Above & Beyond Series Discussion Questions
September 14, 2025 - Above & Beyond
Michael's illustration of rock climbing beyond the crux can help us feel the position the disciples found themselves in.
How did Jesus acknowledge the dark context of where they were in a way that called them to rise above with the Gospel? Read Luke 12:4-12. How did Jesus call them to address fear and anxiety?
We face similar darkness in our times. In the wake of depraved social and political violence, how are we to apply Jesus’ words and how are we to respond?
The spiritual battle is over our culture’s need for the gospel and our need to raise our regard for human life. What do the statistics tell us about our perspective of life in the midst of disagreement?
Choosing faith over fear frees us to respond rightly through the gospel. What does it look like to respond in faith?
How does Romans 12:9-21 encourage us to respond?
Michael applied it this way in his conversations...
In too many ways, humanity is losing its humanity. For the sake of humanity, violence can not be a response to disagreements. Violence in actions or words can not be what we sink to when disagreeing. Every person bears the image of God. His/Her life has value, our lives have value, and your life has immense value. Being an image bearer is what sets us apart from the rest of creation. And even now, in our disagreement, I regard you with the value of the image of God. I disagree with you, but I cannot now resort to hurting you, or belittling you, or making you feel threatened by my words or actions. I regard you too much. Our world will not be a better place by implementing violence. I want more for humanity.
How can you be ready to respond through the gospel?
Michael ended with a call to live above so that we can go beyond with the great opportunity that is before us. Jesus acknowledged this with the disciples. The world is indeed dark, but the opportunity is great. What do the recent stats for Gen Z and the religious movement tell us about the opportunity that is in front of us?
September 21 - Intentional Spiritual Growth
Barna reports have always helped shine a light on where we are in American culture and our faith reality. What do the trends suggest about our normal state of spiritual growth?
Jesus doesn't shy away from using sharp words. What clarity was Jesus bringing to this man and the group at large? Have you ever had a heart check like this that made you question the foundation of your faith? Do you know the gospel and have you truly responded in life changing faith?
How did the rich farmer show that he was not growing to the norms of what God had set for Isreal? What did this reveal about the farmers heart toward God and people?
After the heart check Jesus sets a trajectory of intentional growth for His disciples. What did that look like?
Most of us are familiar with the parable of the sower. Take some time to read Matthew 13:18-23. How does this compare with Luke 12? What soil do you think the brother, farmer, and disciples were represented by?
The point of the parable is to make you question the condition of your heart’s soil and challenge what you are doing with the Word you have received.
At face value what does this parable say about the current norms of the culture around Jesus and the disciples? How was the soil represented in culture then? And what are the "norms" around us?
How did this parable challenge the Disciples to be intentional with their hearts’ soil? How can you allow it to challenge your personal growth and application of the word to your life this year?
How did this parable help to frame the future ministry of the disciples beyond where they had been with Jesus? What could we look like as a family of faith in Monroe if we position ourselves better with growth? How could we go beyond where we have been up to this point?
What growth goals do you need to be intentional with this year?
September 28, 2025 - Generosity and Kingdom Work
Read through Luke 12:32-34 and put yourself in the disciples’ shoes. How would your heart respond to the challenge of giving more for Kingdom Work?
How has fear affected our movement toward generosity in America and in Church?
Religion develops a contract with our heart to give out of obligation. How does Jesus reframe that?
Ultimately Jesus calls His disciples to trust in our Fathers heart to provide for our needs. This helps us see all the ways God has demonstrated His desire to give and care for us. How does this instill peace, trust, and confidence in our hearts?
How does this peace free us to reflect our father's heart with our giving? How does generosity make us more like Jesus and our Father?
Jesus then calls His disciples to treasure Kingdom work. What is our heavenly treasure and how does that change what we value in this world?
What is the connection between meeting peoples needs and seeing souls saved?
What does it look like to have these two things in mind when you pray through your contribution of tithe? How am I reflecting the Fathers heart? What value does our Kingdom work hold for me?
We believe our giving: Grows and Activates our Faith. Reflects His Heart. Accomplishes His Mission through us.
Do we want to grow above our norms to go beyond where we have been?
October 5, 2025 - His Purpose to Love People
Have you ever felt the Pareto Principle in life... 20% of the people doing 80% of the work? How has this been true in Church and people's lives of faith?
Read Luke 12:35-37. How does it make you feel and does it sound like Jesus has something for the disciples to do? How does this fit in with the overall chapter and what Jesus later said in "reading the times".
Read Matthew 25:14-30. How does Jesus set up THE MASTER'S purpose in relation to the servants? Where was the servants' identity, what were they entrusted with, and what was their ability?
Have you ever struggled with defining your own life's purpose and just asking God to bless it? What does it look like to shift into asking God what His overall purpose is and how you were made to fit into that?
There are two parts to finding God's purpose. One is to respond to the gospel and grow in your love toward God as an image bearer. The second is to reflect His image in the world by loving people toward the gospel. Why do you think Jesus emphasized the two greatest commandments? How do you understand them not just as commandments but the reality that your life is empty without them?
What in your life have you been entrusted with?
What abilities has God given you for His purpose?
How has your life been made so far to find purpose lived out in the body of Cascade Church?
Where in your life is He calling you to the purpose of reflecting His image?
When you "read the times" how does finding His purpose give you energy to engage in Church, faith, and God's daily relevance?