Don Pearson // Northview Campus // March 23, 2025

SMALL GROUP
DISCUSSION GUIDE

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Luke 16:19–31

REMINDERS

*UPDATE* Leader Development Class is cancelled Over the course of the past several months, it’s been a joy getting to meet with dozens of different leaders within various ministry groups of our church in the Leader Development Class. Our team has taken great joy in meeting, getting to know each other, and grow in our abilities to lead well as group leaders.

We have decided to cancel the remaining 3 meetings of the LDC for Spring 2025 in order to better focus our efforts with our group leader community. Please keep an eye out for further updates on when we will be gathering together again to help keep each other sharp!

 

LG LEADER GATHERING (Wednesday, May 7, 6-8:30pm, The Leja’s Barn) Please save the date for our annual Leader Appreciation Dinner! This will be a great night of fellowship and encouragement as we reflect on all that God has done within Groups at Magnify over the course of 2024-25. We will send invitations with RSVP’s out soon, so keep on the look out for those!

 

TOGETHER IN LIFE

We are in the thick of “March Madness” with college basketball – did you fill in your brackets?!

What sports or leisure activities do you enjoy in the Springtime?

 

TOGETHER IN THE WORD

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Luke 16:19–31

Note: If you are meeting as a group, we encourage you to read the text together out loud.

KEY QUESTION:

• How will you improve self-awareness and who can help you do this?

GOING DEEPER: 

(Commentary notes italicized)

The Pharisees would have viewed Lazarus’ status as one of divine disfavor—he was not only unclean

but also despised by God. They would have been scandalized that a beggar was reclining with Father

Abraham in heaven and a rich man was suffering in Hades.

Q: Did the Rich Man perish because he didn’t share his wealth with Lazarus?

 

Self-awareness:

• Your ability to perceive and understand the things that make you who you are as an individual,

including your personality, actions, values, beliefs, emotions, and thoughts.

• The ability to recognize you are separate from other people, while also assessing your own

thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.

• To be self-aware means you can use your senses and experiences to understand your

emotions and help you make future choices.

Q: How is self-awareness different for a believer and a non-believer?

 

Don commented if you aren’t in the Word, allowing it to marinate in your life, you will not be aware of

when God is moving you to change. Reflection leads to repentance.

Q: What is your practice regarding the Word of God? Is it adequate/working?

Q: What things come to your awareness when you reflect on the Word?

 

Jesus cited three chances to become aware of who we are before God:

1. The Law and the Prophets—having a soft heart and using your wealth to relieve poverty.

2. John the Baptizer—who lived a drastic life to illustrate and interpret the Scriptures.

3. Jesus—pouring himself out. The lame walk, the blind see, the deaf hear, captives set free,

good news proclaimed to the poor.

Q: How have these points of opportunity affected you?

TOGETHER IN ACTION

One of the key purpose of the church gathering is for people to have a place to be formed into the image of Christ through self-reflection and awareness. This is a crucial part to being “stirred up toward love and good works” (Heb. 10:24, paraphrase).

How can you grow in your ability to be stirred up in self-awareness?

Who can help you with this?

What steps can you take to do better in this area of your life?

 

TOGETHER IN PRAYER

Where shall I go from your Spirit?
    Or where shall I flee from your presence? (Psalm 139:7)

This Psalm reminds us that there is not one part of our being that is hidden from God. He knows us more intimately and vulnerably than anyone else on earth – including ourselves. Lean into this in your prayers this week. Depend upon the Lord to open your eyes to your blindspots. Trust Him to expose any evil thoughts, beliefs, or desires in you. Find comfort in His loving embrace as you confess and depend upon Him for healing and forgiveness.