Cypress Groups
Group Norms
Be courageous.
Be compassionate.
Be connected.
Be a cog. (Not a hog nor a log)
Summer Sessions
Unexpected - July 5th
Icebreaker:
Have you ever experienced something so unexpected that you thought for sure it would fail, but it ended up being an important part of your life's story? Maybe an unexpected event in your job, school or family that when it first happened you were sure it was going to end poorly, but now when you look back it was a truly positive experience? (Or if you can think of anything unexpected: Imagine you were an Israelite living in ancient Egypt, if someone told you that the hope for your freedom was going to be a baby boy floating on the Nile River in a basket, how would you have reacted?)
Discussion:
1. Go back and read Genesis 15:5 (God's promise to Abraham, back then he was just Abram--no ham) and then read Exodus 1:7, how was God's promise becoming true? When you consider the state and age of Abraham and his wife, Sarah, when God made that promise in Genesis to the current state of the Hebrews in Exodus 1:7, how do you see God at work? What does this teach us about God?
2. Read Exodus 2:1-15. Sometimes Moses is portrayed that he didn't know anything about his Hebrew heritage as he grew up with a much more privileged life in the palace, but what does this passage teach us about Moses' connection to the Israelites? What does this tell us about Moses' anger and his need for justice?
3. Read Exodus 3:1-11. What do you think of Moses' response to God's request? Why do you think Moses didn't feel qualified for such a task? After all, Moses left Egypt as a wanted fugitive! What does this reveal to us about the nature of God when it comes to God calling His people? (Can you think of any other Biblical examples of God calling people who feel completely inadequate?)
4. Read Exodus 3:13-15. God chooses a rather unusual name for himself. What does that name mean, what does it signify about the power of God? Read John 8:58-59. When Jesus says this, how is he connecting to the passage from Exodus 3? Why does this make the Jewish leaders so angry? What does this tell us about the nature of Jesus?
5. In the sermon Dave pointed out a number of events in the origin story of Moses and also the birth of Jesus that parallel each other as unexpected events? What stands out to you in both of these stories (Moses and Jesus) as something at first glance seemed so unexpected in how God was at work? What about your life? Where do you see God doing unexpected work in you or your family?Prayer:
Back to the Mountain
Ask Seek Knock - June 28th
Summary:
In this final message of Back to the Mountain, Jesus reminds us that the life He calls us to in the Sermon on the Mount is more than we can live on our own—but not more than God is ready to provide. In Matthew 7:7-11, Jesus invites us to ask, seek, and knock: to call to Him in prayer, pursue Him through Scripture, and come to Him in surrender. God is not reluctant or distant; He is a good Father who loves to give His children what they need. So when Jesus calls us to forgive, love our enemies, trust instead of worry, live with integrity, and put His Kingdom first, He also empowers us to live that way. The invitation is simple and ongoing: never stop turning to God, because God is more than ready to give all you need to fully live.
Icebreaker:
What’s something you’ve tried to fix, build, or learn that turned out to be much harder than you expected?
Discussion:
The message highlighted how Jesus often calls us to a way of life that feels beyond our ability. Which teaching from the Sermon on the Mount (living with uncompromising integrity, turning the other cheek, loving our enemies, wrong motives, refusing to worry, not judging, etc.) feels the most challenging for you personally? Why?
Read Matthew 7:7-11: Jesus tells us to ask, seek, and knock—and to keep on asking, seeking, and knocking. What do these three invitations teach us about our relationship with God? What do they reveal about God’s heart toward us?
The message described three practical ways we keep turning to God: prayer, Scripture, and surrender. Which of those feels most natural to you right now? Which one would you like to grow in, and what might be one simple next step this week?
The bottom line was: “God is more than ready to give all you need to fully live.” Is there an area of your life where you’ve been trying to live the Christian life in your own strength instead of depending on God? What would it look like to “keep asking, seeking, and knocking” in that area this week?
Prayer Time Guide:
Spend time thanking God for being a loving Father who is eager to give His children what they need. Invite each person to share one area where they need God’s strength, wisdom, or grace to live the life Jesus has called them to. Pray for one another, asking God to help each person keep turning to Him through prayer, His Word, and daily surrender.
Everyone is Welcome.
Seriously. Every week at Cypress, Christians and non-Christians, seekers and skeptics, fired-up and burned out all come together in search of answers to life’s great questions. There’s always room for more. We hope to see you soon!
