1. This past Sunday, November 15, marked North Park’s 62^nd anniversary. Take some time to celebrate this milestone by answering these questions:

a)       How long have you been at North Park?

b)       What brought you here?

c)       What do you appreciate most about our church community here?

*If you are participating in a North Park small group, but attend another church, feel free to share about your church!

2. Now read the following passage together: John 13:34-35

a)       Why do you think Jesus gave this new commandment to his disciples? Why is it important to love and care for one another well within the church?

b)       What difference is there (if any) between Christian care, and the kindness that exists more generally in the world?



3. Read the following passages together: Matthew 25:24-36, Mark 12:28-34, Matthew 5:43-48

a)       As you consider these verses, what do they teach about the importance of curving out, not only to one another, but also beyond the walls of the church?

4. Share an example that you have experienced, where God’s love was demonstrated through the care of someone within the church.

a)       Did this care help you to uphold your faith in some way?

b)       What other ways did this care impact you? How else did it help you to be encouraged and supported?

5. Do you have any ideas of ways that we can continue to grow our capacity to care well for one another at North Park? What role can you play in making this a reality?

6. What next step could you take to care more deeply for others within the church?

7.  What next step could you take to extend that care beyond the walls of the church?

Pray for each other out of the items discussed:

Is anyone within your group going through a difficult season? Take time to pray specifically for them and consider together how your group can surround them with care in this season.

Pray also that each one of you can grow in your capacity to care for one another, and that you would find ways to spur one another on towards caring more deeply for others, within the church, and beyond the walls of the church as well. Pray that Christ’s love would be made known through your love for others.