In the Workshop--Lesson 1--Live on Purpose; Not on Accident--Mark 1 & John 6

Discussion Questions:

1.  What is an apprentice?  How is being an apprentice of Jesus more of a challenge than merely accepting Him as our Savior?    

2.  What does baptism teach about the commitment and conviction one should have to walk with God?  Explain the lifetime of learning, growing and maturing that comes after one is baptized?  How does this demonstrate the importance of becoming a disciple or apprentice?

3.  Why do you think it was important for Peter, Andrew, James & John to literally drop their nets to follow Jesus?  What kinds of things are there in your life that Jesus wants you to drop to follow Him as an apprentice?  Do you think it is a coincidence that those who made up the inner circle with Jesus all dropped their nets to follow Him?  Why or why not?

4.  Why is looking at Jesus as a Savior who will make our life better a set-up for disappointment?  How is pain and suffering important for our spiritual development?

5.  Discuss what the following quote from John Piper makes you think or feel: “If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven if Christ was not there?”

6.  Why is developing an eternal perspective instead of a temporary one important?  How is an apprenticeship with Jesus designed to help us grow in this way?

Lead Your Heart--Lesson 4--It Is Time to Choose--Malachi 3:13-4:6

Discussion Questions:

1.  Why is it dangerous to let our circumstances determine our understanding of God?  What struggles do you have looking at your circumstances before looking at God to determine the truth of them?    

2.  What disappointments have you had concerning God and His justice?  What, if any, issues has this caused with trusting Him and believing in is goodness?

3.  What is better in your life because you follow God?  What is wrong with seeking a profit from our service to God?  How did Jesus provide a different model?  What motivates you or hinders you from surrendering all and seeking profit for the Kingdom of God instead of personal profit?

4.  What kind of story ending do you believe God is writing for your future?  How do His promises help you to interpret your circumstances with peace and hope?

5.  Why are the references to Moses and Elijah important at the end of Malachi’s message?  How do their ministries and their presence in the past and the future provide insight into God’s desire for His people?

Lead Your Hearts--Lesson 3--Questioning God's Timing & Goodness--Malachi 2:17-3:12

Discussion Questions:

1.  Are there times when you weary God with your words?  What kinds of situations do you find yourself trying to justify yourself with your words?

2.  How have you seen too much focus on one thing lead to an accident?  What kinds of things help you to stay alert to other possibilities or matters happening beyond your focus?  How might being too focused on God’s perceived injustice lead to a crash?

3.  How have you seen the balance in God’s nature of mercy amd grace with justice and a set holy standard in your experience with Him?  How does a mediator offer help to balance these two sides?

4.  Why does God’s justice begin with pruning instead of ripping the plant out by the roots?  How is God’s justice satisfied by pruning?  Are there some areas God is trying to prune in your life?

5.  How does one rob from God?  Why is giving at least a tithe (10 percent) an important discipline for a follower of Jesus to practice?