WITNESS | The First Miracle | Acts 3:1-26

Discussion Questions

• What is the significance of Peter “directing his gaze” at the disabled beggar?

• How does Peter and John’s attitude instruct us to live as believers?

• What kind of platform has God given you to proclaim what Jesus has done for you? How could you use it?

• What are the three kinds of restoration Peter describes are our if we repent? Which one resonates the most with you at this point in your life?

Prayer Points

• Pray we would have eyes to see others in need and move as the Holy Spirit leads.

• Pray our church would grow in our experience of Jesus’ restoration and minister to our neighbors out of it.

WITNESS | Life Together | Acts 2:40-47

Discussion Questions

• What do you think it means that the early Christians “were together” rather than just “gathered together”?

• How does modern individualism make Christian community difficult today?

• In a world full of competing voices, what helps you stay devoted to the truth of God’s Word?

• What’s one practical way we can show the kind of sacrificial love the early church was known for?

• How has worship—especially corporate worship—shaped your relationship with God over time?

Discussion Questions

• What do you think it means that the early Christians “were together” rather than just “gathered together”?

• How does modern individualism make Christian community difficult today?

• In a world full of competing voices, what helps you stay devoted to the truth of God’s Word?

• What’s one practical way we can show the kind of sacrificial love the early church was known for?

• How has worship—especially corporate worship—shaped your relationship with God over time?

Prayer Points

• Pray for our church to remain unified despite our differences

• Ask the Lord to expose in our hearts where we lack the devotion that this passage calls us into

Reach One

As we continue to grow as Thoughtful Witnesses, we’re inviting everyone to “reach one” person that’s far from God by praying for them by name daily and engaging them in some way monthly (see the page below for ideas). To help encourage one another in this season, we’re asking each Community Group to discuss the following questions at least monthly. How can we pray for your “one”?

How are you hoping to engage your “one”this month?

WITNESS | The Boldness of Peter | Acts 2:1-41

Discussion Questions

• What role does fear play in your life in general?

• What role does fear play in your calling to live as a witness to Jesus?

• How convinced are you of the resurrection? What doubts do you have?

• Pastor Reece mentioned that the more we see the universal significance of Jesus to all of life, the more bold we’ll be. How have you seen the relevance of Jesus in your life recently?

• How should the reality of God’s presence with us through the Spirit influence our witness?

Prayer Points

• Ask the Lord to make our church bold witnesses to the gospel of Christ

• Ask the Lord to make us thoughtful witness to the gospel of Christ

Reach One

As we continue to grow as Thoughtful Witnesses, we’re inviting everyone to “reach one” person that’s far from God by praying for them by name daily and engaging them in some way monthly (see the page below for ideas). To help encourage one another in this season, we’re asking each Community Group to discuss the following questions at least monthly.

How can we pray for your “one”? How are you hoping to engage your “one”this month?

WITNESS | Called to Witness | Acts 1:6-11

Discussion Questions

• What does it mean to be a witness to Jesus in everyday life?

• Why is the historicity of the resurrection so essential for our witness?

• How does the Spirit empower us to share our faith, even when we feel weak or inadequate?

• How can we balance starting our witness at “home” while reaching farther into our community and beyond?

• What practical steps can you take this week to obey the call to be a Spirit-empowered witness?

Prayer Points

• Ask that God would lead you by this Spirit to people he is already pursuing

• Ask the Lord to make us a church of bold witnesses for Jesus

Reach One

As we continue to grow as Thoughtful Witnesses, we’re inviting everyone to “reach one” person that’s far from God by praying for them by name daily and engaging them in some way monthly (see the page below for ideas). To help encourage one another in this season, we’re asking each Community Group to discuss the following questions at least monthly. How can we pray for your “one”?

How are you hoping to engage your “one”this month?

WITNESS | The Fifth Act | Acts 5:1-5

Discussion Questions

● What are some ways Christians were misunderstood in the past? What correlations are there today?

● What did “The 5th Act” refer to in the sermon and what does it mean for Christians having an “Apostolic Message.”

● Why should Christians seek to be “incarnational” and what does that look like?

● How often would you consider yourself to wait on the Holy Spirit for direction? How could you cultivate this leading?

Prayer Points

● Pray we would start to walk in our identity as witnesses of Jesus.

● Pray our church would be known for holding to gospel truth, while caring for people like Jesus did.

VISION | Restore Our Fortunes | Psalm 126

Discussion Questions

• How have you seen God restore your fortunes in the past?

• What area of your life are you desperate for God to move?

• What keeps us from praying bold, “streams in the Negev” prayers?

• How have you seen tears become the seeds of joy in your walk with Christ?

• What would it look like for you to commit to praying Psalm 126 for our church this year?

Prayer Points

• Ask God to “restore the fortunes” in our church

• Ask the Lord to use our church to “restore the fortunes” of others in the years to come

Reach One

As we continue to grow as Thoughtful Witnesses, we’re inviting everyone to “reach one” person that’s far from God by praying for them by name daily and engaging them in some way monthly (see the page below for ideas). To help encourage one another in this season, we’re asking each Community Group to discuss the following questions at least monthly.

How can we pray for your “one”? How are you hoping to engage your “one” this month?

VISION | Called to Equip | Ephesians 4:1-16

Discussion Questions

• How have you seen either unity or disunity enhance or distract from the church’s mission to the world?

• How have you personally experienced humility, gentleness, or patience from others?

• Would you say our church is more of a teaching church or a training church? Explain.

• In what ways do you see yourself needing to be equipped for ministry where you live, work, or play?

• What might sacrificial love look like for you as we seek to move from a reservoir to a river?

Prayer Points

Ask God to bless our church’s first Equipping Cohort this fall even if you’re not able to participate.

Ask God to give our church wisdom as we begin to develop an “equipping ecosystem” together

Reach One

As we continue to grow as Thoughtful Witnesses, we’re inviting everyone to “reach one” person that’s far from God by praying for them by name daily and engaging them in some way monthly (see the page below for ideas). To help encourage one another in this season, we’re asking each Community Group to discuss the following questions at least monthly.

How can we pray for your “one”? How are you hoping to engage your “one”this month?

VISION | Rivers of Living Water | Ezekiel 47

Discussion Questions

• As we move into the next chapter of Sound City, what are you most grateful for about our church? What blessings has God given us in the years past?

• Where do you personally feel the “thirst” of life East of Eden? How have you tried to satisfy it outside of God and what did you learn?

• In what ways do you see the church in America living more like a reservoir—holding on to God’s blessings—rather than a river that lets His life flow out to others?

• In what ways is Sound City currently functioning like a river of impact? How do you hope we grow as a river in this next season?

• Do you see yourself as a carrier of the very presence of God wherever you go? How would your days look different if you began to?

Prayer Points

• Ask God that he would show our church specific ways we can begin to live more like a river rather than a reservoir

• Pray that the Lord would bring thirsty people into your path this week that you can offer some kind of hope to

Reach One

As we continue to grow as Thoughtful Witnesses, we’re inviting everyone to “reach one” person that’s far from God by praying for them by name daily and engaging them in some way monthly (see the page below for ideas). To help encourage one another in this season, we’re asking each Community Group to discuss the following questions at least monthly. How can we pray for your “one”? How are you hoping to engage your “one”this month?

WISE | The Crushed Heart | Selections from Proverbs

Discussion Questions

• What do you think it means that our hearts are the “wellspring of life”?

• The Proverbs indicates that a crushed spirit can have a physical, relational, moral, or hope aspect? Which of these do we tend to emphasize most in the church? Which do we tend to ignore?

• How have misplaced hopes in your life led to discouragement or a “sick heart”?

• How does Jesus being the true Tree of Life change how you approach seasons of discouragement?

• What practical step can you take this week to guard and nourish your heart?

Prayer Points

• Lord, help me to guard my heart with vigilance and give me wisdom to care for my inner life.

• Jesus, thank you for being crushed on the tree so I could have life—restore my joy and hope in you.

Reach One

As we continue to grow as Thoughtful Witnesses, we’re inviting everyone to “reach one” person that’s far from God by praying for them by name daily and engaging them in some way monthly (see the page below for ideas). To help encourage one another in this season, we’re asking each Community Group to discuss the following questions at least monthly.

How can we pray for your “one”? How are you hoping to engage your “one”this month?

WISE | Decision Making | Selections from Proverbs

Discussion Questions

• Why do you think our culture struggles with seeking counsel from others?

• Why do you think we are often tempted to rely on our own understanding instead of God’s wisdom?

• Who in your life do you trust to provide you godly counsel, and how have they helped you make a wise decision?

• How can you become wise counsel to others in your community?

• How might remembering Jesus’ obedience in the garden give us courage to trust God in our own decision-making?

• Where is God calling you to trust His lead over your own plan?

Prayer Points

• Thank God for the gift of His Word, for the example of Jesus’ obedience in Gethsemane, and for His constant guidance in our daily lives through the Spirit.

• Ask God to help us surrender our will completely, trust Him in every decision, and grow in wisdom and strength through His word and Spirit.

• Pray that our church would grow as a community of wisdom, counsel, and encouragement for one another.

WISE | Happy is the Home - Parents & Children | Selections from Proverbs

Discussion Questions

• How does focusing on the heart rather than just behavior change the way we parent or mentor others?

• In what ways can parents model wisdom in everyday life for their children?

• How can we balance discipline and love in a way that shapes children’s hearts without creating fear or resentment?

• How does the hope of God as a personal Father impact the way we respond when our kids make mistakes or walk away from faith?

• How can the family of God work together to raise up disciples among the younger generation?

Prayer Points

• Pray for wisdom to guide children’s hearts, not just their actions, and for discernment in teaching and correcting them.

• Pray for patience, consistency, and a loving heart when modeling God’s ways in your home or community.

• Pray for trust in God’s Fatherly love—both for your children and for yourself as an imperfect parent.

Reach One

As we continue to grow as Thoughtful Witnesses, we’re inviting everyone to “reach one” person that’s far from God by praying for them by name daily and engaging them in some way monthly (see the page below for ideas). To help encourage one another in this season, we’re asking each Community Group to discuss the following questions at least monthly.

How can we pray for your “one”? How are you hoping to engage your “one” this month?

WISE | Happy is the Home - Marriage | Selections from Proverbs

Discussion Questions

• What does it mean to build your marriage on a promise rather than on feelings?

• How can seeing your spouse as your closest companion change the way you relate to them daily? What role do other friends play in our journeys towards Christlikeness?

• In what ways do you intentionally cultivate delight and joy in your marriage or family? What does it look like to cultivate joy with our other friends?

• How does the spousal love of God empower you to cultivate a healthy marriage? Give some practical examples .

Prayer Points

• Pray for God to deepen your commitment and help you keep the promises you’ve made in your marriage or relationships.

• Ask God to strengthen the companionship between you and your spouse or family, making you true friends and fellow travelers.

WISE | Conflict | Selections from Proverbs

Discussion Questions

• What is the modern definition of conflict? What is the biblical definition of conflict?

• What are some ways you could grow as it relates to these definitions of conflict?

• Out of the five poisons and antidotes of conflict that were mentioned, which one resonates with you the most right now?

• What are we to be contentious for, so to speak, as it pertains to the end of Proverbs and Jesus’ teaching? Where do you need to apply this truth?

Prayer Points

• Pray God would make you into a person of peace that mends relationships and not tears them apart. 

• Pray our church would grow in our practice of peace and harmony as we seek to reflect Jesus to a world full of conflict and strife.

Reach One

As we continue to grow as Thoughtful Witnesses, we’re inviting everyone to “reach one” person that’s far from God by praying for them by name daily and engaging them in some way monthly (see the page below for ideas). To help encourage one another in this season, we’re asking each Community Group to discuss the following questions at least monthly.

How can we pray for your “one”? How are you hoping to engage your “one” this month?

WISE | The Practices of Friendship | Selections from Proverbs

Discussion Questions

• Do you resonate with the “peach vs. coconut” analogy? Why or why not?

• What are some barriers that keep people from putting themselves in proximity to potential friends?

• Have you ever had a “What? You too?” moment that sparked a real friendship? What was that like?

• Of the four marks of a true friend (never leaves, lets you in, honors your uniqueness, counsels with candor), which one do you most need to grow in personally?

• What’s one thing our Community Group can do more or less of to help foster friendships within the group?

• How does knowing Jesus is your perfect friend shape the way you pursue or persevere in friendships with others?

Prayer Points

• Thank the Lord for the friendships he’s provided you and others within the community at Sound City.

• Ask the Lord to help us be good friends to those who don’t yet know him.

Reach One

As we continue to grow as Thoughtful Witnesses, we’re inviting everyone to “reach one” person that’s far from God by praying for them by name daily and engaging them in some way monthly (see the page below for ideas). To help encourage one another in this season, we’re asking each Community Group to discuss the following questions at least monthly.

How can we pray for your “one”? How are you hoping to engage your “one” this month?

WISE | The Importance of Friendship | Selections from Proverbs

WISE | Growing in Wisdom | Selections from Proverbs

Discussion Questions

• What were some answers for what it means to walk the path of wisdom?

• What area of life is it challenging to walk the path of wisdom currently? (family, friends, job, health, etc.)

• What was the ladder of folly that was mentioned? How do you relate to that list?

• What comfort can you take from knowing that earthly rewards aren’t always promised in relation to Jesus’ work on the cross?

Prayer Points

• Pray that God would grant you a desire to pursue wisdom.

• Pray our church would be filled with believers who don’t take pride in the “righteousness” of their lives, but in our gratitude for Jesus bringing us into his kingdom.

Reach One
As we continue to grow as Thoughtful Witnesses, we’re inviting everyone to “reach one” person that’s far from God by praying for them by name daily and engaging them in some way monthly (see the page below for ideas). To help encourage one another in this season, we’re asking each Community Group to discuss the following questions at least monthly.

How can we pray for your “one”? How are you hoping to engage your “one” this month?

WISE | The Beginning of Wisdom | Selections from Proverbs

Discussion Questions

• What’s a recent decision you faced that wasn’t clearly right or wrong? How did you handle it?

• In what ways do you see the difference between knowledge and wisdom in your own life?

• How have you seen the “follow your heart” mentality play out—either positively or negatively?

• Why do you think it’s so hard for us to surrender our hearts, even when we know God’s wisdom is better?

• What would it practically look like for you to “fear the Lord” in your current season of life?

Prayer Points

• Pray for humble hearts - that we would recognize our foolishness and long for God’s wisdom.

• Pray for Christlike transformation — that the foolishness of the cross would shape us into wise people who reflect Jesus in how we live and love.

Reach One

As we continue to grow as Thoughtful Witnesses, we’re inviting everyone to “reach one” person that’s far from God by praying for them by name daily and engaging them in some way monthly (see the page below for ideas). To help encourage one another in this season, we’re asking each Community Group to discuss the following questions at least monthly. How can we pray for your “one”? How are you hoping to engage your “one”this month?

Gospel of John | Jesus Sends the Restored | John 20:19-23, 21:15-25

Discussion Questions

• Boredom comes from "having nothing that feels worth doing" rather than having nothing to do. How do you see this playing out in your own life? What activities fill your time but leave you feeling empty?

• Jesus calls us to both "show and share" the love of God. Are you naturally more of a "word person" (focused on verbal evangelism) or a "deed person" (focused on acts of service)? How might God be calling you to grow in the other area?

• God uses "overwhelmingly ordinary" people and those who have failed. What insecurities or past failures have made you feel disqualified from God's mission? How does Peter's story encourage you?

• Instead of seeing mission as something that happens at church events, how could you view your workplace, neighborhood, or daily routines as Kingdom Outposts, places where people can encounter the love of God?

Prayer Points

• Pray that God would give you courage to step out of your comfort zone in both showing and sharing His love

• Pray for the specific person God has placed on your heart to reach out to this year

Reach One

As we continue to grow as Thoughtful Witnesses, we’re inviting everyone to “reach one” person that’s far from God by praying for them by name daily and engaging them in some way monthly (see the page below for ideas). To help encourage one another in this season, we’re asking each Community Group to discuss the following questions at least monthly.

How can we pray for your “one”? How are you hoping to engage your “one” this month?

Gospel of John | The Resurrection of Jesus | John 20:1-18

Discussion Questions 

• How do you describe the personal impact of the resurrection in your life?

• Why do you think Jesus raised Lazarus if he was just going to die again later?

• Does the thought of death bring you fear or anxiety? 

• Does the resurrection affect your feelings about death?

• Do you think we would recognize Jesus if he were to appear to us?

• How is our church doing at joining Jesus in the gospel purpose?  How about as individuals?

Prayer Points 

• Ask God to show you how the resurrection can have a greater impact in your life.

• Pray that God will use the resurrection as motivation and inspiration to grow as thoughtful witnesses.

• Pray that God will fill us with the hope of the resurrection that will allow us to face loss with hope.

Reach One

As we continue to grow as Thoughtful Witnesses, we’re inviting everyone to “reach one” person that’s far from God by praying for them by name daily and engaging them in some way monthly (see the page below for ideas). To help encourage one another in this season, we’re asking each Community Group to discuss the following questions at least monthly.

How can we pray for your “one”? How are you hoping to engage your “one” this month?

Gospel of John | Last Words | John 19:17-30

Discussion Questions

• Share about a specific time when the sacrifice of Jesus impacted you in a profound way.

• The sermon mentions people try to satisfy their spiritual thirst with "broken cisterns" like fame, relationships, or success. What are some common "broken cisterns" you see people (or yourself) turning to today?

• How does Christianity's message of "your work is done" differ from what our culture teaches? Where do you find yourself still trying to "prove yourself"?

• Which of the three obstacles to accepting the “it is finished” of Jesus applies to you most: Self-Shamer (hiding in shame), Self-Disqualifier (feeling disqualified by past), or Self-Prover (exhausted from trying to prove worth)? Why?

• If you truly believed that Jesus said "I thirst" so you could be satisfied and "It is finished" so you could rest, what would change about how you live this week?

Prayer Points

• Ask God to open the eyes of your heart to the beauty and power of the cross more and more each day

• Ask the Lord to show you where you’re looking for ultimate satisfaction outside of his presence

Reach One

As we continue to grow as Thoughtful Witnesses, we’re inviting everyone to “reach one” person that’s far from God by praying for them by name daily and engaging them in some way monthly (see the page below for ideas). To help encourage one another in this season, we’re asking each Community Group to discuss the following questions at least monthly.

How can we pray for your “one”? How are you hoping to engage your “one” this month?