What is some of the best advice you have ever been given? When

and how did/do you apply that advice? Who or what do you trust

the most and why?

MAIN PASSAGE: Proverbs 3:1-10

THEME:

This passage was written by a wise and loving father to his son

who is coming of age. The connotation is that it is now time for the

son to RISE to the occasion and apply what the father has taught

him. It’s clear that the father wants the very best for his son and

has a heart for the son to thrive.

DISCUSSION:

1. What does the father promise will happen if the son heeds his

advice?

2. What are some ways that we might apply vs. 5 in our lives

today? (Consider the promise in Isaiah 26:3)

3. In vs. 6, the charge is to ”acknowledge” (the Lord) in all our

ways. What might that look like, or how might that play out in our

lives today?

4. In vs. 7 the instruction is given to ”fear the Lord, and turn away

from evil.” What does that mean?

5. How would someone apply the advice given in vs. 9?

READ John 6:1-14

In the story, Andrew found a boy who had

”five barley loaves and two fish.” What happened when the boy

gave the food to Jesus?

Read Mark 10:17-31

What does Jesus promise in vs. 29 -30?

BRINGING IT HOME - CLOSING QUESTIONS:

Why is trusting the Lord an important aspect of the RISE Initiative

and my life? (Consider John 15:5, Philippians 2:13 and 4:13, Eph

3:20, and 1 Corinthians 2:9)

What would it look like for me to trust God more than I do now?

What scares me more: no God or no money?

If I trust God more, what am I scared that He will do or take?

Can someone truly worship God without trusting God?

What is one of the most loving things, or one of the nicest things

someone has ever done for you? How did it impact you?

MAIN PASSAGE: Mark 14:1-9

THEME: 

This incident took place shortly before Jesus’ crucifixion, and

while the chief priests were gathered to plot Jesus’ death. Simon, the

host of the feast, had probably been healed by Jesus, and the feast

was held in his house. Alabaster resembled white marble, and the

perfume was carefully sealed to preserve it. Its cost would amount

to the wages earned by a common laborer for 300 days (Matt. 20:2).

Loveless hearts can’t understand the expenditure of love - they count

it waste, but notice how quickly Jesus defended and celebrated what

the woman did.

DISCUSSION:

1. Some of the people present felt that what the woman did was

foolish and wasteful, but Jesus described what she did as “beautiful”

(vs. 6). Why do you think what she did was “beautiful” to Jesus?

(Consider Hebrews 11:6).

2. What do you think was the woman’s motivation for doing what she

did?

3. What did Jesus promise in vs. 9, and why?

4. Are there things that we can do today that Jesus would describe

as beautiful, and others might describe as foolish and/or wasteful?

Exodus 35 and 36 records how the people of Israel ROSE to the occasion

when Moses gave them the opportunity to fund the construction

of the Tabernacle. Read Ex 36:3-7. Why do you think the people gave

in the way that they did? How do you think the Lord felt about what

the people were doing?

Read Luke 21:1-4 

Here Jesus celebrates a very generous gift. Do you

think the widow did something foolish?

Read Acts 5:1-11

Clearly the Lord was not pleased with what Ananias

and Saphira did. He did not think what they did was “beautiful,” why?

Compare Acts 5:1-11 with Mark 14:1-9, Exodus 36:3-7, and Luke 21:4.

Read Eph. 5:2 What did Jesus do? Was it beautiful?

The RISE Initiative is, in part, about a “Greater Gospel Response.”

How does this relate to the idea of giving a “beautiful” gift?

What could be my Alabaster Jar? What would it mean for me to give

it to express my love for God?

Consider Phil 1:27. What does it mean or look like to live “in a manner

worthy of the Gospel of Christ?”

What are “little” or “every day” ways we can “sacrifice” for the sake of

the Gospel?

What is one of the scariest things you have ever intentionally

done? What was the outcome? What is something that you did

not want to do at all, but you did it and now you are so glad?

Why?

MAIN PASSAGE: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

THEME: 

Paul makes a passionate appeal to the believers in the Corinthian

church in this passage to RISE UP and not take for granted

the opportunity they have. It is very clear that Paul is communicating

with a sense of urgency, in light of what lies in the balance for

many and because he knows that opportunity will not always be

an opportunity. Paul’s testimony, as recorded in Acts, and based

on what he says in his letters to individuals and churches, communicates

that he is 110% surrendered to God’s mission. He truly

believed the Gospel and in eternity, heaven, and hell.

DISCUSSION:

1. What is the “grace of God” Paul is referring to in vs. 1?

2. What is Paul referring to when he says, “the favorable time” and

“the day of salvation” in vs. 2?

3. In vs. 3, Paul talks about “obstacles.” What might be some “obstacles”

we experience today?

4. Consider what Paul says in vs. 4-10. Discuss some of the specific

things he mentions. Is he “surrendered?”

5. Who is Paul referring to and what does he mean when he says

that he is “working together with Him?”

6. Why is Paul making this passionate appeal to the believers in

Corinth?

Read Matthew 28:18-20 

How should we respond to Jesus’ words in

this passage?

Read Hebrews 10:19-25

The author of this passage refers to several

Gospel benefits to motivate a Greater Gospel Response. What are

some Gospel “benefits?” What are some specific ways the author

urges believers to respond in light of those benefits?

A more literal translation from the original Greek of Heb. 10:25a is:

“do not forsake oneself from the assembly/gathering.”

How might you interpret and apply that to your life in light of Micah

3:12-13, Ezekiel 37:1-10, 1 Corinthians 12:18 -19, and Ephesians

2:22,4:1,15-16?

Why is it even MORE important to “not forsake oneself from the

assembly/gathering” and to “encourage one another, and all the

more as you see the Day drawing near” (Heb 10:25b)?

The RISE Initiative is, in part, about “Greater Gospel Opportunities.”

Why are Greater Gospel Opportunties a reason for me to “surrender”

to God’s plan for my life?

What Gospel Opportunities are before our church and your life as an

individual?

Discuss the principle of being able to do and accomplish more together.

Discuss the challenges associated with some members of a team or

family not contributing or doing their part.

Are you “surrendered” and doing what God wants you to do, and

where He wants you to do it? If yes, how? If no, discuss why?

Who has been an example of faithfulness in your life? What

does it mean to be “faithful?” Who or what are you faithful to?

MAIN PASSAGE: 2 Timothy 3:10-17 & 4:6-8

THEME: 

When Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy, it was

toward the end of his life, when he was imprisoned and facing

a likely execution. Paul considered Timothy his “son in the

faith” and loved him very much. Paul suffered many things because

of the Gospel and yet he passionately charged Timothy to

follow in his footsteps. It’s clear that Paul, even after acknowledging

all the suffering and persecution he endured and that

he would likely lose his life, had absolutely no regrets. Paul was

faithful and he charged Timothy to be faithful.

DISCUSSION:

1. What does Paul say Timothy has “followed” in 3:10-11? After

telling Timothy that things will “go on from bad to worse” in

vs. 13, what does he tell him to do in vs. 14?

2. Paul acknowledges in vs. 15 that Timothy has known the

Scriptures since his childhood. Discuss why it’s important to

“aquaint” our children and youth with the Word of God.

3. What does Paul boldly declare will help Timothy and anyone

be faithful in vs. 16? Do you believe what Paul declares in vs.

16? Why?

4. Consider what Paul said about himself in 4:6-8. What does it

mean to “fight the good fight?” “finish the race?” and “keep the

faith?”

Discuss other examples of faithfulness in Scripture. (Consider

Hebrews 11 and Hebrews 12:3-4)

READ Luke 16:1-13 Consider and discuss what Jesus says here

in regards to faithfulness and stewardship. Consider and discuss

what Paul says about himself and stewardship in 1 Corinthians

4:1-2. How can we be faithful?

READ 2 Tim 3:16-17 and Gal. 5:22 Consider and discuss. (Faithfulness

affects every relationship we have. The Bible says it is

a gift from God. When we receive Christ as Lord, the Holy Spirit

indwells us and brings the blessings of love, joy, peace and

faithfulness)

How might “faithfulness” be an important factor for you and our

church regarding the RISE Initiative?

Are you faithful? If not, can you be? How? (Consider 2 Tim.

3:16-17 and Gal. 5:22)

What would be a motivation for you and our church to be faithful

in “the little things?” (Consider Luke 16:10). What might

be an example of “little things” and “big things”? What is the

reward for faithfulness? (Luke 16:11-12)

What is a specific area of your Christian life that you want to

grow in faithfulness in? What can you do right now to grow in

that area?

Who is one of the most generous people you know and why?

(Remember, it’s not about how much you give, but how you give.)

MAIN PASSAGE: Haggai 1 & 2

THEME: God used the prophet Haggai to express His displeasure

with His people’s apathy, self-centeredness and disobedience.

They were all about themselves. God told his people to “consider

their ways.” He told them to stop neglecting their responsibilities

as His people and specifically to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem

that had been in ruins. Incredibly, the people of God immediately

repented of their apathy and sin and obeyed the Lord. What they

did and how they did it pleased and glorified the Lord. Though

they were just a remnant after the exhile, together they rebuilt

“the house of the Lord of hosts, their God.” And God responded

to their obedience by blessing them in a way that only He could.

DISCUSSION:

1. In 1:2, why might the people have believed that it was not

“time to rebuild the house of the Lord?”

2. In 1:4 the Lord poses a rhetorical question. What is He communicating

to His people?

3. In 1:5-6 the Lord points out to the people that despite their

hard work, they never have enough and in 1:9-11 He tells them

why. What was going on?

4. What does the Lord tell them to do in 1:8?

5. How did the people respond, 1:12-13?

6. In 1:13, the Lord makes a promise to His people. What is that

promise? How might this and the promise Jesus makes to believers

in light of what He tells us to do in Matt. 28:18-20 (the Great Commission)

relate?

7. How did the people’s response in 1:14-15 please the Lord? What

stands out in 2:1-5?

8. God promises blessings to His people because of their obedience.

Discuss 2:6-9.

2:10-19 is the “lesson.” God breaks down for the people what’s been

going on and what will happen, because of their obedience. Discuss.

Read Malachi 3:6-12 What is meant by bringing the “full tithe into

the storehouse”, in vs. 6? “What is the storehouse?” What should be

our primary motivation for obeying what God says in vs. 6?

(Hint: it’s not so that the Lord will bless us. It’s “that there may be.....”)

What does the Lord promise to those who obey Him in vs. 10 -11?

Read 2 Cor 9:6-11 Discuss. What point is Paul trying to get across in

vs. 6? What does Paul want the believers to do? How does verse 7 say

believers should give? Discuss. What does Paul promise believers in

2 Cor 9:8 and 11?

Part of the RISE Initiative strategy is building a building. Why might

building a church building be important in our context? How might

a church building be a resource to help us do and be a part of MORE

opportunities to obey the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20)? What

will it take for us to be able to build a building that honors God and

meets our current ministry needs?

What has been your experience with tithing? Giving?

Why is it often awkward or feel taboo to discuss giving/tithing?

Do you think our LifeHouse “storehouse” would be full if everyone

brought the full tithe?

Consider and discuss how the faithful tithes and gifts of others

were used to bring about your salvation and the salvation of

your friends and family?

Consider how you will commit and respond next Sunday.