In the next sermon in THE UNHURRIED LIFE series, Mark shares about the pace of relationships and how following Jesus teaches us how to have deep, transformative connection with others.

www.thevineaustin.org/unhurried

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What take-aways do you have from practicing simplicity, gratitude and contentment last week?
2. What has been your experience with The Unhurried Life podcast? Is there an episode that has lingered with you?
3. What is something from the sermon that has stayed with you- either as encouraging, curious or confusing?
4. How have you seen or experienced the movement towards counterfeit connection? How is your "friendship time” trending in comparison to years in the past? 
5. In 1 Corinthians 13, we find a list of descriptions for the nature of love, and it begins with patience. Why might love first need to be patient?  
6. Recall the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10 from Zacchaeus’ perspective. What would you find surprising and transformative about Jesus’ actions and words?
7. What is a practice you are considering this week to deepen unhurried connections with others?


ADDITIONAL INFO: 
We are creating an additional resource each week for those who would like to go deeper. 
For this week, you can review the resources exploring the way of simplicity and contentment at thevineaustin.org/unhurriedresources
For those who haven’t done so, make sure to subscribe to The Unhurried Life podcast which is found at thevineaustin.org/unhurried

THE UNHURRIED LIFE: The Pace Of Relationships

As we continue in our series called RECLAIMING, community member Christina Swan shares from an often misapplied verse from 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. In this sermon, we reclaim the promise that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. 

www.thevineaustin.org

RECLAIMING: Our Bodies are Temples

The Vine is in a series called RECLAIMING. This week, member Maggie Pruitt shares from the prodigal sons story and how it teaches us to release a transactional view of God for one rooted in relationship. 

www.thevineaustin.org

Luke 15:11-32

RECLAIMING: A Relational View of God

As we continue in our series RECLAIMING, staff member Fabs Harford shares on the much needed task to reclaim a view of ourselves with gentleness, gratitude and in reverence for Christ.

Romans 7:15-20 and Psalm 139:14-16

www.thevineaustin.org

RECLAIMING: Yourself

Community Member, Amber Gray, shares a message on reclaiming her authentic self in this personal and special message.

www.thevineaustin.org

John 10:1-4 and Ephesians 2:10

RECLAIMING: Authenticity

In this sermon, Pastor Mark shares his journey to reclaim the calling of evangelism.

www.thevineaustin.org

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

RECLAIMING: Evangelism

This final sermon in this series RECLAIMING comes from Vince Lozada. Vince shares on the call to reclaim worship- from the commercialization of the American worship system, to the fullness of what worship was meant to be.

www.thevineaustin.org

2 Samuel 6:12-22, Psalm 13

RECLAIMING: Worship

Mark begins our new series TAKE HEART with a story from Joshua 1. This message explores how transitions are sacred moments where we can learn to take heart. 

Joshua 1:1-9

www.thevineaustin.org

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “take heart?” What does that phrase call one to do?
2. Before we read Joshua 1, consider the context. Replay what people have experienced to get to that point and what might be going through their hearts and minds?
3. Read Joshua 1:1-9. What do you notice in these verses?
4. Mark shared how transitions are places where God does some of God’s best work. Respond to that notion. What uniquely happens in moments of transition?
5. What has stayed with you from the sermon- either as encouraging, confusing or curious? 
6. Joshua 3:9-17 shares a profound moment. For a generation born in the wilderness, who heard how God parted the sea for their parents’ generation, what would this moment mean?  
7. Who is experiencing transition in their life- either on the edge of the river of transition or walking through one now? What does it mean to take heart?

TAKE HEART: transitions

In this second week of our series TAKE HEART, Fabs shares from 1 Chronicles 28. In this moment, Solomon calls the people together so that they can live out their dreams and gifting to build something great with one another.

www.thevineaustin.org

REFLECTION QUESTION
1. What did you want to be when you grew up as a kid?  Do you hear anything in your response that gives you clues about who you are at your core?  
2. When you read 1 Chronicles 28:20 - what stands out? 
3.  When you look around the world today, where do you see God’s presence?  Where do you feel afraid or discouraged? 
4. What has stayed with you from the sermon - either as encouraging, confusing or curious?
5. As we see the giftedness of Solomon in this passage, what comes up for you when you consider the notion that you have been given a spiritual gift to help you? Can you identify what that gift or unique abilities might be? 
6.  What gets in the way of you dreaming with God?  What narratives or fears?  
7.  Do you currently have an area of your life or this world where God might be inviting you to dream and participate in God’s restoring presence? What might it look like to carry - through your giftings and design - God’s presence into that area? 
OR Does someone else or some organization have a dream that you might want to step into with your gifting and design?  

Conclude by spending time in prayer with one another, asking God to stir your hearts to dream of ways to carry God’s presence into this world.   

TAKE HEART: Dreams

Mark continues our series TAKE HEART by exploring how Psalm 27. This psalm shares surprising instructions on how to take heart in a time of great conflict.

www.thevineaustin.org

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
1. What is one of your favorite kids’ books? Why do you like it?
2. Mark shared three surprising responses in conflict that we find in Psalm 27. The first was to honor your emotions. Read Psalm 27. What emotions do you find in this psalm? What emotions have been in you recently? What barrier (if any) has there been for you to take those emotions to God?
3. The second response was to set your gaze on the right thing. Read verses 4-5. What does it mean in the modern life “to dwell in the house of the Lord  all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple?”
4. The third response is to wait for the Lord. What does it mean to “wait for the Lord,” and what is produced in us if we can “wait for the Lord.” 
5. What has stayed with you from the sermon- either as encouraging, confusing, or curious?
6. What is the conflict that is apparent in your life (whether globally, interpersonally, or within)? 

Conclude by spending time in prayer, asking for God to help us take heart in the conflicts in our world and lives.

TAKE HEART: conflict

As we continue in our series where we consider the occurrences of the phrase TAKE HEART, we look to a story in Matthew 9. This passage and the example from a woman's courageous act of faith can teach us how to take heart in the midst of suffering.

www.thevineaustin.org

Matthew 9:18-26

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
1. Have you seen a celebrity in the wild? Did you talk to them?
2. Recount this woman’s life. When you imagine carrying this affliction for 12 years, what comes to your mind? What would have been hard for you?
3. Why was this woman’s act such a risk of faith?
4. Why do you think Jesus made a scene when this healing took place?
5. What has stayed with you from the sermon- either confusing, curious or encouraging?
6. In the sermon, Mark shared that Jesus’ cross should form our view of suffering. What healing do you find in Jesus’ choice to endure the cross?
7. What suffering are you carrying today?
 

Conclude by spending time in prayer, asking for God to help us take heart in the suffering in our world and lives.


THE UNHURRIED LIFE: The Pace Of Relationships

The Vine Austin