DISCOVERY QUESTIONS

Series: Thrive
Sermon: Thriving Families

Main Idea: Families thrive when God is at the center.

Leader GuidePDF Version (Participant)PDF Version (Leader)

GROUP DISCUSSION

Lean In

Purpose: Introduce topic and get the group talking.

1. Tell one funny story about life with your family – either current or growing up.


Look Down

Purpose: Observe the passage and interact with the text

2. Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9 together. What is God asking the Israelites to do in this passage? What is the importance behind this instruction?

3. What strikes you about this guidance?


Look Out

Purpose: Connect observations in God’s Word with observations in our world today.

4. How does our world’s pace conflict with this vision of walking through life with God as a family or individual?


Look In

Purpose: Internalize God’s Word and apply the truth to your personal life.

5. How did your family of origin relate to God when you were growing up?

6. In what ways have you tried to connect with God in your family life? In what areas have you seen progress and/or where has it been a struggle?


Live It Out

Purpose: Spend time listening for God’s for direction and guidance as you seek to live out the truths of this passage in your everyday life.

7. Spend a moment reflecting on your family. What is one rhythm or routine that God might be inviting you to put into practice this week? How might He be inviting you to rearrange your priorities (in big or small ways)?

8. Close in prayer.

LEADER GUIDE

Lean In

Purpose: Introduce topic and get the group talking.

1. Tell one funny story about life with your family – either current or growing up.

This question is designed to be a light starter. Choose to use it if the group could use some casual conversation before diving into question #2.


Look Down

Purpose: Observe the passage and interact with the text

Intro to the Passage: Deuteronomy means “the second law.” In this book Moses is giving a series of speeches intended for every member of the Israelites – not just the religious. They are hearing this right on the cusp of entering the land the Lord had promised to them. The purpose was to remind the Isrealites of God’s law, his promises and everything he had done for them. Deuteronomy 6 comes right after they were reminded of the 10 Commandments. Moses then hones in on the greatest commandment – “love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength” in verses 4-9, followed by the tools they’ll need to hold fast to this commandment.

2. Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9 together. What is God asking the Israelites to do in this passage? What is the importance behind this instruction?

3. What strikes you about this guidance?

It’s vivid, simple, holistic, encompassing all of life and not just once a week or one area. “Love the Lord your God…” is then fleshed out in the rhythms of daily family life.


Look Out

Purpose: Connect observations in God’s Word with observations in our world today.

4. How does our world’s pace conflict with this vision of walking through life with God as a family or individual?

(E xamples: Distractions, busyness, responsibilities, job, fast-paced lifestyle)


Look In

Purpose: Internalize God’s Word and apply the truth to your personal life.

5. How did your family of origin relate to God when you were growing up?

Was there time for rhythms with God? Was God talked about at all?

6. In what ways have you tried to connect with God in your family life? In what areas have you seen progress and/or where has it been a struggle?

How do we ensure that God is not just an addition to, but the center of our lives?


Live It Out

Purpose: Spend time listening for God’s direction and guidance as you seek to live out the truths of this passage in your everyday life.

7. Spend a moment reflecting on your family. What is one rhythm or routine that God might be inviting you to put into practice this week? How might He be inviting you to rearrange your priorities (in big or small ways)?

If you have time, you can start with listening to a worship song to set a space for listening to the Holy Spirit.

Reminder: this isn’t about adding more, it’s about prioritizing and finding what can be rearranged. Example of rocks and sand in a jar. If you put the sand in first, the rocks won’t fit. But if you put the rocks in first, the sand will flow around the rocks.

8. Close in prayer.
In-person groups: This is a time to pray for one another.
Virtual groups: Use the chat feature to take prayer requests. Share your screen to play a worship song. As the song is playing, ask the group to share prayer requests in the chat (ideally personal requests, not requests for other people). Then, as the requests come in, ask the group to silently pray for them as the song plays. The facilitator can close the group in prayer once the song ends.