Discussion Questions

Session 1 (Thursday PM)

Message 1: The Compassion of Jesus 

Scripture: Luke 7:11-17; 8:49-56; John 11:11-27, 28-37

WARM UP

1. If you haven't done so, why don't we go around and introduce ourselves with our name, school/church, and what led you to attend this year?

2. Did anything stand out from the message? Something you found interesting, disturbing, helpful, or that you disagree with? 

3. Have you ever wondered if Jesus (assuming he is real) really cares or not? Have you ever observed others wondering that?

BIBLE 

4. Read Luke 7:11-17, 8:49-56; John 11:11-37

5. Review what are the three ways Jesus expresses compassion as observed in the Scriptures from today’s message. 

UNDERSTANDING

6. How does your view of Jesus Christ compare with the Bible's view of Jesus showing compassion in different ways at different times? 

7. What is one thing you learned about Jesus' compassion from these Bible passages? 

DIFFERENCE/APPLICATION

8. Of the three ways Jesus shows us compassion, do you tend to focus on any or discount the value of any? Which ones and why?

9. Can you point to any instances in your life where Jesus was showing you his compassion?

Pray for the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to see Jesus working among us at this retreat

Session 2 (Friday AM)

Message 2: What is Love?

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

WARM UP

1. How'd you sleep? How is retreat going so far?

2. When people use the word "love" today, what do they mean? 

BIBLE & UNDERSTANDING

3. Read the passage again: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

4. The first point was how things like talent, giftedness or moral behaviors are "nothing without love." What do you make of that? Can you think of examples where people were really good at their jobs but didn't have love? 

DIFFERENCE & APPLICATION

5. The passage described how love is something that the good that someone needs from you that is hard for you. Without mentioning names!) can you describe someone who may be hard for you to love in your life? 

6. Have you ever experienced this kind of love from God? The love that we need and is hard to show? 

Ask someone to say a closing prayer and that we would all experience and share more of God's love.

Session 3 (Friday PM)

Message 3: How Can We Forgive?

Luke 7:36-50

WARM UP

1. When you were growing up, how often would you hear the words "I forgive you" in your home? 

2. Sometimes when someone says "It's OK" or "I forgive you" they may not have truly meant it. Have you experienced this in your life, on either the giving or receiving end of this? 

BIBLE

3. Read Luke 7:36-50

DIFFERENCE

4. In the message, Pastor Enoch said that the two components of Jesus’ forgiveness is (1) “I blame you” and (2) “but I don’t punish/condemn you.” How does this understanding of forgiveness match up with how people seem to understand forgiveness? 

5. How does Jesus' instruction on forgiveness challenge or change your view about you forgiving others or seeking forgiveness?

APPLICATION

6. While this passage has much application for our relationships with other people, the first application is to consider our relationships with God. Have we ever asked God to forgive us in Jesus Christ? Have we ever accepted God's gift of forgiveness by trusting in Jesus? 

7. If we have already accepted God's offer of forgiveness through faith in Christ, then do we really live in that reality today? Or, do we think God is still blaming us or punishing us? 

8. If there's still time (and the group is still able to focus in discussion!) how might this passage apply to any relationships with people in our lives? 

Invite at least one person to pray for the group, that we could also experience more fully the transforming power of God’s forgiveness through Jesus. 

Session 4 (Saturday AM)

Message 4: How God Grows Us

John 15:1-11

WARM UP

1. As we are nearing the end our time here, what might the Lord be saying to you, or inviting you to respond in a certain way? 

2. Did you have a childhood toy, blanket, stuffed animal, or other item that meant a lot to you? Share about it. And how much does that item mean to you today? 

BIBLE

2. Read John 15:1-11

3. How does the image of pruning explain how God grows his followers?

UNDERSTANDING

4. In the message, we heard about how God grows us not to necessarily make us successful or comfortable, but to make us holy and fruitful. Is that what most people think of when it comes to God being in their lives? 

5. How does learning more about God's goal for us change our perspective on following Jesus?

DIFFERENCE/APPLICATION

5. What is an area of your life in which you may have experienced God's pruning in the past? (Perhaps it was an activity, relationship, ambition, or attitude.) Please share about it. 

6. Coming into this retreat, what are some areas God may be wanting to prune now? (This could be individually, or as a church family.)

7. If there's time, what is a lesson or application God might be calling you to takeaway from this retreat? 

Please pray for one another in this regard. 

Session 5 (Saturday pM)

Message 5: Experiencing Christ

Exodus 33:1-23

WARM UP

1. How has the retreat been for you? What are some memories you may take with you?  

BIBLE & UNDERSTANDING

2. Read Exodus 33:1-23

3. Do you think most people would settle for just getting God's blessings rather than His Presence? What about the Christians in your life, if you know any? What do they/you typically pray for - more blessings or more experience of Jesus?

DIFFERENCE & APPLICATION

4. We looked at a number of Bible passages about Jesus this weekend. What characteristic of Jesus would you like to experience more? What characteristic of Jesus might God want you to experience more? 

5. What is one takeaway step you sense God is calling you to take as a result of being a part of our retreat together?

Pray for one another as we all go home.