City Groups - Spring 2016 - Daniel 7

Sorry that you don't get to see my face this week. I'm sure that you all will survive :)

Daniel is the one having dreams now. He sees visions of 4 beasts that are raised up over the course of human history and then conquered. The beasts represent different kingdoms. One of the kingdoms is stronger than the others and conquers the rest. The last kingdom speaks “words against the Most High,” and it will “wear out the saints” and will seek to “change the times and the law.” (Daniel 7:25). The reign of tyranny will not last. This kingdom is easily overcome by the Son of Man, Jesus Christ. His kingdom “will be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.” (Daniel 7:27).

The ways that the people of God are treated in this vision is very relevant to us. We don’t know when this last kingdom will occur, nor do we know if we are in it right now. However, we can anticipate a lot of the same things that are happening right now to Christians to only get worse. I think this is why Daniel was alarmed in v. 28 because he knows what is coming for God’s people. It certainly is worrisome, but we have hope in the complete power of our King Jesus who will finally eliminate all evil and tyranny in his eternal kingdom. That is what we hope for in Christ.

CHECK OUT THE UPDATED SUMMER PLANS! 

Discussion Guide 4.17.16

Warren Wiersbe on Daniel 7 (You'll definitely want to read this)

City Groups - Spring 2016 - Daniel 6 (part 2)

Hi Group Leaders! This summer we are going through the book Unapologetic by Brian Seagraves. Brian is an Owner at our church and the book addresses many difficult questions about Christianity and defending your own faith. We are considering having a weekly class on this book facilitated by Brian Seagraves and Craig Stewart. We believe it would be incredibly beneficial to utilize Brian in a sort of introductory session for each week's content in a Sunday morning class (30-45 min) during/before/after one of the services. Some apologetics content can be difficult and we want to make sure that we resource each of you in the best way possible. However, we would only want to organize this it would work with your schedules.

PLEASE COMPLETE THIS 30 SECOND SURVEY BEFORE MONDAY, APRIL 11 @ MIDNIGHT SO THAT WE CAN DETERMINE IF WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS SUNDAY MORNING CLASS: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KPQSM3B

Discussion Guide 4.10.16

Warren Wiersbe on Daniel 6 (repeated from last week)

City Groups - Spring 2016 - Week 12

We are walking through the first portion of the chapter this week and we will hit the second half next week. Daniel is now an old man dealing with a new king and he is living just as faithfully as he did in his teens. Daniel spent his entire life serving foreign kings but remaining devout to the true and living God. This unyielding faith gets him into some trouble again in this chapter.

Discussion Guide 4.3.16

Warren Wiersbe - Daniel 6

City Groups - Spring 2016 - Easter Week

Can you tell we are excited that Easter is here! We hope you have spent time in prayer for this incredibly meaningful weekend to us as Christians. Jesus went through the brutal torture and death on a cross. He carried the weight of our sins there. His death atoned for our sins and his resurrection proved He is God! We are grateful to receive such an wonderful gift of salvation. 

We don't have a discussion guide this week, per se, however during your fun nights and/or serve nights, consider walking through these five major passages between Jesus' resurrection and ascension while on Earth. No questions are provided. Consider simply walking through these passages and reflecting on some of the main points together.

Discussion Guide 3.27.16 - Easter

City Groups - Spring 2016 - Outsiders week 10

Daniel 5 this week. King Belshazzar sees a hand with no body writing his judgment on a wall. It terrifies him, rightly so. The sovereign God of creation is not to be trifled with. Daniel calls him to repentance, but unfortunately, he does not heed Daniel's rebuke. 

We will NOT have a discussion guide next week (after Easter) so plan for that with your groups and consider doing a serve night or a fun night together. Please do your best not to cancel your groups. 

Discussion Guide 3.20.16

Warren Wiersbe on Daniel

City Groups - Spring 2016 - Week 9

This week is Daniel 4 where Nebuchadnezzar gets the smackdown. God causes him to become beast like, even growing really long hair and fingernails. This was humiliating for Nebuchadnezzar because he thought he was the ultimate ruler in his universe. He certainly thought wrong. 

Discussion Guide Week 9 (Daniel 4) 3.13.16

Warren Wiersbe Outline - Daniel 4

City Groups - Spring 2016 - Week 8

We are in Daniel chapter 3 this week. This is the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego with the fiery furnace. This week is all about idolatry. In groups, we want to land on identifying and destroying idols of the heart. These sorts of discussions get me pumped up because I think they have so much power! God is in the business of destroying idols and so often we allow our hearts to be captured by them. Let's destroy idols this week and glorify God and worship him in doing so!

Discussion Guide - Daniel 3 (week 8)

Warren Wiersbe - Daniel 3

City Groups - Spring 2016 - Week 7

Hello crew! Dean is going to be spending a bit more time in Daniel 2 and touching on the beginning of chapter 3 this week. We won't be going into chapter 3 in City Groups though. I don't have any additional resources on Daniel 2 because the Wiersbe outline and commentary from last week should suffice. I've gone ahead and reposted that below. So just to be clear, below is the same resource from last week if you would like a refresher :)

Discussion Guide - Outsiders 3

Warren Wiersbe - Daniel 2

City Groups - Spring 2016 - Week 6

Welcome to Daniel chapter 2. This week gets super interesting as we are introduced to the eternal Kingdom of God. Daniel prophesies about the Kingdom of God that is to come and no worldly kingdom will prevail against it. We know the kingdom as ruled by King Jesus. He is our Lord and Savior and we swear allegiance to Him. His kingdom is eternal and it will never end!

Discussion Guide - Outsiders 2 (week 6)

Warren Wiersbe's outline and commentary on Daniel 2

John Piper on The Kingdom of God

City Groups - Spring 2016 - Week 4

Hey Group Leaders! I hope you're ready to dive head first into Daniel as we explore what it looks like for God's people to live as outsiders in a foreign land, while remaining faithful to the one true God and King of the universe. Its going to be a fun ride!

This week, please read through Daniel 1 (the whole chapter) with your group. Take a look at the introductory notes and help set the context for the book with some of those details.

Introductory Notes - Daniel 1

Daniel 1 - Warren Wiersbe

Discussion Guide - "Outsiders" Daniel 1

City Groups - Spring 2016 - Week 3

Hey people! This week Dean is preaching through some key characteristics of a church person.

Hope, Gospel, Commitment, Mission, Generosity, Compassion.

I'm asking you to share a video during the beginning of your discussion. Try to have a computer or TV available to watch the video, if possible. The video is of Pastor Jimmy Scroggins of First Baptist Church, West Palm share the gospel through the 3 Circles conversation guide. If you are unable to have a computer or TV, no worries, you can do the presentation yourself! Just watch the video below a few times and implant it into your memory. http://www.namb.net/video/3circlesguide/

Discussion Guide - Churchy Week 3

Multiplication/Apprenticing Guide

City Groups - Spring 2016 - Week 2, Churchy

Hey everyone! Here's the big idea for this week: 

The universal church is only as strong as local churches assembled in communities throughout the world. Each Christian is called to be a part of a local church by 1) living out their election and 2) joining God in what he is already doing – namely, reaching cities and towns with the gospel of his son Jesus Christ.

Have an awesome week of City Groups you guys! 

Discussion Guide - Churchy Week 2

City Groups - Spring 2016 - Week 1, Churchy

Welcome back to City Groups! We are praying for you as you launch your groups during the next week! Your greatest resource for the discussion guides during the Churchy series will be pastor Dean's sermons, so be sure to attend and if you are out of town, be sure to watch the sermons in preparation.

DO THIS WEEK: Reach out to people who sign up for your group, Make connections with group members and from member to member, Be inclusive and welcoming to everyone, Talk about multiplication and apprenticing NOW, and Pray Pray Pray!

Love all of you people!

Discussion Guide - Churchy, week 1

Multiplication Plan - How to raise up an apprentice

City Groups - Fall 2015 - Week 11

CHECK OUT THIS DOCUMENT TO HELP YOU BETTER UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS FOR DEVELOPING A NEW LEADER - MULTIPLICATION PLAN!

We've reached the final chapter of Hebrews this week! The way this will work is your group will either do this discussion this week (week of Thanksgiving) or next week (following Thanksgiving and into December). Whichever week you don't do the discussion, plan on either having a fun night or cancelled group due to the holiday.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE submit your Survey + Intent to Lead as soon as possible! I do expect everyone to take a few minutes and fill it out. Thank you!

You can also RSVP to the City Group Christmas Party on December 10, 6:30-8pm here.

Discussion Guide Week 11 - Hebrews 13

Selected Commentary - Hebrews 13

Warren Wiersbe Outline on Hebrews 13

City Groups - Fall 2015 - Week 10

Hey Group Leaders! Here's to chapter 12 of Hebrews! We have only one more chapter left after this one as many of your groups will be doing potlucks, fun nights, or not meeting during the week of Thanksgiving. The following week, November 30-December 3 is the last week of groups. You will have the opportunity to go through a missed chapter from previous weeks or take a fun night, I hope you'll finish the book though ;)

If you haven't gotten a chance to yet, please fill out the Group Leader Survey + Intent to Lead by next Thursday. These are always SO helpful to me! Thanks to you if you've done it, and thanks in advance to you who will soon!

SAVE THE DATE FOR CITY GROUP LEADER CHRISTMAS PARTY THURSDAY DECEMBER 10! I'll send an RSVP request out next week!

Discussion Guide - Week 10 - Hebrews 12

Warren Wiersbe Overview on Hebrews 12

Selected Commentary - Hebrews 12

City Groups - Fall 2015 - Week 9

Hey Group Leaders! We are nearing the end of Hebrews! I hope you have enjoyed the study of Hebrews and that it has been beneficial to your personal faith and for building up and growing your group and beyond. Hebrews 11 is all about FAITH. Listen to the above video for Bryan Bair's experience with Hebrews 11 over his life and ministry. Bryan Bair is planting Southpoint Church here in Tallahassee in 2016. The result of faith in his life is pretty incredible!

Discussion Guide - Week 9 - Hebrews 11

Warren Wiersbe on Hebrews 11 - Faith

Generation SEND (New Orleans) Flyer for College Groups

City Groups - Fall 2015 - Week 8

Hey all! Thanks so much for being a part of this team of group leaders. Each of you play such a crucial role in connecting people to our church. Because of your commitment, we've seen 370+ people connected every week in a deeper way to their church this fall semester. This is the most consistent number of people we've seen in any semester yet! Thank you so much for continuing to reach out to your friends, connect people to City Church, and help them grow to be more like Jesus. Thank you.

Week eight and Chapter 10 of Hebrews is upon us! Here is the content you need to lead your group well over this first week of November. Enjoy this chapter, it gets very practical and it is one of my favorites!

Discussion Guide - Week 8 - Hebrews 10

Selected Commentary - Hebrews 10

City Groups - Fall 2015 - Week 7

Have a splendid week discussing blood and death! As Christians, death gives us hope. We have hope for eternal life after death by the sacrificial death of Jesus. Death is a taboo subject, so let's redeem it this week as we give our group members hope through death because of Jesus.

Discussion Guide - Week 7 - Hebrews 9

Selected Commentary Hebrews 9

City Groups - Fall 2015 - Week 6

This week we will be encountering Hebrews 8. This chapter is mostly about the new covenant in Christ. Please read the section below on Hebrews 8 from Warren Wiersbe - it will aid your understanding of this chapter greatly!

I'm looking forward to hearing great things about your City Groups again this week! Keep it up! You all are the heart beat of our church. It is because of the collective effort of every single one of you that over 370 people have been involved in City Groups each week this fall semester. I am so grateful for every single one of you. Lives are different because of the investment you have been making. Thank you.

Discussion Guide Week 6 - Hebrews 8

Warren Wiersbe on Hebrews 8 - A Better Covenant

Selected Commentary - Hebrews 8

City Groups - Fall 2015 - Week 5

Have a great week 5 everyone! Let me know if you have any questions on chapter 7 of Hebrews. Melchizedek is a fun name to try to pronounce. I'm sure you all had fun listening to people try to say it last week. Now we get to talk about who they guy actually is. Hebrews 7 gives us the most info about him in the whole bible. Ultimately, the point is that Jesus is better and to revert to any of our old ways will only be a let down. That was the message to these Christian Jews that were tempted to go back to Judaism. Keep believing in Jesus and He will be faithful.

Enjoy!

Discussion Guide Week 5 - Hebrews 7

Sermon Excerpts from Ligon Duncan on Melchizedek

Selected Commentary Hebrews 7