« Back to Beyond the Message

How to use it: After watching/listening to this week’s message, from November 20, 2022, use the questions to go deeper into the message, with your group…or on your own. The questions will introduce you to the topic, reflect content from the sermon, go ‘Beyond the Message’, & get you thinking about practical applications for your life.

1. Share about a time when you felt out of place at an event or in a crowd. What made you feel that way? How did you handle it?
   

2. Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-20.

   a. In your own words, define the role and purpose of an “ambassador.” Considering your definition, what does it mean to be an ambassador for Jesus?

   b. If you feel a distinction between yourself and others because of your faith (i.e. at work, school, community), what difference would it make to think of yourself as an ambassador of Christ rather than a stranger because of Christ?

   c. Can you think of any ways that we at West Meadows have been ambassadors of Christ into our surrounding community?
   

3. Read 1 Peter 2:11-12.

   a. What two reasons does Peter give for “abstaining from sinful desires” and “living good lives among the pagans?”

   b. Whenever people regularly interact with one another, one will have a tendency to influence the other. If we are going to continue to live as “foreigners among the pagans,” what influence do we need to be on guard against? What influence do we need to be exerting?

   c. Have you seen any evidence that West Meadows is having a positive influence upon our surrounding community?
   

4. Read Matthew 5:13-16.

   a. What three characteristics of salt did Pastor Mark mention? Considering these, what does Jesus’ command for us to be “salt of the earth” mean for us?

   b. What does it mean that we are “the light of the word?” Where does this light originate from? What does Jesus command us to do?

   c. What are some practical examples of how you or your LifeGroup could be the “salt of the earth and light of the world” this Christmas season?