Topic: Community

Title: Focus 2026
Text: 2 Peter 1:12-15

What is the Lord speaking to our Hope movement as we turn 35 years old this year?

General Questions:

1. “A small drift today will lead to big deviations in the long run”. Was there a time where you experienced how making small compromises led to undesired or even disastrous outcomes? Share to the LG on what you learned through this incident.

Perspective Questions:

1. The Church exists to fulfil God’s purpose and Jesus came to reconcile people back to Him. Each of us belong to the church and play a part in enabling this vision to be fulfilled. How can we internalise this in our personal lives and live it out? Are there challenges we face in embracing this vision personally?
2. There are three approaches we can take when we are exposed to a concept:
   • • Level 1: Focus on Others
     • Level 2: Reflect on the Past
     • Level 3: Committed to Growth

   What kind of underlying heart attitudes drive these three different responses? How can we help ourselves to not get stuck at levels 1 and 2?

Application Questions:

1. These are the godly fundamentals Pastor Jeff spoke about that we need to revisit:obedience, trust, surrender, submission, faith, sacrifice, humility, teachability, love, forgiveness, integrity, followership and holiness. Pick one which you need to be committed to grow in this year and share how you can go about doing so.
2. Hope Church was started to fulfil God’s vision. As a lifegroup, how can we help one another stay the course and continue to be focused on fulfilling God’s vision together? Brainstorm and agree on a few actionable steps together.

We all long for meaningful relationships within the church. But what does that truly look like in Christ? Join us for a 4-part book study series on Philemon, where we learn what true fellowship in the Gospel means.

Title: Caring for One Another
Text: Philemon 22-25

True fellowship in the Gospel entails caring for one another by practising hospitality and rendering support to one another.

General Questions:

1. What is hospitality to you? Do you have any personal experiences as a giver or receiver of great hospitality? How did those experiences make you feel or impact you?
2. Other than showing hospitality, we care for one another by supporting one another in the mission that God has entrusted to us. Why do you think Paul always make special mention of people who partnered with him in his letters? What do you think fulfilling God’s missions will be like if we do it on our own?

Perspective Questions:

1. Early Christians showed hospitality by opening their homes and giving traveling missionaries food, shelter and even funds for the next leg of their journey. What does “unreasonable hospitality” look like to you in your context, such as LG, family and workplace? What is the motivation behind Christian hospitality?
2. True fellowship in the gospel is not just about sharing lives and memories with one another but also sharing in God’s mission. Do you think this element of fellowship is evident in your Christian fellowship groups? What do you think will happen if this aspect is neglected?

Application Questions:

1. What do you think a hospitable LG looks like? What roles can you play to raise the level of hospitality in your LG?
2. Who are the people you can support to fulfil the Great Commission? How do you think you can use your time, talent and treasures to support them, and in particular our pastors and leaders?

Series: True Fellowship In The Gospel
Title: New Relationships in Christ
Text: Philemon 1-6

The letter to Philemon is short but has something important to say about how our relationship with Jesus changes the way we relate with one another. Our faith is personal but not private and our love has to be active, not passive.

General Questions:

1. Read through the whole book of Philemon together. Recall and discuss the relationship between Philemon, Paul and Onesimus. Why do you think this personal letter was eventually included in the Bible?
2. While we have the liberty to choose our friends, we do not have equal freedom in choosing whom God places in our church community. We are called to love all our brothers and sisters in Christ. Why do you think this is the case? What is God’s intent in getting us to be part of a spiritual family now that we are in Christ?

Perspective Questions:

1. The title of this sermon is “It’s Not Just You – It’s Us”. In today’s individualistic society, it is easy to fall into the trap believing that all you need is yourself. What does it mean that our faith is personal but not private? What are some benefits of living out our faith in community?
2. In the sermon, the preacher pointed out that the phrase “every good thing for the sake of Christ” seems to refer to suffering for Christ. There are times where we miss the suffering/needs of those in your community. What causes us to miss out on the needs of our brothers and sisters, especially when they go through difficult time? What can we do as a community to help stand with each other in suffering?

Application Questions:

1. We love because God first loved us. What is one practical step you can take this week to refresh another brother or sister in Christ? Share how you can continue this practice of loving others actively and make it part of your lifestyle.
2. It is easy to take our lifegroup for granted especially when we have been enjoying the presence of our community for awhile. Share one thing you are grateful for your lifegroup and thank them for it.

Why is gathering as a church community essential for spiritual growth? In this sermon, we explore the biblical foundation of gathering, based on Ephesians 4:11-13, and how it strengthens our faith through deeper knowledge of Christ and shared experiences.

Our relationship with God is both a personal faith decision as an individual and a corporate experience as a community. Explore why we have to gather in life groups and how we can share life, love one another, and truly be better together!

Series: The Next Step
Title: To Belong
Text: Romans 12:3-5

In every season, we all need to grow and mature in our faith. In belonging to a local church, we are to view ourselves with humility and view others with necessity.

General Questions:

1. Look at the ABCD Grow journey (https://grow.hopesingapore.org.sg/grow). Which stage are you at currently?
2. Think back on a time where your church community supported you during a difficult time or helped you to grow in your faith. Share how this incident shaped your view on the importance of belonging to the local church.

Perspective Questions:

1. What are some common dangers when a believer measures himself against worldly standards? How would Paul’s instruction to measure ourselves against the Gospel (v3) strengthen our relationship with God?
2. Although our faith is personal, Paul makes it clear that we need one another in the body of Christ (v4-5). What are some myths about interdependent living that some believers may have regarding belonging to a church?

Application Questions:

1. How willing and open are you to share your life with others in your LG? How involved are you in the lives of others in the LG? What is one small step you can take to do so?
2. A united church is not a homogenous/uniform entity. We need diverse skills to meet many needs. What is one individual gift you can contribute to the LG or church?