WE'RE A 

CHURCH OF

SMALL GROUPS.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Uncharted: The Call (Genesis 12)

  1. Genesis 12:1, God tells Abram to leave his country, his people and his father’s household. This means leaving his safety net, inheritance and comfort. Why does God often start a new chapter with a disruption rather than a smooth transition?
  2. As you think about your life, what have been some disruptive moments or big transitions where life hasn't been the same afterward?
  3. How does having a plan that is prepared in advance and mapped out with timelines, guarantees, clarity and direction hinder your ability to trust in the Lord?  
  4. Genesis 12:4 says, "So Abram went." He was 75 years old and had no details of where he was going or what he was getting into. Have you ever sensed God calling you to something, even though you don’t have the full "map"?
  5. How does Hebrews 11:8 and obeying even when you don't know where you're going, shape the way you view God’s call?
  6. Before Abraham built a home or a city, he built an altar (Genesis 12:7-8). He prioritized worship in the middle of a land filled with strangers and unknowns. How does worship act as an anchor when your circumstances feel chaotic, unsettled or unfamiliar?
  7. What is one area where you have been "delaying" obedience because you're waiting for clarity, details or more information? 

Uncharted: Promise (Genesis 15)

  1. God, Where are You: God made a promise to Abraham that he would have many descendants. Ten years later, Abraham still had no children. Have you ever experienced a time when God’s Word doesn’t match what you are seeing in your daily life? 
  2. Honest Doubt: In verses 2–3, Abraham is incredibly blunt with God about his lack of an heir. How does God engage Abraham’s frustration rather than rebuke it?
  3. The Perspective Shift: When Abraham counted his limitations, God told him to "count the stars" (v. 5). What "limitations" are holding you back or discouraging you right now? How might “counting the stars” help you see a bigger picture?  
  4. Righteousness by Trust: Verse 6 says Abraham’s belief was credited to him as righteousness before Isaac was born. Why is it significant that God affirmed Abraham while the promise was still "invisible"? How does this define the essence of faith?
  5. The One-Sided Covenant: In ancient times, both parties would walk through an animal that was cut in half to symbolize an agreement or contract. In the passage, Abraham is asleep and only God passes through. What does this tell us about who is responsible for keeping the promises of our salvation? Why is this important? 
  6. Timing is Everything: How do you respond when things don’t happen according to your plan? What are you waiting for right now?
  7. Delayed Dependence: Looking back at a season of prolonged patience and waiting, what was God doing during this season to deepen your dependence on Him? Why does God rarely rush His process?  

Uncharted: Surrender (Genesis 22)

  1. Abraham waited 25 years for the promise of a son, and now he is called to sacrifice his son. What's going through Abraham’s mind as he climbs this mountain for three days? 
  2. Like Abraham, have you ever obeyed God when something didn’t fully make sense? What kept you moving forward?
  3. In Genesis 22:5, Abraham tells his servants we will come back. What does this reveal about Abraham’s faith and what he thought would happen with his son? 
  4. Abraham didn’t see the ram until he reached the mountain top. Why is this important? 
  5. As you think about your faith journey and walk with God, do you find yourself waiting for God to answer your prayers before you take your first step or start the climb? 
  6. In this passage, what are some connections and similarities to the sacrifice of Jesus? 

Uncharted: Legacy


How does a sermon-based small group work? Whether you’ve studied the Bible for years or are new in your faith, a sermon-based small group is designed to help you read, understand and apply God’s Word as you examine the passage from three perspectives:

STEP 1: What does this passage say? How would I answer these questions? The first part of a sermon-based study is to read the passage for yourself. We want you to study the passage on your own before hearing the sermon on Sunday because this simple practice will change the way you come to church. Read carefully and look for details. Make observations, write down notes, look for connections in the text and discern what’s happening in the passage. In addition to reading the passage, we also want you to think through the discussion questions. This will help you prepare and be ready to participate with your group. 

STEP 2: What does this passage mean? What will I take away from today? Now that you have spent time observing the passage by yourself, the second part of this study is based on the sermon. Rather than introducing the passage for the first time, the sermon will clarify the author’s intent and move your study from observation to interpretation. Working through the same passage as a reader and listener, will help you engage God’s Word in deeper levels. Take notes, write down questions and be ready to share your takeaways with your group. If you miss the sermon, we encourage you to listen to it or watch it online prior to attending your small group. 

STEP 3: How does this passage relate to me and how will I respond? What should I do this week to apply these truths? The final part of this study will combine your personal study with the sermon as you discuss the weekly passage with your group. Remember, your preparation will help your participation. The goal of a small group isn’t to rehash the sermon but to press the truth of God’s Word into your life. Through personal application, group discussion and responding to the message, this is what helps us be doers of the Word as we allow Scripture to shape how we live. 

Sharing your story is an essential part of every small group. This includes where you come from, challenges you have faced, formative experiences that have shaped you, ways you have grown, people who have influenced you, and ultimately how God is working in your life. Sharing your story will help you take your group to the next level. What's your story? 

SHARE YOUR STORY

We are living in the most connected society in history, but when it comes to relationships, many of us are disconnected. Is this what God intended? Do you have someone who encourages you? Prays with you? Do you have someone who holds you accountable? Do you have people who are helping you become more like Christ? This doesn’t happen when you walk alone.

RELATIONSHIPS MATTER

If our church disappeared, would our neighbors and community notice? Something special happens when groups serve together. Serving forces everyone outside the comfortable living room and into the community. This is where we have the opportunity to love our neighbors and live out our faith. We encourage every group to serve at least once a year. 

SERVE TOGETHER

Small groups are more than friend groups, interest groups or support groups. More than having a place to belong, small groups are a community of people who are committed to the same goal. Becoming more like Jesus is our number one priority. Sustained spiritual growth does not happen on its own. It takes the Word of God, Spirit of God and the people of God. 

BECOME MORE LIKE JESUS

We're not just a church with small groups, we're a church of small groups. Groups are a core part of our ministry and the heartbeat of our church. Do you have a heart for God? Do you have a desire to lead other people and point them to Christ? If your answer is yes, it's time to take your next step and consider leading a group. We're here to help you along the way. 

MULTIPLY MINISTRY

If you are a new leader or have been leading for a long time, you know that it can be difficult to monitor progress or know if you’re doing the right thing. At times, it’s easy to become discouraged and doubt if God is working in your small group or question if your group members are moving in the right direction. Here are three simple questions to measure your group.MONITOR PROGRESS

Go deeper. Go farther. Go beyond the surface.

Where and when do small groups meet?

Groups meet in various homes on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings. We also have some groups that meet at church. We currently have groups in Danville, Heritage Lake and Plainfield.

How often do groups meet?

Most groups meet two times a month from the middle of August through the middle of May. We take a break during the winter holidays and summer. The groups that meet at church (men, women, and care groups) typically meet every week and then take a break between various studies.

What is the commitment?

Joining a group requires an 8-10 week commitment each semester to attend the weekly gatherings and prepare ahead of time. Commitment is key to building group momentum and deep relationships. We understand that illness, work commitments and family trips come up; however, the depth of each group depends on the commitment of each member.

How important are groups at Northview?

Groups are the heartbeat of our church because we believe circles are better than rows. This is the place where a large church feels small and you are missed when you don't show up. Groups are also the place where ownership and discipleship can happen during the week as groups gather around God's Word, grow deeper together and then go back to their sphere of influence.

Is childcare provided?

It depends. Our groups are not designed as family groups where everyone interacts together. Groups are intended for adults. While some groups can offer childcare, parents are ultimately responsible for arranging childcare during their group. This can include hiring a babysitter, coordinating childcare with other families or swapping childcare with someone from another group who meets on a different night. We know this is a challenge for many families, but groups are trying to minimize distractions and create the right kind of environment for God to work in a powerful way.

How are groups selected?

We have lots of options. Some groups are self-selected based on your interest or availability. While there is no specific formula for assigning members into various groups, some factors include: group size, available openings, stage of life, location, requested person(s) and the dynamics of each small group. Ultimately, the best way to join a group is to ask to be a part of an existing group.

Do I have to be a member of Northview to join a group?

No. Membership is not required in order to join a group. However, if you are joining a group that is doing a sermon-based study, we do expect for you to attend the service or watch the service online so you can participate in your group discussion and get the most from your group.