SERIES:  Jesus Story: Daniel                                                   WEEK: 2        

MESSAGE:  Determined

COMMUNICATOR: Pastor Kevin Geer

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 devotional & discussion? 

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER AND DISCUSS: These questions work well individually or in a group. The goal is to encourage spiritual growth, enhance biblical community and live it in the world around you.  

1. What are key characteristics of a leader you would follow? Why are those characteristics important to you? 
2. “If you fail to plan, (be determined) you plan to fail.” What are you determined now to see happen in or to you in the near future? Please explain.
3. Daniel 1:8. How do you stay faithful on a diet? How do you stay on task when doing a difficult project? What are your motivators to achieve your desired goals in these areas? 
4. What are some possible reasons Daniel chose food to ‘draw a line in the sand?’
5. What are some of the challenging areas in following Jesus that require your determination? How can your community of faith support you in this resolve?
6. Following Jesus is difficult.  How does the world, the culture, or society shape how you think, talk and live? Read Romans 12:2. How do those influences make it difficult at times to follow Jesus? Give some examples. 
7. Daniel 1:9. How do you define respect? Why is it so important to both show and have people’s respect? 
8. Where in your life do you see the favor of God? What is one example? How can you leverage that favor for God’s purposes? What or who came to mind when thinking about this question?    
9. Read Daniel 1:17. What talents and gifts has God blessed you with? Maybe you have never thought about it. Ask those who know you well to help you determine what those talents and gifts are. 
10. What can you determine to do this week that will strengthen your relationship with Jesus? What can you do to strengthen friendships, co-workers, or family relationships?  
11. Read Psalm 119:66. Make this your prayer this week? Have each person in your group pray this verse out loud over themselves. 

1. TRUTH DEMANDS A RESPONSE! What is one action step you will take this week in response to our discussion or nudge from the Holy Spirit? Be specific. _______________________________________________________________

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/experience-god 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