Small Group Guidelines

Week beginning 2.12.07

Romans 10:5-17, John 1:35-41

1. What did you learn from the talk by Dianne Tod last Sunday?

2. What do you think the Tod’s have learnt by going to Figi? Does Christ lead all of us in similar ways?

3. Romans 10:14 reminds us that people need to hear about Jesus. Do we sometimes avoid speaking about Jesus? If so why?

4. What can we learn from John the Baptist’s example in John 1:35 & 36?

5. Jesus’ invitation to all of us is to come and see (v39). What do we discover when we come to Jesus?

6. What can we learn from the example of Andrew? (v40-42) What were the results of his actions?

Mike Keggie

Week beginning 25.11.07

2 Samuel 5:1-5, John 13:1-20

Theme: Jesus, the servant king

1. What image do you have of a king? What kind of a king was David?

2. Why did Jesus wash the feet of the disciples? What did this say about the nature of his kingship?

3. Why did Peter resist Jesus? (v8) Would we sometimes prefer a king who was a bit more distant?

4. In what way does Jesus the king, wash our feet? What does this say to us about leadership?

5. How do we wash one another’s feet? How does this apply to our country and community?

6. Take some time to worship Jesus as king. It might be helpful to read Philippians 2: 6-11.

Mike Keggie

Week beginning 28.10.07

Daniel 6:1-28

1. Why did king Darius decide to appoint Daniel over the whole kingdom? (v3) How does this challenge the way we live?

2. Are there ways in which you experience hostility as a Christian? (v4-5)

3. Is it true that the law of God is above the law of the state? At what point should we disobey the law of the state?

4. Daniel’s prayers were the key to his consistent life. How can we be consistent in prayer?

5. Is it important to kneel in prayer?

6. Why should we intercede for our country?

7. God is the sovereign God. (v26) How is that relevant to you today?

8. God is the God who saves. (v27) How can we apply this to ourselves and our country?

Mike Keggie

Week beginning 21.10.07

Daniel 4: 1- 37

1. The picture of Nebuchadnezzar ‘at ease in his home and prospering in his palace’ in v4 is a picture of false security. What are the false securities that we trust in?

2. Nebuchadnezzar was frightened and terrified by his dream (v5). Why was this? What can we learn about ourselves through our dreams? Do you think that God speaks to us through our dreams?

3. Why were all the wise me not able to interpret the dream?

4. How does Daniel speak on God’s behalf to Nebuchadnezzar? (See v19, 24-27) What does Daniel have to teach us in our relationships with each other?

5. What did Nebuchadnezzar learn through this experience? (v34-37)

6. In what ways are we tempted to be proud? How can we avoid pride?

Mike Keggie
 

Week beginning 14.10.07

Daniel 2:1-23 (I suggest that you read the whole chapter)

1. Why do you think that king Nebuchadnezzar was troubled by his dreams? How important are our dreams?

2. How did the king respond to the crisis he experienced? (v2) How do you respond in troubled times?

3. Why do you think that the king as not willing to reveal the contents of the dream to the wise men? (v5-6)

4. What relevance does the great statue have to all world powers? What does this say to us about our own use of power?

5. Verses 46-49 are a wonderful answer to the prayers of Daniel. What does Daniel encourage us to pray for?

6. What does the praise of Daniel in verses 20-23 teach us about God?

Mike Keggie

Week beginning 7.10.07

Daniel 1: 1-21

The debate about when this book was written is an interesting one and it is good to hear both points of view. I tend towards the conservative view. You will see that at the beginning of chapters 1,2,7,8,9 & 10 historical reference points are given which refer to the exile period in Babylon. I don’t think that we can just ignore these. Whatever point of view one adopts, I think that we need to accept that these stories have a historical basis and because they are part of scripture they are inspired by God. Therefore God speaks to us through them.

1. Why do you think that Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal rations? (v8)

2. At what point should we draw the line in terms of what we watch on TV and what we read?

3. Can you remember times in your life when you have made a stand for a particular position because of you Christian conscience? What was the result?

4. Sometimes when we make a stand we receive support from surprising places (v9). Can you remember times when this has happened? How does this help to spread the good news of Christ?

5. What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge (v20)? How does God give us wisdom?

6. How did Daniel’s faith grow? How can we encourage each other?

Mike Keggie