StoneBridge Community Church
Pastor Neal Nybo
What does the greatest basketball coach of the 20th century have to do with Jesus invitation to follow him? John Wooden and Jesus have Influence in common. Both invited young men into their domain, Wooden to basketball, Jesus to the Kingdom of God. The people they invited thought the invitation was the chance of a lifetime. This week we discuss what it means to us that “The Kingdom of God has come near.
Mark 1:14-20 NIV
God’s influence through God’s people over God’s place.
GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. Growing up, what person or what setting had a significant, positive influence on you?
2. Right now, if your situation allowed, who would you seek out to be influenced by?
3. In pursuit of that person’s influence, which of these would you be willing to do: Watch a Ted Talk? Take an online class? Travel to take a class? Travel and spend significant time away?
4. What is it about that person that makes you willing to go to that level of investment to learn from them?
GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
POINTS 2 & 3
1. Pick any current situation in the world today. Give an example of how it is being or not being impacted by God’s people?
2. Consider the Black Lives Matter protests. Is it possible for faithful Christians to try to bring God’s influence into the world by protesting? By counter protesting? By not protesting?
3. Consider COVID-19. How might faithful Christians think they are bringing God’s influence into the world by honoring COVID-19 health guidelines? By not honoring COVID-19 health guidelines?
4. On a scale of one to ten, how upset are you after talking about these questions? Why?
5. As God’s people seeking to bring God’s influence into the world, are these important questions to ask? Why or why not?
6. These topics warrant strong feelings and opinions. Despite your personal feelings and opinions, how can Christians have a positive influence in the world?
Next step:
Among the Growth Group/ Personal Reflection questions, pick one topic, question, or answer that has particularly stood out to you. This week, pray to God asking “Lord, how do you want to influence me regarding this?”
