MESSAGE: Missional Living

COMMUNICATOR: Pastor Kevin Geer

CENTRAL TEXT/S: Luke 15

CHECKING IN: How was your week? What was one of the highlights? Share wins (things God did that moved his mission forward and you closer to Jesus). What did you put into practice from last week’s discussion? 

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER AND DISCUSS: Choose questions that will work best for your group. Feel free to add to or ask a question in a different way than is written. 

1. What was one highlight of 2022 for you? What are you specifically looking forward to in 2023? 

Read Luke 15:1-7 and discuss the following questions: 

1. Why do you think “tax collectors and notorious sinners” often came to listen to Jesus teach?
2. Who are the people you would list as “notorious sinners” today? What separates them from us? 
3. Who within your circle of influence: (people at work, school, your neighbors, where you spend your money), can you begin a conversation with to hear their story? Why has God placed you in the lives of these people? 
4. In Luke 15:3-4 we read the story of the 100 sheep. Who is the “one lost sheep” in your life that needs to find God’s love, joy and peace? What is their name and what will you do to reach out to them this week? Be specific.  
5. We were given a 2023 challenge to reach one person for Jesus. As a group, make a list of lost people you will continually pray for so that they come to Jesus this year? Also pray that God will use you to reach them. 
6. What would you say is the hardest for you: A. Win someone to Jesus. B. Give more financially. C. Disciple someone to be more like Jesus? 
7. Jesus warns us about “vicious wolves” in Matthew 7:15. Wolves do everything they can to distract and discourage the sheep of God from carrying out his purposes. What are three key areas we need to focus on to keep ourselves strong in the Lord this year? See Matthew 22:37-39; and Matthew 28:19-20 for specific ideas.  
8. Read Luke 15:11-32. Put yourself in the story and describe the thoughts and feelings of the following characters: The lost son. The father. The servants of the family. The eldest son. Who do is the main character in this story? Who do you most identify with in this story and why? 

TRUTH DEMANDS A RESPONSE! What is one action step you will take this week in response to our discussion? Be specific. Try attaching a name and date to your action step.

1. ___________________________________________________________________.

WANT TO GROW DEEPER? We have created some resources to help you grow. Check out and explore the Experience God page. Go to canvas.church/grow or Experience God on the App. 

GROUP PRAYER OPTIONS: 

• • Prayer Question: “What’s going on in our lives that we can involve Jesus?”
  • Ask:  What was one praise and one challenge you experienced this week? Celebrate the praises and pray for the challenges. 
  • Ask if anyone has a need or knows of a need, you can also offer “unspoken” prayer requests. 

• Pray for the person on your right, it can be out loud or in silence, if in silence nudge the person next to you letting them know you are done. 

• Prayer Clusters: Groups of two or three (by gender) and share your week together. Pray together and for each other. Send them a text, or leave a message letting them know you have prayed for them this week. 
• Have someone in your group keep an active list of the requests and the answers for both the updates and to celebrate the answers. 

Are you interested in the Bible and in helping Life Groups benefit from the weekend message? We have a team for you! Canvas members like you create these discussion guides each week. If you are interested in joining the team, please email rickz@canvas.church