Physical Ground

This is week 1 of our new series Gaining Ground and our Spring Community Group Trimester.

Make sure to review the “Beginning of Trimester Agreement” and Set “Growth Goals” with your Community Group this week in addition to discussing the sermon.

You can find the sermon discussion questions in the Gaining Ground Booklet handed out on Sunday as well as via the links provided below.

Important note:

week 1 and week 2 sermon discussion questions are listed in the wrong order in the booklet.

If using the booklet, Please use the questions on page 32 for Week 1 and the questions on page 28 for week 2

2019.03.24 - Drew Karschner - "Physical Ground" Jesus said He will build his church, and yet He invites us to be a part of that story. As a church, we are always looking for ways to fulfill our mission of more and better. As we follow God’s lead, He has led us to physical ground for our Webster campus to continue fulfilling the mission He gave us. The question is, will you be a part of it? Matthew 16

Mercy Given, Mercy Abused

COMMUNITY GROUPS MAY BE ON BREAK THIS WEEK BUT WE WOULD STILL ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONNECT WITH YOUR GROUP THROUGH TEXT MESSAGES, COFFEE DATES, INVITING A FEW PEOPLE OVER FOR DINNER FROM YOUR GROUP, FINDING A SERVING OPPORTUNITY, OR SIMPLY SITTING TOGETHER IN A SERVICE ON SUNDAY. ENJOY YOUR BREAK!

2019.03.17 - Drew Karschner - "Mercy Given, Mercy Abused" God is rich in mercy. We love to be on the receiving end of His mercy, yet sometimes we don’t like when He extends mercy to others. Jonah was caught in that trap. He couldn’t celebrate what God was doing, because he was blinded by his selfishness. May we fight to avoid that same trap. Jonah 4

Trying That Again

While Community Groups are on break over the next 2 weeks, we would encourage you to connect with your group through text messages, coffee dates, inviting a few people over for dinner from your group, finding a serving opportunity, or simply sitting together in a service on Sunday. Enjoy your break!

2019.03.10 - Aaron Hixson - "Trying that again..." Ever wanted a second chance? In this chapter, Jonah gets his second shot at obedience, and something happens that far exceeds his expectations. God can show more mercy than we think is possible, and there is nothing better than being on the receiving end of that mercy. But what happens what that mercy is extended to an enemy? We'll evaluate our reaction to God's liberal mercy and what that means for our everyday lives. Jonah 3

Swallowed by Mercy

THis is the last WEEK of the winter GROUP TRIMESTER. WE’D ENCOURAGE YOUR GROUP TO CELEBRATE COMMUNION TOGETHER AS WE FOCUS ON GOD’S MERCY IN THIS SERMON SERIES.

2019.03.03 - Aaron Hixson - "Swallowed By Mercy" Rock Bottom. You've been there, or you know someone who is there. It's nobody's definition of a good time. Yet, almost anyone will say that their lowest experience is one that left them changed - often for the better. This week, we're taking a dive into Jonah's lowest moment, and what God did in his heart when all seemed lost. Jonah 2

Running Man

There are just 2 weeks left in the group trimester. We’d encourage your group to celebrate communion together either this week or next week as we focus on God’s mercy in this sermon series.

2019.02.24 - Drew Karschner - "The Running Man" Have you ever tried to run away from what God obviously called you to? Running from God at times may seem right, yet we fail to understand that we can’t outrun his pursuit of us. God, in his mercy, doesn’t pursue us to punish us, but to win us back. Jonah 1

Playing Favorites

2019.02.17 - Drew Karschner - "Playing Favorites" When it comes to our society we often look at people based on outward appearances. If someone looks rich, we prioritize them. But if someone looks poor we overlook them. James speaks directly to a culture that did just that and offers them a new way of living. James 2:1-7

Still Dreaming

2019.02.10 - Drew Karschner - "Still Dreaming..." In our nation's history one of the greatest fractures is racism. For far too long, people have shown prejudice toward people based on their skin color, background, and ethnicity. Yet when Jesus came and died for us, he declared that we are all equal. Maybe it’s time we start living that way. Ephesians 2:14

Boys Rule Girls Drool

2019.02.03 - Drew Karschner - "Boys Rule, Girls Drool" One of the greatest tensions in our culture today is the battle of sexism. Women in our culture have been abused, overlooked, and objectified. It was the same in the 1st century when Jesus came onto the scene. Yet instead of overlooking women, Jesus gave them value when they had none. He is calling us to do the same today. John 4

I Can't See It

If you have not had a chance to set some Growth Goals for the Community Group trimester, make sure to do that with your Community Group this week. There are some growth goal ideas included in the sermon discussion questions or you can’t print the list HERE and bring it to group. Set a goal, write it down, and ask each other about it through the trimester. It is one of the simplest ways of encouraging growth and seeing progress.

2019.01.27 - Drew Karschner - "I Can't See It" Division can be a tricky thing. We have a tendency to focus on the implications of our division and not the root of that division. If we want to understand why we are divided, it starts by understanding where division truly comes from. Galatians 5

Approach Trumps Content

If you didn’t get a chance to review the Beginning of Trimester Group Agreement last week, you can access that below. Make sure to review that as you begin the trimester to make sure everyone is on the same page.

2019.01.20 - Drew Karschner - "Approach Trumps Content" Each local church has its own unique way of doing things. Location, beliefs, culture, and values are all contributing factors to the small and big things that make them who they are. This week we will answer the question of why we as Northridge approach church the way we do. 1 Corinthians 9:20-22

Trust The Process

Included below are Week 1 details to cover with your group, like the group agreement, volunteer schedules, and overview of how groups work to help new people get acquainted with group. The notes also include the sermon discussion questions for this week.

2019.01.13 - Drew Karschner - "Trust the Process" Discipleship doesn’t just happen, it takes discipline and hard work. As a church, we aim to help grow and connect people through a process. But every process comes with questions, and we want to answer those for you. Acts 2:42-47

Mission Critical

2019.01.06 - Drew Karschner - "Mission Critical" Every church has a mission, but do people know it and understand it? As we zoom into our mission of making more and better disciples, we will not only answer the question “Why?”, but dig deep into it. Matthew 28:19

New Year. New You

2018.12.30 - Graham Spruill - "New Year, New You" What comes to mind when you think of the word 'discipline'? The truth is, at some level, we all long to be disciplined but we don't like the process. This is also true when it comes to our spiritual lives. This message seeks to turn the drudgery of discipline into genuine delight. Ephesians 1:15-19

The Kings Competition

2018.12.23 - Drew Karschner - "The King’s Competition" When Jesus was born He entered another King’s territory. Herod was king of that time and region and when he got word a new King was born it threatened all he had worked for. Herod hoped and worked for temporary things, but Jesus came to give us a greater hope, a hope in a life that would never fade. Matthew 2

The King's Ransom

2018.12.16 - Drew Karschner - "The King’s Ransom" When it comes to having a baby there are certain standards that parents must follow. It was the same for Jesus in his time. Joseph and Mary had to follow the Old Testament law when Jesus was born, and during this event in Jesus’ life, we see a clue into who Jesus really was and what he came to do. Luke 2:21-24

The King's Ultimatum

2018.12.09 - Drew Karschner - "The King’s Ultimatum" Jesus never shied away from who He was. He claimed to be the Son of God and that angered many religious people. And with His claim, He gave people a choice. It was clear and simple: believe what He said or reject it. There has never been a middle ground. Luke 4:14-15

Beyond

2018.12.02 - Drew Karschner - "Beyond" In a culture that is all about getting, we want to be a church that is all about giving. But it should go beyond just giving money to showing love to the people around us and throughout the world. This week we’ll look beyond the walls of our church to serve and give to our community and world. John 13:34-35

Called To Work

2018.11.25 - Jonathan Walters - "Called To Work" Work can be the worst - constant deadlines, a relentless boss, annoying co-workers, day after day, week after week. But what if God has a greater purpose in our daily grind? What if our work was our loudest worship? What if our work was all about serving others? What if our work was an answer to our highest calling? God has called each of us to work - it is here that we find our true purpose in His great story. Gen.1:1, Matt.25:14-29; Rev. 21:3-5

Royals

2018.11.18 - Drew Karschner - "Royals" A part of the "Chosen" sermon series. One of things that impacts our lives the most is who raised us and how they raised us. It determines so much of how we think and act, our beliefs, and our overall outlook on life. When it comes to the gospel one of the greatest benefits is who your heavenly Father is. When we truly understand who we belong to it’s a game changer. 1 Peter 2:9

Ratification

This is the last week of the Fall Community Group Trimester.

Make sure to take some time to receive feedback from your group members about their experience in your group this trimester.

They can share what they loved and any suggestions for group on a 3x5 card or by filling out the “End of Trimester Feedback Form”. Click on the button below and print out copies for your group.

2018.11.11 - Drew Karschner - "Ratification" Most people have heard the expression “It's not over until the fat lady sings.” That was true about the gospel. Jesus was dead and lying in a tomb, and it felt over, but it wasn’t. Our future literally hung in the balance for three days. Then Jesus’ payment for ours sins was ratified when He defeated death and rose from the grave. Romans 5:8