SERMON SERIES

INTRODUCTION

For six weeks, Summit View Church is going on an intentional discipleship journey. We are already practicing this every time we meet on Sunday, meet in our groups throughout the week, or open our Bibles and pray. However, the next six weeks have been intentionally designed to help us become more mature disciples of Jesus in some very fundamental ways.

For many people, these words and concepts are nothing new. Yet, what often happens is that they remain just a word on a page or concept understood in our head, never making their way to our heart and impacting our actions. Some will find one area easier than others, while experiencing difficulty in other areas. But for all those who belong to Jesus and His family, we are called to grow in each of these areas and have them manifested in our lives.

That’s what the next six weeks are for. As we step into this journey together, it is our prayer and hope that regardless of how long you’ve been walking with Jesus, your life with Him would deepen in each of these areas. Not only for your enjoyment and fulfillment, but for the sake of your neighbor, and for the glory of God to be revealed in Clark County.

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This guide has been specifically prepared with you in mind. This guide will help life groups grow deeper together in relationship with God and one another.

Each week there are a few conversation starters to help get things rolling, followed by questions for discussion based on the text. Each week wraps up with personal applications and things to pray for to help you grow spiritually.

Obviously, you are more than welcome to pull in other resources, or highlights from the sermons. Our hope is that by participating in this study, you will get a firmer grasp on the Scriptures and a stronger connection with Christ.

WEEK 1: FOLLOW

September 29, 2019

Life Group Resources

Introduction

Follow
verb /fol-oh/
To go or come after; move behind in the same direction.

INTRODUCTION

Many people in our culture are celebrated for being a pioneer, a trail blazer, a leader; someone who makes their own moment and seizes it. Why follow when you can be a leader?!? Yet, one of the very first things that Jesus tells people to do is leave behind their plans, agendas, and initiatives and follow Him. The first step in growing in our relationship with Jesus is to learn how to walk closely with Him and follow His ways and teachings.

This week, we will explore what it means to do just that, regardless of what it brings. We will do this by examining the Apostle Peter’s original call to discipleship and the commissioning charge Jesus gave him post-resurrection.

MAIN IDEA

Who’s following who? Are you following Jesus? Or have you inverted the gospel by inviting Jesus to follow you?

Conversation Starters

Read & Discuss

READ LUKE 5:1-11

Q. In this passage, Jesus calls His first disciples to leave behind all that they know and all their comforts to come and follow Him. Why do you think this call from Christ and their new commission was so inviting?

Follow Up: Have you experienced a similar calling from Christ to come and follow Him?

Follow Up: Explain in your own words the phrase “They left everything and followed Him”. Is there anything in your life you are holding onto too tightly that would prevent you from doing the same?

READ JOHN 21:15-22

This scene took place after Jesus had risen from the dead and after Jesus performed yet another miracle in the midst of the disciples. Peter, who was on a fishing boat, threw himself into the water in order to get to Jesus first. The following verses took place over breakfast.

Q. What question does Jesus ask Peter multiple times (see verses 15, 16, and 17)?

Follow Up: What does Peter boast about before Jesus was arrested? (See John 13:37; Luke 22:33, Mark 14:29; Matthew 26:33.)

Follow Up: After the proclamation that he would never leave Christ, how many times does Peter deny Him? (See Mark 14:66-72.)

Follow Up: Do you see any correlation as to why Jesus asked the same question three times?

Follow Up: Why do you think Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” instead of, “Will you obey me?”

Q. We often find ourselves preoccupied with what God is doing in the lives of someone else instead of focusing on our own. We see this exhibited in Peter’s question in verses 20-21. Do you see any similarities in your own life?

Follow Up: What was Jesus’ response?

Follow Up: How should Jesus’ answer to this question impact our walk with Him? Hint: Our primary concern should not be what the person next to us is doing, but rather what we are doing.

Q. The bookend experiences of Peter with Jesus are the same call of “follow me” (see Matthew 4:19 and John 21:19).

With this, we see it’s not simply a one-time decision. It’s one we are repeatedly confronted with.

Reflection & Personal Application

FILL-IN NOTES (HP)

HP Sermon

Michael Hearn

The Debrief

Westside Sermon

David Libby

Life Change Story

WEEK 2: FAITH

October 6, 2019

Life Group Resources

Introduction

Faith
noun /feyth/
Confidence or trust in a person.

INTRODUCTION

We all have faith. Every time we sit down, we express faith that the chair will hold us up. Each time we get behind the wheel of our car, we express faith that the brakes will work when we press on the pedal. Every meal we order from a restaurant, we trust that the food has been properly prepared so that we will not get food poisoning. Each day, we go about our lives expressing faith, taking for granted that certain things will happen.

What sets apart generic faith and a saving faith in God? This week, we will look at the example of Noah’s faith in Genesis. What’s remarkable about Noah is that whatever God called him to do, he responded in faith. Can the same be said about us?

MAIN IDEA

Faith is not about feeling; but rather trusting in the Word and the work of God.

Conversation Starters

Read & Discuss

READ GENESIS 6:5-9

Q. In your own words, describe the comparison laid out between Noah and the rest of mankind. How is Noah introduced to us?

Q. What do you think Noah did to deserve this description?

Hint: Noah found favor and walked with God.

Follow Up: Can your life be described as someone who “walks with God”? Explain.

Q. What was Noah’s response to God when he was asked to step out in faith in Genesis 6:22 and 7:5?

Follow Up: What does this tell us about Noah’s character?

Q. Noah’s experience is much like our own. Often when God leads us, He doesn’t give us all the details. Yet, despite not knowing everything, or even fully understanding, Noah listened and responded in faith. What does this reveal about your faith? How does it challenge you in your faith?

Follow Up: Can you think of an example when God asked you to do something out of the ordinary? What took place? What was the result?

READ JAMES 2:14-19

A common theme that traces its way through James’ letter is the relationship between hearing/faith and doing/works. In this section of the letter, James stresses the fact that our works are not the basis of our faith, but rather, a result of it.

Q. James appears to be asking two rhetorical questions at the beginning of this passage where the answer would be “no good”. What are these two questions?

Q. James talks about showing the proof and existence of his faith by the presence of his works. As a believer, what are some ways you can show others your faith?

Q. What is the main example that James used here in this passage?

Follow Up: How is it that by meeting the needs of others, we demonstrate authentic faith in Christ?

Follow Up: With what you have heard so far in this Building Hope series, how do you think God is calling us at Summit View Church to actively walk out our faith in obedience to God?

Reflection & Personal Application

FILL-IN NOTES (HP)

HP Sermon

Michael Hearn

The Debrief

Westside Sermon

David Libby

Building Hope Overview

WEEK 3: GENEROSITY

October 13, 2019

Life Group Resources

Introduction

Generosity
noun /jen-uh-ros-i-tee/
Readiness or liberality in giving; the virtue of giving good things to others freely and abundantly.

INTRODUCTION

Christianity is a faith system built upon grace and generosity. While we were still enemies, Christ died for us. When we were spiritually bankrupt, God gave His Son. Jesus gave His life. After our conversion, His generosity continues by the giving of the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and comfort us.

The God of the Bible is a generous God, and He calls His children to be like Him. Biblical generosity seeks to do good for the sake of others. It’s not simply giving out of resources that are in abundance, but giving things that enhance the well-being of others. It is also not done to serve our own self-interest or appease our conscience.

The way we handle the resources God has given us (time, talent, and treasure) is a surefire indicator of how truly impacted by the grace of God we have been.

MAIN IDEA

Generosity is a sign of someone who has experienced the grace of God.

Conversation Starters

Q. This week, we heard that when we experience the grace of God, how we view and treat many things is impacted. How has experiencing the grace of God impacted your life?

Q. What is your response to the statement that everything you own is on loan from God? Agree? Disagree?

Follow Up: How should this impact how we use what God has entrusted to us?

Q. This Sunday, we addressed potential roadblocks in exhibiting generosity:

► Contentment. The drive to acquire more.
► Fear. There are uncertainties in this life, but do we trust that God
will take care of us?
► Apathy. We may have grown cold towards God and His kingdom
and it is not a priority.

Of these roadblocks, which presents the biggest challenge for you? As we read and study the following texts, reflect on how the Gospel is the solution to each of them.

Read & Discuss

READ ACTS 2:42-47

Q. In the early church, there is a picture of generosity shared among all the disciples. As you read though these verses, share with the group what jumps out at you.

Q. How do you think grace had factored into the behavior of the people as seen in these verses?

Q. How has your experience at Summit View Church reflected these verses?

READ 2 CORINTHIANS 8:8-15

Q. In these verses, Paul doesn’t command the Corinthians to give, but asks them to look at the cross and Christ giving of Himself. How does a proper understanding of the Gospel increase our love for God and people, while decreasing our love for self and possessions?

Q. What amount does Paul encourage one should give to gospel ministry? Hint: See verses 12-13.

Q. Think about how you practice generosity. What motivates your giving? Guilt, duty, expectations of God’s blessing, response to circumstances, thankfulness, love?

Follow Up: Is it a priority?

Follow Up: Do you have a plan?

Reflection & Personal Application

Q. In terms of your own generosity, on a scale of 1-10, describe where you are today in terms of grace-motivated giving. Look back at how you answered the generosity roadblock question. Is there any further insight you may have gleaned from this study?

Q. Generosity doesn’t happen by accident. Review the Generosity Ladder (to the left). Is it time to take a step up the ladder?

How might you begin to step into a biblical plan for generosity? For help, read Matthew 6:19-21. In prayer, ask God to reveal where most of your treasure lies, and where God wants to move your heart.

FILL-IN NOTES (HP)

HP Sermon

Michael Hearn

The Debrief

Westside Sermon

David Libby

Life Change Story

WEEK 4: OBEDIENCE

October 20, 2019

Life Group Resources

Introduction

Obedience
verb /oh-bee-dee-uhns/
The act or practice of obeying; dutiful or submissive compliance.

INTRODUCTION

Pushing the envelope. Finding loopholes. Partial compliance. All things that we spend time on, figuring out how to do, as opposed to simply obeying. We do, or have done, this with our parents, our employers, spouses, etc. We all have a little James Dean "Rebel without a Cause" in our blood. For some reason, we often think of ourselves as the exception to the rule.

in Christianity, obedience means hearing God’s Word and acting accordingly. Often, some of the biggest struggles in our lives and our connection with God doesn’t surround a misunderstanding of something. It’s a matter of whether we are willing to be obedient.

MAIN IDEA

To live a life of obedience, we must walk by faith, not by sight.

Conversation Starters

Read & Discuss

READ DEUTERONOMY 1:19-25

In this passage, Moses recounts the journey God’s people had been on from Mt. Sinai to Kadesh-barnea, the land right before the Promised Land. While Kadesh-barnea was not the Promised Land, it was a whole lot better than what they had been experiencing in the wilderness (see verse 19).

In Deuteronomy 8:5, the wilderness is described as a place with “fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water.” Kadesh-barnea is simply translated as “a sanctuary in the wilderness”.

Q. God had providentially cared for His people by bringing them out of Egypt and leading them safely through the wilderness. Yet, God’s people were perfectly content compromising and settling for less than what God had promised them. Why do you think that was true?

Hint: It was ultimately the people’s lack of trust in God and their lack of obedience that kept them from entering into God’s Promised Land.

Q. As shared in Sunday’s message, God’s people must avoid three traps when it comes to following Him:

Complacency (settling for less than what God has promised);
Carnality (easy way out, satisfying self); and
Critics (listening to men rather than God).

Which of these three traps poses the greatest threat to keep you from fully following God?

Follow Up: What can you do to ensure one of these three things doesn’t sidetrack you?

READ NUMBERS 14:1-4

Q. When things did not go as expected for God’s people, they began to doubt God’s ability to deliver on His promise and they began to rebel. They were tempted to return to Egypt, a place where they were enslaved and would not be welcome. After forty years of wandering in the wilderness, God’s people find themselves back at Kadesh-barnea for round two, and eventually enter into the Promised Land (Numbers 32:11-12; Joshua 1:2-3). When things get tough, where are you tempted to run, even though it may not be good for you?

Q. Can you think of a time when God told you to do something that would have completely changed your life if you had obeyed?

READ 2 CORINTHIANS 5:6-10

Q. In these verses, Paul says we should live by faith. What does that mean? How does it differ from living by sight?

Follow Up: Can you see the connection between the Israelites and this story with regard to walking by sight and not by faith?

Q. How different would your life be if you lived by faith and not by sight?

Reflection & Personal Application

When I was in college, there was a joke that was commonly thrown around that “C’s get degrees.” While it was a joke, the reality was that many of us were happy to settle for less. Take a few moments to evaluate what areas in your life you may have compromised. What areas in your life are residing in Kadesh-barnea, settling for less? As you identify these areas, confess them and seek to live in full obedience to what God has called you to and promised for you.

FILL-IN NOTES (HP)

HP Sermon

Michael Hearn

The Debrief

Westside Sermon

David Libby

Life Change Story

WEEK 5: SURRENDER

October 27, 2019

Life Group Resources

Introduction

Surrender
verb /suh-ren-der/
To yield (something) to the possession or power of another.

INTRODUCTION

Resilience, rolling with the punches, and toughness are all things we seek to develop within our character. On one hand, these are qualities that can be beneficial when exerted in the right arenas of life. Yet, many of us are stubborn to our own detriment when it comes to fully surrendering ourselves to God. Whether it’s with our minds, bodies, or wills, there are some areas we have yet to wave the white flag and turn over to God. Yet the surrender that God invites us to isn’t a begrudging one. It is one motivated by grace. God is inviting us to a total surrender to Him. For in this act, we can change our lives, and experience forgiveness, peace, and joy.

MAIN IDEA

Great forgiveness results in great gratitude.

Conversation Starters

Read & Discuss

READ LUKE 7-36-50

In this passage, we find Jesus had been invited into the home of Simon, a Pharisee. The Pharisees were an influential group, consisting of the common people in Jesus’ time. They had a high emphasis on personal piety, priding themselves on their strict adherence to the laws in the Torah, as well all the oral law or “tradition” of the people. They stressed individual fulfillment of the law and emphasized ethics over theology.

As the meal began to take place, a woman with a less than desirable reputation entered. What takes place next is a stunning interaction between Jesus, a pious religious man, and a “sinner”.

Q. Which of the woman’s actions do you find to be most compelling? Is it the crashing of the party? Weeping over Jesus? The offering of her most prized possession? Her abandonment of all social norms?

Follow Up: How can this be seen as an act of surrender?

Q. Read Luke 7:39 again. What is your impression of Simon? What did Simon doubt about Jesus?

Follow Up: It’s clear within the Pharisee’s thoughts that this man carried a prejudice against this woman. Who is it that would incite a similar reaction from you if they were to show up at church, or at your life group next week?

Q. What is Jesus wanting to teach Simon when He shares the story of the two men who owed money?

Q. What seems to be Simon’s main concern in this passage?

Follow Up: What was Jesus’ main concern?
Follow Up: How had Simon misunderstood what Jesus was about?

Q. In this interaction, we see that those who have been shown a great amount of grace have no difficulty in living a life of surrender to Jesus. The monetary and social cost this woman spent was insignificant compared to what Jesus had done for her.

Jesus shows us that the least likely person gave the most extravagant gift. How does this challenge your idea of generosity?

Reflection & Personal Application

HP Sermon

Michael Hearn

Building Hope in the World

Westside Sermon

David Libby

Life Change Story

WEEK 6: COMMITMENT

November 3, 2019

Life Group Resources

Introduction

Commitment
noun /kuh-mit-muhnt/
The act of committing, pledging, or engaging oneself.

INTRODUCTION

The wedding ceremony is not simply a big day to spend a lot of money, or an opportunity to play dress up. It’s a remarkable day when a husband and wife stand before their family, friends, and ultimately God, making a commitment to one another. Stating that they will stand with, up, and for each other, regardless of what happens.

Ask anyone who has been married for any amount of time, and if they’re honest, they’ll tell you how difficult this can be. Fully giving yourself to another is a scary and refining action. Yet, this is what Jesus calls His people to do. Not only in their marriages, but also in their relationships with Him and His church. A marriage cannot survive if the spouses are only committed to each other one day a week. Likewise, our relationship with Jesus will be defunct if we treat Him as a weekend hobby. Jesus calls us to be fully all-in with what we have.

MAIN IDEA

To accomplish what God has called us to do, we need to be all-in.

Conversation Starters

Read & Discuss

READ JUDGES 3:31

The book of Judges is a historical account of Israel’s failure. It covers around 300-500 years of Israel’s history, which was a dark, sad, and depressing time. A common theme throughout the book is people doing what was right in their own eyes (Judges 17:6; 21:25). More of what ought not be done can be found within the book. Yet within it, there’s a glimmer of hope, and small pictures of a few individuals who proved to be faithful, fully committed, and made a lasting impact.

Q. What we learn about Shamgar in this single verse about him was that he used what he had in his possession. He did what he could at a critical moment for God’s people. He was very likely just a poor farmer, yet God used him in a mighty way. God can do the same thing through us. There are four things this passage teaches us:

► God uses us where we currently are.
Q. Where has God placed you now for His service?
► We’ve been given resources (time, talent, and treasure) to use.
Q. What resources are God calling you to use for His Kingdom?
► Stand our ground in opposition, and do what we can.
► Leave results to God.

Q. We’ve talked about following, faith, generosity, obedience, surrender, and commitment. Where do you need to not grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9)? Where do you need to press in?

Q. Shamgar was in a situation where God had to step in and give victory, and God did. Where is God inviting you to step out and exhibit the same faith?

Follow Up: Where are you starting to see victory in your life and in the life of Summit View as we are Building Hope together?

Q. As we’ve talked about the primary goal of Building Hope being participation more than financial, how does that strike you as different from what you have experienced before?

Q. As we’ve discussed a county, a people, and a place, which motivates you to fully commit to the vision God has given to Summit View?

Reflection & Personal Application

We will always have excuses as to why we can’t, and reservations as to why we shouldn’t.

Q. As we’ve journeyed together over the last six weeks, and as you’ve been praying, what has God revealed to you about your involvement in Building Hope? What is your next step?

PRAYER

Over the past six weeks, we’ve talked a lot about the future we believe God is calling us to as a church. Below are a few ideas and ways you can be praying long-term for Summit View:

► Thank God for the role that Summit View Church has played in the life of our community and county. Pray that He would continue to give us favor to do so for generations to come.
► Pray that God would provide all the resources needed to see this project to completion.
► Pray for the launch of our third campus in Battle Ground and for its core leadership team.
► Pray for more people to come to know Jesus through the outreach at our Heritage Park, Westside, and Battle Ground Campuses.

FILL-IN NOTES (HP)

HP Sermon

Michael Hearn

The Debrief

Westside Sermon

David Libby

Commitment Sunday Recap

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