Circular Living: Dotted Circles (Week 3)
If our “close circles” are centered on Christ and not ourselves, we will go out from those close circles, taking the presence of Jesus with us as we lean into His Kingdom purposes. This is living from the “dotted circle.”
Group Study Questions
Discuss some reasons why you may have held back from participating in what God is leading you to do as part of your “dotted” circle. Thinking back to the sermon, are you more likely to be inhibited from participating because of inconvenience, a lack of confidence, or the belief that someone else will do it?
Read the passage aloud (Matthew 15:29-39). Thinking about the disciples’ response to Jesus’ desire to feed the people: “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?” Where do you sense scarcity in your life? How can you lean on God’s abundance to overcome your perceptions of scarcity?
Prayerfully consider and then discuss what areas of mission God is calling you into. What relationships outside of your “close circle” might you, with God’s help, model the love and grace of Jesus? In other words, what “dotted circles” can you begin to form?
Be encouraged as you remember what happened when the people and disciples trusted Jesus with what they had:
“They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over” (Matthew 15:37).
