Topic: Faith

We all want to be successful – whether it’s in our grades, internships, or friendships. But are there underlying costs we don’t know about?

Watch this special production where a university student grapples with this question in the biggest interview of his life!

Title: The Presence of the Holy Spirit
Passage: John 14:15-17

In hard times, we look to God for strength to endure the difficulties. It is not wrong to desire God’s power but we need to know that essentially, God’s power is not an energy force or a magical ability. Rather, God’s power is found in a Person – the Holy Spirit.

 

General Questions:

1) In John 14:16, in the last night before Jesus’ death, He assured His disciples that the Holy Spirit would be with them. How important is this assurance for believers today?

2) In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit would come upon a person then leave.  Starting from Jesus, the Holy Spirit stays in believers. How has the Holy Spirit guided or helped you recently (see also John 16:15, John 14:26 and Acts 1:8)?

Perspective Questions:

1) Although the Holy Spirit is to be known intimately by believers (v17), three common groups of believers live as though the Spirit does not exist – those who are unaware of the Holy Spirit, those who resist the Holy Spirit and those who neglect the Holy Spirit. Which group are you most likely to fall into? Why?

Application Questions:

1) God can work in and through us only when we surrender to His Spirit. What are some areas you need to submit to the Holy Spirit today?

2) What are habits we need to change so that we do not neglect the Holy Spirit (e.g. do morning devotion instead of checking social media)? How can the LG embark on a journey together to instil good spiritual habits that help us to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s prompting?

Is the prolonged pandemic making school a drag?

We’re all in this together! Amidst the grind of HBL and fluctuating COVID-19 cases, learn how we can make sense of why we have to study and how we can give our best and live differently as a student!

Is the prolonged pandemic making school a drag?

We’re all in this together! Amidst the grind of HBL and fluctuating COVID-19 cases, learn how we can make sense of why we have to study and how we can give our best and live differently as a student!

Text: Luke 10:38-42

Being less self-focused and distracted helps us to make room for God in our lives.

General Questions:

1) Why do you think Martha became distracted by the preparations? What was she possibly concerned about?
2) What was the “better” thing that Mary chose (v42)? Why do you think Jesus said that this is “better”?

Perspective Questions:

1) What are some things that usually distract us from making room for God? How and why do these things do so?
2) While Jesus corrected Martha for being distracted, He did not rebuke her for her preparation. Under what circumstances can giving our best in preparation result in self-focus and/or distraction? Why?

Application Questions:

1) Think of a situation in which we might become overly self-focused and/or distracted amid our preparation. How can we make room for God in such situations? What are some possible changes we would need to make to our environment or mindset etc?
2) In our LG, there will be varying levels of service and commitment. While we do not compare and become guilty / self-righteous, there is also room for spurring one another on. How might we do so?
3) For the upcoming conference, brainstorm together as an LG on how we can remind one another to make room for God. What are some practical things we can do for one another? As much as we prepare to tune in for Hope Conference from our homes, let’s learn how to make room in our hearts and set aside time to receive all that He has to pour out at Conference! As much as we prepare to tune in for Hope Conference from our homes, let’s learn how to make room in our hearts and set aside time to receive all that He has to pour out at Conference!

Title: Becoming A Clear Signpost
Text: Philippians 2:12-16

The way we lead our lives in the world shows the world who Jesus is and what He has done in our lives. What does it mean to be a signpost for God? What difference can you make for God in the marketplace?

General Questions:
1) According to Philippians 2:12-16, what is God’s purpose for every believer? How does living out God’s purpose look in your context, for example, as a child, as a spouse, parent or an employee?

2) How do you think inner transformation occurs? What is a personal story of how God has moulded and refined you to be more like Christ?

Perspective Questions:
1) What do you think is the difference between “working for” and “working out” your salvation? When someone works out, he/she can look forward to a fitter and healthier body. What do you think believers can look forward to when they work out their salvation?

2) How challenging do you think it is to be ‘blameless and pure’ and to ‘hold out the word of life’ as what Paul encouraged the believers to do? What do you think Paul meant when he said that it is God working in us to will and act according to His good purpose?

3) Who is someone you would consider a marketplace minister? Do you see yourself as a marketplace minister? Why or why not?

Application Questions:
1) How do you think you can be a signpost in where God has placed you? Which of the four ways do think you can start applying in your life (i.e. pray faithfully, connect relationally, love practically, and share boldly) to bring light to the marketplace? What is stopping you?

Series: Generous
Title: The Generosity of God
Text: 1 Chron. 29:10-12

What does the generosity of God mean to us? How does it shape or change the way we handle our finances or material well-being?

General Questions:
1) Read 1 Chron. 29:10-11. What are some attributes of God highlighted by David?

2) Read 1 Chron. 29:12. What does it say about God’s character that He gives strength and power to people? What are other verses that highlight God’s generosity?

Perspective Questions:
1) Which do we struggle to trust or appreciate more – God’s sovereignty or His goodness? How has it affected our lives?

2) “People are not generous because they do not grasp how generous God is toward them.” Do you agree with this statement? Why?

3) List some ways God has been generous to you. What do you think about the fact that He is so generous, He even gave His Son to save you from sin?

Application Questions:
1) Tithing is our faithful response to the generous God who meets our needs. How would you encourage a believer to tithe? How would you help him or her to work on trusting in God’s generosity?

2) If we do not appreciate God’s generosity toward us, we tend to develop a sense of entitlement and think that He owes it to us to give us what we want. As an LG, how can we look out for one another so that we will not fall into the entitlement trap? How can we help each other to appreciate God’s generosity towards us?

3) The generosity of God spurred David to contribute his personal treasures(1 Chron. 29:3). In biblical times, the king’s personal property was his insurance in the case of unforeseen political crises or natural disasters. By giving his personal treasures, David was risking his material well-being and putting his personal security in God’s hands. How can the LG challenge one another to exhibit the same kind of faith that David had?

Despite widespread economic hardships due to COVID-19, there has been an outpouring of generosity around the world.

Be it volunteering our time, donating money, or helping a stranger, generosity is a valued virtue. Learn about the generosity of God and how we can reflect His character in our giving as believers!