A Living Hope | Palm Sunday | Hope Misunderstood | Luke 19:28-44

Discussion Questions

  • Luke concludes the narrative of Jesus’ march towards Jerusalem in this section. Why is it important that Jesus foretells the disciple where the colt is and how he will use it?

  • What were the three ways we try to answer the question of who we are by Henri Nouwen? How can we use them to discern what we are hoping in?

  • What hope is Jesus offering and how is it different from other hopes of this life?

  • How does Jesus’ emotional state affect you at the end of this passage? What does it communicate of his sadness for others? How does this relate to his impending crucifixion?

Prayer Points

  • Pray that God would give you an increased awareness of what you are daily hoping in that you might notice false hopes and turn back to Jesus.

  • Pray our church would grow in our encouragement of one another to place our hope in God and remind each other that nothing else truly satisfies but 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?

WITNESS | Portraits of Transformation, Part 2 | Acts 16:25-34

Discussion Questions

  1. How do crises or unexpected challenges shape the way we see our need for God?

  2. Who might be “watching and listening” to your life? Consider using your suffering to share honestly what you’re going through and how Jesus is helping you get through.

  3. Can you think of a time when someone’s faith or worship impacted you?

  4. When you see someone struggling, do you try to fix the situation or withdraw?

  5. Who in your life might be facing a crisis that you should move towards?

  6. In what ways can you show God’s love and truth to people who think they don’t need Him?

Prayer Points

  • Pray for humility to recognize areas in our lives where we rely on our own sufficiency instead of God.

  • Pray for eyes to see when someone is in crisis and courage to move toward them.

WITNESS | Portraits of Transformation, Part 1 | Acts 16:11-24

Discussion Questions

  • What stands out to you about the differences between Lydia and the slave girl? What does that teach us about how people come to faith?

  • Do you tend to think the gospel is more likely to reach certain “types” of people than others? Why do you think that is?

  • Which story do you resonate with more—Lydia’s search for meaning through religion or the girl’s experience of oppression and bondage? Why?

  • Who might be a “Lydia” or someone spiritually stuck in your life right now, and what might it look like to share the gospel with them?

  • How does remembering that “the Lord opened Lydia’s heart” shape the way we think about evangelism and our role in it?

Prayer Points

  • Ask the Lord to give us eyes to see those in our lives searching for a way to God.

  • Ask the Lord to show you what powers might be keeping you from full freedom in the Lord.

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 | Gospel Clarity | Acts 15:1-35

Discussion Questions

  • How have you seen the truth of the gospel lead to joy in your own life?

  • The sermon suggested many Christians live in a kind of “meh” spiritual state. Do you resonate with that? What do you think contributes to that lack of joy?

  • Why do you think the human heart struggles to accept the equation “Grace + nothing = salvation”?

  • What are some subtle ways people today add something to the gospel (Jesus + ___ = salvation)? Which of these are you most tempted toward?

  • If you truly believed that you were already forgiven, clean, and welcomed into God’s family, how might that change the way you live this week?

Prayer Points

  • Ask the Lord to clarify the glory of the gospel, not just to your mind, but also to your heart

  • Ask the Lord to grow us into a church marked by joy and gladness

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 Gospel for the Pagan | Acts 14:8-23

Discussion Questions

  • How do you see Paul adjusting his approach in Acts 14 compared to Acts 13? Why does that matter for us?

  • What does it practically look like to “earn a hearing” in your current relationships?

  • What are the most common functional idols in our city? Why are they so compelling?

  • How can you tell when a good thing has become an ultimate thing in your life?

  • When you’re not trusting in Christ, where do you tend to look for meaning, value, and joy?

  • In conversations with non-Christians, how might you “complete the story” rather than simply argue against their beliefs?

Prayer Points

  • Ask the Lord to give you opportunities this week to “earn a hearing” through deeds of love

  • Ask the Lord to expose the idols you tend to run to when you’re not clinging to God

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 First Church Plant | Acts 13

Discussion Questions

  • What is the significance of the sending act of the Holy Spirit and the Christian community? How do they relate?

  • Why does Paul focus so intently (three times) on Jesus being raised from the dead? What does the word communicate?

  • What are the two strong reactions to the preaching of the gospel towards the end of the passage? What are the implications for you sharing the gospel?

  • How can you comfort someone this week, or yourself, with the truth that God has appointed some to hear and believe the gospel and receive eternal life?

Prayer Points

  • Pray we would be sensitive to asking the Lord where he is sending us throughout our daily lives, but also how he might send out a church plant from our church.

  • Pray our church would gain confidence in God’s power to raise us up with Christ regardless of the adversities we experience.

WITNESS | The Ministry of Barnabas | Acts 11:19-30

Discussion Questions

  • Who is one person in your life you’re praying would come to know Jesus?

  • What fears or obstacles tend to keep you from speaking about Jesus in everyday life?

  • Where are you tempted to turn the gospel into “good advice” instead of “good news”?

  • Who has been a Barnabas (encourager) in your life, and what specifically did they do that strengthened you?

  • What is one practical way you could celebrate, catalyze, or call someone forward in faith this week?

Prayer Points

  • Ask the Lord to make our church more bold in our gospel proclamation.

  • Ask the Lord to give us eyes to see the grace in others lives that we might celebrate and cultivate it.

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 Gospel to the Outsider | Acts 10:1-48

Discussion Questions

  • Have you ever had a moment of “disruption” that made you question how you see God, yourself, or the world? What was that like?

  • Why do you think seasons of doubt, confusion, or “darkness” are often necessary for real growth or change?

  • What’s the difference between being “spiritual” and actually being transformed?

  • Who might God be calling you to walk alongside—like Ananias—even if it feels uncomfortable or unlikely?

Prayer Points

  • Ask the Lord to bring divine disruptions into the lives of those who are far from him that they may begin a journey back to him.

  • Ask the Lord to show us who he wants us to journey with towards faith

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 Unlikiest Convert of All | Acts 9:1-18

Discussion Questions

  • Have you ever had a moment of “disruption” that made you question how you see God, yourself, or the world? What was that like?

  • Why do you think seasons of doubt, confusion, or “darkness” are often necessary for real growth or change?

  • What’s the difference between being “spiritual” and actually being transformed?

  • Who might God be calling you to walk alongside—like Ananias—even if it feels uncomfortable or unlikely?

Prayer Points

  • Ask the Lord to bring divine disruptions into the lives of those who are far from him that they may begin a journey back to him.

  • Ask the Lord to show us who he wants us to journey with towards faith.

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 | Salvation Through Suffering | Acts 6:8-7:53

Discussion Questions

  • Do you know any examples of people who embody both grace and power? Why is it difficult to hold both together at the same time?

  • Why does suffering often expose what we are really trusting in?

  • Where do you find it hardest to believe that God is truly “with you” right now?

  • How might God use your current or past suffering to push the gospel outward toward others?

  • How does knowing that Jesus fulfilled the law for you change the way you face hardship or failure today?

Prayer Points

  • Ask the Lord to give you a profound awareness of his presence with you in your suffering

  • Ask the Lord to use your pain to push others towards 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?

VISION | Thy Kingdom Come, Part 2 | Mark 6:7-13, 30-32

Discussion Questions

  • The theologian Ronald Rolheiser once said, “We are distracting ourselves into spiritual oblivion.” Do you agree or disagree? Explain.

  • What keeps you from withdrawing to be with God when life feels full or overwhelming?

  • When you are making regular time to meet with God in the quiet place, how does it affect your other relationships?

  • How does viewing God as Father (rather than judge, evaluator, etc.) change the way you approach time with him?

  • What does withdrawal with God look like for you in this season of life?

  • What is one small, concrete step you could take this year to create more space to be with your heavenly Father?

Prayer Points

  • Ask the Lord to reveal how he wants you to “withdraw” this year for the sake of others

  • Pray that the Lord would make our church family a non-anxious presence in a world of chaos

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 | Thy Kingdom Come, Part 1 | Matthew 9:35-10:8

Discussion Questions

  • Where do you most notice “vision leaking” in your own life right now?

  • When you’re not living for God’s Kingdom, what other kingdoms do you find yourself advancing?

  • How often do you think about spreading God’s Kingdom in your everyday life? Explain.

  • Who in your life feels “harassed and helpless,” and how might Jesus be inviting you toward them?

  • Share about a time you experienced joy partnering with God in spreading his Kingdom.

Prayer Points

  • Pray that the Lord would help you identify a Kingdom Outpost you want to invest in this coming year.

  • Ask the Lord to give you clear opportunities to demonstrate and/or proclaim the gospel this week

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?

Advent 2025 | Longing for Justice | Isaiah 11:1-10

Discussion Questions

  • What are some of the reasons the promised ruler is qualified to exercise justice?

  • What is attractive to us today about someone who can judge so well?

  • What questions come to mind with how the Bible talk about how God judges both Israel and the surrounding nations?

  • How is God’s ultimate justice satisfied? How does it relate to Jesus and what does it mean for his people?

Prayer Points

  • Pray that in our individual lives we would become excellent at gaining wisdom on when we should exercise justice and when to exercise mercy and forgiveness.

  • Pray our church would be known for extending grace and mercy like Jesus has done for us.

Advent 2025 | Longing for a Story | Isaiah 9:1-7

Discussion Questions

  • What are some of the default stories you see people living in today? Think in terms of what the main problem is in the world and how people are trying to address it.

  • Where do you tend to “look to the earth” rather than to God when darkness presses in?

  • Why do stories of light overcoming darkness resonate so deeply with us?

  • What would it look like for you to live this week as a bearer of Christ’s light?

  • How does remembering the ending of God’s story change the way you face present struggles?

    Prayer Points

  • Pray that God would give you strength to push back the darkness in the world

  • Ask the Lord to help you connect your everyday life with the cosmic narrative he’s writing across the pages of history

    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?

Advent 2025 | Longing for Home | Isaiah 35:1-10

Discussion Questions

  • Can you relate at all to the deep ache for home Pastor Reece talked about? Were you able to satisfy that ache? Explain.

  • How does Isaiah’s vision of a renewed world speak into the places you feel weary or exiled?

  • Why do our earthly homes—even at Christmas—never fully satisfy us?

  • How does Jesus’ own experience of homelessness deepen your understanding of the gospel?

  • What is one practical way you can “come home” to God this Advent season? Are there any practices or commitments you want to make to help you experience his embrace this Christmas?

Prayer Points

  • Thank the Lord for leaving his home to bring you back home

  • Pray for those in your life who feel estranged this holiday season that they would experience the hospitality of God

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?


Advent 2025 | Longing for Comfort | Isaiah 40:1-11

Discussion Questions

  • Where do people today most often look for comfort, and how does Isaiah 40 challenge those sources? What are examples of “withering grass” comforts in your life?

  • Which of God’s actions in Isaiah 40:1–2 (peace, forgiveness, restoration) speaks most deeply to your current need for comfort? Why?

  • How does the picture of God as both a mighty King (v. 10) and a tender shepherd (v. 11) shape your understanding of His comfort? Which aspect do you personally find harder to believe?

  • What would it look like for you to “prepare the way of the Lord” (vv. 3–5) in your own heart today? What obstacles need to be lowered or cleared?

Prayer Points

  • Pray for God’s Comfort to Break Into Our Weariness, Grief, and Sorrow.

  • Pray that God will move the hearts of our neighbors, friends, and coworkers to be open to the Good News of Jesus’ Advent.

  • Pray to experience God’s Strength and Tenderness this Christmas and open our hearts to the ways God desires to fulfill the longings of our hearts.