When you think of a modern “book club” you probably don’t think of the Bible as something exciting to read as a group or otherwise. Yet when you invest more time in Scripture and God’s word it becomes a powerful way to grow spiritually and become a more fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. To receive these gifts we need to read God’s word, engage through study, meditation and ultimately application. Join us as we read scripture together!

This is a Small Group series only. We are including the Small Group video as well as the full Mass video where you can watch Fr. White’s message. The reading plan is pictured first, followed by the videos and questions.

Week One – Small Group Video and Discussion Questions

1. If you have ever been in a book club, what did you like about it?
2. What fact(s) about the Bible stand out to you?
3. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. What benefits do the scriptures provide?
4. Consider the 4 reasons to study God’s Word. Which one resonates with you and
   why?

• We get to know God through His Word
• God speaks to us through His Word
• God’s Word brings life
• God’s Word never changes.

Share a time when God spoke directly to you.

If time allows, share your progress with the reading plan for Acts.

Go!

Easter Message Series – In Small Groups only

Jesus came to serve, bring the goodness and grace of God’s kingdom from heaven to earth. Throughout his life, he served others most practically through his preaching and teaching and most spectacularly in his healings and miracle works. In his ultimate act of service, he laid down his life on the Cross and rose from the dead, once and for all breaking the power of sin and death.

Easter celebrates Jesus’ example of selfless and life-giving service, calling each of us to serve in this same way. Through the course of this series we’ll look at the new and more successful life we can live in the light of Jesus’ Resurrection, who it calls us to be and what it calls us to do.

We will post the links to Fr. Michael White’s weekend message as soon as they are available for this series. The Small Group Podcast will also be posted each week as soon as it is available.

Confessions of a Control Freak Week 1

1. What are your initial thoughts about the “Confessions of a Control Freak” series?
2. Are you already aware of your tendency to be controlling in certain areas or is it a
   stretch for you to believe that you might be a control freak?
3. There is definitely an upside to controlling some things in life. What are the pros
   and cons of being a control freak?
4. Putting yourself in the shoes of Peter, what do you think it would be like for Peter
   to enter the house of a Gentile when all his life he had been taught not to? Do
   you think this series might stretch you to do something you’ve never done
   before?
5. What would you like to get out of this series? Write it down. There is typically a
   cost 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

1. What are some classic characteristics of a “control freak” as it relates to tasks?
2. Have you been a control freak in any task or project recently?
3. How does it feel to be working alongside a control freak?
4. Describe the balance of accomplishing a task and not controlling it.
5. What does Jesus mean in Mark 10:43a “But it shall not be so among you.”
6. How does surrender to God happen when trying to see a project through?
7. Share your thoughts on: “But whoever would be great among you must be your
   servant…” Mark 10:43b
8. Describe a time when you surrendered a task to God.
   

Confessions of a Control Freak Week 3

1. Do you consider yourself to be a control freak when it comes to what others think of
   you? On a scale from 1-10, how tightly are you holding on to your image?
2. 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 your
   image or control what others think of you.
3. In what area of your life are you most tempted to try to control what others think? Is it
   a social circle? Work? Around other parents or grandparents? Why?
4. In the message, Kelly mentioned that controlling our image comes down to two
   things – fear and pride. What are you afraid of when it come to your popularity? What
   is the biggest source of pride in your life?
5. Read Mark 13:13. Tell about a time you felt hated because of your faith in Jesus
   Christ. What do you think about the idea that a true Christian cannot be popular?
6. Read James 4:4. How does our friendship with the world put us in danger with our
   faith?

Confessions of a Control Freak Week 4

1. Would you describe yourself as a person who controls others or do you tend to be
   controlled?
2. How did the religious leaders try to control people in the Old Testament?
3. Take a look at the 10 Commandments in Deuteronomy 5:6-21, which commandments
   refer to our relationship with God, and which to one another?
4. What is the greatest commandment? Deuteronomy 6:1-9
5. How can ‘You love your neighbor as yourself’?
6. Do you believe God has a unique plan for you, that is different than anyone else?
   Why or why not?
7. What does it mean to surrender a relationship to God? How do you do it and not
   control it?
8. Is there a relationship you need to surrender to God? If you’re comfortable, share
   who and take time to pray as a group.

Confessions of a Control Freak Week Five

1. On a scale of 1-5, how much are you a control freak about money? One means it is
   not a problem at all and 5 means you are a total control freak. Why do you answer as
   you do?
2. Has there ever been a time where you felt powerless because you didn’t have
   enough money? When was that? How does that impact your attitude towards money
   now?
3. When do you find it easy to give? When do you find it to be a challenge?
4. How does giving money to God show our faith and trust in him?
5. When have you given money away and been glad you did?
6. How do you review your giving?
7. Why does Jesus praise the widow for her giving? What does that teach us about how
   he wants us to give?

Confessions of a Control Freak Week Six

1. What environments, programs or habits have helped you grow closer to Jesus?
2. What areas of your life do you find it easy to trust Jesus with? What areas do you
   struggle with?
3. When would you say your faith in Jesus became personal and your own?
4. Who of your family, friends, and co-workers needs a relationship with Jesus? How are
   you investing in them right now?
5. What are your thoughts on Wow 1? What can you do when you come to Mass in your
   ministry to make Wow 1 a reality?
6. Of the goals mentioned in the video, which ones most excite you or interest you?

1. In what areas of your life do you feel like you have enough or are doing enough? Why
   do you believe those areas are in good shape?
2. Is there an area or areas of your life where you don’t feel like you have enough, or you
   are doing enough? If so, what are they? If not tell, the rest of us your secret.
3. Where do you feel the most pressure from others to have or do enough? Where do you
   feel the most internal pressure to have or do enough?
4. 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?
5. 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?

1. If enough isn’t our goal in life, why do we so often make it our goal or focus?
2. What does following Jesus look like to you? If someone asked you how do you follow
   Jesus, what would you say?
3. Would you describe your relationship with Jesus as a personal one? If so, what makes it
   personal?
4. Psalm 23 speaks of “paths of righteousness.” How does this help free us from
   perfectionism or thinking that we have to follow perfectly?
5. Read aloud Psalm 23:5. What images come to your mind as you read that verse? What is the promise for you personally?

1. On a scale of 1-5, how difficult do you find it to ask God for help? 1 means you find it
   easy to ask for help. 5 means it is difficult for you.
2. Have you ever asked for help and been rejected or told, no? How does this impact our
   ability or desire to ask for help?
3. Where is there not enough of something in your life? Where are you struggling to have
   enough, do enough or be enough? What do need to ask God to provide for you?
4. Dallas Willard writes, “God does not give us what we need without being asked.” What
   is your reaction to that statement?
5. 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 not
   provide in the other?

1. Do you resonate with the good deeds verse bad deeds mentality? Why or why not?
2. Who do you identify with in Luke 18, the religious leader or tax collector? Why?
3. Who are you tempted to compare yourself to? What affect does comparison have on
   us?
4. Why is Jesus and living in him enough for God? How does believing this help us get rid
   of the concern of being “good enough” for God?
5. What is God’s position? What is man’s condition? What is God’s provision?

1. On a scale of 1-5, how difficult do you find it to ask others for help? 1 means you find it
   easy to ask for help. 5 means it is really difficult for you.
2. Is there an area of your life where you feel like Elijah that you are overwhelmed and
   battling all on your own? Work? Family? Finances? Another Area?
3. Who are the people God has already put around you that help you? If you don’t know
   who can help you, have you prayed and asked God to send people to help you?
4. Where do you feel like you don’t have enough knowledge or resources? How can this
   group help you?
5. Immediately following a great victory, Elijah became depressed because he wore
   himself out and shut others out, which of these two are you more likely to do?
6. As we wrap up, what has been your biggest insight or lesson you have learned from
   this series.