March 16 2025
The heart of a Rust City Group is to care for people and carry the culture of Rust City Church.
You don’t have to follow this guide like a script! Use discernment from the Holy Spirit as you lead your group discussion.
If you notice that someone in your group needs additional care or support that’s beyond your capacity, please let a pastor know.
ICEBREAKER QUESTION OPTION:
If you could instantly become an expert at anything, what would it be and why?
HE Promises: Part 1
SPEAKER: PASTOR DOUG GARASIC
Scriptures—
John 3:16, Luke 15:1-7, 1 John 4:17
Key Takeaways—
Jesus seeks out the lost and joyfully brings them back
There is a need for all believers to respond to God's love by loving and serving others
God loves each of us as if we were the only one, regardless of our past or current struggles.
Jesus actively seeks out the "lost sheep" and joyfully brings them back into relationship with Him.
Our response to God's love should be to extend that same love and acceptance to others.
Discussion Questions—
Reflect on a time when you felt like the 'lost sheep'. How did God's love find you in that wilderness?
How might our lives change if we truly internalized the idea that God loves each of us as if we were the only one?
In what ways have you experienced or witnessed the transformative power of daily Bible reading in your own life or the lives of others?
In what ways might you be maintaining a 'one-way relationship' with God, and how can you work towards a more reciprocal faith?
How can we cultivate a church culture that celebrates and 'parties' over transformed lives without losing reverence for God?
How can we balance the desire for a 'clean' church environment with Jesus' example of welcoming and eating with 'notorious sinners'?
How can we practically demonstrate sacrificial love for others in our daily lives?
What fears or hesitations might hold us back from inviting others to church or sharing our faith, and how can we overcome them?
How might our approach sharing the Gospel differently if we focused on being 'close to broken people' rather than just preaching at them?
Practical application—
Extend an Easter Invitation: Identify one person in your life who might benefit from hearing the Gospel message. Pray for them daily and invite them to join you for Easter service.
Closing Prayer—
Lord, give us opportunities this week to share that love with others. Open our eyes to the people around us who need to know You, and give us the courage and compassion to reach out. Strengthen each person here, meet them where they are, and continue to grow us closer to You and to one another. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
