Week 1: Power

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-11

  1. When do people talk about the use or abuse of power?

  2. What would you be willing to say in those conversations to point people to their need for Jesus?

  3. What are some ways in which we could try to point people to their need for Jesus that would actually be counterproductive? In other words, what shouldn’t we say or ask when people are talking about the use or abuse of power?

  4. What is the world’s view of power? How do they believe power should be used?

  5. Does the world actually use power in the way they say it should be used?

  6. How does the world believe that Christians use power?

Week 2: The Vulnerable

Scripture: Psalm 139:14-16, James 1:4, Proverbs 31:8-9

  1. What are some examples of conversations in which people mention the vulnerable and how they should be treated? If it helps, begin by naming vulnerable groups, then think of conversations when those groups are mentioned.
  2. What would you be willing to say in those conversations to point people to their need for Jesus?
  3. What are some ways in which we could try to point people to their need for Jesus that would actually be counterproductive? In other words, what shouldn’t we say or ask when people are talking about the vulnerable?
  4. Why do you think we are drawn to stories of people elevating vulnerable groups?
  5. What are different ways that people refer to pre-born babies as already having life? For instance: they name the baby, the mother says she is “eating for two,” etc.
  6. Why is the story of humanhood/personhood beginning in the womb a better story than personhood beginning at birth or when the mother decides to keep you? Or is it?

Week 3: Purpose

Scripture: Psalm 139:16, Psalm 138:8, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

  1. When do people talk about their need for purpose or their frustrations about not doing something significant?
  2. What would you be willing to say in those conversations to point people to their need for Jesus?
  3. What are some ways in which we could try to point people to their need for Jesus that would actually be counterproductive? In other words, what shouldn’t we say or ask when people are talking about the need for purpose?
  4. When do people act oblivious to the inherent futility of everything they do?
  5. Why is it a better story to build something that lasts forever than for it to only exist for a moment? Is it possible a fleeting nature of momentary purpose makes it more rare and therefore more precious? Why or why not?

Week 4: Justice

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-5, Romans 8:28

  1. When do people talk about justice or wrongs needing to be set right?
  2. What would you be willing to say in those conversations to point people to their need for Jesus?
  3. What are some ways in which we could try to point people to their need for Jesus that would actually be counterproductive? In other words, what shouldn’t we say or ask when people are talking about justice?
  4. How does the world set wrongs right, and does it really set them right?
  5. If people really believed morality was truly relative, would they ever be very upset about injustice? Why or why not?
  6. What does the world think Christians believe about justice?

Week 5: Friendship

Scripture: Genesis 2:18, John 15:15

  1. What are different ways people say they need friends or ways in which people express their loneliness?
  2. What would you be willing to say in those conversations to point people to their need for Jesus?
  3. What are some ways in which we could try to point people to their need for Jesus that would actually be counterproductive? In other words, what shouldn’t we say or ask when people are talking about the need for friendship?
  4. What is lacking even in the best relationships if Christ isn’t in them? In other words, what is better about the Christian story of friendships?
  5. When do people generally think you should sever friendships? Should Christians ever sever friendships?
  6. What are some barriers to developing deep friendships within the church? How can we overcome those?

Week 6: Self worth and sense of security

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:21-22, James 1:4, Romans 8:16-17, 28-39.

  1. Where do you tend to look for significance, satisfaction, or security outside of Christ?
  2. How do you feel when what you trust to give you significance, satisfaction, or security comes up short?
  3. What would you be willing to say during those moments of weakness to point people to their need for Jesus?
  4. What are some ways in which we could try to point people to their need for Jesus during our moments of weakness that would be counterproductive? In other words, what shouldn’t we say?
  5. Can we still point to the wholeness Christ offers if we aren’t currently experiencing it ourselves? How?
  6. When have you noticed other people feeling or acting insecure?
  7. Is it wise or unwise to point people to their need for Christ when something in this world has failed to provide them with significance, satisfaction, or security? Why or why not?