Series Resources
sermon-based study guide
This guide is designed to guide a group discussion around the weekend sermon. You can also use this as an individual, but we highly recommend finding a friend and inviting them to discuss with you. Menlo Church has Life Groups meeting in-person and online using these guides. We’d love to help you find a group.
What you will find in this guide: A discussion guide for groups and individuals. If you are using this as an individual be sure to engage with each question in a journal or simply in your mind as you prayerfully consider what you heard in the sermon and seek to discover what God is inviting you to know and do.
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HOPE FOR EVERYONE | September 22, 2024
CONNECT
Reflect on a time when you felt lost or disconnected from others, whether it was in your faith, relationships, or personal life. How did it feel to be in that place? Share about a moment when you felt found or rescued, either by God, a friend, or an unexpected event. How did that change your perspective or direction in life?
ENGAGE
Read Luke 15:1-7 as a group and discuss:
- Jesus uses the parable of the lost sheep to show God’s heart for those who feel lost. What does this story teach us about God’s character and His desire for connection with us?
- Think about the phrase “found people, find people.” How does this apply to your life and the way you interact with others in your community?
- Jesus emphasizes the joy in heaven when even one person repents and returns. How does this shift your view on the importance of each individual’s journey back to God?
- What are some barriers that keep people from feeling “found” by God? How can we, as a church community, help remove those barriers?
- Reflect on the Menlo vision of moving from a waiting presence to an active presence of hope. How can you contribute to this vision in your own life?
APPLY
- What is one practical step you can take to live out “found people, find people” in your daily routines, whether it’s at work, school, or home?
- This week, consider how you might respond to God's invitation to be found in new areas of your life. Are there places where you’ve felt distant from God that you can bring into the light through prayer or community?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for seeking us out even when we feel lost. Help us to remember that we are found by You, and in turn, help us to find others who need Your hope and love. Give us eyes to see the lost around us and the courage to share Your story with them. May we be a community that reflects Your heart and brings hope to everyone we encounter. In Jesus’ name, Amen.