself?
b. How do you look at your life (e.g. relationships, health, career, possessions) in light of this calling?
c. To what extent do the things you chase and the way you spend your time and resources suggest that you are pursuing God’s ambition?
4. Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. In his life and ministry, Paul faced severe hardships and suffering. However, these temporary challenges did not discourage him from pursuing God’s ambition: he turned them into missional opportunities (like e.g. in Acts 16:16-34).
a. What do times of pain of suffering do to your ambition to pursue God’s ambition?
b. In what ways have you had opportunities to share Jesus with others while you were going through hard times? What impact did this have on others and on yourself?
5. Read Colossians 3:1-4. Although God set eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:1) we need to choose an eternal mindset, by setting our hearts and minds on things above. What does this look like for you in your everyday practice?
6. To be effective in the mission that Jesus has given us to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20) we need an eternal mindset, focusing on God and others instead of on ourselves. What is keeping you from such a mindset?
a. Break out in groups of 2-3 and share your obstacles or reservations in choosing an eternal mindset.
b. Spend time in prayer with and for each other about what you have just shared.