Beginning in 2021 and now into 2022, our Growth Groups are traveling through the bible from Genesis to Jesus to understand the grand story of God that He reveals to us. In this journey, we’ll discover the many sides of God’s love, answer the question of why he created the world, and explore God’s special relationship with man. We dive into our special purpose as God’s image bearers, and how we fulfill that great purpose when we love others the way He FIRST loved us.
Teaching & Sermons
This discussion guides support deeper exploration and discussion. They accompany the teaching and sermon series from the series Because He FIRST Loved Us on Sunday morning.
Because He First Loved Us Sunday Sermons >
Personal Reflection and Group Discussion Guides
The Gospels: The Messiah and His Kingdom
5/29/22 – 1 John 4:7-20 – Because He First Loved Us Wrap Up
5/22/22 – Matthew 25:31-46 – Eternity: When the King Returns
5/15/22 – Matthew 13:31-32 – Kingdom Seeds
5/8/22 – Luke 14:25-35 – Counting the Cost
5/1/22 – Mark 1:16-20 – Call to Discipleship
4/24/22 – Luke 15: 18-32, Gal 4:4-7 – Sons and Daughters
4/17/22 – Mark 15:42-47, 16:1-8 – Resurrection Hope
4/10/22 – John 12 – Kingdom Expectations
4/2/22 – Matthew 13:44-45 – Kingdom Treasure
3/27/22 – John 13:1-17 – The Least in the Kingdom
3/20/22 – Matthew 6:45-56 – Faith in the Kingdom of God
3/13/22 – Luke 14: 15-23 – The Invitation to the Kingdom of God
3/7/22 – Luke 4:16-21 – Freedom in the Kingdom of God
2/27/22 – Luke 18 & 19 – Responding to Jesus
2/20/22 – Mark 12: 29-31 – Jesus Creed
2/13/22 – John 1 – Jesus, Light of the World
2/6/22 – Matthew 1 & 2 – Jesus, Promises Fulfilled
1/28/22 – Matthew 28:16-20 – The Expanded Commission
1/23/21 – John 4:1-26 – Jesus Living Water
Kings and Prophets: The Road to and Life in Exile
12/26/21 – Ezekiel 36:25-38 – New Hearts – No Discussion Guide
12/19/21 – Isaiah 9:1-7 – For Unto Us a Child is Born – No Discussion Guide
12/12/21 – Daniel – Identity in Exile
12/5//21 – Jeremiah 29:4-14 – Living in Exile-The Third Way
11/28/21 – Jeremiah 25 & 31 – Exile
11/14/21 – Proverbs 3 – Wisdom, The Tree of Life
11/7/21 – 1 Kings 8, Ephesians 2 – Temple from Beginning to End
1 & 2 Samuel, Psalms: Kingdom: Who is King?
10/24/21 – Psalm 139 – Known by God
10/17/21 – The Story So Far Reflections – Choices & the Life of King David
10/10/21 – 2 Samuel 11 | Psalm 51 – Following After God into Repentance
10/3/21 – 2 Samuel 2:1, 2 Sam 5:16-20, Psalm 23 – Inquiring After God’s Heart
9/26/21 – 1 Samuel 22, Psalm 57 – Following After God In the Unknown
9/12/21 – 1 Samuel 11, 1 Samuel 17:1-51 – Following After God When We Feel Small
Joshua, Judges, Ruth: Settling into the Promise Land
9/5/21 1 Samuel 8 – Growing Through Our Choices
8/27/21 – Ruth 1:6-16 – Gift of Choice
8/22/21 – Joshua 24:14-28 & Judges 21:25 – God’s Grace in Our Choices
8/15/21 – Joshua 23:1-8 & Matthew 5:3-14 – Salt of the Earth
8/8/21 – Joshua 1: 1-9 – Take Courage
Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy: Discipleship in the Wilderness
8/1/21 – Reflections on God’s Love in the Story So Far
7/25/21 – Number 13-14 – Fear versus Faith
7/18/21 – Exodus 34:5-7 & others – God’s Presence
7/11/21 – Gen 2:2-3 & Exodus 20:8-11 The Gift of Rest
6/27/2021 – Exodus: Reflections on the Wilderness Journey
6/20/21 – Leviticus 26:3-15 & Romans 8:12-17 Freedom from Slavery
6/13/21 – Leviticus 16: 5-10 & Hebrews 10:1-12 Restoring Relationship
6/6/21 – Exodus 19:3-6 & Deut 30:15-20 The Law and a New Identity
5/31/21 – Exodus 16 – Daily Bread
5/23/21 – Exodus 32:1-14 – Hedging Your Bets (Golden Calf)
5/16/21 – Exodus 3-14 – The God Who Delivers
Genesis: Who is God & Who is Man?
5/9/21 – Genesis Reflections and Sharing
5/2/21 – Genesis 49: 8-12: Messiah: The One to Crush the Evil
4/25/21 – Genesis 32: Israel: He Who Wrestles with God
4/18/21 – Genesis 17: It’s All About Relationships
4/11/21 – Genesis 1-11 Made in the Image of God and Stewardship
4/2/21 – Genesis 6 & 9: The Great Flood
3/14/21 – Genesis 3:1-19: The Fall
3/7/21 – Genesis 1: Creation
Why Read the Bible?
2/28/21 – 1 John 4: 7-21: Because He First Loved Us
2/14/21 – Matt 5:17-19: Why Read the Bible?
Setting the stage for a community where open and loving discussion can flourish.
2/7/21 – Romans 14: Disputable Matters
1/31/21 – Colossians 2 and 3: Dressing for Company
More Resources:
Daily Story Time Reading Groups
Whether you’re in a growth group or not, you can join one of our story time reading groups.
How to join Daily Storytime: God’s Story is Our Story
Download the God’s Story Reading Journal
