This is Who I AM: The Names of God

1. What does it mean to you that “God is our banner”? How does that shape your understanding of identity, purpose, or victory?
2. How do we reconcile Old Testament stories of war with Jesus’ call to love our enemies and turn the other cheek? What helps you navigate that tension?
3. Have you ever seen faith or God's name used in ways that felt more like conquest than Christlikeness? How can we guard against that in our own lives or churches?
4. In what areas of your life are you tempted to ask God to “join your mission” instead of asking how to join His?
5. When life feels like a battle, what would it practically look like for you to “fight on your knees”?
6. What are some “banners” people raise today that divide instead of unite? How can the church lift up Jesus as a better banner?
7. The sermon mentioned that “a banner identifies you.” What are you most known for right now—and what would it look like to be known first and foremost by your connection to Christ?

This is Who I AM: The Names of God

1. What does it mean that God introduces Himself as Jehovah Rapha right after the Exodus? Why is that timing significant?
2. How, if at all, does the healing in Exodus 15 differ from the kind of healing we often pray for today? How is it similar?
3. How does understanding the difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant affect the way we think about God’s healing?
4. Have you ever experienced healing or restoration from God that wasn’t physical — maybe emotional, relational, or spiritual? What did that look like?
5. What area of your life feels “bitter” right now? Where are you still waiting for God to heal or restore?
6. How do you typically respond when healing doesn’t come — to yourself or to others? How does this sermon challenge or comfort that reaction?
7. Why do you think “restorer” might be a more helpful name than “healer” when talking about Jehovah Rapha today?
8. What does it mean to trust God not just as someone who can fix what’s broken, but someone who is restoring you over time — even when you can’t see it yet?
9. Where have you seen healing or restoration in your life over the past 12 months?

This is Who I AM: The Names of God

1. Genesis 22:14 says, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” Why do you think Abraham chose future tense instead of past tense to name that place? What does that say about his view of God?
2. What stood out to you about the different ways people interpret the story of Abraham and Isaac? Which one resonated most with you — and why? 
3. How would you answer someone who is not a believer who asks “What kind of a God asks a father to sacrifice his son?!?!”
4. How would you explain the difference between the prosperity gospel and biblical trust in Jehovah Jireh to someone new to faith?
5. Can you think of a time when you felt unsure how things would work out, but looking back, you see now that God had already “seen to it”?
6. Is there an area of your life right now where you need to trust Jehovah Jireh — not just for provision, but for timing, clarity, or courage? What would it look like to surrender that this week?
7. If you were to write a note on a symbolic “brick” to place in a memorial wall of God’s faithfulness — one for the future — what would it say? What would you be trusting God to fill in?

This is Who I AM: The Names of God

1. Can you think of a time in your life when you felt unseen or forgotten? How might it change things to know that God saw you even then?
2. Hagar named God based on her experience, which brings up an interesting question: If you were to name God from your recent story, what name might you give Him?
3. Why do you think God revealed Himself so personally to someone like Hagar—an outsider, slave, and woman? What does that say about His character?
4. What’s the significance of the “angel of the LORD” speaking as God? How does that shape your understanding of who Jesus is?
5. Who in your life might feel invisible right now? What would it look like to “see” them the way God does?
6. What are some practical ways our church can reflect El Roi to the overlooked in our community?
7. El Roi is a name that brings both comfort and calling. Which side of that truth do you feel more today—and why?
8. If “seen people are called to see people,” what’s one step you can take this week to live that out?

This is Who I AM: The Names of God

1. Who really has the final say in your life?
   • How would you honestly answer that question right now?
   • What tends to compete with God for that role?
2. El Elyon means “God Most High.
   • In what ways does believing that God is “above it all” change how you view the news, your job, your family situation, or a personal struggle?
3. Read Genesis 14:17–23.
   • Why do you think Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything?
   • What does that teach us about recognizing God’s authority in our victories?
4. Why do you think it mattered that Nebuchadnezzar (a pagan king) used the name El Elyon in Daniel 4?
   • What does that say about God’s reign, even in secular or hostile contexts?
5. Have you ever wrestled with the tension: “If God is in control, why is my life still so hard?”
   • How have you processed that?
   • What helped you (or what would help you) hold onto faith in that space?
6. We said lament is brutal honesty + audacious hope.
   • Which of those two comes more naturally to you—honesty or hope? Why?
7. How does seeing Jesus as both El Elyon (Most High) and El Shaddai (All-Sufficient) affect the way you relate to Him?
   • Does it change how you pray or how you approach Him in suffering?
8. What’s one area of your life right now where you need to surrender control back to El Elyon?
   • What might that surrender practically look like this week?

This is Who I AM: The Names of God

1. Have you ever experienced a time where you felt like you had nothing left—and God showed up in a surprising way? What did you learn about Him in that moment?
2. Which meaning of “El Shaddai” spoke to you most today: Almighty God, All-Sufficient One, or Mountain God? Why do you think that aspect of God’s character resonates with you?
3. In Genesis 17, God reveals Himself as El Shaddai to 99-year-old Abraham. What does that tell you about how God works in seasons of delay or impossibility?
4. What does it mean that God is enough for your anxiety, exhaustion, or questions? How is that different from expecting God to fix your situation?
5. Why do you think our culture pushes self-sufficiency so hard? How is that in tension with the idea of God being All-Sufficient?
6. Paul writes, “My power is made perfect in weakness.” What does it look like to embrace weakness as a doorway to God’s strength?
7. How do you respond when you feel powerless? What would change if your first response was to rest in El Shaddai rather than strive on your own?
8. Psalm 91:1 links El Elyon and Shaddai. What do you think it means to rest in God’s shadow? Is that a posture you regularly practice?

This is Who I AM: The Names of God

1. What stood out to you most about God revealing His name as “I AM WHO I AM”? Why do you think He chose to reveal Himself that way?
2. How does knowing that God is self-existent and unchanging challenge you in your current season of life? How does it comfort you in your current season of life?
3. Why might it matter that God’s name—YHWH—is personal and covenantal rather than just a title or role?
4. How have you experienced God being “with you” in your life—especially in times when He seemed silent or distant?
5. Jesus claimed the name “I AM” in the Gospels. What does that say about who He is, and how might it affect your view of Him?
6. In what ways do we sometimes treat God more like a concept or a title than a person who knows us by name?
7. How might your relationship with God change if you approached Him not just as Lord, but as YHWH—your covenant-keeping, always-present God?

1. What stood out to you most from the overview of Rexdale Alliance Church—either in our mission, our structure, or our beliefs? Why?
2. How do you personally relate to the idea of “unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials, and charity in all things”? Can you think of a time when that kind of posture was important in your faith journey?
3. Which part of the Statement of Faith feels most essential for you right now? Why? 
4. Which part of the Statement of Faith feels most challenging for you right now? Why?
5. What does it look like to live like Jesus in your everyday life—at home, at work, or in your neighborhood?
6. On a scale of 1-10, how well are you doing that right now? 
7. What is one practical way you can move that up one number this week? 
8. How does being part of a wider church family (district, national, global) affect your understanding of church and accountability? 

Easter Sunday

1. Why do you think Jesus is introduced as a Lamb instead of a Lion in Revelation 5? What does this say about how God defines victory?
2. The scroll in Revelation represents God's plan for redemption. Why do you think only the slain Lamb was worthy to open it? What does that tell us about what matters most in God’s Kingdom?
3. Have you ever been looking for a “lion” solution in your life, but God showed up as a “lamb” instead? How did that affect your faith?
4. What does it mean to you that the Lamb becomes your Shepherd? How might that shift your view of Jesus?
5. Where do you tend to look for hope or salvation—power, success, politics, people? What would it look like to shift your trust to the Lamb?
6. The people in Revelation 7 respond with worship. How can worship become more central in your life—not just as a Sunday activity, but as a daily response?
7. The Lamb calls us into a Kingdom of priests. What might that look like in your own calling, workplace, or relationships this week?
8. If Jesus is the Lamb we can’t ignore… what’s one area of your life where He might be calling for your attention or surrender right now?

Palm Sunday

1. What were the people of Jerusalem expecting Jesus to do when He entered the city? How do you think they felt when those expectations weren’t met?
2. Have you ever had a moment when you expected God to do one thing, but He did something totally different? How did that affect your faith?
3. Jesus entered Jerusalem humbly, riding on a donkey—not with power or force. What does that tell us about the kind of king He is?
4. Think about a current situation in your life where you’re asking God to "fix" something. What might He be trying to do in you before He changes what's around you?
5. The crowd shouted “Hosanna!”—a cry for help and salvation. What would your personal “Hosanna” cry sound like today? What are you hoping Jesus saves you from?
6. How might understanding Jesus as the Lamb of God change the way you approach Him in prayer, worship, or daily life?
7. What’s the difference between following the King we want versus surrendering to the Lamb we need? Where do you see that tension in your own life?
8. If Jesus were to make a “triumphal entry” into your life today, what part of your heart or habits would He head toward first? Are you ready to surrender that to Him?

U—Made with Love | Pt 8

"Your story has an enemy." 

• What stood out to you about how Paul describes the enemy in Ephesians 6? 
• How does it change your perspective to realize that the enemy is not “flesh and blood”? 

Read Ephesians 6:10–17: 

• Which piece of the armor of God stands out most to you right now, and why? 
• How have you experienced that specific "armour" in your own life? 

Ephesians 3:14–21 is the foundation…

• Paul prayed that we would be strengthened, rooted, and filled. How does the armour of God help us live that prayer out? 

Lies vs. Truth: 

• What’s one lie you’ve believed about yourself, your identity, or God in the past (or maybe still do)? 
• How does the truth of the gospel challenge that lie? 

"Don’t try harder—trust deeper."

• What does it look like practically to trust deeper rather than try harder in your current season? 

Living the Gospel out loud:

• How can we “wear” the armour this week in our work, relationships, or challenges? 

The 2x4 Challenge

• Of the four parts (identity reminder, naming lies, strategies, good works), which one do you feel most drawn to take action on this week? 

"Faithfulness isn’t flashy—but it builds the kingdom."

• Tychicus played a quiet but essential role. Where is God calling you to be faithfully present—even if no one notices? 

Guest Speaker

1. Reflect on a time when you heard a message from the Bible but struggled to put it into action. What steps can you take to become more of a "doer" of the Word in your daily life?
2. Identify a vulnerable group in your community, such as orphans or widows. What practical steps can you take this week to support them, reflecting the true religion James describes? 
3. When you look in the mirror, what insecurities or flaws do you see? How can you remind yourself of your identity in Christ and let that transform your self-perception? 
4. Consider an area of your life where you feel called to be an ambassador of Christ's love. What specific actions can you take to engage with the world in a way that reflects His compassion and grace? 
5. The sermon challenges us to pick one area of need and build our lives around serving it. What cause or group of people resonates with you, and how can you start making a difference in that area this month?
6. Think about a situation where you might have insulated yourself from the world. How can you step out of your comfort zone to let your light shine in a way that impacts others?
7. Reflect on the idea of collective action as a church. How can you encourage others in your small group or church community to join you in addressing a specific need in your area?

U—Made with Love | Pt 7

1. Why do you think Paul emphasizes mutual submission before giving specific instructions to wives, husbands, children, and masters (Ephesians 5:21)? 
2. How do you think Paul’s vision for marriage (husbands loving sacrificially, wives submitting) compares to both the Roman household codes and modern cultural views on marriage? 
3. Paul redefines power by calling for sacrificial love and service. What does this teach us about how Jesus understood leadership? 
4. What are some “power struggles” we see in our own relationships today (marriage, family, work, church)? How might mutual submission transform or renovate these dynamics? 
5. In what ways do we sometimes let things other than the Holy Spirit “control” us (Ephesians 5:18)? How can we cultivate a Spirit-led life? 
6. Paul challenges believers to live counter-culturally in relationships. What’s one way you can intentionally serve or submit to someone in your life this week? 
7. Paul didn’t directly call for the abolition of slavery but instead laid the foundation for its dismantling. How should Christians today approach unjust systems? 
8. The simple sermon was: "Because I am secure in Jesus, I don’t have to “win” in my relationships—I can love first." What would it look like to apply this in your workplace? Family? Friendships? 

U—Made with Love | Pt 6

1. The analogy of the two coats highlights our new identity in Christ. In what ways do you still find yourself reaching for the "old coat" in daily life? 
2. Ephesians 4:22-24 talks about putting off the old self and putting on the new. What does this look like practically in your life? 
3. How do you personally define the difference between receiving grace and abusing grace? Where do you see yourself struggling with legalism or antinomianism? Which do you believe is the bigger struggle for our church? Why do you say that? 
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping us live in our new identity? How have you seen this in your own life? 
5. Ephesians 5:8 says, "For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!" What does it mean to actively "live as people of light" in our culture today? 
6. The Romans worshipped power, sex, and wealth. What are the modern-day "idols" that pull people away from walking in the light? How can we resist them? 
7. Which characteristic of "walking in the light" (truth-telling, generosity, kindness, forgiveness, etc.) do you feel God is calling you to grow in this week? 
8. How can we support one another in putting this into action? 

U—Made with Love | Pt 5

1. Ephesians 4:1 says to "live a life worthy of your calling." What does that practically look like in your daily life? Where in your life do you currently struggle to live out this calling?
2. Humility, patience, and love are key markers of a follower of Jesus. Which of these comes most naturally to you, and which one is the hardest? Why?
3. Unity doesn’t mean uniformity. Have you ever experienced a time when diversity in the church (gifts, perspectives, or cultures) helped you grow in your faith? What did you learn from that experience?
4. The five gifts (apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, teachers) are given to build up the church. Which one resonates most with you, and how can you use it to serve others?
5. We talked about "identity theft"—when we don't live out our calling in Christ. In what ways do we sometimes forget our true identity, and how can we realign ourselves with Christ?
6. Paul calls for unity in the essentials of our faith. How can we do a better job of focusing on what truly matters instead of dividing over secondary issues?
7. What, in your opinion, are the essentials? 
8. What step can you take this week to show more humility, patience, or love in your relationships?
9. A healthy church is where Christ is the head, love is the culture, truth is the language, and involvement is the practice. How would you honestly evaluate our church in these areas? What can you do to contribute to a healthier church?

Love Unending Ministries

1. Are you experiencing God's unending love right now?
2. In what ways might the situations you're facing affect how you experience God's unending love?
3. What will you do differently to enjoy and share God's unending love in the future?

U—Made with Love | Pt 4

1. What was so radical about Paul’s message that Jews and Gentiles are now equals in the church? (Ephesians 3:6 – Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.)
2. Paul describes God’s love as wide, long, high, and deep (Eph. 3:18). What do you think he meant by that? How does this challenge the way we see God’s love?
3. Have you ever felt like an outsider in church, in life, or in your relationship with God? How does Paul’s message challenge that feeling?
4. Paul prays that we would not just know God’s love but experience it (Eph. 3:19). How have you personally experienced God’s love in a real way?
5. Paul was willing to suffer for the truth that all people are equal in Christ (Eph. 3:13). What are some ways we might need to step outside our comfort zones to reflect this truth today?
6. Jesus tore down the dividing wall of hostility (Eph. 2:14-16), but sometimes we rebuild it in our hearts. Are there any “walls” we’ve created—people we struggle to accept or welcome fully?
7. If you fully believed you were fully loved, fully known, and fully accepted by God, what would change in your life this week?
8. Paul says that God can do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Eph. 3:20). What’s one specific area of your life where you need to trust that promise?

U—Made with Love | Pt 3

1. In Ephesians 2:11-22, Paul describes the division between Jews and Gentiles. What were the key barriers that separated them? How did Jesus remove them?
2. The wall of hostility in the temple physically and symbolically separated people from God and one another. What are some modern-day “walls” that still exist in churches or society today?
3. Have you ever felt like an outsider—either in church or another part of life? What made you feel that way? How does the gospel speak to that experience?
4. Think about the labels people carry—whether it's their past, status, or mistakes. How might the truth that Jesus “tears down walls” challenge the way we see and treat others?
5. In your own life, are there any "us vs. them" mentalities that need to be broken down? What steps can you take to reflect the unity Christ brings?
6. Paul says that through Jesus, we are citizens, members of God’s family, and part of His temple (Eph. 2:19-22). Which of these images stands out most to you, and why?
7. The communion table represents a place where all are welcome and equal in Christ. How can we make sure that our churches, homes, and hearts reflect that same radical inclusion?
8. Jesus didn't just end hostility—He created a new family. What is one practical way you can embody that truth this week (e.g., inviting someone in, reconciling a relationship, showing unexpected grace)?

U—Made with Love | Pt 2

1. What part of Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23 stands out to you the most? Why?
2. Paul prays that we would know and experience God’s power in our lives. Can you recall a time when you experienced God’s power at work in your own life? How did that help you in that time?
3. Paul contrasts who we were before Christ ("dead in sin") with who we are now ("alive in Christ"). What changes have you seen in your life since coming to faith? What areas still feel like a struggle?
4. The "But God" moment in Ephesians 2:1-10 is a turning point. What does this phrase mean for us today? What are some “But God” moments in your own journey?
5. The coat illustration highlights our new identity in Christ. What are some "old coats" (habits, mindsets, struggles) that are hardest for you to let go of? Why do we sometimes cling to them even when we know they don’t fit us anymore?
6. Paul describes us as “God’s masterpiece” (Ephesians 2:10). Do you find it easy or difficult to believe that? How might seeing yourself as God’s masterpiece change the way you live?
7. Paul says we are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). What does this look like in your daily life? How can you partner with God in the “renovation” He is doing in you?
8. This week’s 2X4 Challenge includes reflecting on which coat you’re wearing, praying for transformation, and taking steps toward change. Which part of this challenge feels the most important for you right now? How can we encourage one another in this?

U—Made with Love

1. Paul calls the Ephesian believers "holy and faithful." What does holiness mean in light of this passage? How does it challenge the way we typically think about holiness?
2. Ephesians 1:4 says that God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. What does this reveal about God’s love and plan for us? How does it change the way we see ourselves?
3. Paul was constantly questioned about his qualifications as an apostle. Have you ever felt unqualified, discredited, or like you don’t belong in God’s family? How does this passage encourage you?
4. Adoption is a major theme in this passage. What are the differences between being a servant of God versus being a child of God? How might knowing you are adopted change your relationship with Him?
5. Paul says we have received every spiritual blessing in Christ. What does that mean practically? What are some of the spiritual blessings you’ve experienced in your life?
6. If our worth is found in being chosen and adopted by God, why do we still so often seek approval from the world? What are some ways we can live more from our identity in Christ rather than our achievements or status?
7. Paul describes the Holy Spirit as a “guarantee” (or down payment) of our inheritance. How does this truth impact the way we live today? How should it affect our confidence in God’s promises?
8. The series is titled "Made with Love." How might your daily life look different if you fully embraced the truth that your identity, salvation, and future were made with love? What’s one practical step you can take this week to walk in that confidence?

1. What evidence of God’s renovations do you see in your life?
2. How has your understanding of His love shaped who you are today?
3. Where do you feel like you need God’s love to take root more deeply?
4. Are there areas of your life where you struggle to trust His love or let Him transform you?
5. Paul prays that we would be empowered to know how wide, long, high, and deep God’s love is (Ephesians 3:18). What does this mean to you personally?
6. Which fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) feels most evident in your life right now?
7. Which one do you feel God is calling you to grow in?
8. What does it look like for you to live in God’s fullness and reflect His love, power, and presenceat work? At home? In your classroom or community?
9. The "Seek and Leak" concept encourages us to both pursue God and let His love overflow to others. 
   • How can you practically “seek” God this week?
   • What specific ways can you “leak” His love to someone in need?

1. If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be? How do those words align (or not) with your identity in Christ?
2. What stands out to you most about Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21? How does it challenge or encourage you in your understanding of God’s love?
3. What does it mean that “your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong”? How does this foundation impact the way you live your daily life?
4. How have you experienced the difference between knowing about God’s love and truly experiencing it? What helped you move from one to the other? In what ways is that still a challenge?
5. In what areas of your life do you find yourself striving for approval or love? How mightunderstanding your identity in Christ help you stop striving and start receiving?
6. What barriers make it difficult for you to fully experience God’s love? How can the group or community support you in overcoming those?
7. Which of the practical steps shared in the message (e.g., prayer, worship, serving, etc.) resonates most with you? How can you incorporate that into your life this week?
8. How might embracing your identity as a loved child of God change the way you interact with others, handle challenges, or pursue your goals?

Guest Speaker

1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. How can you move from a superficial understanding to a deeper, more intimate "yada" knowledge of Him?
2. Identify any areas in your life where you might be boasting in your own wisdom, strength, or riches. How can you shift your focus to boasting in your understanding and knowledge of God?
3. Consider incorporating a spiritual practice like Lectio Divina into your routine. What steps can you take to make this a regular part of your spiritual life?
4. In what ways can you be more unashamed of your faith in your daily interactions, especially in a world that may not always value Judeo-Christian principles?
5. How can you prioritize your time with God in the coming weeks? What specific changes can you make to ensure that your relationship with Him is a priority?
6. Think about the community you are part of. How can you engage more deeply with others to support your spiritual growth and theirs?
7. Reflect on the kindness, justice, and righteousness of God. How can you embody these attributes in your interactions with others this week?

Recalibrate 2025

1. What does it mean to wrestle with God in your own life? Have you ever experienced a time when you felt you were wrestling with Him?
2. Why do you think God allows us to wrestle with Him rather than just giving us clear answers? How does this impact your faith journey?
3. How does the concept of "wrestling with God" challenge the idea that faith is about always having peace or certainty?
4. Reflect on a time when you wrestled with God over a situation. What growth or transformation came from that experience?
5. How can the struggles we face with God lead to deeper trust and intimacy in our relationship with Him?
6. How can the practice of lament (brutal honesty paired with audacious hope in your prayers) help you wrestle with God more authentically?
7. Why is it so easy to forget God’s past faithfulness when we are in the midst of difficult times?
8. What are some practical ways you or your family can create "monuments" to remember God's work in your life?
9. As you reflect on 2024, where have you seen God at work? How has this shaped your gratitude and trust?
10. What specific areas in your life are you trusting God to work in during 2025? How can you hold onto hope in these areas?