Small Group Discussion Guide

Small Group Guide: Obedience Costs More Than Expected
Exodus 5

Key Takeaways

1. Obedience Meets Opposition - Following God's call often attracts resistance rather than eliminating it.
2. Obedience Means Brokenness - God allows us to experience physical, emotional, and relational challenges that humble us and increase our dependence on Him.
3. Obedience Leads to Transformation - Through difficulty, God shapes our hearts to reflect His own heart of compassion and redemption.
4. God Is Never Absent - Even when we can't see His work, God is actively preparing something greater than we can imagine.

Discussion Questions
How does the reality that obedience to God often attracts opposition rather than shields us from it challenge your expectations of what following Jesus should look like?

In what ways have you experienced a situation where things got harder before God's work became clear, and how did that season shape your faith?

Why do you think the Israelites blamed Moses and Aaron instead of Pharaoh for their increased suffering, and how do we sometimes misdirect blame in our own difficult circumstances?

What does it reveal about Moses' transformation that his questions to God reflect the same grief and longing for redemption that God himself feels?

How can we distinguish between honest questioning of God in our pain versus crossing the line into accusing or blaming Him?

The sermon states that sometimes we long for the old misery because it felt more manageable than the new misery. When have you been tempted to retreat to familiar discomfort rather than trust God through uncertain change?

What does it mean practically to go to God rather than away from Him when we feel He has not delivered on His promises in our expected timeline?

How does understanding that God promised 400 years of affliction in Genesis 15 change your perspective on the suffering the Israelites experienced in Exodus 5?

In what areas of your life might God be doing a deeper transformative work through difficulty rather than providing the instant relief you desire?

How does the reminder that God has not called us to comfort but has promised His constant presence reshape your approach to obedience in challenging circumstances?

Small Group Guide: The God Who Says, "I Will"
Sermon Series: Exodus
Text: Exodus 4:18-31
Key Theme: God's promises are greater than our doubts

Question: Share about a time when you had to step out in faith despite feeling uncertain or afraid. What happened?

Sermon Recap 

• Moses moved from doubt and reluctance to obedience
• Throughout Scripture, God says "I will" over 4,000 times
• God meets our doubts with His promises
• Jesus continues this pattern in the New Testament
• We can say "it is well with my soul" only because of who God is.

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Text

1. What specific doubts and fears did Moses express to God? How did God respond to each one? (Review Exodus 3-4 if needed)
2. The pastor mentioned two things that helped Moses move toward obedience: blessing from his father-in-law and God easing his anxiety. How do you see God working through both circumstances and direct promises in this passage?
3. In verse 21, God tells Moses exactly what will happen, including that Pharaoh's heart will be hardened. Why would God tell Moses about future difficulties? How does this help us today?

Personal Reflection

4. The sermon stated: "Moses trusted in the word of God more than the doubts and fears in his own mind." What does this look like practically in your life right now?
5. Which of the "I will" promises resonated most with you?
   • Strength (Isaiah 41:10)
   • Care (Isaiah 46:4)
   • Renewal (Ezekiel 36:26)
   • Purpose (Mark 1:17)
   • Presence (Hebrews 13:5)
   • Guidance (Luke 6:47-48)
6. The pastor said, "Doubt doesn't have to lead to unbelief in your life... when we have those moments of doubt, that should drive us to Scripture." How have you typically responded to doubt in the past? What would it look like to let doubt drive you to Scripture instead of away from God?

Application

7. Like the disciples, Moses had to "get out of the boat" and leave what was familiar. What is God calling you to leave behind or step away from right now? What's holding you back?
8. Jesus said "when a flood arose" not "if a flood comes." How does knowing that storms are inevitable change the way you prepare spiritually? What does it mean to build your house on the rock in practical terms?
9. The sermon emphasized that contentment comes from who you have on the inside, not what you have on the outside. In what areas of life are you tempted to seek contentment from external things rather than God's presence?

Key Takeaways

• Doubt is normal but doesn't have to lead to unbelief when we bring it to God and His Word
• God's "I will" statements are greater than our doubts - He has made over 4,000 promises in Scripture
• Obedience doesn't require knowing the whole plan - Moses didn't need to see how everything would work out
• God's faithfulness doesn't age - His love doesn't weaken, His presence doesn't fade
• Following Jesus requires movement - we must step out of the boat and leave behind old patterns.

Small Group Guide: The Victory of the Resurrection
Based on 1 Corinthians 15:1-19, 35-49

Icebreaker
Share one thing that stood out to you during the Easter service this morning. It could be a song, a moment, or something from the message.

Key Takeaways
1. Jesus is Alive - The Facts of the Gospel

• Christ died for our sins (according to Scripture)
• He was buried (confirming His death)
• He rose on the third day (according to Scripture)
• He appeared to many witnesses (Peter, the twelve, 500+ believers, James, Paul)

2. Without the Resurrection, Faith is Futile

• If Christ hasn't been raised, our preaching is in vain
• If Christ hasn't been raised, our faith is useless
• If Christ hasn't been raised, we are still in our sins
• But because He IS risen, we have hope beyond the grave

3. The Resurrection Promises Our Future Resurrection

• Those who have "fallen asleep" in Christ will be raised
• Our resurrected bodies will be different and glorious
• We will bear the image of the "last Adam" (Christ) in eternity

Discussion Questions

Understanding the Message

1. The Evidence of the Resurrection: Paul lists multiple witnesses to the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15. Why do you think it was important for Paul to provide this evidence? How does knowing there were 500+ eyewitnesses strengthen your faith?
2. According to Scripture: Paul emphasizes twice that Jesus' death and resurrection happened "according to Scripture." Why is it significant that this wasn't a last-minute plan but was prophesied throughout the Old Testament?
3. The Greek Perspective: The Corinthians struggled with the concept of bodily resurrection because Greek culture taught that the body was evil and the soul was good. What are some modern beliefs or cultural ideas that make it difficult for people today to believe in the resurrection?

Going Deeper

4. The "If" Statements: In verses 13-19, Paul uses several "if" statements to show what would be true if there were no resurrection. Which of these consequences strikes you as most significant? Why?
5. Peter's Story: The pastor mentioned that Jesus appeared first to Peter, who had denied Him three times. What does this tell us about Jesus' character and His approach to our failures?
6. Fallen Asleep: The Bible uses the phrase "fallen asleep" to describe believers who have died. How does this phrase change your perspective on death? What comfort does it provide?
7. Resurrected Bodies: Paul compares our resurrection to a seed that dies and becomes something new and different. What do you think our resurrected bodies will be like? What excites you about this promise?

Personal Application

8. Living Hope: How does the reality of the resurrection change the way you live your daily life? In what practical ways should the hope of resurrection affect your decisions, relationships, and priorities?
9. Sharing the Gospel: Paul says the resurrection is "of first importance" in the gospel message. When you share your faith with others, do you emphasize the resurrection as much as the cross? How can you better communicate the full gospel?

Small Group Guide: Palm Sunday - The King Has Come

Question: If you knew you only had a few days to live, what would you prioritize doing?

Sermon Summary
This Palm Sunday message explores how Jesus spent His final week on earth, revealing that every action and word declared His kingship. From the triumphal entry on a donkey to discussions about taxes and the temple, Jesus was intentionally showing us who He is and preparing us for His return.
Key Scripture Passages

• Mark 11:1-4 (The Triumphal Entry)
• Zechariah 9:9 (Prophecy of the King on a donkey)
• Mark 12:17 (Give to Caesar)
• Mark 13:1-2, 9 (The Temple's destruction and "Be Ready")
• 2 Corinthians 8:9 (Jesus became poor for our sake)

Discussion Questions

Section 1: The Triumphal Entry 

1. Understanding the Donkey: Why was it significant that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey rather than a warhorse or royal chariot? What does this reveal about the nature of His kingdom?
2. Humility in Action: The sermon mentioned that Jesus "owns the cattle on a thousand hills" yet rode on a borrowed donkey, died on a borrowed cross, and was buried in a borrowed tomb. What does this pattern of humility teach us about following Jesus?
3. Personal Reflection: The crowd's cries changed from "Hosanna" to "Crucify Him" within days. Have you ever experienced times when your enthusiasm for Jesus waned? What caused that shift?

Section 2: Give to Caesar

4. Two Kingdoms: Jesus taught that we live in two kingdoms simultaneously—the kingdom of this world and the kingdom of God. How does this reality play out in your daily life? Where do you experience tension between these two kingdoms?
5. Image Bearing: Jesus said Caesar's image is on the coin, but God's image is on us. What does it practically mean to "give to God what belongs to God" in your life right now?
6. Hope in the Hopeless: The sermon stated, "We look around and we see the world as hopeless...but God is still working in it." How can we maintain hope while acknowledging the brokenness around us? Share examples of where you've seen God working despite difficult circumstances.

Section 3: The Temple 

7. Misplaced Hope: The disciples put their hope in the temple building rather than in worship of God. What are some "temples" in our modern lives—things we trust in for security or identity that won't last?
8. Where God Dwells: Jesus was pointing to a new reality where God doesn't live in buildings but in hearts through the risen Jesus. How does this truth change the way we think about church, worship, and our relationship with God?

Section 4: Be Ready 

9. Signs of the Times: Jesus listed signs accompanying His return: deception, wars, famines, persecution, betrayal, lawlessness, and cold hearts. How should Christians respond to these realities without becoming fearful or cynical?
10. Three Ways to Be Ready:
    • Be ready to let the king change your heart: Where do you need Jesus to work in your heart right now?
    • Be ready to endure faithfully: What does faithful endurance look like in your current circumstances?
    • Be ready to stand before Him: If you stood before Jesus today, what would you want Him to know about how you've lived?

Key Takeaways

1. Palm Sunday was a declaration of kingship - Jesus intentionally fulfilled prophecy to identify Himself as the Messiah, though not the conquering political king people expected.
2. We live in two kingdoms - We have responsibilities in this temporary, broken world, but our ultimate allegiance belongs to God's eternal kingdom.
3. Don't put hope in temporary things - Like the temple that seemed permanent but was destroyed, we must anchor our hope in Jesus alone.
4. The King is coming again - Palm Sunday isn't just about what happened then; it's about being ready for Jesus' return now.
5. Jesus became poor so we could become rich - The humility of Jesus in His final week shows the depth of His love and sacrifice for our salvation.