More Of The Same

Lord willing, by 2024 Riverview will expand our Gospel footprint by fervently adding disciples, groups, leaders, pastors, venues, and churches.

Life Group Questions

[expand title=”The Same Old Gospel”]
7&8.September.2019
1 Corinthians

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Galatians 1:3-10. What can we learn about God from these passages? What observations can be made about people from these passages? What questions come to mind?
On a scale of 1 – 10 how much do you enjoy sameness versus change?
Read I Corinthians 15:1-11. What are the “non-negotiable” elements of the unchanging Gospel? As a group, try to summarize the basics truths of the Gospel in 2 or 3 sentences.
Paul mentions the 500+ living “witnesses” who were able to testify about the resurrected Jesus. How can you be a witness in a similar fashion? What have you seen Jesus do that you can testify about?
What excites you about the “More of the Same” series? Where do you see yourself fitting in to the 5 year vision? Will your role be “more of the same,” or do you anticipate being involved in a new way?

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[expand title=”Opening More Doors”]
14&15.September.2019
Luke 5:15-32

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Luke 5:15-32. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
What are some common places people in our culture go to when they are seeking truth? Where do you go?
What sacrifices did others make in order to bring you to the feet of Jesus? What circumstances did God use?
Consider the potential impact of your own life in helping others hear the Gospel. Who are you praying for? Inviting? What other action steps can you take? What obstacles do you face?
What excites you about the “More of the Same” series? Where do you see yourself playing a role in the 5 year vision? Will your role be “more of the same,” or do you anticipate being involved in a ways you haven’t been before?

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[expand title=”Leaving More Doors”]
21&22.September.2019
1 Peter 3:8-4:5

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from 1 Peter 3:8-4:5. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
What are some of your pet-peeves? How can you choose humility (ranking your needs below the needs of others) in how you handle these situations?
Peter encourages Christians to be “like-minded.” How is that different from a “clone” mentality? How do we remain like-minded without allowing legalism to bleed in?
Are you tempted to equate being “blessed” with “no suffering”? How is a Gospel mindset different?
Look at page 8-9 in your “More of the Same” notebook. Fill in the end of the “I could be the one who…” question. Where are you uniquely positioned to proclaim the Gospel in your family, workspace, etc.? Who are you praying for?

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[expand title=”Holt Venue: But God…”]
James Granger
28&29.September.2019
Ephesians 2:1-10

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Ephesians 2:1-10 and Isaiah 61. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
Describe your life before you decided to follow Jesus. How did God intervene? What changes have you experienced?
What does it mean to you to know that you are God’s “workmanship”? What purpose do you believe you were created for?
Turn to pages 10 and 11 in your “More of the Same” notebook. How would you answer the questions found on those pages? How are you uniquely skilled, positioned, or wired to connect with people and point them to Jesus?
Now that we’ve completed the “More of the Same” series, how have you been impacted? What changes are you considering? What excites you? Who are you praying for?

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[expand title=”MSU Venue: Uniquely Positioned”]
Young Yi
29.September.2019
Ephesians 2:1-10

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Ephesians 2:1-10 and Isaiah 61. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
If you were able to write your “failure resume” at our Weekend Service, feel free to share what you wrote and how God has been redeeming/redeems that sin in your life. If you did not do the “failure resume” then take some time to do that exercise in your group.
Paul writes that we are saved by grace through faith. However, as people who tend to try and work for favor or something in return, how have you been working for your salvation? Or what are some areas in your life where you can be more dependent on Jesus and not on your own strength? Why is this an area that is difficult for you to give up to God?
Read Ephesians 2:10. What are some gifts and talents that God has uniquely created you with? What are some circles of people, communities, groups that you are part of, where you can live out the Gospel? What are some barriers/obstacles within these groups that prevent you from sharing the Gospel?
Do you wrestle with sharing the Gospel to those around you? What about sharing the Gospel is the most difficult for you? What are some ways that your Life Group can come alongside you and encourage you to share the Gospel in the groups you are part of?

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[expand title=”REO Town Venue: Be Normal (Masterpieces)”]
Justin Detmers
29.September.2019
Ephesians 2:1-10

Conversation with your Life Group:

Read Ephesians 2:1-10 and consider: What have Christians be saved FROM? (v1-3); HOW have Christians been saved (v4-9); and what is the purpose, that is, what have Christians been saved FOR (v10)?
How are you uniquely skilled and wired to connect with people?
What do you enjoy doing and how might that reflect God’s image that he placed within you?
Based on your interests and wiring, how might you “grow, serve, & go” outside the church? What Riverview partnerships could you participate with (e.g. volunteering w the Lansing Area AIDS Network) or what other opportunities (e.g. coaching youth soccer, joining a local club or committee) could you pursue to invest in people and introduce them to Christ?
Based on your interests and wiring, how might you “grow, serve, & go” inside the church? Are you part of a life group; is it currently open to new people? Do you serve on a weekend team (e.g. RivKids, Welcome, & etc.); have you signed up for the REO Serve & Lead class on 10/13?! https://rivchurch.com/events/reo-town-venue-serve-lead

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[expand title=”Westside Venue: Be Normal”]
Tony Pyle
29.September.2019
Ephesians 2:1-10

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Ephesians 2:1-10 and Isaiah 61. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
Have you ever been treated differently when someone found out you were a Christian? What happened?
Read Ephesians 2:1-3. Think about who you were before you became a Christian. How did you live according to the ways of the world? How has God changed you?
What do you enjoy doing? How has God wired you? How can you leverage who you are to build relationships in your workplace or community?
Read Ephesians 2:10. Do you feel stuck when it comes to good works? What steps can you take in your life that lead to opportunities for good works?
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are saved not “by” good works, but “for” good works. Take time to pray as a life group and encourage one another toward living out your faith where God has placed you.

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[expand title=”The Myth of Same”]
Noel Jesse Heikkinen & Venue Directors
13.September.2020
Acts 1-8

Conversation with your Life Group:

Think about your experience with church growing up. Then, read these short passages that describe the beginnings of the early church: Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-13, Acts 2:37-47, Acts 4:5-13, Acts 6:1-7, Acts 8:1-4.
How did the early church grow? What is church? What are the key elements of church? What are some misconceptions about church?
What is your current role in the church? Do you serve? Lead? Teach? Pray? How do you envision your involvement going forward?
What are the next steps for you as a disciple of Jesus Christ? How could the leadership at Riv best serve and equip you? Are you a member? Have you been baptized? Would you like additional training?
As a reminder, our 5 year vision at Riverview is this: Lord willing, by 2024 Riverview will expand our Gospel footprint by fervently adding disciples, groups, leaders, pastors, venues, and churches. Take some time to pray for the expansion of the Gospel

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[expand title=”The Delightful, Diverse, Unified, Messy Family of Jesus”]
Noel Jesse Heikkinen
20.September.2020
Psalm 133

Conversation with your Life Group:

Describe your most recent family reunion. What were the highlights? Were there any surprises? Was there laughter? Tension?
Read Psalm 133. Give some examples of times when you have experienced the delight of harmony in your life. Then give some examples of times when you have experienced the dismay of division in your life.
Read Ephesians 2:11-22. How does the blood of Christ “tear down the dividing wall of hostility” and call us to live in oneness with one another? Why is it so important for Christians to live in unity with one another? What are the consequences of division among Christians?
Think about another Christian who is as unlike you as possible. Now read Ephesians 4:1-6. Is your posture toward that other Christian one of humility? Gentleness? Patience? Love? Peace? Unity? Where do you need to grow in this area?
See how many “one another” (i.e. “love one another,” “bear with one another,” etc.) verses your Life Group is able to find in the New Testament. Check out this infographic for a helpful resource. What does the frequency of these commands in the Bible tell us about the importance of our relationships with “one another”?

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[expand title=”Strategy and Stance”]
Young Yi
27.September.2020
1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Conversation with your Life Group:

Do you think it’s possible to be all things to all people? Why is this a challenge?
Has there ever been a time when you’ve had to give up a personal right, privilege, or freedom to serve someone in their time of need? Why do you think it’s difficult for people to give up their own rights, privileges, and freedoms for the sake of others?
How well do you think you know the current culture and people around you? Are there any tangible steps you can take in order to connect with different kinds of people?
What are some different communities that you are currently connected with? Who are some people you are connected with that you’d like to share the Gospel with?
What are some creative ways that you can implement being on mission for the Gospel despite being in the middle of a pandemic? Share some thoughts on this with your group.

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