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?
Gospel of John | The Great Exchange | John 18:28-40
Discussion Questions
John clearly says that God has a plan, even in the evil of Jesus’ persecution. How do you relate with this reality in your own life?
What can we learn about engaging unbelievers from Jesus’ interaction with Pilate?
Who are you bearing witness of the Truth to?
What do imputation and expiation mean? How do these things relate to God’s plan?
Prayer Points
Pray for hearts that willingling engage the truth that suffering is not meaningless for God’s children because he has a plan for you.
Pray our church would become artful in engaging the unbelieving world around us with the gospel.
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 Mission of the Church | John 17, 20:19-31
Discussion Questions
What is significant about what’s happening when Jesus gives this prayer?
How should we think about being unified as a church based on Jesus’ comparison?
How are the mission of the church and Jesus’ prayer for unity linked together?
Why does Jesus want his followers to see his glory?
Prayer Points
Pray for an experience of God’s glory in Christ.
Pray a prayer of thanksgiving that Jesus will continue to reveal the Father to his followers.
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 | Sorrow Into Joy | John 16:16-33
Discussion Questions
How would you describe the difference between the world's joy and Christian joy? When have you experienced this difference in your own life?
The sermon suggests that if Christians lack joy, it may be because something is "obstructing our view" of Jesus. What tends to obstruct your view of Christ?
Of the three paths to joy (seeing the Son, asking the Father, facing the hour), which one do you find most challenging and why?
How has going through a difficult "hour" in your life ultimately led to deeper joy in Christ?
Prayer Points
Ask the Lord to grow you into a person of more profound joy in him.
Ask him to show you how he’s working amidst your trials
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 | Help To Do The Impossible | John 15:26-16:15
Discussion Questions
When you think about the mission God has given his church, what do you feel? How does the knowledge that the Spirit is at your side change your perspective?
In what ways are you attempting to “bear witness” to the good news about Jesus in this season of your life among those who don’t know him?
How can we thoughtfully speak about sin in a culture that often rejects the concept of absolute moral standards?
In what ways do you find yourself trying to earn salvation through your own deeds rather than relying on Christ's work? How could God use that struggle to extend hope to others?
What specific person has God placed on your heart to "pray for daily and engage monthly" as mentioned in the sermon?
Prayer Points
Ask the Lord to show you opportunities you have to witness to the goodness of Jesus in your everyday life
Take some time to pray for the “one” person each member is reaching out to this year
Gospel of John | I Am The True Vine | John 15:1-17
Discussion Questions
What about Jesus being the true vine gives you comfort or inspiration?
How are you convicted to invest in walking more closely with Jesus?
In what ways do you hope to see joy increased in your life from abiding in Jesus?
What can we do to encourage each other to abide in Christ?
How will living in Jesus impact our gospel witness and impact on others around us?
Prayer Points
Pray for God to bring to our attention the barriers in our lives keeping us from walking closely with Jesus.
Pray that God will empower us to remain in Christ and live out the love for each other that Jesus calls us to.
Pray for us that the joy of Christ will overflow in ways that highlight Jesus in the eyes of 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?
Gospel of John | The Holy Spirit | John 14:15-31
Discussion Questions
How would you describe your relationship with the Holy Spirit?
How does viewing the Holy Spirit as a person rather than a force change your relationship with Him?
What obstacles prevent you from spending focused time in God's presence?
Share a time when the Spirit transformed head knowledge into heart knowledge.
In what area of life do you most need the comfort of the Spirit's presence right now?
Prayer Points
Ask the Lord to reawaken a desire to experience his presence.
Ask the Spirit to empower you for obedience in an area of life you struggle to trust 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?
Easter Sunday | The Resurrection of Jesus | John 20:1-18
Discussion Questions
The sermon mentions that we live in a world of"nevermores." What are some of the losses or "little deaths" you've experienced in your own life, and how have you dealt with them?
How has the resurrection of Christ shaped how you think about loss in this life?
The sermon describes peace as a defining characteristic of the new world Jesus brought through his resurrection. How have you experienced the peace of the new creation recently?
According to the sermon, three things typically need to fall into place before someone can say "He is risen!"- the rational, the personal, and the communal. Which of these has been most important in your own faith journey? How might this affect the way you reach out to those far from God?
Prayer Points
Pray that God would help you experience more of the peace that Jesus came to bring this week
Ask the Lord to draw you towards others who are desperate for 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?
Good Friday | The Cost of Grace | Mark 15
Easter 2025 | The Cost of Grace | Mark 15
Reece Woodruff | April 18, 2025
Palm Sunday | The Triumphal Entry | John 12:12-19
Discussion Questions
What were some of the similarities between the Maccabean Revolt and Triumphal Entry? What kind of environment did these similarities create in Jesus’ day?
How was Jesus’ kingship misunderstood? What were people expecting?
What kind of apologetics (arguments) were given in the sermon that are evident in the passage? What instruction can we take from them?
How is Jesus different from all other kings? What should this mean for our attitude on a daily basis?
What comfort can we take from Jesus knowing how the crowds would be treating him from one Sunday to the next?
Prayer Points
Pray God would reveal to you ways you want his saving help, but on your terms.
Pray the Lord would make you more bold in bearing witness to the remarkable things He has done in your life.
Gospel of John | Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled | John 14:1-14
Discussion Questions
In what ways do you relate to the disciples’ uncertainty and anxiety about the future? What situations in your life made you ask, “What happens next, can I trust God?”.
How does the promise of eternity with Jesus give you hope in difficult times?
What are some “bad guides” that people often follow instead of Jesus? How do these guides ultimately lead us away from true life? Have you ever trusted a guide (person, ideology, or belief system) that led you astray? What did you learn from that experience?
Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” What does it mean for Him to be the way rather than a way?
How can we stay focused on Jesus in a world full of distractions and false guides?
How does the Holy Spirit help us in our walk with Jesus? Can you share a time when you felt the Spirit’s guidance?
Prayer Points
Praise God for sending Jesus, to prepare a way for us to be with Him eternally.
Ask God to help us trust Him fully as our guide. Pray for strength to follow Jesus faithfully, avoiding distractions and influences that lead us away from Him.
Ask God to equip the church to be a light in the community and to serve with joy.
Gospel of John | The Kneeling King | John 13:1-38
Discussion Questions
Living as a servant begins with seeing the needs of those around us. What makes it challenging for you to see the needs of those you cross paths with each day?
Are there certain types of people you find more challenging to love than others? Why do you think that is?
How does understanding Jesus’ love for us empower us to serve others?
If your small group or church became known primarily for radical, selfless love, how might that change your community?
Whose feet might God be calling you to wash?
Prayer Points
Ask the Lord to show you who he wants you to serve this week.
Ask the Lord to show you if you’re using your time, talent, and treasure to build up the family of Sound City.
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 Hour of Glory | John 12:20-36, 42
Discussion Questions
God’s glory is his singular significance and splendor. In what areas of your life do you struggle to treat God as glorious?
Obedience, even when difficult, is a key test of whether we're living for God's glory or the glory of something or someone else. Can you share an experience when obeying God was challenging but ultimately revealed what you valued most?
The sermon suggests that a lack of praise often indicates we've placed our glory in something else that's letting us down. What tends to rob you of praise in your daily life?
What practical steps can you take this week to spend more time "beholding" the glory of God in Jesus?
Prayer Points
Ask the Lord to reveal to you where you are treating him as “light” instead of glorious
Ask the Lord for opportunities to share the glory Christ with others
Gospel of John | The Cost of Discipleship | John 11:55-12:1-8, 20-26
Discussion Questions
Was there ever a time in your life when you had some kind of relationship with
Jesus, but you weren’t fully committed to him? What was that like?Mary surrendered her resources, her reputation, and her whole self. Which of
these three areas of surrender do you find most challenging, and why?Pastor Reece asked, "What's in your jar?" — referring to the thing(s) we hold back
from God. What is something you sense God asking you to surrender that feels
particularly difficult or even "like death" to give up? What fears surround that
surrender?’Share about a time when something you surrendered to God led to unexpected life
and fruit.
Prayer Points
Ask God to reveal any area of your life you’re holding back from him.
Pray for courage to surrender whatever God reveals.
Gospel of John | Jesus Raises Lazarus | John 11:1-53
Discussion Questions
Reflect on a time of suffering in your life. How did it change you?
Do you tend to focus on one aspect of Christ's character when facing suffering? Which facet of Christ's glory do you find yourself most drawn to, and which do you most often overlook?
In what ways does Christ’s suffering specifically address the problem of evil?
The sermon concludes that the Christian hope isn't escape from this world but resurrection and renewal. How might this hope of "everything sad becoming untrue" transform how you face current struggles?
What role does community play in helping us navigate suffering well?
Prayer Points
Pray that God would open your eyes to the fullness of his glory in the midst of your hardships
Pray for those in our church who are currently walking through seasons of suffering