Lenten Message Series – “A New Attitude” It has been said that the greatest Christian virtue is humility. As important as humility is, it is often misunderstood. Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. Humility is not practiced because we are unaware of the benefits – specifically that he who humbles himself will be exalted. In this series, we will clear up some of the misconceptions about humility and discuss why it is so beneficial. Fr. Carl will preach the message series at 10:00 a.m. Mass each week of Lent, our livestreamed Mass. Small groups will be using Fr. Carl’s homily for viewing and discussion. The message and questions will be available each week on Monday. Week 5 – Fr. Carl’s Message begins at 16:10 Week Five: God Honors the Humble Where have you seen or do you see people jockeying for positions of honor? What would it look in your daily life for you take the lower seat or lower place as Jesus describes? Is there a difference between marketing ourselves and our abilities verses seeking places of honor? If so, what is the difference? Read Proverbs 18:12. Where have you seen that principle work in your life or the life of someone else? As we wrap up this series, what key insights have you learned about humility? How will you apply it to your life? Week 4 – Fr. Carl’s Message begins at 21:00 Week Four: The Kingdom of God Before listening to this message, what were your initial thoughts/visualizations of the “Kingdom of God”? Did they change at all? How is the “Kingdom of God” seen on the inside of a person? Read aloud Mark 1:15. Repentance is described as a “change in loyalty/authority.” Why do we need to repent? What is the good news that God asks us to share with others? On a scale of 1-5, how surrendered are you to God’s will in your life? (1 = both hands on the wheel; 5 = both hands off the wheel) What is one sin you need to confess to God and repent of, so the Kingdom of God can be more present in you? (If you feel comfortable, share with your group.) What is a tangible step you can take toward repentance? How can your group help you with this? Week 3 – Fr. Carl’s Message and Small Group Questions Fr. Carl’s message begins at 20:10 Week Three: Comparison Trap With whom are you tempted to compare yourself? Why is the ability to praise others an important step for growing in humility? Do you find it easy or difficult to praise other people’s accomplishments and successes? Read aloud John 3:30. What does that verse mean to you? Is there any person you secretly enjoy seeing fail? What can you do to extend grace to that person Week 2 – Fr. Carl’s Message and Small Group Questions Fr. Carl’s message begins at 18:50 Do you think that people are naturally humble or do we have to work at humility? How do you “work” on humility Read through The Litany of Humility together. Which aspects of this prayer do you struggle with the most? How possible do you think it is to achieve this level of humility? What would it look like to go to God in humility during your prayer time? Is there a particular space, posture or attitude that would facilitate humility for you? Extra question: Read 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Isaiah 57:15. What is the condition under which God graces us with his presence and forgiveness? Describe a time when you were able to meet this condition. Do you think that if you met this condition more often, you would feel God’s presence in your life more? Is that something you desire? Week 1 – Fr. Carl’s Message and Small Group Questions Fr. Carl’s message begins at 19:10 Week #1 – Humility Intro 1. When is a time when you saw the power of humility in your own life or in someone else’s? 3. In what areas of your life do you find it hard to be humble? 4. How can you share this message of humility with others in your life? 5. What can you do during this season of Lent to humble yourself and put God’s agenda before your agenda? 6. 1 Peter 5:6 says, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.” What does this verse mean to you? PAST VIDEOS & QUESTIONS FOR SMALL GROUP Forgiveness is a basic tenant of our creed. Each week we profess to believe in the “forgiveness of sins.” Yet, while “forgiveness” itself is very simple concept, it can also feel complicated. By forgiving others are we justifying others’ wrong behavior? Does forgiveness automatically mean trusting another person? How do we even forgive people who have hurt us? At its core, forgiveness can be a difficult process, especially when hurt feelings and anger cloud our thinking. However, in order to begin healing from pain caused by others, we must choose to forgive. While forgiving someone won’t change the past, it can change our future. This 3-part series explains the importance of forgiving others and how it helps us even more than the person who hurt us. We will not be in series in Church until Lent. This 3 week series on forgiveness is offered for our small groups. There is no message series for the week of March 2nd, which is Ash Wednesday (March 5th) and the beginning of Lent. March 9th will begin our Lenten Series. Week 1 – Baggage – Small Group Video and Questions Week One: Introduction Where are you in the process of forgiveness? Do you tend to deny the need or good of forgiveness, acknowledge its goodness but haven’t done it, or is forgiveness a habit for you? How would you define forgiveness? Why would you say forgiveness is a core tenant of the Christian faith? Who do you need to forgive? What keeps people from receiving God’s forgiveness? What keeps people from forgiving others? Week 2 – Baggage – Small Group Video and Questions Week Two: Receiving Forgiveness How would you tell someone how to receive God’s forgiveness? On a scale of 1 to 5, how much do you believe that God has forgiven you? Why do you think we tend to make excuses rather than simply ask forgiveness? Why is it important to believe that God has forgiven us a much larger debt than we have to forgive others? What verses of Scriptures, songs, movies, etc. reinforce your believe that Jesus died to forgive your sins? God sees the ugliness of our sins and accepts us anyway. What does this say about God’s love for us? Week 3 – Baggage- Small Group Video and Questions Week Three: Extending Forgiveness Who is one person you need to forgive? Go around the group and have everyone pray for that person and release the debt? What are some reasons a person may refuse to forgive others? How should you treat a person who has wronged you? What happens if you refuse to forgive? When is a time that you resisted forgiving someone or a time when you freely forgave? What were you thinking and feeling at that time? Why are the actions of the servant in the parable so absurd? Read aloud Matthew 18:34-35. What does it mean to you to forgive someone from your heart? The end of the holidays, the cold days, and long winter nights all seem to conspire against our happiness in the New Year. Along with these external challenges, there are also internal struggles that threaten our ability to live with gratitude and enthusiasm. In this series, we will reflect on some of those external and internal obstacles to joy and explore how to overcome them. Effectively doing so is not just a better way to live—it can lead to greater success and influence in whatever we do and in all of our relationships, because “the joy of the Lord is our strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10 This new series begins on January 12th. Fr. Carl will deliver the message series at the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass. You can watch his message here. A promise fills us with anticipation. It offers hope for the future and gives us something to look forward to. For a promise to inspire hope, we need clarity on what is being offered and trust in its fulfillment. The Christmas season is rich with promises. But what is the true promise of Christmas? What should we anticipate during this season and beyond? Without a clear understanding of what Christmas genuinely promises, we risk missing out on its true meaning and the expectations we can have of God throughout the year. In this four-week, series we will look at the Promise of Christmas and hope it offers to all. Fr. Carl will deliver the message series at the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass. You can watch his message here. Series Summary The perception of prayer often leans towards acknowledging its goodness, yet notnecessarily deeming it as effective. It’s common to engage in prayer while maintaining ahope that it might make a difference, but sometimes regarding it as a secondary optionto our own efforts and endeavors. Phrases like, “All we can do is pray,” often imply asense of resignation rather than a belief in prayer’s potency. What if, however, we’ve underestimated the impact and potential of prayer? What if our reluctance to fully engage in prayer stems from a fear that it might actually yield powerful results? Hebrews 10:31 cautions, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” This suggests that encountering God through prayer is a profound and awe-inspiring experience. Prayer connects us with the same omnipotent power responsible for creating the universe—the power of the sun and the unfathomable depths of the ocean pale in comparison to the might and profundity of our God. Through prayer, we come into communion with this divine force and gain access to tap into His boundless power. This 5 week series will challenge some of the restrictive attitudes towards prayer prevalent within our culture. We want to embrace bold, audacious prayers that lead us to transformation! Fr. Carl will deliver the message series at the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass. You can watch his message here. Fr. Carl did not deliver a message for Week 6. There are two pages to the Conversation Guide for Week 4, due to the Creation Story. WEEK 6 – SMALL GROUP VIDEO AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS How can you pray for the next generation prophetically? This could be your kids, grandkids, godkids, or even over the entire generation coming after you. What do you hope they will believe about God, themselves, and theirpurpose? Think of a situation in your family, neighborhood, or with a friend that needs God’s help. What does God’s Word have to say about it? If someone has a smartphone or computer, have them look up what the Bible saysabout it. (ex. Search for “What does the Bible say about trusting God, making plans, healing?” etc.) Read Psalm 78: 3-7 Can you remember a story passed down through your family about God’s healing, protection, provision, or faithfulness? When we testify to others about what God has done, we are giving him glory and building faith in others, what stories of God’s faithfulness to you or your family can you share with your kids, family, or friends? Go around the group and share what God has done. Deeper Dive – Read the book of Tobit, note all the ways God helps this family. WEEK 5 – SMALL GROUP VIDEO AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Who has been an encourager to you in the past? What did they do to encourage you? On a scale of 1-5, how good are you at encouraging other people? Why do you answer as you do? Who is someone, especially someone younger or less experienced than you that you can encourage? What words of blessing can you speak over their life? Is there someone around you that seems down that needs to be encouraged? Of the ways mentioned, what do you find is the form of encouragement that comes most naturally to you? Ways to encourage othersExpress belief in them and their abilities specificallyLift them when they are down on their abilities or themselvesPromising to have their back and give them supportGiving the gift of our presenceHelping them visualize future success WEEK 4 – SMALL GROUP VIDEO AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (Fr. Carl did not present the message series this week) When have you been influenced by someone simply because they took time to understand you? What do you think gets in the way of seeking to understand others? Who is someone you want to understand better? Do you tend to listen to someone’s emotions or deeper motivations first or the logic of their arguments? What is one step you can take this week to seek to understand someone’s heart? WEEK 3 – SMALL GROUP VIDEO AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Talk about a time you had a bad coaching experience (either coaching or being coached). What made you feel that way about it? Who is someone that asks great questions? What do you think their secret is? Share about a time when you were coaching and withheld the answer or information someone needed so they could solve the problem themselves (or conversely, when you were being coached and someone withheld theanswer from you). How did it turn out? Did you learn more or less than if the answer was shared? With whom do you have enough influence to call yourself a coach?Read Proverbs 13:20 again. Finish by praying to surround yourself with wise people. WEEK 2 – SMALL GROUP VIDEO AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Who was the last person who empowered you? What did they teach or show you? How are you empowered by God and what are you empowered to do? Read Mark 16: 14-20. 15 He [Jesus] said to them, “Go into the whole world andproclaim the gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized willbe saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 These signs willaccompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they willspeak new languages. 18 They will pick up serpents [with their hands] and ifthey drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on thesick and they will recover. 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, wastaken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. 20 But theywent forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them andconfirmed the word through accompanying signs. What is Jesus telling believers to do? What does He promise will happen when we proclaim the gospel? (Jesus promises power and protection in verse 18). Are we alone in doing this work? (Look at verse 20) What would the world look like if Christians realized they are empowered by God to bring Jesus to the people around them? Week 1 – SMALL GROUP VIDEO AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Who has been the most prominent influence in your faith? In your vocation or career? What did they do to influence you? Do you think of yourself as an influencer? Why or why not? Read aloud Matthew 5:13. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth. But if saltloses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anythingbut to be thrown out and trampled under foot.” What attribute of “salt”resonates with you?thirstyflavorpreservative Read aloud Matthew 5:14-16. You are the light of the world. A city set on amountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under abushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it give light to all in the house. Justso, your light must shine before others that they may see your good deeds andglorify your heavenly Father. Who do you think looks to you to be a light in their world? Who is one person God is putting on your heart to positively influence? . We grow not only by the commitments we make but those that we fulfill. Committing to a marriage, a job, or a friendship allows us to grow personally. Committing to learning a foreign language, taking a dance class, or mastering martial arts, and then fulfilling this commitment help us to grow as well. Likewise, we come to mature as Christians, in Christ-likeness by the faith commitments we make and keep. In this series, we will look at the power of this commitment and the steps we invite people to commit to in our church community. Commit to a life-long journey of growth. You can’t be committed to everything, be committed to the right things. Fr. Carl’s Message for Week 1 – Staying Power SMALL GROUPS Week One – Staying Power 1. What is your biggest challenge or obstacle with prayer?2. What has been most effective in helping you make prayer a priority in your life?3. “We do not want to be beginners. But let us be convinced of the fact that we will never be anythingelse but beginners all our lives.” What are your thoughts about this quote?4. If you could give one or two pieces of advice about prayer, what would you say?5. When have you seen prayer make an impact in your life? Where have you seen prayer make animpact on your world?6. What is your prayer plan? How do you pray? Scripture/Quotes:“We do not want to be beginners. But let us be convinced of the fact that we will never be anythingelse but beginners all our life.” Thomas Merton “Nothing can cure our sick world except saints, and saints are only made by prayer” Peter Kreeft Fr. Carl’s Message Week Two – Staying Power SMALL GROUPS WEEK TWO – Staying Power What is the biggest obstacle that keeps you from sharing your faith with others?2. Do you agree that sharing your faith, will grow your faith? Why or why not?3. A few different ideas were given for how to reach outsiders. Which steps are you most likely to take?4. Who are the people that God has placed into your life, so that they may be brought into arelationship with God?5. Why is the Gospel good news and worth sharing?6. Have you ever had the experience of leading someone to faith or seeing someone far from Godcome to know God? What happened in that experience? Scripture/Quotes:For missionary activity renews the Church, revitalizes faith and Christian identity, and offers fresh enthusiasm and new incentive. Faith is strengthened when it is given to others! It is in commitment to the Church’s universal mission that the new evangelization of Christian people will find inspiration and support. Pope St. John Paul II Fr. Carl’s Message – Week 3 Staying Power SMALL GROUPS Week Four – Staying PowerWhat do you think of when you hear the word “engage”? What does it mean to you?What can our group do to deepen our engagement and commitment to one another?Of the obstacles mentioned, which are the biggest for you? Which ones are the biggest for thegroup? What helps you keep your commitment to this group?Read aloud Hebrews 10:24-25. Where are you feeling discouraged in your life? Where do you needencouragement from this group?What are your thoughts on the analogy of a small group being like a retirement plan?Scripture/QuotesLet us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; andlet us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.Hebrews 10:23-24Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good words, not neglecting to meet together,as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawingnearer.Hebrews 10:24-25Two is better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil; If they fall one will lift up hisfellow, but woe to him who is alone when he falls, he has not another to lift him up.Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Fr. Carl’s Message – Week 4 Staying Power Small Group Week Four – Staying Power Read aloud Philippians 2:5-7. Have you ever considered serving as beneath you? How do theseverses challenge us to think of serving?Have you ever had the experience of the Holy Spirit using you to serve someone else? What wasthat experience like?What is the biggest obstacle that keeps you from serving?Do you agree that serving in the Church is vital to spiritual growth? Why or why not?What is your next step in serving in ministry or missions?What tests have you experienced with serving? Have you been able to over come them? If so, how? Scripture/Quotes:“By coming as a servant, Jesus was not disguising who God is, but revealing who God is.”-John OrtbergHave this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form ofGod, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking theform of a servant […] Philippians 2:5-7But grace was given to each of us, according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Ephesians 4:7And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastorsand teachers. Ephesians 4:11To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:12Until we all attain to the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:13 PAST MESSAGE SERIES Over the last several years, many of our relationships have changed. We learned brand new ways of connecting with people on Zoom calls and other digital communication platforms. In-person gatherings look different or may have disappeared altogether. All of these changes can create a strain on our relationships. God’s word gives us unchanging wisdom on how to approach and interact with people successfully, no matter where we meet them. Through this series we will look at some biblical principles we can apply to succeed in all of our relationships. The message will be given by Fr. Carl at the 10:00 a.m. Mass each week. This page will have the small group video and the questions AND if available, Fr. Carl’s message. Fr. Carl’s message will also be posted on our Messages and Homilies page each Monday. You can also watch the repeat of the 10:00 a.m. Mass on our YouTube channel, Ascension Boca Fl. Fr. Carl – Week 5 Message Week 5 Small Group Video and Discussion Questions DISCUSSION QUESTIONS – WEEK FIVEGayle Kelly – Invest and Invite Read aloud: “Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as manyas you find.’ And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom theyfound, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.” Matthew22:9-10 ESV What makes attending a wedding special to you? Who do the servants represent in the parable in Matthew 22:9-10? Share a time when you experienced God inviting you into a relationship with Him. Wasthere a specific person who invited you into a relationship with God? Have you accepted, rejected or neglected God’s invitation to you? Who is God calling you to invite?SCRIPTURE“Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children ofman.” Psalm 66:5 Fr. Carl – Week 4 Message at Mass DISCUSSION QUESTIONS – WEEK FOURKelly Lippenholz – Anxiety Tell about a time in the past or recently when a relationship caused you anxiety orstress. What do you do in the face of a stressful relationship – withdraw, lean in or break up? The scripture from 2 Timothy is a tough one to hear. Read it again. How do you reactto people with these behaviors? How can you change your mindset on how to react tothem? Surrendering your anxiety to God means that we would have total trust and faith in himfor a stressful relationship. What might it take for you to surrender your anxiety to God? SCRIPTUREPeople will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive,disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous,without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited,lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—10You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith,patience, love, endurance, 11persecutions, sufferings…2 Timothy 3:2-5 Fr. Carl’s Message for Week 3 REALIGN WEEK 3 – SMALL GROUP VIDEO AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Week 3 Discussion Questions Did your mom or dad have a favorite saying they always shared to guide you? Paul said: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as ChristJesus”. Jesus came to serve. He serves like a servant serves their master. What wouldthat look like in your home or at your place of work? What do you wish you could do for all people? How can you do it for one? In what ways do you feel you need to be served right now? How could you translatethat to serve others? What do you find challenging about our call to value others before ourselves? SCRIPTUREPhilippians 2, Paul says Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not lookingto your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.Paul continues,In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:Who, being in very nature[a] God,did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;7rather, he made himself nothingby taking the very nature[b] of a servant,being made in human likeness.8And being found in appearance as a man,he humbled himselfby becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Week 2 – Small Group Video and Questions DISCUSSION QUESTIONS – WEEK TWOGenerosity Recall a time when your parents were unfair to you. Now recall a time when you feltthat God was unfair to you or to someone you know. Our definition of fairness often relates to what we have compared to someone else orour circumstances compared to someone else’s. In the parable of the workers in thevineyard, it is not fair that the workers who only spend one hour in the vineyard werepaid the same wage as those who worked all day. Tell about a time when you weregiven extravagant generosity. Where are you feeling the most unfairness in your life? How can you counteract your experience of unfairness with generosity?SCRIPTURE9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received adenarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more.But each one of them also received a denarius.11 When they received it, they began togrumble against the landowner.12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of thework and the heat of the day.’ Matthew 20: 9-1213 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agreeto work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hiredlast the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my ownmoney? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ Matthew 20: 13-1516 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matthew 20: 16 REALIGN – WEEK 1 MESSAGE FROM FR. CARL, SMALL GROUP VIDEO AND QUESTIONS FR. CARL’S MESSAGE SMALL GROUP VIDEO AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS – WEEK ONE On a scale of 1-5, how stressed are you feeling today? Why do you feel that way? What in this season tends to make you angry? What does it mean to you to be angry but not sin? How can we keep Christ’s forgiveness front and center in our relationship with others? Who do you need to forgive?SCRIPTURETherefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we aremembers of one another. Ephesians 5:25Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger; and do not leave room forthe devil. Ephesians 5:26-27No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needededification, that it may impart grace to those who hear. Ephesians 5:29All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along withmalice. Ephesians 5:3 Past Message Series Confessions of a Control Freak Week 1 What are your initial thoughts about the “Confessions of a Control Freak” series? Are you already aware of your tendency to be controlling in certain areas or is it astretch for you to believe that you might be a control freak? There is definitely an upside to controlling some things in life. What are the prosand cons of being a control freak? Putting yourself in the shoes of Peter, what do you think it would be like for Peterto enter the house of a Gentile when all his life he had been taught not to? Doyou think this series might stretch you to do something you’ve never donebefore? What would you like to get out of this series? Write it down. There is typically acost or need to give up something in order to gain something else. How can your group be praying for you to grow in this area? Confessions of a Control Freak Week 2 What are some classic characteristics of a “control freak” as it relates to tasks? Have you been a control freak in any task or project recently? How does it feel to be working alongside a control freak? Describe the balance of accomplishing a task and not controlling it. What does Jesus mean in Mark 10:43a “But it shall not be so among you.” How does surrender to God happen when trying to see a project through? Share your thoughts on: “But whoever would be great among you must be yourservant…” Mark 10:43b Describe a time when you surrendered a task to God. Confessions of a Control Freak Week 3 Do you consider yourself to be a control freak when it comes to what others think ofyou? On a scale from 1-10, how tightly are you holding on to your image? We all want to be liked, to be well thought-of, to be popular with people that we love(and maybe some that we don’t). Name a few ways that you attempt to control yourimage or control what others think of you. In what area of your life are you most tempted to try to control what others think? Is ita social circle? Work? Around other parents or grandparents? Why? In the message, Kelly mentioned that controlling our image comes down to twothings – fear and pride. What are you afraid of when it come to your popularity? Whatis the biggest source of pride in your life? Read Mark 13:13. Tell about a time you felt hated because of your faith in JesusChrist. What do you think about the idea that a true Christian cannot be popular? Read James 4:4. How does our friendship with the world put us in danger with ourfaith? Confessions of a Control Freak Week 4 Would you describe yourself as a person who controls others or do you tend to becontrolled? How did the religious leaders try to control people in the Old Testament? Take a look at the 10 Commandments in Deuteronomy 5:6-21, which commandmentsrefer to our relationship with God, and which to one another? What is the greatest commandment? Deuteronomy 6:1-9 How can ‘You love your neighbor as yourself’? Do you believe God has a unique plan for you, that is different than anyone else?Why or why not? What does it mean to surrender a relationship to God? How do you do it and notcontrol it? Is there a relationship you need to surrender to God? If you’re comfortable, sharewho and take time to pray as a group. Confessions of a Control Freak Week Five On a scale of 1-5, how much are you a control freak about money? One means it isnot a problem at all and 5 means you are a total control freak. Why do you answer asyou do? Has there ever been a time where you felt powerless because you didn’t haveenough money? When was that? How does that impact your attitude towards moneynow? When do you find it easy to give? When do you find it to be a challenge? How does giving money to God show our faith and trust in him? When have you given money away and been glad you did? How do you review your giving? Why does Jesus praise the widow for her giving? What does that teach us about howhe wants us to give? Confessions of a Control Freak Week Six What environments, programs or habits have helped you grow closer to Jesus? What areas of your life do you find it easy to trust Jesus with? What areas do youstruggle with? When would you say your faith in Jesus became personal and your own? Who of your family, friends, and co-workers needs a relationship with Jesus? How areyou investing in them right now? What are your thoughts on Wow 1? What can you do when you come to Mass in yourministry to make Wow 1 a reality? Of the goals mentioned in the video, which ones most excite you or interest you? In what areas of your life do you feel like you have enough or are doing enough? Whydo you believe those areas are in good shape? Is there an area or areas of your life where you don’t feel like you have enough, or youare doing enough? If so, what are they? If not tell, the rest of us your secret. Where do you feel the most pressure from others to have or do enough? Where do youfeel the most internal pressure to have or do enough? Read aloud. 1 Kings 19:11-12. Where do you go to hear the still, small voice of God?What do you do to position yourself to hear from God? As we begin this series, are there any hopes or expectations you have for the series?What do you hope to get out of it? Week Two If enough isn’t our goal in life, why do we so often make it our goal or focus? What does following Jesus look like to you? If someone asked you how do you followJesus, what would you say? Would you describe your relationship with Jesus as a personal one? If so, what makes itpersonal? Psalm 23 speaks of “paths of righteousness.” How does this help free us fromperfectionism or thinking that we have to follow perfectly? Read aloud Psalm 23:5. What images come to your mind as you read that verse? What is the promise for you personally? Week Three On a scale of 1-5, how difficult do you find it to ask God for help? 1 means you find iteasy to ask for help. 5 means it is difficult for you. Have you ever asked for help and been rejected or told, no? How does this impact ourability or desire to ask for help? Where is there not enough of something in your life? Where are you struggling to haveenough, do enough or be enough? What do need to ask God to provide for you? Dallas Willard writes, “God does not give us what we need without being asked.” Whatis your reaction to that statement? When have you asked God for something, and he gave it to you? When have you asked,and he didn’t? How have you interpreted why God provided in one case and did notprovide in the other? Week Four Do you resonate with the good deeds verse bad deeds mentality? Why or why not? Who do you identify with in Luke 18, the religious leader or tax collector? Why? Who are you tempted to compare yourself to? What affect does comparison have onus? Why is Jesus and living in him enough for God? How does believing this help us get ridof the concern of being “good enough” for God? What is God’s position? What is man’s condition? What is God’s provision? Week Five On a scale of 1-5, how difficult do you find it to ask others for help? 1 means you find iteasy to ask for help. 5 means it is really difficult for you. Is there an area of your life where you feel like Elijah that you are overwhelmed andbattling all on your own? Work? Family? Finances? Another Area? Who are the people God has already put around you that help you? If you don’t knowwho can help you, have you prayed and asked God to send people to help you? Where do you feel like you don’t have enough knowledge or resources? How can thisgroup help you? Immediately following a great victory, Elijah became depressed because he worehimself out and shut others out, which of these two are you more likely to do? As we wrap up, what has been your biggest insight or lesson you have learned fromthis series.
