Begin your small group with 10-15 minutes of catching up from the past week around a light snack or meal. Be sure everybody has a chance to share.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 is called the Shema (Shema literally translates to “Hear!”). The Shema is the central doctrine of Old Testament Jewish faith. When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus quotes the Shema. Immediately following the Shema is a mandate to pass it to the next generation by letting it’s truth be lived in every area of life. This series is all about living out our faith for the next generation, Sunday-Saturday. Each week, we will read the Shema together as a church.

The key word in this command is “all”. The greatest way to share your faith is to let it touch every area of your life. Our kids are watching more closely than we may realize to see if our faith is genuine or if it is the occasional weekend show. One thing we say often at Sun Valley when it comes to parenting is that more is caught than taught.

Open by praying God will help each member to live a life that influences others around them, especially family and friends.

Mention one or two people who influenced you while growing up. An influential relationship can consist of words, actions, and presence. Which (words, actions, or presence) influenced you the most? How did the words, actions, or presence influence you?

ICE BREAKER: As a small group, read again Deuteronomy 6:4-5.

1. In passing on your faith to the next generation, why is modeling your faith more effective than talking about your faith?

2. What problems rise up when you are not “All in” in following Jesus?

3. What are the challenges in letting Jesus transform every area of your life?

4. C.S. Lewis wrote, “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” What is the point he is trying to make?

Going Further

5. What do you need to change to be “All in” in following Jesus?

6. How can the group help you be “All in” in your daily life of following Jesus?

Ask members to take a moment to write down an area they need to let Jesus into that area. Then take a moment of quiet prayer for members to seek God’s help in being “All in”. Ask if anyone in the group would like the group to pray for a challenging area to give over to Jesus. Then pray.

(Make sure someone makes a list of the prayer requests then emails them out that week.)