Before We Get Started

For our discussion today, we will be using the sermon series discussion guides. If you would like to follow along you can access this discussion guide on the website at mosaicchurchaustin.com and then select “community group resources” in the menu options.

Prayer

Because the primary goal of our time together is to establish relationships and learn how to walk with one another in all that God has called us to be and do, we’d like to begin by praying for one another. So, does anyone have anything you’d like us to pray for or anything to share regarding how you’ve seen God moving in your life that we can celebrate together?

This Week’s Topic

The Domino Effect

Today’s Topic

Attending

Discussion Questions

Hebrews 10:23-25

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Regular church attendance improves your mental and emotional health.

Those who attend church weekly:

• reduce mortality risk by 26%
• are less depressed, less anxious, less hopeless, less lonely
• showed higher signs of life satisfaction and feelings of purpose in life

Are you more or less likely to want to attend church after a challenging week?

Why do you think attending church regularly improves our mental and emotional health?

What are some ways we, as a congregation, can amplify this benefit and make Mosaic a more stabilizing and encouraging place for people struggling this week?

Regular attendance in a church with a diverse congregation elevates the value of loving people unlike you.

A recent survey of Mosaic’s members showed that there is no political majority in our congregation and that Mosaic members care more about loving one another than who others are voting for.

How has being in a community with people unlike you fostered growth and empathy in your life?

What are some challenges you’ve faced while building relationships with people unlike you?

What do you enjoy most about being part of a diverse faith community?

Regular church attendance strengthens us for the spiritual wildernesses that invariably come in life.

John of the Cross, Dark Night of the Soul

The virtuous soul that is alone and without a master, is like a lone burning coal; it will grow colder rather than hotter. Those who fall alone remain alone in their fall, and they value their souls little since they entrust it to themselves alone. If you do not fear falling alone, do you presume that you will rise up alone? Consider how much more can be accomplished by two together than by one alone.”

How does your involvement in church community strengthen you?

Have you ever felt too isolated from community? How did you reengage or reconnect?

Who do you typically reach out to when you need advice, encouragement, or spiritual strengthening?

Regular church attendance helps us experience now the unity and fellowship we will one day experience in the future, coming kingdom of God in eternity.

Hebrews 1:23-25

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

What can we accomplish together as a church that none of us could accomplish on our own?

How can sowing our time, emotions, and energy into something bigger expand the impact of our individual lives? 

What do you love most about being part of Mosaic?

Closing thought

Thabiti Anyabwile, The Local Church

We desperately need the church for love, for maturity and preparedness, for spiritual care. It is arrogant, rebellious, self-reliant, God-indicting pride to conclude that the church is an optional extra to the Christian life. We need everything God designs for us. Everything. To reject what God designs for His glory and our good is spiritual suicide. To reject the church is to take your own spiritual life.

Spend some time praying for Mosaic. Thank God for the people who gather there, the work we do to love and care for the city of Austin, and pray for us to continue to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing.”