DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Choose the questions for your group; no pressure to use all of them.
Start Off
- This week’s saying is “Church is for church people.” When you think about your personal experience with churches, did those churches feel more inward-focused or outward-focused? How?
- Jeff shared an update on our Reimagine initiative, which covers three outwardly-focused areas:
- Amplify Local Good (growing the reputation of Jesus by doing good works in his name)
- Activate Our Spaces (using our campuses to reach non-churched people in the regular rhythm of their lives), and
- Anchoring the Faith of the Next Generation (because the faith of the next generation is worth everything).
- How have you seen or experienced the impact of Reimagine so far? (For example, did you invite someone to Local Good Coffee or pickleball? Engage at the Local Good Center, Local Good Pantry, or Local Good Resale? Interact with our Next Gen kids or student ministries? Consider joining the Melissa Campus? Etc.
- Looking ahead, what are you most excited about with our Reimagine initiative? What kind of impact do you think this will continue to make?
Reflect on God's Word- Read Luke 19:10, Luke 5:32, and John 20:21. What do these verses reveal about Jesus’ mission and our role in it?
- Read Acts 15:19. What kinds of obstacles sometimes make it harder for people to turn to God today?
- Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. As we consider Paul’s “by all possible means” strategy to reach those who don’t yet know Jesus, what could it look like practically to be a “by all possible means” person, group, and church in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and relationships
Go Deeper
- Who is someone in your life who may be far from God but close to you? What might it look like to take a step toward them this week?
- What would it look like for our group to actively resist the “gravitational pull” inward and instead be on mission with Jesus?
- What is one “next step” Jesus may be inviting you to take? Is it serving, inviting, giving, praying, or something else?
Pray
- Read Ephesians 3:20-21. Let’s pray for our church to finish Reimagine strong, at or above 100% of our pledges. And let’s ask God to show each of us how we can participate together for the rest of this year.
- Share additional prayer requests and pray for one another.
VERSE TO MEDITATE ON AND MEMORIZE THIS WEEK
“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” (Luke 19:10, NIV)
PUT IT INTO PRACTICE (BETWEEN MEETINGS)
Day 1 – Align with Jesus’ Heart
- Read Luke 19:10
- Pray: “God, help me see people the way you do.”
- Practice: Notice people around you (work, store, neighborhood) and silently pray for them.
Day 2 – Identify the Drift
- Read Acts 15:19
- Reflect: Where have you become inward-focused or comfortable in your faith?
- Practice: Write down one way you can remove a barrier for someone exploring faith.
Day 3 – Live as Sent
- Read John 20:21
- Pray: “Send me today.”
- Practice: Intentionally engage someone—start a conversation, show kindness, or listen deeply.
Day 4 – “By All Possible Means”
- Read 1 Corinthians 9:19–23
- Reflect: Where might God be asking you to stretch or adapt?
- Practice: Do something outside your normal routine to connect with someone different from you.
Day 5 – Take Your Step
- Read Ephesians 3:20–21
- Ask: “What is my next step—giving, serving, inviting, or sharing?”
- Practice: Take one concrete action (invite someone, sign up to serve, give, or share your story).