Topic: Discipleship

Series: Ways of a Disciple
Title: Beyond Making Promises
Text: Matthew 5:33-37

We explore God’s call for our words and actions to be congruent, to be people of integrity that others can trust.

General Questions:

1. Who are some people you would consider as a man/woman of integrity? What makes you say so? 

Perspective Questions:

1. We know having integrity and being honest is easier said than done. Discuss circumstances that make it hard for people to be honest. 

2. How do you think a believer with integrity (or lack thereof) affects their witness of Jesus to the world? 

3. Having integrity comes at a price and might lead to negative consequences. What would you hold onto to give you the courage to choose integrity in any circumstance? 

Application Questions:

1. We become people of integrity by keeping every promise we make, even the small ones. How can you work on being a person who keeps their word?

2. What can you do to help LG members struggling with integrity? What can the LG members do to help you grow in integrity?

Series: Ways of a Disciple
Title: Beyond Settling for the Acceptable – Pursue Faithfulness
Text: Matthew 5:31-32

What is God’s view concerning how we should treat our covenants, such as the covenant of marriage, and how can Christ-followers pursue faithfulness in their committed relationships?

General Questions:

1. Do you think it is possible for Christ followers to pursue faithfulness in accordance to God’s standards for marriage? What do you think are the reasons that there are divorces even among Christians?

Perspective Questions:

1. If our purpose of marriage is just to seek happiness, we will be disappointed and have many reasons to leave when our marriages go through rough patches. What do you think are the godly values and perspectives that we should have towards marriage instead? 

2. Marriage is one example of a covenant relationship. We also have covenants with God, our church family and our friends. If faithfulness is the foundation of our covenants, what do you think it takes to be faithful?

Application Questions:

1. How can we pursue faithfulness in our covenants? What are some small steps we can take to be loyal to those we are covenanted to?

Series: Ways of a Disciple
Title: Beyond Restraining Desires
Text: Matthew 5:27-30

When we want things that we know we are not supposed to have, we try to control or suppress our desires. But this does not mean that we are content. How can we find true contentment?

General Questions:

1) In Matthew 5:27-30, Jesus teaches that the law points towards a higher standard that is marked by internal attitudes. Based on Jesus’ emphasis in this passage, what do you think Jesus’ definition of true righteousness entails?

Perspective Questions:

1) Covetousness can be so seductive that it makes us believe that we must have the thing we desire, otherwise our lives will be incomplete. Think of your peers in the same life station as you. What are some things that are commonly coveted by people of your age group? Why are these things desirable? As a Christian, how would you handle this differently from your secular peers? Why?

2) We can be content in any and every situation through Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:10-13). How does this understanding address and challenge the ways we deal with our desires? What would we do with desires that are unmet in our lives? Why?

3) Beyond restraining our desires, we must be decisive and be willing to take extreme measures when dealing with temptation and sin. What are some reasons why we might be hesitant to be decisive and take extreme measures when faced with temptations? What does this reveal about the condition of our hearts?

4) We sometimes veer away from accountability because we do not want others to infringe upon our private life. What does this show about our understanding of living in a Christian community? What are the long-term implications that this mindset will have on ourselves and on the church?

Application Questions:

1) Think of a situation in which you know you will be tempted to sin. What are the measures you can take to decisively flee from temptation? What would help you to choose these measures more often? How can the LG help you to be victorious in this area?

2) Think: what are some areas in your life that you would need to be accountable in today? What is one step you can take to be accountable to your LG/mentor etc in this?

3) How can we help one another to choose lasting joy over instant pleasures? Are there verses or stories we can share to encourage one another who may be struggling with unmet desires?

The saying “don’t aim for perfection because it does not exist” sounds right and good. But what about pursuing God’s standards?

Even as we rest in the truth that we are saved by grace alone, we are to press on to complete maturity. But what does it mean to be ‘perfect’? Discover how to strive to live to honour God rather than settle for the minimum standard.

Series: One Life at a Time
Title: Committed to Truth
Text: 2 Timothy 1:13-14

In a world where people are constantly bombarded by information, differing opinions and news both real and fake, how can we stay committed to God’s eternal truth and lead others to His truth?

General Questions:

1) How do you usually respond when you encounter questionable doctrines? Would you consider yourself to be someone who watches your doctrine closely? Why?

2) Can you recall a mentor or leader who impacted your life because of their commitment to God’s truth? What can you learn from them?

Perspective Questions:

1) We may have encounters with controversial doctrines. What do you think is the wise way to deal with them? Do you have experiences or examples? How would you advise those who may encounter such situations?

2) Paul reminded Timothy to not just hold on to sound teaching but to do so with “love and faith”.  What do you think our life will be like if we just have the right knowledge but do not act upon it? What do you think are the dangers of inconsistent living (when we don’t act according to what we profess)?

Application Questions:

1) As a mentor/leader, what are the challenges you face as you endeavour to teach and live out the truth? What are some helpful things you can do to remind or encourage yourself to stand firm in the truth if such situations arise?

2) Spiritual leadership must be committed to sound doctrine. For leaders and mentors, how can we be faithful in transmitting God’s truth to the next generation? What is the role of the Holy Spirit in this

We may not be able to change the world but as Christian mentors, we can make a difference one life at a time. Examine the qualities that make a good Christian mentor and learn how to help God’s people to live a life of faith and love in any circumstance.

Title: Making a Difference
Series: Heart Of A Disciple
Text: Matthew 5:13-16

God has sent disciples on His mission to be salt of the earth and light of the world. What does the mission involve?

General Questions:

1) What makes disciples the salt of the earth and the light of the world?

2) What may cause a disciple to lose his or her “saltiness” or hide his or her “light”?

Perspective Questions:

1) Why do you think Jesus finds the need to teach about the “salt and light” function of disciples? What does this tell you about the relationship between disciples and the world?

2) What is the difference between letting one’s light shine before others (Mt 5:16) and showing off one’s acts of righteousness before others (Mt 6:1)? How can believers tell when they are doing the former or the latter?

Application Questions:

1) In what ways are you challenged to be salt and light? What could be holding you back? What may help you to accomplish your God-given mission to be salt and light?

2) In His teaching on disciples being light of the world, Jesus uses the analogy of a brightly lit town on a hill that cannot be hidden (Mt 5:14). This illustrates the corporate effect of the community of disciples shining their light together. How can the LG shine together during pandemic times?

Series: Pivot – Circles and Rows
Title: The Heart of a Disciple-maker
Text: 1 Thess. 2:7-12

If the Church is to reflect the light of Christ to the world, then discipleship is essential in ensuring that the Church continues to shine. How should we view and approach our calling to be disciple-makers?

General Questions:
1) From 1 Thess. 2:3-6, what can you say are the motives of the Paul?
2) In 1 Thess. 2:7-12, what are the two imageries used to describe a disciple-maker? What are the key characteristics of each imagery?

Perspective Questions:
1) Why do you think Paul finds it necessary to use two imageries? Are these two imageries still relevant for the new norm? How so?
2) A nursing mother gives selflessly even though the child does not give back. Why should a disciple-maker adopt such an attitude?
3) A loving father models and encourages his child. Why is it necessary for Paul to highlight the apostles’ blameless living (v10) before mentioning that they were “encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God” (v12)?

Application Questions:
1) When making disciples, we need to rely on God and draw closer to Christ. Share one thing you can do in the coming week to spend more time with Christ and ask Him to lead you to disciple someone.
2) If you are a mentor or leader, how would you want to grow as a disciple-maker? What could be some obstacles you face? How can the LG support you in your growth?

Series: Pivot – Circles and Rows

The new norm has arrived but God’s call for the church remains the same. Jesus gives the church the ultimate cause – making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). If we have forgotten our life mission, lost our focus or quenched our passion, now is the time to remember and renew our commitment to the cause of Christ.