The Mission Stuff

Table purpose statement (Share at the start or before the Discovery section):

This group exists for the purpose of discipleship. A disciple is someone who loves and obeys Jesus. (John 14:15) That means our focus is hearing from God and taking steps of faith. Our goal is to multiply another healthy Table. One day, some of you will lead a group like this! 

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Table Talk (⅓ of meeting)

• Pretend you’re going back to school (if you’re not already). What are you excited about? What are you dreading?
• Briefly share a highlight from your week.
• Where is God at work in your life?
• What would it look like if God’s Kingdom came to our region? Take time to pray for our community as you are led.

Discussion Guidelines

1. Everyone shares in sentences, not paragraphs. 
2. Focus only on what this passage is saying. (This keeps everyone on the same page) 
3. Share from your perspective – we won’t argue or give advice. 
4. Give everyone time to respond. Silence is OK. 
5. The facilitator will facilitate discussion, not teach. 

Discover what God is saying to you. (⅓ of meeting) 

Big Idea: You can’t love God and ignore the people He loves.

Read Mark 12: 28-34. Tip: Read from two translations. (Ex: NLT, ESV, MSG, etc)

• What do you notice from this encounter with Jesus?
• Why is love for God connected to love of neighbor?
• The idea of love being our highest purpose is more popular than ever. Why do you think we tend to like that idea more than putting it into practice?
• Loving God with all we are: heart (our will), soul (our essence), mind (our thoughts), and strength (our actions). In which area do you feel strongest/ weakest?
• Our message outlined three traps that sidetrack us from a “no strings attached” love of others: concern over our provision, power, or performance. Which do you struggle with?

Go do it. (⅓ of meeting)

• Take a moment to consider: “If I truly believe that God loves the people around me, what difference should that make in the way I treat them?”
• What is one concrete act of love you will offer this week? We’ll check in on that next time!
• Close in worship through song. Recommended: The Simple Kingdom by Cody Carnes.