Sent Session 5 Group Discussion Questions

Thank you for being part of Sent over the past few weeks. I have had a wonderful time and believe that many of you did. Let's pray that God will use the time we shared to stir the heart of our congregation.

Who is koinonia to you?

Why do you think we struggle so much to look outside ourselves?

So what, if anything, can move us out of ourselves?

What is the best way to begin a conversation about Christ? What is the worst way?

Is it disingenuous to enter into a relationship with people in order to share Christ with them?

How can you maintain the integrity of a relationship and still be authentic about sharing Christ.

Christ Church Community

We are called to honor Christ, be His church, and serve the community He died to save. This, I think, is the core of the missional life. Lester Reeves believed this too. I often think of something I heard him say in an old tape recorded sermon. Reeves said,

"Any church that honors Christ as its head will do some good in a community."

'd sure like to do some good. Think about it!

Sent: Session 4 Group Discussion ?s

1.How is it possible to live by John 3:16 and 1 John 2:15?

2. Which one is easier to do?

3. What are some practical ways you can bump into more non-Christians?

4. Why is this important? Why is it difficult?

5. Do we love our preferences more than the people who are dying to connect with a God who loves them (This is one of those gut-check questions).

6. Do you agree with this statement - "Too many churches have chosen their traditions over their children. They've chosen their present comfort over their future." Why or Why not

Current Reading

My copy of Roger Olson's book on The Shack just came in and I plan on reading it sometime this weekend. Many of my friends have read The Shack so I read it. I even saw a tough looking Sheriff's deputy reading it in the court house yesterday. The book is viral. I had Roger Olson at Truett and I appreciate his love for God and the church. I'm looking forward to his take on things.

The Temple in Thine Heart

"Whereas it was in thine heart to build a house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart." I Kings 8:18

My friend Joe suggested I check out a collection of old sermons by Clovis G. Chappell titled, "Familiar Failures." The book was published in 1928 when Chappell was the pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Memphis. Joe is a neat guy so I got the book and began to read.

Chappell had a sermon in the collection called, "The Successful Failure." It was based on the story of David and his desire to build a Temple for the Name. He was not allowed to do this but God affirmed the desire in his heart. Chappell wrote -

"He measures us not by our achievements, but by our longings to achieve. He judges us not by what we have in our hands, but by what we have in our hearts. He crowns us not for the great task that we have acctually accomplished, but for the great task that we long to accomplish."

Falling short of a great goal is not a bad thing. How have I sinned by refusing to dream? I have asked myself, "Is there a Temple in my heart?" What about you?

Sent - Session 3 Group Discussion ?s

1. How do you define "church"? What factors from your past have led you to that definition?

2. How do you think a church can find an appropriate balance of providing ministry to its members and focusing outward?

3. What about you? Do you think you have a balance in your own life with these two elements?

4. How well do you understand your spiritual gifts?

5. What practical steps can you take to exercise your God-given gifts?

6. What is the mission of the individual as a member of the body and bride of Christ?

Becoming an Orchard: Missional Christianity in Northeast Mississippi

A mystery friend left a copy of this article in my office box yesterday. It comes from the Tupelo paper. I thought it was interesting and think you will. It deals with some of the issues we've been exploring during Sent. http://www.individual.com/story.php?story=95629391