Chase Oaks Church

Sermon-Based Studies

Written weekly by Chase Oaks Church staff, these studies build off of the weekend message, making it easy for everyone to participate. Sermon-­based studies will take your LifeGroup deeper into the Scriptures in order to better understand what God is calling you to do and how your group can be a bridge-­builder in your community. They also come with Leaders Notes, which gives additional insight on the passages referenced and key points in the sermon.  Access these studies here.

Vertical

This free daily devotional program is hosted by Chase Oaks Church and will help you and your group get into the Word each day!  This year, we are going through the works of the Apostle Paul together.  In addition to a reading guide, which provides a list of the verses for each day, a short online devotional is also featured that is written by others taking part in the Vertical adventure.  This resource is a fantastic discussion-­starter for your group as you journey together through Scripture.  You can also sign ­up to write some devotionals together too!  To sign up or view Vertical, go www.verticaldevotional.com.

Pursuit Book 1:  God’s Pursuit of Us & Our Pursuit of Him

What does every Christ-­follower need in order to grow in their relationship with God?

Pursuit: Book 1 is designed to help your group engage God on a deeper level together as you explore the story of God’s pursuit of us and our pursuit of Him in this 8-week study written and developed by Chase Oaks Church. You can purchase Pursuit in the NEXT area for $5. Leaders guides are available too.

In Pursuit: Book 1, some of the topics include:

• God’s Pursuit of Us in the Old & New Testament
• Pursuing Discipleship
• How to Study the Word
• Pursuing God through Prayer
• Sharing God’s Pursuit

Pursuit Book 2:  Pursuing the Mystery of God &
Our Role in His Mission

How does knowledge about God affect how we live for God?  Pursuit: Book 2 continues where book 1 left off by discussing the characteristics of God and the implications for us as we follow Him.

This 8-­week study, written and developed by Chase Oaks Church, is available for purchase in the NEXT area for $5. Leaders guides are available too.  In Pursuit: Book 2, some of the topics include:

• Knowing God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit
• Loving God, Loving Others
• God Through Us
• Generosity of Life
• Investing in Others

Crazy Love -- Francis Chan (10-Week Group Study)

Best-selling author and pastor, Francis Chan, offers a stirring call for Christ-followers to consider and live-out as they study the crazy love of God for them.  God is love. Crazy, relentless, all-­‐powerful love.  Have you ever wondered if we’re missing it? Does something inside your heart long to break free from the status quo?  Are you hungry for authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical solutions?

God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself.  And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same. This 10-chapter book has an accompanying workbook and other resources available to help you guide your group through a 10-week study.

Some of the chapters and topics include:

• God’s crazy love for us
• Giving God everything, not just leftovers
• Rules or love
• Your best life…later
• Do we live lives that stand out among
  non-‐believers?
• Do we live our lives in a way we want to be remembered for?

James -- NavPress LifeChange Series (12-Week Group Study)

As we journey through the Book of James in our sermon series, “Let’s Be Honest,” use this resource as a tool to lead your group through an in-depth, verse-by-verse examination of this wonderful and challenging portion of Scripture.  James’ exhortation is to challenge Christ-followers of every age to keep growing up in maturity in Christ.  The LifeChange series put out by NavPress will provide you and your group a firm understanding of the book in its historical context, purpose, structure and meaning.  Also, it will encourage you to apply its powerful, relevant wisdom to needs and issues in your life.  This book is a great resource for any leader or group member.  It breaks up the book into 12 sessions.  Some of the topics you’ll cover include:

• Overview of the Book of James
• Facing trials
• Genuine faith
• Controlling the tongue
• Wisdom and pride
• Patience and prayer

The Good and Beautiful God -- James Bryan Smith
   (9-Week Group Study)

We all have ideas we tell ourselves about God and how He works in our lives.  Some are true -- but many are false.  James Bryan Smith believes those thoughts determine not only who we are, but how we live.  In this group study, your LifeGroup is invited to put your ideas to the test to see if they match up with what Jesus Himself reveals about God.  Once you’ve discovered the truth in Scripture, your group will be challenged to engage in a process of spiritual formation that includes specific activities aimed at making these new narratives real in your body and soul as well as your mind.  If you have enjoyed Dallas Willard and Richard Foster, you will not want to miss this first book in the Good and Beautiful series.  This book includes a small-group discussion guide at the end, which has questions for each week and spiritual formation activities to try together.  Topics discussed:

• God is good
• God is trustworthy
• God is generous
• God is holy
• God transforms

Become What You Are -- William Klein (10-Week Group Study)

If you were sitting today on a hillside listening to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, how would you respond?  Become What You Are is the insider’s guide to Jesus’ agenda – the goal of “spiritual formation.”  This fascinating 10-week study, complete with analysis and practice sessions, will guide your group through the entire Sermon on the Mount as you and your group are challenged to take this portion of Scripture seriously in our modern world.  The book integrates questions and analysis throughout the sessions, making it ready for group use immediately.  Sessions include some of these topics:

• Setting and background on the Sermon on
  the Mount
• The beatitudes
• Salt and light in a decaying and dark world
• Playing to the gallery or to God?
• The ultimate question: who comes first?

Q Studies: Being Countercultural -- Gabe Lyons and Norton Herbst
   (5-Week Group Study)

What is the relationship between Christ-followers and culture at large?  Sure to ignite discussion, this group resource is meant to bring up challenging debate topics in order to help your group dialogue, learn and work together as you navigate the tensions of following Jesus in our culture.  Using a DVD and workbook format, Q Studies present various perspectives in order for your group to discuss opinions that you might agree and disagree with the goal of dialoguing about life, faith, the world and cultural responsibility.  This 5-week group discussion has various tools for leaders and participants to allow for flexibility.  Discussion topics include:

• Countercultural versus relevancy
• Consumerism
• Power, privilege and risk
• Karma versus grace
• Life in the kingdom