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.

WITNESS | Courage to Witness | Acts 5:17-42

Discussion Questions

  • What stood out to you in Acts 5 about the way God used His power to free and recommission the apostles?

  • Can you recall a time when God “opened a door” for you that felt unexpected or supernatural? What impact did it have on your faith?

  • Where do you feel the pull to compromise your allegiance to Jesus (comfort, approval, career, or reputation)?

  • How have you experienced God restoring you, like He did with Peter, when you’ve denied your allegiance to Jesus?

  • Have you seen someone suffer well for Jesus and respond with hope, joy, or forgiveness? How did their witness impact you?

Prayer Points

  • Pray that God would help us not rely on our own strength, but on His power as we witness.

  • Pray for God’s forgiveness for the times we’ve denied Jesus, and ask Him to restore our allegiance to Him.

  • Pray that our church would be filled with people whose suffering points others to Jesus.

WITNESS | A Threat to the Movement | Acts 4:32-5:16

Discussion Questions

  • What stands out to you about the generosity of the early church in Acts 4:32–34?

  • What parts of your life are easiest for you to live “open-handed” with?

  • In what areas of your life—time, talents, or treasure—do you feel challenged to give more sacrificially? What might that look like?

  • How does the story of Ananias and Sapphira warn us about the dangers of giving with the wrong motives?

  • How can the example of Jesus’ generosity inspire you to give more freely and holistically in your daily life?

  • Think of someone who you know that embodies a generous posture. What made them into that kind of a person?

Prayer Points

  • Ask the Lord to show you where in your life you are living close-handed.

  • Pray that the Lord would make us into a generous church that draws people in.

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 | No Other Name Under Heaven | Acts 4:1-22

Discussion Questions

  • Where in your life do you see opportunities to bring healing and wholeness to others? Think of your workplace, home, and amongst your friends.

  • Pastor Reece made the claim that everyone is exclusive in their beliefs. Do you agree or disagree?

  • If someone were to ask you how there can only be one true faith, how might you respond?

  • In what ways does the cross of Jesus show both truth and love at the same time?

  • How does remembering that Christianity offers grace rather than demanding performance change how we witness?

Prayer Points

  • Ask the Lord to make you an agent of restoration in your home, workplace, and city.

  • Ask the Lord to help us see the beauty of the gospel so that we might share it with confidence like Peter and John in Acts 4.

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 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.