1. In Jesus’ prayer in John 17, He prays that we, His disciples, would be one as He the Trinity is one with God. What do you think it looks like to be “one” with God and community in the same way that God the Father and Jesus the Son are one?

2. What does it mean in your life to be sent? How do we live on mission?

3. What do you think God’s invitation to participate in our own refinement might look like? Have you ever prayed for God to refine something out of your life?

Become aware of God’s presence.

Review the day with gratitude.

Pay attention to your emotions.

Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.

Look toward tomorrow.

How might we limit the work of Jesus by assuming what he has come to do and who he has come to serve?

How can we reveal the prejudices that we have in our hearts about who we want Jesus to ignore, thus justifying our ignoring of people?

What would it mean for you practically to have the faith of the Canaanite women?

Pastor Jared explores the foundational question of identity in relation to being created in the image of God. Working through Genesis 3, he reflects on how our identity is often undermined by societal pressures and internal conflicts. Pastor Jared emphasizes the importance of receiving our identity from God, focusing on the concept of being His beloved. Join us as Pastor Jared invites us to reevaluate our perspectives, encouraging us to embrace the unshakable truth of being beloved by God, which forms the basis of our purpose and work in His creation. Consider how understanding our belovedness influences our obedience and relationships within the community.

Have you ever felt like God is "testing" you? At the time, did you feel like it was a positive test (an opportunity to demonstrate loyalty) or a negative one (a temptation or a trap)?

How do you think we should go about learning from and trusting God to determine what is good/evil, rather than defining it for ourselves?

What stage in the pattern of atonement Pastor Jared talked about do you see yourself in right now? (Testing, Valley of death, Sacrifice/Trust, Atonement, or Covenant Promise/Blessing)

Is there anything in your life you need to bring before God in total surrender? Spend some time praying about it this week.

The word "tov" in Hebrew means "good," more specifically, "good according to God." This kind of good is others-focused, not self-focused. What is one way you can incorporate being others-focused into your rhythms of life this week?

Why do you think God created the Tree of the Knowledge of "tov and ra" when eating of its fruit could have such consequences?

What voices in your life cause you to doubt God's wisdom? What areas of your life right now are the most difficult for you to trust God? Rather than hiding them, take some time to be honest with God this week and ask God to help you in those areas.

Before listening to this message, what are some mental thoughts or images you would think of when you thought of Heaven? Has your idea of Heaven changed after hearing this message? How so?

Have you ever wanted to escape to Heaven from the troubles that come from everyday life? How do you feel about the fact that Jesus doesn't want us to "escape," but to find ways for Heaven to show up in the chaos of life? Does it immediately frustrate you? Give you hope? Why?

What is one specific area you want to see Heaven break through on Earth this week? Ask God to reveal to you how you might participate in the work of the Holy Spirit to make this happen.

How do you feel about addressing God as "Abba" (daddy, father)? Does it feel uncomfortable to you? If so, why?

Have you ever tried to be persistent in prayer about something and became discouraged? Why do you think it was difficult for you in that circumstance?

What can you be "persistent in prayer" for? Is there any situation you have been persistent in prayer for lately that you see God working in?

- Picture yourself praying at the Temple in the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Who do you see yourself in the most? The tax collector broken at the knowledge of his own flaws? The Pharisee stuck in his own pride and missing the point? Are you an onlooker, seeing both characters as you're offering your own prayers for atonement? What would you be thinking if you saw this scene played out before you as a Jew in that time?

- What are you proud of in your own faith journey? Are there any ways you've grown in your faith that you attribute to your own effort, rather than recognizing God's hand in it? Write it down this week and pray over it, thanking God for the ways he has been present in your growth.

- During the message, Pastor Jared said the phrase "Our capacity to love is tied to our willingness to ask for forgiveness." What can you ask forgiveness for this week, from God or others?

What are some gifts and abilities God has given you to use for the Kingdom of God?

The servants who were instructed to do work on behalf of the king were likely working in an environment that was hostile toward them, because the people hated the king. If you were in the position of those servants, how would you respond? Would you be willing to risk for the sake of doing business for the king who had gifted you the resources to do them?

Do you tend to view God as more results-focused or more relationship-focused? In thinking about what God has given you, do you think about it more with fear of losing it, or with a willingness to risk it out of love for God and others?

Are there any situations in your life where you or someone else, like the man asking Jesus about inheritance, have already decided what justice looks like in a certain situation? Do you tend to approach conflict with others with a decision about what justice looks like ahead of time, or with a spirit that is open to listening and empathizing with the other person's needs?

Why do you think the rich fool wasn't making the decision about his wealth in community with others? Do you think he had a community and was ignoring them, or do you think he was isolated from community? What would you think about making a big financial decision (like getting a big raise at your job) in community with others?

What in your life do you need to go a certain way for you to be happy? Family situations? Career? Wealth? Significant relationships? What's one step you can take to hand these things over to God this week?

Where does your treasure reside? Would you trust Jesus with your bank account information, even if you knew for certain he would end up taking money out?

What can we learn about the vineyard owner in the number of times he sent servants, and even his son, to reason with the tenants? What do you think Jesus is trying to say about God through the way the owner is depicted?

Are there any times that you wish the cost of following Jesus wasn't so high? Are there any things you are tempted to hold onto (power, money, influence) tighter than Jesus?

The tenants in the story seemed to forget that they were not the owners of the vineyard. Is there any gift or possession in your life that you forget belongs to God?

Think through the areas of your life that specifically take up most of your time, energy, or concern. How can you steward every area of your life well to reflect God's Image on you?

What do you think the story of the two sons in Matthew 21 says about what discipleship is all about? What do you think the son who said "I will not go" and changed his mind and went in obedience of his father would look like in someone's faith journey today? What about the son who said "I will" and ended up not going? Which do you see yourself in more?

What is your "cost" of following Jesus? What are things that more easily take priority in your mind over following Jesus?

Make a list of the most central relationships in your life and prioritize them, including Jesus, according to the time you tend to prioritize with each one. What would it look like for Jesus to be the most central thing in your life, that everything else is anchored in to?

- In the stories of the lost sheep and lost son, sin and brokenness often sneaks in when we're separated from community. Have you ever experienced this? What was it like to be separated from a community you were part of?

- The woman had to actively search for the lost coin in order to find it. How can you actively search for those far from Jesus?

- Even though the prodigal son repented, got up, and went back to his father, his motives were likely still out of desperation and may not have been the most pure. What does that say about the reaction of the father in the story, and what does it say about God? Do you feel like you have to have the best motives when you turn to God?

- In the story of the prodigal son, who do you see yourself in? The prodigal, desperate and far from home? The father, waiting and watching to run to the son, just wanting them home safe and sound? The older brother, feeling entitled and overlooked? Pray and wrestle with these with God.

- Where are you more inclined to choose the way of comfort in your life, rather than stepping out into something new?

- Do you naturally tend to lean toward wanting the Kingdom of God to fit within the patterns and structures of the world, or do you want to stand out? Why?

- Is there anything you feel like you've been trying to "patch up" and it has just ended up making it worse? Spend some time in prayer this week surrendering and asking God to give new life to those places and situations.

- Why do you think Jesus used parables to speak to people, instead of plainly explaining what he meant all the time?

- The parable of the sower isn't as much about the seeds as it is about the soil - which kind of soil do you feel like your heart is this week? Do you feel rocky, like it's difficult for the words to take root in your life? Do you feel like the difficulties of life are making the words of Jesus hard to believe? Do you find yourself eagerly expecting Jesus to move in the unexpected?

- The Kingdom of God often looks like planting seeds that we don't ever get to see the full growth of. Does this make you less excited about investing in the story of the Kingdom or more excited and motivated? Why?

- If someone saw every part of your life right now from an outside perspective, including how you spend your money, time, energy, and resources, where would someone say your "treasure" is based on how you live your life? What is your life a living "witness" to?

- "The essence of sin is the disordering of love" - are there any areas of your life where you feel like your "loves" might be out of order?

- Our generosity toward others should naturally flow out of a grateful heart for the abundant generosity God has shown toward us. Where can you see God's abundant generosity and grace at work in your own life? If you feel led, make out a list!

- What is one way you can be generous to someone in your life this week?

- Did you ever grow up serving or sacrificing for something in some way? How?

- Pastor Jared says that compassion is "entering into someone else's story." Have you ever felt like someone else entered into your story in this way? Have you entered into another's story?

- "Consistency communicates care." Have you ever been amazed at or felt cared for because of someone else's consistency? What small thing can you practice consistently to serve someone around you?

Since COVID, over 50% of people say that they're lonely most or all of the time. How would you answer the question?

Tribalism is a form of isolated grouping that is fear based and builds connection over shared hate rather than shared love. Have you ever experienced this? Where do you see it at work in our society and culture?

"Pseudo-community" is a type of community that occurs when people show up to gatherings and regularly connect, but hold back their deepest self. Where in your life have you experienced this before? How can you work to combat it for the sake of yourself and others?

Community is meant to be redemptive, a place where we can bring our wounds, sins, and faults to the table, confess them, and heal. Have you ever experienced this before? What do you think needs to happen for this kind of community to form, and how can you be an agent of forming it with the people around you?

Why do you think we get so invested in stories? Research shows that reading stories is a form of media that leads often to greater empathy and other-centeredness, but why do you think that happens?

Have you ever seen or experienced the Bible or a passage of Scripture being isolated or used for harm rather than for good?

Why do you think the Bible is written in narrative form so often, rather than simply as a "reference book" of wisdom we can flip to at any given moment?

Had you heard of fasting before this message? If so, did your understanding of it change at all from before after hearing this message?

Why do you think early Jews kept the practice of fasting if it was never an explicit command?

Scot McKnight writes about how we tend to view our bodies as Monster, Celebrity, or Cornucopia. Did you relate to any of the explanations of these? Why or why not?

Do you feel like your physical habits reflect your long term desires? Why or why not?

- In what ways or areas of your life do you feel like the busy-ness of our culture has infiltrated your life?

- Why do you think Jesus needed to go to a quiet place and pray? What does that mean for our own prayer life?

- What is one pattern that you can use for prayer this week (praying the Lord's Prayer, praying for gratitude, praying for the lost, or something else)?

- Have you ever been startled when God answered a prayer? Why or why not?

- Trust in the character of God is what keeps us praying - so what do you believe about God's character? If someone were to look at your prayer life, what would they infer about the character of God?

Do you feel like in your life, busyness has become the goal? In what areas?

Have you heard about Sabbath before, and if so, did you learn anything new from this message?

Do you feel like you need to finish your work in order to rest? Why or why not?

If you take a regular time to rest, what does that typically look like for you? How can you begin walking through the elements of Stop, Rest, Delight, and Worship this week as you seek ways to integrate Sabbath into your life?

In Jesus' day, a "yoke" could be used to refer to something that helped a team of oxen pull their load, OR as something representing the teachings of a rabbi. What "yokes" are you living under right now? Are they bringing you rest? Are they bringing rest and joy to others around you?

Two enemies of our spiritual growth are entitlement and shame. Which do you tend to lean toward more often?

In what ways could your spiritual growth on your journey as a disciple of Jesus help others around you experience deeper joy through being around you?

We all abide (or "make our home in") something: where are you abiding lately? Relationships? Politics? Social media? Financial security? Something else?

Where does your mind go most often on default?

What does the "fruit" of your life look like? Read Galatians 5:22-23 and pray over how the fruit of the Holy Spirit could transform your life in the coming days and weeks.

When the people hailed Jesus into Jerusalem, they expected a way of revolution, or even violence. But Jesus' way demonstrated just days later that it was a way of a cross and suffering. How does the way of Jesus translate into the way we live in our homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods?

If we're not becoming like Jesus, it can indicate that we do not truly believe in Jesus. How can we seek to become more like Jesus this week? Spend some time in prayer about this this week, asking God to lead you and shape you to look more like Jesus.

- Does the idea of Jesus having "dear friends" like Lazarus change how you typically picture Jesus in your mind? If so, why?

- Is there anyone in your life who you would face significant personal risk to show up for?

- How does Jesus' different interactions with the grief of Martha and Mary model empathy that we can have for those around us?

- Is there anything in your life that you feel needs more than healing - it needs resurrection through the power of Jesus? Take some time to pray over it this week.

- Becoming "good" like the Good Shepherd will likely lead to some form of sacrifice. What "good" sacrifices do you think God is possibly calling you to?

- Who or what, if anything, are you allowing to "shepherd" your life that's really just a "hired hand" like Jesus talked about?

- Spend some time in prayer, asking God to help you see other people with the heart of Jesus, who calls all of humanity to join His "sheepfold."

If not even Jesus judges by himself, what does that teach us about how we are meant to act toward others?

Have you ever experienced a sense of freedom from someone forgiving you or extending mercy to you? How, if at all, did that impact your actions after this happened?

Do you feel like you know information about God, or do you feel like you KNOW God in relationship? Take some time this week to pray for God to work through you and give you grace to continue deepening in relationship with God.

When you picture life to the fullest, with complete satisfaction, what do you think of?

How do the things you think of in the previous question work with the laws of entropy (that they eventually break down over time)?

Jesus using "I Am" statements wasn't an accident - they were used to portray God as the "I AM" who is ever-present with us, period. How can you look back and see God's presence throughout your life?

The things we consume have a direct effect on us! How can you spend more time being close to Jesus in simple ways this week?

- How do you need Jesus to help you embody the Good News to those around you?

- What's your "WHY" and can you articulate it to someone?

- How do you need the Holy Spirit to help you live in authenticity with those around you?

- Who do you pray might come to know Jesus from the light showing through the "cracks" in your life?

- What is a skill that you had to get worse at before you got better, like the J-curve Pastor Jared talked about? How did you work through the frustration of feeling like you got worse?

- A master will often teach us a particular way of doing things, when we would rather teach ourselves a way that's "easier." What is something you've had to re-learn about your faith over time while walking with Jesus?

- When Peter walked on water with Jesus, he ended up sinking and needing Jesus to pull him up - he didn't do it perfectly! However, he was able to experience Jesus in a more tangible way than any of the disciples who stayed in the boat. Has there ever been a time where your failure has allowed you to experience Jesus more clearly or tangibly than before?

For more information or to connect with us, reach out to us at connect@ridgeland.church or visit our website at ridgeland.church!

Pastor Jared said that true belonging comes from who we belong TO in the person of Jesus. How well do you feel like you know the person of Jesus? What difference does Jesus make in your life?

Jesus disciples were working class, and "didn't make the cut" for going through the traditional path of becoming a rabbi, but Jesus chose them anyway! What do you think that says about the way Jesus can work through us?

Being a disciple of Jesus looked like being an "apprentice," training alongside of him in every area of life. What do you think it would look like to be an "apprentice" of Jesus in your own life? What is one thing you can do this week to listen to Jesus and do as Jesus did?

Jeremiah 31 references God's promise that "they will be my people, and I will be their God." What does this mean to you? What does it look like for God to be lord over EVERY area of your life?

Jared says that "Even God submitted to his own justice" through Jesus' sacrifice for us. What kind of God do you think God would be if God did not follow his own standard of justice?

Of the four things to understand about what this new covenant is (covenant of Grace, Rest, New Life, and Union), which one resonates most with you or speaks most to a hunger of your soul? Pray about it and ask God to give you faith to believe and surrender.

To connect with us, contact us at connect@ridgeland.church!

Would you say you have experienced joy this week? If so, how?

Have you rejoiced in solidarity with someone else's joy this week?

When you read the hope-filled promises of God in Scripture, do you usually read them as promises for yourself or hope-filled promises for other people as well? Why do you think that is?

Ask Jesus to show you how you can see the joy of others this week and join them in that!

To get more information about us or to get connected you can send us a message or send an email to connect@ridgeland.church

Living in sin can lead us into chaos - is there any place in your life that you feel trapped in chaos? Invite Jesus to come into that part of your life over the next few weeks.

Pastor Jared taught us this week that Jesus didn't come for a particular people group, he came for EVERYONE! How can you go out this week and show the love of Jesus to EVERYONE you come across?

To get more information about us or to get connected you can send us a message or send an email to connect@ridgeland.church

What characteristics do you think of when you think of a Good King? Kindness? Justice?

Why do you think Jesus chose to be baptized even though he didn't need to repent of anything?

When the devil offered Jesus the entire world if Jesus would bow and worship, he was offering the choice between redeeming the world and controlling it. Are there any places in your life where you are tempted to try to control what is not yours to control?

To get more information about us or to get connected you can send us a message or email connect@ridgeland.church

Have you ever encountered someone who's life was totally transformed by Jesus? What were they like?

How easy do you find it to truly love your enemies?

What most often holds you back from loving your enemies or being a non-anxious presence? Why?

As we transition into the holiday season, we can so often be taken captive by the “tyranny of the urgent.” Spend some time with Jesus this week asking him to help you become a “non-anxious” presence for others this season.

To get more information about us or to get connected you can send us a message or email connect@ridgeland.church

Our anxieties reveal our attachments - what are you the most attached to? What worries keep you up at night? Do you sense the Holy Spirit leading you to surrender any of them?

Pastor Jared points out that authenticity cannot be confirmed in a mirror - only in community with others. Who do you have in your life that can tell when you're being authentic? Who can you ask to help you become more authentic?

A faith of surrender is all about trusting that God can transform us in ways we never could on our own. Spend some time asking God to transform you and mold you to look more like the person of Jesus.

What stage of faith do you most identify with in this season of your journey (Transactional, Desperation, Surrender)? What is the “next right thing” the Spirit is calling you to?

To get more information about us or to get connected you can send us a message or email connect@ridgeland.church

In John 5-6, we see several people coming to Jesus to different things. Which one do you resonate with most? The man by the pool, desperate to get well? The people following Jesus who wanted miraculous signs? The disciples who have no one else to go to?

Pastor Jared talks about the difference between a follower and disciple, saying that disciples are students who stay even through questions and difficult teachings. Have you ever had doubts or questions that made you struggle with your faith? How did you respond?

How would your life feel different if the person of Jesus was not in your life? What tangible differences can you point to?

How is your life with Jesus? Not just reading the Bible or going to church, but an actual relationship with the person of Jesus?

To get more information about us or to get connected you can send us a message or email at connect@ridgeland.church!

- Think about a time in your life that you were desperate - perhaps a crisis or time you felt alone. How did you respond?

- Do you generally tend to shy away from risks or embrace the challenge of them? Why?

- Take a few moments and reflect on the question: “are you desperate?” Are you truly hungry and desperate for Jesus (like the hunger and desperation of the prodigal son in Luke 15) because you know nothing else you’ve tried will work?

- If you feel led to do so before moving on with your day, pray the prayer of the boy’s father in Mark 9: “I believe, help me overcome my unbelief.” You can even pray this prayer over the rhythm of your breathing if you desire.

To get more information about us or to get connected you can send us a message or email connect@ridgeland.church

- How do you react to crisis in your life? Do you ask God questions like "why?" Disengage from your faith? Lean into your faith?

- Of the four responses to crisis Jared mentioned (Step Away, Step Aside, Fall Asleep, Step Forward), which one have you been most likely to lean into in your own life?

- Part of "stepping forward" in our faith means having an active faith, and one way we can do this is by practicing gratitude. What are you grateful for right now, in this moment?

To get more information about us or to get connected you can send us a message or email connect@ridgeland.church

If your life's spiritual journey with Jesus had a map from beginning to end, where do you see yourself on the map?

Take a moment and envision what the church would look like if every relationship was fully transactional. Would it be a community you would want to be a part of?

If someone has a transactional relationship with Jesus, what emotions do you think a person would go through when crisis and doubt come?

Dallas Willard once said that the first place to start in growing spiritually is to "Do the next right thing you know you ought to do." What would the "next right thing" look like for you? Spend some time praying and talking to God about it.

To get more information about us or to get connected you can send us a message or email connect@ridgeland.church

- We all put our faith in something, whether it's God, money, ourselves, or something else. What do you put your faith in regularly?

- Now think about the first question again in light of the quote Jared mentioned in the message: “Faith isn't in your head or your heart, it's where your butt's at!” Inside of what commitments are you sitting, that you are putting faith in?

- If you've been following Jesus, what's the biggest reason you follow Jesus? Has that reason or motive changed or adapted since you started following Jesus?

To get more information about us or to get connected you can send us a message or email connect@ridgeland.church

- In Colossians 3, Paul wrote to Colossians warning against greed, especially trying to hold onto power, influence, and control. Where do you see greed at work in the world around us?

- How can you ask the Holy Spirit to help you combat the power of greed in your own life?

- Pastor Jared said on Sunday that “our words create realities.” What kind of realities do your words create for those around you? An encouraging or joyful one? A cynical or frustrated one? How do your thoughts (internal words) create realities for yourself?

- Pray for a few moments and ask the Holy Spirit to help you take off the old way of viewing the world around you and put on a new way of viewing others that is full of hope, grace, and love.

- Have you ever felt like your faith was more like a "checklist" rather than a relationship with the person of Jesus? What are some of the things you felt like you had to do to "earn" God's favor?

- Where do you feel like your life with God is at? Are your roots deep? Are you hanging out at the surface of the soil? Pray for a moment and ask God to show you one thing you can do this week to grow deeper in your relationship with God.

- How can you be overflowing with thankfulness this week?

- Colossae, the church Paul was writing to in his letter to the Colossians, was a very diverse city, made up of all different kinds of people; yet the Christians were known throughout the city by their love. What would it look like for you and for us as a group of believers to be known by our love in our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities this week?

- In Colossians 1:9, Paul prays that God would show the people of the church in Colossians God's COMPLETE will, and give them spiritual wisdom and understanding. This is a BIG prayer - what would happen if we prayed more big prayers like this? Have you ever prayed what you would consider a "big" prayer?

- In Colossians 1:13-14, Paul talks about how Jesus fought the battle over darkness for us, helping us to have an inheritance of freedom as his people. Does your faith and relationship with Jesus help you to live/feel free?

- What difference does Jesus really make in your life? How is your life different because of your belief in Jesus?

- Our trust in God's character, truth, and reliability should produce Hope in us. Do you see Hope at work in your life? If so, how?

- Jared compared our journey of trust to walking on a bridge where we can't see the end of it. Where do you see yourself on the bridge? Waiting to take the first step? Moving forward, backward, or frozen in the middle?

- Faith is hoping for things we cannot see. What is something in the world that seems impossible, that you cannot see a way for it to happen? Take it before God and ask for the trust and hope to believe God is capable of accomplishing it.

How would you define reliability? What is something in your life that you see as reliable?

Trust in the reliability of something takes RISK (think about walking over a bridge to test it). Do you think of trusting God as risky? In what ways?

Do you find it difficult to believe in God's Immutibility (that God cannot change in nature or character)? Why or why not?

Part of how we experience God is through human community. Do you find it easier or more difficult to trust in the church than in God? Why?

Has anyone ever said they would do something, then done something completely different? How did that impact your trust in them?

Do you find it easy or difficult to trust God’s character, based on what you know of God so far? Why?

Is there any part of God’s character that confuses you? Why?

Character is observed through actions, not words. How has the character of God been observable to you through the actions of others?

How can you live in such a way that your life reflects the character of God?

What do you regularly put your trust in throughout your day to day life? Your family? Your job? The news? Money?

Have you ever had trust broken between you and someone close to you? How did it feel?

Do you find it easy or difficult to believe that God is a “perfect actor” and can always be trusted? Why? Do you think this means God will always do what we want?

What questions do you have about trusting God in your faith journey? Commit to wrestle in prayer and community with these this week.

The church is meant to be a symbol of unity and fellowship- has this been your experience of church? Why or why not?

God’s plan is to draw EVERYONE to him by grace- where have you seen God’s grace drawing you into his love in your own life? Take a moment and thank God for these memories!

What is one thing you can do to contribute to the unity and fellowship of your community?

If “Holiness is a community project” as we love and shine light into one another’s lives, what is one way you can be light to someone this week?

When there is not harmony in the church, others can see it! Have you ever been able to sense discord or disunity among a group of believers? How did that make you feel about being a part of that group of people? How can you play a part in living in harmony with others?

Pastor Cammi said that we are all “saints by calling,” which means we are made saints BECAUSE Christ has called us, as if it were something like a banquet invitation. Take some time to thank God for calling you close this week.

Pastor Jacob mentioned that one word used for Beloved in the Bible is “divinely loved ones.” Do you feel Beloved by God today? Why or why not?

Living into our identity as Beloved children of God should encourage us to live transformed lives. Spend some time throughout this week asking God to show you where your life can be transformed to look more like an Image of Jesus.

God, thank you for creating us as your Beloved children before we ever did anything to deserve it. Help us to love others in the same way you show patient and gracious love toward us.

Our default as humans says that there is not enough and that in order to preserve our lives we need to live in a scarcity mindset. In scripture, this couldn’t be further from the truth! We find the exact opposite, that generosity (and this is not just about money) is the door way to an abundant life.

Here are some thoughts to reflect on as you listen this week:

What areas in your life have you most felt pressured by the scarcity mindset of the world? Relationships? Energy? Finances?

What fears keep you from leaning fully into generosity? Spend some time talking to God about them and ask God to help you release them.

Generosity is not just about money! What is a good thing that you have that you can share with others? (think resources, time, talents, friendship, etc) How can you share these gifts with people in our Ridgeland Church/Little Lights Academy community?

Pray: God, thank you for living and dying out of your love and generosity towards us. Help us remember the sacrifice of your generosity as we live our lives for others. Give us courage to “move first” in generosity when opportunities arise. We trust you as the great Creator and loving Provider you are.

What is one gift or talent you feel God has given you? How can you use it to build up the community?

Have you ever had a thought or solution to a problem pop into your head that you believe was the Holy Spirit showing you a way through? How did you respond? Did you recognize it in that moment, or after the situation was over?

Spend some time asking God to help you pursue the fruits of the Spirit in a deeper and more meaningful way this week.

Do you ever find yourself wishing you had a gift or talent someone else has?

Which of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 do you find easiest (if any)? Which do you struggle with the most?

The gifts/fruits of the Spirit are found in the ordinary aspects of life, in even the most mundane moments. What is an ordinary way you can live into these fruits this week?

Pastor Jared said that repentance shouldn’t come from guilt or shame, but from being drawn in to the love of Jesus. How can you spend time in the love of Jesus this week?

Of the ways Pastor Jared described the Holy Spirit (Advocate, Comforter, Guide), which resonates with you the most today?

Have you ever seen the grace of God working in the most ordinary moments in your life? How so?

How can you “breathe in” the presence of the Holy Spirit through spiritual practices this week?

Pray that the Spirit will continue to form you through grace into the Image of Jesus as you go about your day.

How have you thought about the Holy Spirit before now? Did you learn anything new from the message?

Have you ever experienced the power and life-giving nature of the Holy Spirit?

Do you feel like you have any barriers between you receiving the Holy Spirit as Jesus called us to?

What difference do you think the Holy Spirit would make in your life on a regular basis?

What was a time in your life that you really felt like you belonged? What made you feel that way? How can you work to recreate this for others?

Do you think everyone experiences belonging in the same way? Why or why not?

Do you feel cared for at Ridgeland? Why or why not?

How can you care for others?

How can you contribute? What are your talents? What gives you a sense of purpose in helping others?

What does Pentecost mean to you? If you’ve spent time in church before, do you have any memories of celebrating Pentecost?

It can be easy to wish for God to speak through fire, smoke, and loud noises all the time. However, the disciples were instructed to wait and pray before they encountered the Spirit at Pentecost. What would it look like for you to wait and pray for the Spirit to come upon you?

The Holy Spirit doesn’t invade unwanted into our lives, but fully receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit often means we have to let go of something we have been clinging to. What is something God may be calling you to set down in order to put on the newness of the Holy Spirit?

How do you think the disciples felt when Jesus told them that the restoration of the kingdom of Israel was, essentially, “none of your business”? Do you find yourself struggling with this idea or wanting to worry about the restoration or success of certain entities that are smaller than the Kingdom of God?

Pastor Jared says that we are the one who give evidence that the Kingdom of God exists. What do you think it looks like in your life to live as evidence of the Kingdom of God in the world?

What do you think the power of the Holy Spirit means in your life? What would it mean for this church? For your community? Take a moment and dream about what things might change in your life if you chose to live as if the Kingdom has already come. Dream big!

Now, take some time to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you in how to live your life in the truth of the inbreaking Kingdom of God this week.

What does it look like to have all authority on heaven and earth? Stop for a moment and imagine the vastness of the universe in your mind, then imagine someone who could create all of that with a word.

If you had this kind of power and authority, what would you want to do with it? How does that compare to what Jesus chooses to do with it?

Why do you think Jesus chose to trust a ragtag bunch of disciples to carry his message throughout the world, rather than bringing about the entire rule and reign of his Kingdom right then?

The Greek of the command “Go” in Matthew 28:19 is more literally translated, “as you go” or “as you are going.” How does that affect how you understand the passage?

What is one practical way you can work for the sake of Jesus’ Kingdom in your life this week?

How can you work to stay connected to the presence of Jesus in your life?

Why do you think the women went to the tomb?

The women’s encounter with the resurrection is mentioned in ALL of the 4 Gospels- why do you think that is? What stood out to you in the 4 accounts that Pastor read (Matt. 21, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20)?

Because the women showed up and lingered, they were able to witness the most incredible event in human history. What does it look like for us to “show up” for God?

How can we “linger” in God’s Presence and be faithful like the women?

Where can you see God at work right now in your life?

Pray and ask God to help you to be faithful, and ask for eyes to be able to see God at work.

Have you ever gotten that “pit in your stomach” feeling when you have to face someone you let down or betrayed? What happened?

Have you ever had someone let you down? How did you feel going into it?

What is your experience of forgiveness? Do you find it difficult to forgive others when they ask for forgiveness?

Which is more difficult for you: giving forgiveness or working for restoration?

Where can you work for restoration in your own life?

What do you do when you have doubts? Do you try to hide them or push them down, or do you find a way to voice them?

Have you ever voiced a doubt or question and felt it was not welcome? How did you react?

Is there anyone in your life that you know is experiencing doubt? How can you be a safe place for them in this time?

What is one question you would like to ask Jesus?

If you were a person in ancient Israel, how would you feel if you realized that the Messiah wasn’t going to immediately rescue you from the Roman Empire?

Have you ever wanted Jesus to do something immediately, but it took a long time to happen instead?

Why do you think God doesn’t just accomplish all his purposes or promises all at once? Why doesn’t God just give us all the answers right away?

Do you gravitate more toward learning about God on your own or with others? Why?

What’s your favorite story (from a book, movie, or anywhere else)? Why is it your favorite? Does it make you feel a certain way?

Stop and put yourself in the story of Easter. Feel the shock of the disciples as they hear the unbelievable, as they see the impossibly empty tomb before them. Would you have believed the women who told the shocking tale?

If the story of Easter is real, then it’s all true, and it changes everything. Do you live as if Easter is true?

Read John 12:12-19. The people were welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem because they believed he might be the King to overthrow the Romans, but only days later, many of those people were calling for his death when Jesus didn’t fit their expectations. Have you ever thought of Jesus as one way, but then realized Jesus was completely different?

Pastor Jared talks about how the Kingdom of God is not just for the future, but is constantly breaking into the present. How is God calling you to partner with him to bring about the Kingdom of God now?

Spend some time in prayer, asking God to reveal the real Jesus to you and listening to where God wants to call you to embody the goodness of the Kingdom now.

Have you ever felt like you were in the depths of despair?

Do you tend to seek Jesus more when things are going well or when you are struggling? Why?

Read John 11:1-44 and try to imagine yourself in the story. Who do you most empathize with in the story? Are you grieving in despair with Lazarus’s sisters? Are you confused with the disciples? Do you perhaps hear Jesus calling you to wake up and walk out of a tomb?

What does this story teach you about Jesus? Do you believe what it has to say about Jesus?

The rich young ruler had followed all the rules and checked all the boxes, yet he still went away sad. Do you ever feel like you’re going through all the motions but you’re missing the point?

Is there anything you find yourself trusting in instead of God, or “just in case” God doesn’t come through?

Is following Jesus “worth it” to you?

How can we continually “count the cost” in our lives?

How is your soul with the Lord?

How can you ask this question to friends and neighbors around you as you walk alongside them in relationships?

Read Luke 5:17-26 and take a few minutes to reflect on the story. Who do you relate to most? Someone in the crowd, so focused on Jesus’ teaching that you’re unaware of the people behind you trying to get to Jesus? The man on the mat, feeling helpless and unable to get to Jesus on your own? The friends who are determined to make a way for the man to see Jesus?

Who are you bringing with you to help you encourage and walk alongside others who need Jesus?

How is your soul with the Lord (on a scale of 1-10)?

Read Mark 5:21-43. Who do you identify with the most in this story? Why?

What do you hear Jesus saying in this story?

Where do you feel like you need to be challenged or transformed?

Pray about your responses to these questions, and spend some time listening in God’s Presence.

What makes you curious as you seek Jesus?

Do you tend to seek Jesus more like Nicodemus, or like Zacchaeus?

Have you ever felt “stumped” by Jesus? How did you handle it?

How comfortable are you with Jesus seeing your “mess”?

Do you find it easy or difficult to be by yourself? What about being quiet and still by yourself, doing nothing but sitting and listening?

What do you gravitate toward doing when you have a few minutes alone? Being productive? Social media? Where is the first place your mind tends to go?

Do you find it easy to express to God your true feelings and desires, even the ones you would rather keep hidden? What do you think prevents you from wanting to express them?