1. This weekend we finish up our series that we have called, “The Cast”.  What have been the important highlights to this series for you?  Why?

2. The heart behind this series is this:  Rather than living my life and letting God be a little part of our cast, I need to be a big part of the cast in God’s story.  What prevents you from fully embracing the fact that God has “cast you in His story”?

3. Read Jeremiah 1:4-10.  How do you think Jeremiah felt when God told him this?  Why was it so important for him to hear it?

4. Read Psalm 139:4-9.  David said basically the same thing!  If this was true for them it is also true for us.  How does this truth impact you?  Why?  Why is this important for us to know?

5. Our Main Thought This Week Was This:  “There Are No Tryouts…You’ve Already Been Chosen!”  Why do you think that we spend so much of our lives, “trying out”?  How does knowing that God had us planned and cast in His story from the “foundations of the world” affect you?

6. What is it in your life that you think “if I could just change this….” God would approve of me?  How can living this way be debilitating in living God’s story with your life?  What can you do to STOP living this way?  What is one thing you can do this week to change this?

Pray for any special requests that you or your group may have.

The building is really coming along well…

Please remember to pray for our superintendent and the crew that are working!

1.  We will start with a connecting question from our Sunday speaker, Dick Foth…
Where were you born and brought up?

2.  Who in your growing up years left their fingerprint on your soul, that their influence shaped how you see the world?  Tell that story.

3.  If you could go back to a physical place in your life in the past, a place whose memory warms your heart, where would that be and why?

4. Read Luke 2:1-7.  What part of this story of the birth of Jesus stands out to you and why?

5.   One of the message points was, ‘Story or history-giving acknowledges scars.’  On this topic of scars and history in our lives, Dick said, “scars aren’t bad, they just tell you where you don’t want to go again, and our history does not trap us, we are shaped by it.”  What piece of your history or what scar have you felt couldn’t be used by God or should be hidden?  Do you feel differently about that after Sundays message? Why or why not?

A story centered in Jesus brings life…

6.  Have you seen your story bring life when shared with someone else?  If so, reflect on that and share it with your group.

7.  Have you had someone else’s story bring life to you?  If so, please reflect on that, and share it with your group?

8.  Take Doug’s challenge to us this week…
Make a commitment this week to learn someone’s story.
When you come back with your group next, share that experience with each other.

1. This weekend we continued our series that we have called, “The Cast”. Everyone loves a great story and great stories have a great cast.  What is your favorite spy movie / book?  Why?

2. The heart behind this series is this:  Rather than living my life and letting God be a little part of our cast, I need to be a big part of the cast in God’s story.  Reflect on this and talk about the difference.

3. The elements that make a good story are the same elements that make a good life!!  A character who wants something and is willing to overcome conflict to get it.  As you think about your life what is it that you want?  Do you think your wants reflect God’s plan for your heart?  What conflict have you been willing to overcome to get it?

4. Our Main Thought This Week Was:  “Listening To The Right Voices Help Us Make The Right Choices”.  Read Numbers 13 and talk about how this played out in this story.  How have you seen this also be true in your life?

5. God wasn’t pleased with the way that the Nation of Israel listened to the wrong voices that lead to some really bad choices!  Read Numbers 14:20-23.  Share your thoughts.

6. Read Joshua 1:6-9.  When we make the decision to live God’s story in our lives there are going to be challenges.  After 40 years of wandering Joshua takes over for Moses and is on the brink of leading the Nation of Israel into the Promised Land.  What is God’s challenge for Joshua?  How does this apply to your life as well?

7.  What can you do this week to listen to the right voices so that you will be more prepared to make the right choices?

Pray for any special requests that you or your group may have.

Please pray as well for the construction crews that are working on our building.

1. This weekend we continued our series that we started on Easter called, “The Cast”. Everyone loves a great story and great stories have a great cast.  What is your favorite movie?  What is your favorite book?  Why?

2. When you think about the story that you are living, what are some of the things that you are most proud are part of your story?

3. Read 2 Corinthians 3:2-3.  The Apostle Paul says that we are writing letters with your lives.  Do you ever think about what your funeral will be like?  What are some of the things that you want to be said about you when people gather to celebrate the life you lived?  Are these things that you are prioritizing in your life now?

4. This week we talked about how every good story has 2 things…

• A character that wants something.
• A character that is willing to overcome conflict to get it.

Do you agree with this?  Give some examples from your favorite movies and books.  Who is the main character?  What did they want?  What were they willing to overcome in order to get what they wanted?

5. Our main point this week is that, “God’s plan is for you to live a great story.”  What are your thoughts about this?

6. We talked about 3 Reasons We Live Bad Stories

We:

• Don’t Honor The Author
• Want The Lead Roll
• We Follow The Wrong Screenplay

How have you seen these at play in your life?  What are some things that you can do to make sure that they aren’t happening in your life?

7.  Read Philippians 3:7-11.  What is one thing you can do this week that may be a catalyst to living a greater story?

Pray for any special requests that you or your group may have.

Please pray as well for the construction crews that are working on our building.

1.  Last week we were asked to share dumb decisions we have made.  Can you think of any more?   Did you hear about or watch any “dumb decisions” happen this week?

2.  Read Ephesians 5:15-17.  Last week we learned The Best Question Ever is:  What Is the Wise Thing to Do?  Why is this such a great question?

3.  This week we went a little deeper with that question and asked:  What Is the Wise Thing  – For Me – to Do?  How is that question a little different?

4.  In light of your Past Experience, Current Circumstances and Future Hopes and Dreams, why is this question and these qualifications so important?

5.  Often we try to justify and rationalize our decisions based on what others (even Christ-followers) are doing.  After this week’s message and this discussion, why is that not necessarily a “wise” thing to do?

6.  How does having your own unique and personal relationship with God affect this discussion of What Is the Wise Thing – For Me – to Do?

7.  Spend some time as a group memorizing Proverbs 28:26 (NASB):  
He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But he who walks wisely will be delivered.
(Ladies, memorize “She” and “her”)

8.  What decisions are you considering now, and how has the message and/or group discussion affected your thinking in light of your Past Experience, Current Circumstances and Future Hopes and Dreams?

9.  Read James 1:5 again this week.  Close in prayer asking for God to give you wisdom specific to your life.

1.  We all make dumb decisions.  Give examples of some of the really dumb decisions you’ve seen people make.

2.  What are some of the reasons we make unwise decisions?

3.  Read Ephesians 5:15-17.  The Best Question Ever is:  What Is the Wise Thing to Do?  Why is this such a great question?

4.  Recall a wise decision you have made and how it impacted your life.

5.  What is a foolish decision you have made that caused you regret?

6.  What decision are you considering now, and how has this message and/or group discussion affected your thinking?

7.  In what specific area of your life do you need the wisdom of God?

8.  Read James 1:5.  Close in prayer asking for God to give you wisdom.

1. Read Matthew 5:14.  How are you feeling about our transition to the new facility?  Have you had conversations with people in Castle Rock about this?  What have they said?  How do you think this will impact our spiritual influence here?  What can you do to make sure that you leverage these conversations well?

2. We have heard some great stories of how God has been in the very middle of this whole process for us as a church but also for individuals and families.  What has God been doing in your heart during this season?

3. This week we focused in on the beginning of the “building story” in Nehemiah.  This first chapter of the book of Nehemiah really tells the story of God morphing His heart into Nehemiah.  This is what moved him to take action.  Read Nehemiah 1:2-4.  What will it take for us to have God’s heart for the town of Castle Rock?  What do you think He sees when He looks at our town?  What does this do to your heart?

4. Read Nehemiah 1:4-5.  How often do you pray for our Town?  What can you do to remember to pray for this community more often?

5. When you think about our Main Thought for this weekend what thought come to mind, “We’re Not Just Building A Church, We’re Building A City”

6. Read Nehemiah 1:6-7.  Nehemiah takes personal responsibility for the problem.  How can we take personal responsibility for our town as well?

7. Read Nehemiah 1:8-9.  What is it that brings God’s blessing on the people of Israel?  How does this apply to our lives as well?

8.  Read Ephesians 3:19-20.  Sometimes things can look bleak in the world around us.  What do these verses say to us?  How does this encourage you?  What big prayers are you praying for our church and our town?  What happens inside of you when you realize that God wants to do immeasurably more?

9. God wants each of us to be involved in what He is doing to reach our town.  Spend some time praying about how the Lord is asking you to be involved in our transition to the new facility, our Committed Campaign and the ministry that we have to our community.

Pray for any special requests that you or your group may have.

Please pray as well for the construction crews that are working on our building.

1. This is a special week at Plum Creek.  This past Sunday we have made it to the half-way point in our Committed Campaign to raise the needed resources remodel our new building.  How do you think moving into our new facility will help us as a church to more effectively reach our community for Christ?

2. Why do you think it is often so difficult for us in this extravagantly blessed country to maintain a generous heart?  How do you personally do with living generous?

3. So often we tend to think that living generous is for those that are really holy and those that have significant resource.  Is this true?  How does God call us to live?

4. A year ago we really focused on the challenge of living generous.  We were even challenged to participate in what we called the G-X Experiment.  It was really exciting to hear about some of the generous things God called us to do.  What is the most generous thing anyone has ever done for your?  How did that feel?

5. As you reflect on this act of generosity that was extended to you…Read Acts 20:35b & Proverbs 11:25.  What does this verse say about living generously?

6. We talked about 3 things that will help us to raise our Generosity IQ…

• Generosity Brings A BLESSING.
• Generosity Brings REFRESHMENT.
• Generosity Is An INVESTMENT

Which of these was the most important for you to learn?  Why?  How can this affect the way you live?

7. Read Matthew 6:21.  After reading this verse think about your finances.  If someone that didn’t know you well looked at your finances where would they say your heart is?  How do you feel about this?

8. Don’t forget to spend some time praying about how the Lord is asking you to be involved in the Committed Campaign.

Pray for any special requests that you or your group may have.

Please pray as well for the construction crews that are working on our building.

1.)  “The most important part of life is relationships.” Steve Saint
If this statement is true, then in what ways does life in our culture need to change?  In what ways does your personal life need to change?  And why?

2.)  They spoke a lot about ‘family’ in this last video message, and the very different definition of who was included in their family.  Who do you consider family, that you would say is not in the typical definition of the word?  How did they become a part of your ‘family’?

3.)  Stephanie Saint was quoted as saying, “Even if we make a difference in one persons life, isn’t that enough?”  Mother Theresa, in similar fashion, once said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”     If you were to really embrace this way of thinking, this idea that each individual we can serve matters, what would change in your life?  Who is one person you could reach out to right now, or one way you could begin to make a difference for just one?

4.)  The missionary women left a heritage of love and forgiveness, that is echoing through generations after them.  As Gary asked on Sunday morning, what heritage are you leaving?

1. What part(s) of this movie message series has spoken to you the most?  Why?

2. Read Proverbs 13:22.  What does this proverb say a good person leaves behind?  Why is that?  What heritage has been passed on to you?

3. Read John 15:8.  A statement made in the message about discipleship basically said, “We shouldn’t worry so much about what we are doing for God as much as what we are training our children or our “spiritual” children to do for God.”  Do you agree with that or not?  Why?

4. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.  How do you reconcile this description of who we are called to be as Christ-followers with the way you are living your life?  What heritage are you leaving for your family and friends?

5. Read 2 Timothy 1:1-7.  Who did God use to prepare Timothy to be an Ambassador for Christ?  Who has God used to prepare you?  Who are you preparing?

6. What is the hope of this preparation?  Read John 17:20-21.

7. Close in prayer for one another.