This Is Not Our Party Group Guide

Discussion Questions

Choose the questions for your group; no pressure to use all of them.

Start Off

• Who invited you to Chase Oaks? How has that person’s invitation impacted your life?
  
  
• Jeff began with a rubber band illustration about stretching. Where have you felt God “stretching” you recently, and what emotions come up when you feel stretched?
  
  

Reflect on God's Word

• Read Luke 15:1-10 aloud. According to this passage, what makes heaven celebrate, and why do you think that matters for how we view church?
  
  
• Read Luke 14:16-24 aloud. In this passage about a banquet and unexpected guests, what stands out to you?
  
  

Go Deeper

• Read this week’s DNA Statement: This Is Not Our Party - We are never more like Jesus than when we give up our preferences for the sake of others. We design every part of Chase Oaks to be not only relevant to us, but also compelling and engaging to those who have yet to come. Where do we unintentionally behave as if the party belongs to us?
  
  
• Jeff said, “You and I are not guests at the party but servants.” What’s the difference between attending church and serving at the party?
  
  
• What barriers keep people from feeling like they belong at God’s party? What barriers keep us from inviting them?
  
  
• God desires for us to compel others to enter his house, so that his house will be full. Think about people in your life (family, coworkers, neighbors, classmates, etc.). Who needs an invitation to God’s party?
  
  
• Take turns reading the practices in the “Put It Into Practice” section. What one or two things could you do to stretch yourself and live out “This is not our party”?
  
  

Share and Pray

• Take some time to share things you are thankful for as well as prayer requests. Get in groups of 2 or 3 and pray for one another. Ask God to give Chase Oaks his heart for those who aren’t here yet, and pray for boldness to love, serve, and invite.

Verse to meditate on and memorize this week:

Then the master told his servant, “Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.” – Luke 14:23

Put It into Practice (Between Meetings)

• Shift from Guest to Servant - Ask God to help you move from “I’m here to be fed” toward “I’m here to help host the Father’s party.” Pray, “Lord, show me where to serve and how to welcome.”
  
  
• Invite Someone Personally - Identify one person you can invite to church or Christmas at Chase Oaks. Don’t just hope they come; extend a personal invitation and reassure them they belong.
  
  
• Honor the Father’s Heart Over Personal Preference - When you are tempted to critique a worship service style, music, format, or changes, pause and say, “This is not my party — it’s the Father’s. Help me see with his heart.”
  
  
• Practice Hospitality Weekly - Each time you come to church, greet someone new, sit with someone alone, or notice outsiders before insiders. Be intentional, not passive.
  
  
• Serve Somewhere (Officially or Unofficially) - Take a step toward volunteering (Kids, Students, Weekend Experience, Tech, Worship, etc.), or simply adopt a mindset that you are on the welcome team.
  
  
• Pray for Those Not Here Yet - Make it a discipline to pray for the unchurched, people exploring faith, and prodigals who have yet to come home. Ask God to fill his house.
  
  
• Share Your Story - Be ready to tell your faith journey naturally—not like a sermon, but simply your experience. Remember that our personal stories open doors for people who don’t think they fit.