LIVING IN A COMMUNITY OF GRACE

The following questions are to be used as a study aid for the sermon preached by Pastor Tommy Dove at the Grace Place on Sunday, August 25, 2013. To get the most from these questions, go to https://soundcloud.com/#graceplacehermitage and listen to the service first.

These questions can be used in your private Bible study during the week or as the topic for a small group study. For more information on hosting or leading a small group study, click on "GP Small Groups" under "GP Ministries" at www.graceplace.us.

Fellowship: (Break bread with your community, share life from last week, announcements for next week)

Icebreaker: (Get to know your fellow believers a little bit better using this week’s topic)

What are you afraid of that other people normally aren’t?

What scares you the most:  people, places or things?

When were you the most afraid?

Worship: (Optional for communities who have the time and talent)

“Leaving Eden” Brandon Heath

Scripture: (Read the word together – use different readers, different versions, just read it)

Genesis 3 (Why not do a reading theater?  You will need: narrator, serpent, woman, God, Adam.  Eliminate the “he saids” and let the readers bring the story to life.)

Lesson: (Delve deeper into the Word and into the sermon using open-ended questions)

Just think how great life would be if Adam and the woman (she had no name at that time) hadn’t eaten that piece of fruit.  They didn’t realize how well off they actually were.

How do you think Adam and the woman felt about their punishment?

How do you think they felt about having to leave Eden?

Why do you think people fear intimacy?

How did you like the video, “Shallow Small Group,” this morning?  (It is available on YouTube if you missed it.)

What did you think a small group meeting was going to be like before you attended one?

What do you like most about having a community group where you can be real?

What do you think is an obstacle to others joining a community group?

In closing, ask “Paul” to read Romans 5:9-11.

Prayer: (Share each other’s burdens, become a community of believers)