Introduction

God wants a relationship with you and waits for you to make room for him in your life. We want to help you create some space and grow your desire to connect with God in your daily life. In this three-week series, we’ll find the rhythms and practices that will help anchor us to God, his family, and his mission. In week three, Pastor Jesse taught us about the anchor of making God’s mission our mission.

Discussion

1. Revisit and read Matthew 28:18-20. This is the mission Jesus has given to us. It informs why we’re a No Matter church and how we live as his disciples. What specific actions can you identify? What of these are you currently living out?

2. It can be all too easy to grow in our biblical knowledge, build healthy habits of church and prayer, develop Christian friendships, and still miss the mission God has called us to (even accidentally.) What’s at risk (for us personally and for others,) if we don’t grow in this missional anchor?

3. Revisit and read John 4:3-26. Jesus expects us to be able to have the kinds of conversations he had with the kinds of people he did. And if we view Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman as a model for our conversations with other people:

We need to remain connected to God and his Holy Spirit (John 14:12.) How are you doing this in your life and in real-time conversations with others?What specific practices or principles did you notice from Jesus (Hint: Pastor Jesse talked about some of them in his message.) Which of these are more natural or healthy for you? Which of these are uncomfortable or difficult? Why?

4. Who in your life is God nudging you toward that could step over the Faith Line and become a disciple of Jesus? What might be your next step toward them with Jesus’ model in mind? If you can’t think of anyone in your life who doesn’t already believe in Jesus, why is that? What might that tell you?

5. Think about what your life looks like tomorrow. How will you be ready to engage with the people you run into throughout your day in a way that could create space for someone to have a conversation with you (that might even get to talking about faith.) What’s going to get in the way?

Application

• Remember the anchor of Bible reading and prayer. Slow down and get quiet to speak with God. You have to remain connected to him in order to stay in step with him.

• Remember the anchor of church and Christian friendships. You’re not in this alone. You have a place and a people pursuing this same mission with you. They are a great source of learning, encouragement, and accountability.

• Remember what Jesus did. He met people where they were at, unconditionally. He knew everything about the Samaritan woman, and he loved her anyway. You may have the biggest opportunity with the person who would least expect it from you.