Who or what we love will lead us to gladly order our lives around it. 

Scriptures:

1 John 5:1-2, 3-5, 11-12, 13-14

1 Corinthians 11:1, 23-26

Matthew 11:28-30

Questions:

1. What is something you gladly make time or rearrange your schedule for because you love it? What does that reveal about the way love can order our lives?
2. The sermon used Follow the Leader as its opening image. Who are some of the people or influences who have been important in your life? How can we recognize the influence leaders have on us? 
3. Read 1 John 5:1–5. What connections does John make between believing in Jesus, loving God, loving others, and obeying God's commands? What stands out to you?
4. John says that God's commands “are not burdensome.” What do you think that means? How can following Jesus be costly or difficult while His commands are still not burdensome? Why might it be possible for God's commands to "feel burdensome" at times? 
5. The sermon said, “Love doesn't make everything easier, it just seems lighter.” Have you experienced that in your relationship with God or with another person? What changed because love was involved?
6. “Who or what we love will have us gladly ordering our life in different ways.” If you looked at your time, attention, finances, relationships, and habits, what might they reveal about what you currently love and value most?
7. Following Jesus gets worked out in normal, day-to-day living. Where in ordinary life—home, work, school, relationships, finances, recreation, etc.—do you find it easiest to follow Jesus? Where is it more challenging?
8. Read 1 John 5:11–14. John wants believers to know they have eternal life and to have confidence approaching God. How might that kind of confidence change the way someone follows Jesus?
9. Consider this challenge: Identify one area of your life that needs to be reordered around following Jesus—and follow His lead. What area comes to mind for you? What would one concrete step of following Jesus look like there?

Leaning into God’s love for us always leads to loving others as we’ve been loved.

Scriptures:

1 John 4:1-6, 7-11, 16b-17

Questions:

1. Think of a time when you and someone else saw the same situation very differently. What helped you better understand one another—or recognize that you simply disagreed?
2. Are there particular issues or topics where you find it harder to disagree lovingly with others? Why do you think those issues are more difficult for you?
3. Read 1 John 4:1–6. John tells his readers, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits.” What does that tell us about the way Christians should approach the different ideas and claims we encounter?
4. The sermon said, “Jesus is the measuring point for discerning truth.” What might it practically look like to test an idea, belief, or cultural message against what God has revealed through Jesus?
5. Read 1 John 4:7–11. What do these verses teach us about where love originates and what love looks like? How is John's understanding of love different from some ways our culture talks about love?
6. Verse 10 says, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us…” Why does it matter that our Christian life begins with receiving God's love rather than us trying to love God first?
7. The sermon makes two parallel claims: Jesus is the measuring point for discerning truth, and Jesus is the measuring point for understanding love. Why do you think we sometimes find it easier to emphasize one of those—truth or love—at the expense of the other?
8. Read 1 John 4:16–17. What do you think John means when he says, “In this world we are like Jesus”? Where have you seen someone make the love of Jesus visible through the way they treated another person?
9. The sermon describes God's love as love that moves toward people, gives, serves, and sacrifices for another person's good. Which of those expressions of love comes most naturally to you? Which one might God be inviting you to grow in?
10. Think about the people already in your sphere—family, neighbors, coworkers, classmates, friends, even people with whom you disagree. Who is one person you could intentionally love like Jesus this week?

Big Idea:

We can live from the identity of being deeply loved children of God.

Scriptures:

1 John 3:1-9, 11-12, 16-18, 19-22, 23-24

Lifegroup Questions:

1. Growing up, what was one unwritten rule or “this is just how we do things” practice in your home? Is it something you've carried with you, or something you've intentionally left behind?
2. Every family, workplace, team, or friend group develops an ethos—a characteristic way of doing life together. What is something you’ve been part of that shaped the way you acted, spoke, or thought in positive ways simply because you belonged to it?
3. Read 1 John 3:1–3. What stands out to you about the way John describes our identity as children of God? What difference should “And that is what we are!” make in everyday life?
4. The sermon described the ethos of a home as, “This is how we do life here.” What are some things that should characterize the ethos of God’s family?
5. Read 1 John 3:4–9 alongside 1 John 1:8–2:2. Why is it important to read these passages together? What distinction do you see between struggling with sin and making peace with sin?
6. Think about the question from the sermon: “Have I made peace with sin?” Is there an area of your life where God may be inviting you not simply to feel bad about something, but to actively pursue change?
7. Read 1 John 3:16–18. John describes seeing a brother or sister in need and having the ability to respond. How can living in genuine community help us both recognize real needs and discern how to respond to them wisely and lovingly?
8. Which is more difficult for you personally: allowing other people to know your needs and help you, or recognizing and responding to the needs of others? Why do you think that is?
9. Read 1 John 3:19–22. What do you think it means to “set our hearts at rest in his presence”? How does knowing that God is greater than our accusing hearts give us confidence before Him?
10. The sermon ended with, “This is your family now. And this is how we do life here.” As you consider 1 John 3 as a whole, where might you sense God inviting the ethos of His family to become more evident in your life this week?

Lifegroup Questions:

1. Read 1 John 2:15-17. When you first hear/read John say, “Do not love the world or anything in the world,” what reaction or questions does that create for you?
2. The sermon distinguishes between loving the people of the world and loving the broken values and desires of the world. Why is that distinction important?
3. The sermon mentions status, success, appearance, health, wealth, and approval as things that eventually fade. Which of these—or something else—most easily competes for your affection?
4. Read 1 John 2:18–27 again. What do you notice about John’s concern over the voices influencing his readers?
5. The sermon gives three examples of competing cultural stories: finding security through accumulation, hope through political outcomes, and fulfillment through experiences. Which story do you think is most persuasive in our culture? Why? 
6. A question from the sermon is, “Is this voice leading me toward Jesus or away from Him?” What are tangible helps to practice that kind of discernment?
7. John repeatedly tells his readers to “remain in Him.” What do you think remaining in Jesus looks like—not just on Sundays, but in everyday life?
8. The sermon says remaining in Jesus doesn’t mean we’ll never have questions, struggles, or seasons of wrestling with faith. How can someone wrestle honestly while still remaining rooted in Christ?
9. Consider the sermon’s three closing questions: What has captured my affection? Which voices have been shaping my heart? Am I remaining in Jesus? Which one do you most need to sit with this week, and why?

Questions:

1. The sermon opens by describing experiences like visiting the Grand Canyon or going on safari. What are some things in life that can't truly be understood until they're experienced? How does that relate to following Jesus?
2. John emphasizes that he had heard, seen, examined, and touched Jesus (1 John 1:1-4). Why do you think he begins his letter this way? What confidence does that give us today?
3. The message says, "Christian faith isn't casual; it's something we're invited to thoughtfully consider and then dive into fully." Where do you see the difference between simply knowing about Jesus and truly following Him?
4. Read 1 John 1:5-2:2. Why do you think confession is such an important part of walking with God? What makes confession difficult for many people?
5. The sermon calls out these two truths:
   • None of us are without fault.
   • None of us are beyond being made new.
6. Which of those truths do you personally need to remember more often? Why?
7. John says Jesus is our Advocate when we sin (1 John 2:1-2). How does remembering God's grace change the way we respond after we've failed?
8. In 1 John 2:3-6, obedience is presented as evidence of knowing God—not a way to earn His love. Why is that distinction so important?
9. Jesus summarized the commands as loving God and loving people (Matthew 22:36-40). Which of those two is easier for you right now? Which is more challenging?
10. Read 1 John 2:7-11. According to John, what is the connection between loving others and walking in the light? Why do you think those two are inseparable?
11. The sermon ends by saying John wasn't simply asking people to agree with him—he was inviting them to experience the same life with Jesus that he had experienced. How have you personally experienced God's faithfulness?
12. The sermon identifies four responses we're able to live out because God is able:
    • Believe deeply
    • Confess freely
    • Walk faithfully
    • Love others well

Which one do you sense God inviting you to grow in during this season? Why? If everyone in this group took one intentional step this week in response to this passage, what might that look like? How can we encourage one another to follow through before we meet again?

Lifegroup Discussion Questions

1. Identifying Your "Tarshish": Jonah ran toward Tarshish to escape a hard assignment. Have you ever felt the urge to take an "easy exit" from a difficult season, job, relationship, or ministry call just because it got uncomfortable or frustrating?
2. Recognizing Restraint as Protection: Looking back at your life, can you identify a time when God said "no" or "wait" to something you really wanted (like a dream job or relocation), only for you to realize years later that He was actually protecting or redirecting you?
3. The Trap of Reluctant Obedience: In Jonah chapter 4, Jonah technically obeyed God by going to Nineveh, but his heart was still fighting God’s grace and mercy. What is the difference between grudging compliance and surrendered heart obedience? How can we catch ourselves when we fall into the trap of doing the right things with the wrong posture?
4. God Uses Imperfect People: From Abraham and Moses to Jonah and Peter, Scripture is filled with deeply flawed people who had profound moments of obedience. How does knowing that God doesn't require a "flawless track record" before using us change the way you view your own past mistakes?
5. Executing Your Current Assignment: The 2024 Ohio State players stayed because they knew they had "unfinished business." What is the specific assignment or season God has you in right now? What would it look like for you to stop looking for the exit and simply say "yes" to executing the play right where you are?

The most powerful thing we can do when telling people about Jesus is to share our own story.

Scriptures:

John 9

Questions:

1. What is something you find easy to talk about with other people (favorite restaurant, hobby, sports team, vacation spot, etc.)? Why is that so easy to share?
2. What is something you find more difficult to talk about with other people (faith, politics, social issues, etc.)? Why is that more difficult? 
3. Revisit John 9 before and as you consider the following questions:
4. The sermon emphasized that Christian faith is deeply personal but always unfolds in community. How have other people helped guide, encourage, or support your faith journey? We often learn so much from the faith stories of others.
5. After the man was healed, people noticed that something had changed in his life. What are some ways a growing relationship with Jesus becomes visible to others? 
6. The formerly blind man repeatedly tells the same simple story about what Jesus did for him. Why do you think we sometimes feel like we need more knowledge, training, or expertise before talking about our faith? 
7. The man's parents knew something significant had happened but remained silent because the risk felt too great. (And there was real risk if they spoke up.) Have you ever experienced a situation where it felt easier to stay quiet about your faith? What made it difficult? 
8. The religious leaders kept asking questions, not because they wanted truth, but because they wanted a different answer. Have you ever seen someone resist a truth because of what accepting it might require of them? Have you ever done that yourself? 
9. One of the key statements from the sermon was: "We are responsible for bearing witness. We are not responsible for controlling the outcome." How does that perspective change the way you think about evangelism? 
10. The man's story begins with blindness and ends with worship. Looking back on your own faith journey, how has your understanding of Jesus grown over time? 
11. If someone asked you today, "What has Jesus done in your life?" what is one part of your story you would feel comfortable sharing? 
12. The sermon concluded with the phrase: "An encounter with Jesus changed everything." In what specific way has an encounter with Jesus changed your life, your priorities, or your perspective? 

Optional Closing Challenge:
Take a few minutes as a group to think of one person in your life who might benefit from hearing part of your faith story. Pray for that person by name and ask God to provide an opportunity for a meaningful conversation in the coming weeks. This fits naturally with the Invest & Invite posture of helping people consider for themselves what Jesus might do in their lives.

Big Idea:

Being rich, from God’s perspective, is far more about what we invest than what we gain.

Scriptures:

Luke 18:18-30

Questions:

1. What is something in your household that feels “non-negotiable” to spend money on? 
2. When it comes to money and spending, why do you think it is easier to notice or judge someone else’s priorities than to honestly evaluate our own?
3. Read Luke 18:18–30. What stands out to you most in the interaction between Jesus and the rich ruler?
4. The rich ruler asks Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Where do you see people today wrestling with that same kind of “just tell me what to do” mindset?
5. In the message, we heard that “who you are in Jesus is more important than what you do for Jesus.” Why is that truth important when talking about money, generosity, and obedience?
6. Jesus lovingly puts His finger on the one thing that had the ruler’s heart. What are some ways money, possessions, comfort, or security can compete for the “one thing” place in our lives?
7. The message said, “The rich young ruler’s problem wasn’t that he had money. His problem was that his money had him.” How can someone begin to recognize whether they are controlling their money or their money is controlling them?
8. What is one practical step you could take this week to grow in generosity, contentment, or financial surrender to Jesus?

There is a peace, confidence, and security that comes when worship of God is our primary focus. 

Scriptures:

Psalm 27

Matthew 7:24-27

Questions:

1. What’s one area of life where you’ve recently felt either confident/secure or shaken/behind? What made the difference?
2. When you think about the idea of the most important “one thing” in your life, what comes to mind?
3. In Psalm 27:1–3 , David speaks with bold confidence: “Whom shall I fear?” What stands out to you about where his confidence comes from?
4. Verse 4 says, “One thing I ask… that I may dwell in the house of the Lord.” What do you think David means by this? What might it look like to live this way in our lives today?
5. The sermon suggests that we don’t set priorities based on efficiency but on affection. Do you agree? How do our loves shape our time, talent, and treasure?
6. David moves from confidence (vv.1–6) to a prayer for mercy (vv.7–9) . What does that shift teach us about faith when fear or anxiety resurfaces?
7. Verse 8 says, “Seek His face.” What does it practically mean to “seek God’s face” in everyday life?
8. In Matthew 7:24–27 , Jesus describes building on rock versus sand. How does this connect to Psalm 27’s vision of making God our “one thing”?
9. The sermon contends that many good things (family, career, health, wealth) make poor foundations. Why do you think good things can become unstable “ultimate things”?
10. How might prioritizing worship—centering your life on God—bring peace and confidence in seasons of uncertainty?
11. If you evaluated your current priorities honestly, what is competing most for first place in your life right now?
12. What is one intentional step you could take this week to put Jesus first in a practical way (time, prayer, obedience, calendar, generosity, reconciliation, etc.)?

Isaiah 40:25-26; Psalm 147:1-5; Luke 12:6-7

Lifegroup Questions:

1. What is your favorite memory of looking at the night sky?
2. When you observe how many stars there are, what thoughts or questions come to mind?
3. Read Isaiah 40:25-26. What do we learn about God in this passage? What might we learn about ourselves by implication?
4. Reflecting on God’s transcendence (power, might, etc.) and God’s immanence (closeness, intimacy, etc.) C.S. Lewis wrote, in The Problem of Pain, “God is both further from us, and nearer to us than any other being.” What do you think he means by that? Where have you experienced God being “further from” or “nearer to” you?
5. Pastor Erik said “God cares for what God creates.” How have you witnessed this?
6. Read Psalm 147:1-5. Knowing that this is written following a long, painful experience of exile in a foreign land, how do you react to this psalm?
7. Is it easy or hard for you to praise God in difficult circumstances? Why?
8. Read Luke 12:6-7. What is God’s attitude toward creation according to this passage? 
9. Compared to the rest of creation, what does God think about us?
10. How did Jesus show his love and care for us?
11. How can we invite others, who don’t already love and follow Jesus, to consider his love and care for them?

When we trust that God is enough, we are freed from the endless need for more.

Scriptures:

Luke 4:1-3

Matthew 6:16-24

Philippians 4:11-13

Lifegroup Questions:

1. Sunday's sermon began with the “mini vs. small blizzard” confession. Do you have a similar personal example where you tend to believe “a little more” will make you happier or more satisfied?
2. When you’re stressed or feeling low, what do you most naturally reach for—comfort, control, affirmation, productivity, security, something else? What do you think that reveals about what fills you?
3. How would you personally answer the question: “How much is enough?”
4. Read Luke 4:1–3. What stands out to you about the phrase “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit”? How does that connect to His ability to resist temptation? When, in your life, do you feel most full of the Holy Spirit? What fills you? What leaves you feeling empty?
5. In Luke 4, the devil challenges Jesus’ identity (“If you are the Son of God…”). Why is identity so central in resisting temptation? What happens when our identity is rooted in something other than our relationship with God?
6. Read Matthew 6:16–21. What do fasting and storing up treasure in heaven have in common? What is Jesus aiming at beneath the surface behavior? 
7. In Matthew 6:21, Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” How have you seen this principle play out in real life?
8. Jesus says, “You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24). Why do you think money (or material security) is such a powerful rival master? 
9. The sermon mentions “lifestyle creep.” How does that concept connect to Jesus’ teaching about contentment and Paul’s words in Philippians 4:11–13?
10. Brother Lawrence is quoted: “Seek Him only, and nothing else, not even His gifts.” What’s the difference between enjoying God’s gifts and pursuing them instead of God?
11. If you evaluated your current practices of fasting and generosity, where would you say you are: consistent, occasional, resistant, or unsure where to start? What might be one small next step?
12. The sermon closes with the idea: “When we trust that God is enough, we are freed from the endless need for more.” How can you grow in your trust of God through fasting or generosity, starting this week?

We can trust that we have been invited to engage the story of God in scripture and be a continuation of that story today.

Scriptures:

Luke 24:25-27

2 Timothy 3:10-4:4

Lifegroup Questions:

1. The sermon opens by talking about the importance of good information in everyday decisions (buying a car, writing a paper, witnessing an accident). How do you seek to gather information personally? Do you rely more on reviews from people you know, online research, personal experience, etc.?
2. Sunday's sermon describes the Bible as a unified, forward-leaning story. How does viewing Scripture as one big story (creation, fall, promise, redemption) change how we read individual passages?
3. Read Luke 24:25–27 together. Imagine being there as Jesus unpacked the story of Scripture as they walked along the road together. What part(s) of the story would you most want Jesus to explain?
4. Cleopas and his wife were discouraged because they misunderstood the story they were in. Have you experienced something like this before? Is there a time when you felt confused or discouraged, only later to reinterpret that period after seeing what God was doing in the midst of it? 
5. In 2 Timothy 3:14–17, Paul says Scripture is “God-breathed” and useful. Which of the four functions—teaching, rebuking, correcting, training—stands out most to you right now, and why?
6. How do you personally respond to rebuke or correction? What makes it easier—or harder—to receive it as kindness rather than criticism?
7. Paul tells Timothy to “preach the word… correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience.” Why is encouragement just as important as correction in spiritual growth?
8. The phrase “thoroughly equipped for every good work” suggests preparation. What might it look like for Scripture to actively equip you for your current season of life?
9. Sunday's sermon encouraged developing a regular rhythm of Scripture engagement and keeping it “simple, real, and up." What has helped you stay consistent in reading or listening to the Bible? If you lack a regular rhythm, what has hindered you from developing one? How can the group support you in cultivating the discipline of scripture engagement in your life? 
10. “We can trust that we have been invited to engage the story of God in Scripture and be a continuation of that story today.” What does it practically look like to see yourself as part of God’s ongoing story this week?

Lifegroup Questions:

1. The sermon began with the idea that we all need sounding boards in life. Who in your life provides you with counsel and feedback? Do you tend to have a broader network of people like this or do you focus in with a few friends and/or mentors?
2. When you hear the statement, “We can trust that God desires to hear from and speak to us in prayer,” what resonates with you? What feels challenging about that?
3. In Luke 5:16, we read, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” How would you describe your current rhythm of prayer—consistent, reactive, seasonal, struggling, or growing?
4. Jesus withdrew to pray in the middle of growing popularity and increasing demands. What pressures or distractions in your life make it hardest to withdraw and pray? Why is it important to remember that prayer is vital especially during seasons of growth and opportunity?
5. The sermon emphasized that Jesus didn’t withdraw just for rest, but for communion with the Father. What’s the difference between simply being alone and intentionally meeting with God?
6. In Luke 6:12, Jesus spent the night praying before choosing the twelve disciples. How much do you rely on extended times in prayer when facing major decisions? Do you have an example where you leaned more or less into prayer and what you learned through that?
7. Consider this quote from Brother Lawrence: "One way to re-collect the mind easily in the time of prayer, and preserve it more in tranquility, is not to let it wander too far at other times." How can we put this counsel into action in our own lives? 
8. The sermon said, “We don’t get away to pray when there’s time. We make time.” What would it look like practically for you to “make time” this week for prayer? If you already have a rhythm share it. If you don't have a rhythm, how can you begin to cultivate one?
9. Are you more likely to treat prayer as a first move or a last resort? What would help shift that pattern in your life?
10. What is one specific next step you can take in the next 7 days—utilizing the 21 Days of Prayer, joining the Prayer Watch at church, setting a daily time, praying as a family, or something else—to grow a more intentional rhythm of prayer?

Big Idea:

Nothing is more worthy of our pursuit than the presence of God. 

Scriptures:

Revelation 21:1-4; Luke 10:38-42

Questions:

1. Who are the people in your life that tend to “light up the room” for you—and what is it about being with them that feels life-giving?
2. When you hear the phrase “the presence of God”, what comes to mind for you personally (emotion, image, memory, or experience)?
3. In Revelation 21:1–4, what stands out to you about God’s ultimate desire to dwell with His people—and how does that shape your view of the story of Scripture
4. Throughout the sermon, we saw a consistent theme: God moving toward people. Where do you see that most clearly in the overall biblical story? How have you seen or sensed God move toward you in your life? 
5. In Luke 10:38–42 (Mary and Martha), Jesus says Mary chose “what is better.” How can it, at times, be difficult to choose "what is better" in our own lives? What are some of the “good things” in your life (responsibilities, distractions, routines) that quietly compete for your attention away from God’s presence?
6. Brother Lawrence suggested that even ordinary tasks can be lived in awareness of God. Have you found this to be true in your life? If not, what might it look like to consider the possibility that it could be true? 
7. The sermon said, “Where we spend our time says a great deal about what we value.” Where do you honestly see your time and attention going most often right now? Are there any adjustments that need to be made (perhaps you've already been trying to make them)? 
8. Jesus consistently invites people into closeness with Him (abiding, sitting at His feet, following Him). What makes that kind of closeness feel difficult—or inviting—for you?
9. What is one practical rhythm or spiritual discipline (prayer, silence, Scripture, slowing down, etc.) that could help you become more aware of God’s presence this week?

1. By the blood the Lamb.

2. The word of our testimony. 

3. Not loving our lives until death. 

Lifegroup Questions:

1. The phrase “Don’t mistake milestones for the mission” drives this message. Have you ever reached a life milestone (spiritually or otherwise) that you were tempted to treat like a finish line rather than just a key moment along the way? 
2. Why is it tempting to focus on the milestones? Why is it problematic? 
3. In John 17:3, Jesus defines eternal life as “knowing” God. How is that different from simply believing certain truths about Him? How have you grown in "knowing" God through the years? 
4. Jesus prays in John 17:15 that His followers would not be taken out of the world but protected within it. What does that tell us about our role in the world?
5. In verse 18, Jesus says, “As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” What do you think it looks like, practically, to live as someone who is “sent”?
6. Jesus repeatedly prays for unity (John 17:21–23). Why do you think unity among believers is so closely tied to the credibility of the gospel?
7. The question was asked: “If nothing changed, where would my current direction take me?” How might you answer that question? Do you need any change in direction now, that you have been putting off until a later season? 
8. What does ongoing spiritual growth look like in this season of your life? Where do you sense God stretching or inviting you deeper?
9. What is one specific step you can take this week to focus on the mission — either by deepening your relationship with God or intentionally investing in someone else?

Lifegroup Questions:

1. When you hear the word power, what’s the first image or situation that comes to mind?
2. Have you ever seen someone handle power really well? What made it stand out On the flip side, have you ever seen power “go to someone’s head”? What changed in them?
3. In everyday life (work, family, friendships), where do you most often see power struggles show up?
4. When Jesus says, “I am he” (John 18:5-6) and the soldiers draw back and fall to the ground, what do you see in that moment? Do you think of God's power in such a tangible way? 
5. Why do you think Peter moved so quickly from drawing a sword in the garden to denying Jesus around the fire? Have you ever experienced a moment when you felt like Peter—bold in theory but fearful in practice? What did that reveal to you?
6. When are you most tempted to “reach for the sword” — to grasp for control, defend yourself, or assert power?
7. What might it look like in a real-life situation you’re facing right now to “choose submission to a good God” instead of wrestling for fleeting power?
8. The sermon defines biblical power as “the ability and authority to accomplish God’s will." How is that different from how our culture typically defines power?
9. Where do you see examples today of “finite game” power — power that looks strong in the moment but doesn’t last?
10. Jesus remains calm and composed when struck. What does His response teach us about strength under pressure?

Lifegroup Questions: 

1. Sunday's message described the resurrection as a “game-changing event."In what ways has the resurrection personally changed—or challenged—your perspective on life and death?
2. Mary Magdalene initially failed to recognize Jesus (John 20:11–18). What might this reveal about grief, expectations, and our ability to recognize God’s work in difficult seasons?
3. Jesus repeatedly says, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19–23). How have you experienced the peace that Jesus brings during difficult or challenging seasons?
4. Thomas struggled with doubt until he encountered Jesus personally (John 20:24–29). How does his story encourage those who wrestle with doubt or questions about faith?
5. The sermon suggests that if life is an “infinite game,” everything changes—how we live, spend, and relate to others. Can you think of examples in your life where you have lived or are living with a "finite" game perspective? What are some practical examples of living with an "infinite game" mindset? 
6. John 20:30–31 explains the purpose of the Gospel: that we may believe and have life in Jesus’ name. How should the resurrection motivate and empower believers to live on mission today?
7. How might God challenge, stir, or encourage you in the coming weeks as we consider together looking at the world through a finite or inifinte game mindset?

Questions:

• To begin service you were asked to picture someone you’d love to see baptized.
   Who came to mind for you and why?
• Do you relate more to having too many people to reach—or not enough proximity to people who don’t know Jesus? Why?
• Read Isaiah 61:1-3.
  Isaiah 61 describes Jesus coming for the broken, hurting, and lost.
  In what ways can churches (or we personally) unintentionally keep “broken people” at a distance? How can we change that?
• Jesus calls those who follow Him “Oaks of Righteousness.”
  We learned that Oak Trees can stand 100ft tall, have a canopy of 120ft wide, live 1,000 years, and home to over 2,300 species of wildlife. Most importantly, we learned that out of the 10,000 acorns an oak tree can drop in a year, on average 1 in 10,000 becomes trees.

How does the “1 in 10,000” idea challenge or encourage the way you think about sharing your faith?

What are practical ways you have found to share your faith in day-to-day life?

• Read Isaiah 62:1-5, 10-23

In the middle of Isaiah 62 we hear about marriage - reminding us that our relationships must be built on Christ, with him at the center of  it all. What competes (sports, work, business, finances, etc,) with being in the center of your relationships/marriage?

• If we truly adopt a kingdom mindset—hoping in God for both present challenges and future generations—how does that change how we pray, plan, and lead our families?

Lifegroup Questions: 

1. When you hear the question, “What are you making?”, how does that connect with the idea of God shaping your life right now?
2. In Isaiah 40, Israel is in exile and feeling forgotten. Why do you think it’s easy to assume God has overlooked us in difficult seasons?
3. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” What does it practically look like to place your hope in God rather than in strategy, resources, or other people?
4. The sermon described idolatry as making a good thing into an ultimate thing. What are some “good things” that can subtly become ultimate things in our lives?
5. Read Isaiah 42:16. How does the image of God leading the blind along unfamiliar paths speak to seasons of uncertainty in your life?
6. In Isaiah 43:1–3, God reminds His people that they are created, formed, redeemed, and called by name. Which of those truths stands out most to you right now, and why?
7. Isaiah 45 uses the picture of clay questioning the potter. When have you questioned God? What led to that questioning? 
8. The phrase “Your kingdom come… on earth as it is in heaven” suggests hope changes life now, not just in eternity. Where do you long to see God bring redemption in your everyday world?
9. Landon encouraged people to pre-register for Big Serve Week in April. Did you participate in Big Serve last year? If so, how was your experience? Are you planning to serve this year with Big Serve? Could our group possibly find a way to serve together? 

Lifegroup Questions:

• In Isaiah 36–37, what stands out to you about the Assyrian threat and the psychological pressure they put on Judah? How does that compare to the kinds of pressures we experience today?
• Hezekiah’s first response to crisis was to seek the Lord through prayer and counsel (Isaiah 37:1–7). What does that reveal about where his hope was placed in that moment?
• Can you share a time when you faced a “hopeless” situation? Where did you instinctively turn for help or stability?
• Ecclesiastes 9:2–3 can sound discouraging at first glance. Why do you think Scripture includes passages that feel so honest—even bleak—about life? How do they prepare us to understand true hope?
• In Isaiah 38, Hezekiah responds to devastating news by turning his face to the wall and praying. What do you notice about his posture and tone? How is that different from complaining or despair?
• The sermon suggests that hope is not a strategy but a person. What does it practically look like to place hope in God rather than in outcomes, resources, or plans?
• In Isaiah 39, Hezekiah shifts from dependence on God to subtle self-reliance and diplomacy. Why do you think it can be easier to trust God in crisis than in comfort?
• The phrase “good is the enemy of great” was applied spiritually. Where might we be tempted to settle for a “good” life instead of pursuing a faithful, kingdom-centered life?
• How can we tell when our hope is slowly shifting from God to “lesser things”? What warning signs should we watch for in our own hearts?

Questions:

“Right judgment from a good God is not the enemy of hope — it is the foundation of it.” What initial reactions do you have to that statement? Does judgment feel hopeful to you? Why or why not?

• Read Isaiah 6:1–4. What stands out to you about Isaiah’s vision of God? How might the holiness of God reshape the way we see ourselves?
• In Isaiah 6:5, Isaiah immediately says, “Woe to me… I am ruined.” Why do you think his awareness of sin intensified in God’s presence? Have you experienced something similar in your walk with God?
• Read Isaiah 6:6–7. The coal doesn’t destroy Isaiah — it purifies him. What does this teach us about God’s character? How does this moment connect to the idea that God’s judgment can lead to hope?
• Time in God’s presence can recalibrate our hearts. What practices (Scripture, prayer, worship, community, service) have helped you experience both conviction and grace?
• Read Isaiah 6:8. Isaiah moves quickly from cleansing to calling: “Here am I. Send me!” Why do you think forgiveness often precedes mission? How does grace fuel obedience?
• Read Isaiah 6:9–13. Isaiah is sent with a hard message that will not immediately produce results. How would you respond if God called you to faithfulness without visible success? Have you experienced something like this before? 
• Isaiah asks, “For how long, Lord?” (6:11). Where in your life are you asking that question right now? How does this passage speak into seasons of waiting or discouragement?
• When you think about judgment in everyday life (grades, evaluations, diagnoses), what makes the difference between a judgment that crushes hope and one that builds it?
• “Are we evaluating life through the lens of Christ or through some other lens?” What are some practical ways we can align our standards of good and evil with God’s revealed character?

Lifegroup Questions:

1. Identity: Dead to Sin, Alive to God

Romans 6:11 says to “count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

What does it practically mean to “count” yourself dead to sin?

Where do you most need to live out being “alive to God” right now?

2. No Neutral Zone

Dr. Chambo said there is no neutral ground — it’s either the reign of sin or the reign of grace.

Where do we tend to believe we can stay neutral spiritually?

What does it look like for grace — not effort — to reign in those areas?

3. Grace Is Power, Not Just Kindness

Romans 5 teaches that where sin increased, grace increased all the more.

How have you experienced grace as more than forgiveness — as actual power over something?

Why is it important that the Giver and the gift can never be separated?

4. New Allegiance, New Belonging

If sin’s reign is broken (Romans 6:12), what does your new allegiance to Christ change about:

Your daily decisions? Your thought life? Your long-term ambitions?

5. Sin Dethroned, Not Sinless Perfection

The sermon distinguished between human weakness and deliberate rebellion.

Why is that distinction important?

How does understanding “sin dethroned” free us from both shame and complacency?

6. Resisting What No Longer Owns You

Sin no longer reigns, but it still tempts.

What are practical ways we resist something that no longer has authority over us?

How does remembering your identity in Christ strengthen resistance?

7. Offering Your Whole Self

Romans 6:13 uses "temple" language — presenting yourself on the altar.

What parts of your life are easiest to offer to God?

What parts are hardest (time, relationships, ambitions, body, future)? Why?

What would a “wholehearted offering” look like this week?

Questions:

1. When you hear the phrase “Review & Renew,” which part resonates more with you right now — remembering what God has done, or renewing commitment for what’s ahead? Why?
2. In Numbers 13, the land was just as good as God promised — but fear shifted the focus. Where have you seen that tension between faith and fear play out in your life before? How did you manage that tension well or poorly? What did you learn from that time? 
3. The Israelites said, “We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes.” How does our self-perception influence our faith and obedience? How should we view ourselves in light of God's love for us? 
4. The sermon emphasized that numbers matter and indicate stories of growth and change. Which “story behind the number” stood out to you most: baptisms, life groups, debt reduction, outreach, growth? Why are you drawn to that number/story in particular?
5. Our mission to “help people love and follow Jesus for life” drives everything we do as a church. How has that mission personally shaped your faith this year? How might it shape you in the year ahead?
6. Of the five commitments (actively worship, cultivate spiritual disciplines, live in community, intentionally serve, invest & invite), which one feels strongest in your life right now? Which one may need renewed focus?
7. The church is planning ahead (debt reduction, potential campuses, staffing). How does wise planning reflect faith rather than fear?

Drawing a parallel to the original Karate Kid—where simple, repetitive tasks became the foundation for something greater—Pastor Landon reminds us that God uses ordinary obedience to build extraordinary faithfulness. For Israel, every stitch, every board, every offering mattered. Their daily submission in the details ultimately led to God’s glory filling the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34–38).

The big idea: A life submitted to God in the small things will build to the big things as well. When we honor God in the quiet, unseen, and mundane moments of life, we position ourselves to honor Him in the significant moments too.

Lifegroup Questions:

1. Read Exodus 35:5–9 and 36:8–13 before discussing. What stands out to you about the level of detail and craftsmanship God required for the tabernacle? Why do you think God included so many “small” instructions? What might this teach us about how God views faithfulness in ordinary tasks?
2. Read Exodus 40:33–38 together. Notice the phrase: “And so Moses finished the work.” Then the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. What connection do you see between Israel’s obedience in the details and God’s visible presence and guidance? How might that shape how we approach the “unfinished” or mundane responsibilities in our own lives?
3. Read John 16:12–13. Jesus promises the Spirit will guide us into truth. If we don’t have a visible cloud like Israel did, how do you think the Spirit most often leads believers today? What role do consistent spiritual habits (Scripture, prayer, gathering, generosity, serving) play in learning to recognize His guidance?
4. The sermon compared spiritual formation to sports fundamentals — dribbling, shooting, boxing out — and even “wax on, wax off.” What are some “spiritual fundamentals” that feel repetitive or unnoticed in your life? Why is it tempting to skip them? What has happened in your life when you’ve stayed consistent with them over time?
5. When you think about your current season of life, does it feel more like a “practice gym” or a “double-overtime game”? How might God be using this season — whatever it is — to shape you for something ahead?
6. The sermon emphasized that small disciplines compound over time — for good or for harm (like finances, health, work habits). Where do you currently see compounding at work in your life? Are there small habits forming you toward who you want to become in Christ — or away from it?
7. The tabernacle wasn’t built in one dramatic moment — it was built through many acts of obedience and generosity. How does this challenge the idea that spiritual growth happens mainly in big experiences? Share a time when a quiet, faithful season prepared you for a bigger moment later.
8. Why do you think we’re often drawn to the dramatic or visible moments of faith rather than the quiet, consistent ones? What does that reveal about our expectations of how God works?
9. Imagine living with the confidence described in Exodus 40:36–38 — knowing when to move and when to stay. If the Spirit truly guides us, what might be one small area of obedience God could be inviting you into right now? Is this a major shift, a small adjustment, or simply a call to keep going?
10. If someone looked at your daily rhythms (how you spend time, energy, attention), what would they say you’re being formed into? Are those small, repeated patterns aligning with the life you believe God is calling you to?

In Week 2 of our Adrift sermon series, we step into Exodus 32 and wrestle with a familiar tension: God’s faithfulness versus human impatience. Fresh off miraculous deliverance from Egypt, Israel finds itself waiting—and waiting distorts their view. What the people describe as God being “so long in coming,” God describes as them being “quick to turn away.” Same moment. Very different perspectives.

Drawing from Exodus 32:1, 8, along with Isaiah 55:8–9 and 2 Peter 3:8–9, this message explores how limited perspective can lead to misplaced trust, fractured relationships, and spiritual drift—and how seeing through God’s eyes can change everything. From wilderness impatience to everyday conflicts with the people closest to us, this sermon invites us to slow down, seek understanding, and remember that the right perspective can change everything.

Lifegroup Questions:

1. The sermon talked about how time feels different depending on circumstances. Where in your life right now does waiting feel especially hard—or surprisingly welcome?
2. Read Exodus 32:1-8. When the Israelites say Moses was “so long in coming down the mountain,” what do you notice about their response to waiting? What emotions or fears seem to be driving their actions? How can you relate to their response?
3. God describes the people as being “quick to turn away.” Why do you think God and the Israelites experienced the same delay so differently? Where do you see that kind of perspective gap in your own life?
4. The sermon suggested the people were in a moment of intentional pause—but refused to stay there. What does it look like for us today to rush in and try to control outcomes instead of waiting on God?
5. The sermon described faith as both catalytic (decisive moments) and processive (ongoing formation). Why is it important to recognize both elements in faith development? Where do you see yourself right now—needing a decisive step, or needing patience in a process?
6. The Israelites wanted a god they could see and control. What are some modern equivalents—things we’re tempted to trust, cling to, or control when God feels distant or slow?
7. The Israelites grew weary from waiting for 40 days. It's almost as though they forgot the 400 years of hardship they were rescued from. What kinds of waiting tend to wear you down most quickly? How do Isaiah 55:8–9 or 2 Peter 3:8–9 challenge or reframe that waiting?
8. The sermon closed with the idea that the right perspective can change everything. How can you be intentional this week to pursue God’s perspective rather than reacting out of impatience or fear (family, work, etc.)?

Lifegroup Questions:

1. The pastor shared about not liking to be told what to do but his
recognition as well for his need for guidance. Where do you see that same
tension in yourself between freedom and guidance?

2. When you think about your current season of life, do you feel more anchored or more adrift? What indicators help you answer that honestly?

3. Our culture often celebrates “total freedom” and resists restraint. Where do you see signs of this playing out in society right now? What are the results of that?

4. Read Proverbs 29:15–17. These verses connect discipline with peace and delight. How does this challenge the way we often think about discipline—as something negative rather than life-giving?

5. Read Proverbs 29:18. What stands out to you about the connection between revelation, restraint, and blessing? 

6. Read Proverbs 29:20. “Do you see someone who speaks in haste?” Where do you see this proverb playing out in today’s world—and how might practicing restraint in our words reflect trust in God’s wisdom? How might speaking in haste or showing restraint impact our witness as well? 

7. Proverbs frames wisdom as living skillfully with reverence for God. What does it look like, in your own words, to put this into practice? 

8. The sermon emphasized “working on the pause.” What’s one area of your life (relationships, work, social media, news, family, etc.) where you tend to react quickly rather than pause?

9. What might it look like for God’s Word—not emotions, opinions, or pressure—to serve as an anchor in that area? Are there specific practices that could help?

Lifegroup Questions:

What is a pet peeve of yours? 

Read John 15:2. The Fathers role (the gardener) is to cut off and prune. What do you think that looks like practically in our spiritual walk? If you’ve experienced this, talk about what took place and how it impacted your walk. 

On Sunday Jay mentioned, “Pruning isn’t about what’s wrong in your life, it’s often about God wanting to further multiply what is right in your life.” Is there anything good in your life that God wants you to lean further into? Would doing so require you to let go of something you want to hold on to?

Read John 15:4-8. Reflecting on your own practices, what does it look like and mean to “remain” or “abide in Jesus?”

Read John 15:16. When you hear the phrase “fruit that lasts,” what kinds of fruit do you think Jesus has in mind? How does that differ from success, busyness, or
achievement?

In John 15 we get the picture that the true evidence of lasting fruit is about how we pass the fruit on to those around us. 

Who are 1-3 people you are praying for, hoping that you can pass the seed of faith on to them? Take time as a group and pray for these people by name. 

Landon helps move us from personal reflection to shared experience, anchoring us in God’s Word, and calls us to intentional action. Growth doesn’t happen by accident—it requires awareness, honesty, and removal of what stands in the way.

Sermon in a Sentence:
If we want to grow, we must identify and eliminate obstacles to growth.

Lifegroup Questions:

· When you encounter problems or obstacles in life, how do you tend to respond—avoidance, anxiety, problem-solving, prayer, optimism, or something else? 

· The sermon reframed problems as opportunities for growth. Can you share a time when a challenge or obstacle ultimately strengthened your faith or clarified what God was doing in your life? Are there any problems presently in your life that you might benefit from looking at from a different perspective?

· Read Mark 4:13-20. Jesus names trouble, persecution, worries, wealth, and competing desires as obstacles to fruitfulness. Which of these feels most present or pressing for you right now?

· The sermon emphasized that problems reveal the condition of the soil rather than being the primary issue themselves. What might your current struggles be revealing about the “soil” of your heart?

· Read Hebrews 12:1-3. What are some specific hindrances you may need to throw off in order to run your race with perseverance? Is there any sin (or disordered thinking) that seeks to creep in and entangle you in this season of life? 

· How does keeping Jesus as our model change the way we face ongoing hardship, discipline, or sacrifice in our walk with God? How are you practically keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus, or how might you grow in this way as a daily practice? 

· As a group, how can we help one another identify and work through the obstacles in our lives? 

This message explores the three roles Paul names—planting, watering, and growing—and how misunderstanding them can lead either to burnout or passivity. Planting happens as we consistently place God’s Word before our hearts through Scripture, prayer, worship, and truth spoken over time. Watering is the patient, often unnoticed faithfulness of community, encouragement, and spiritual rhythms that sustain long-term growth. But transformation itself—real maturity, lasting fruit, changed desires—belongs to God alone.

Pastor Bailey connects this theology of cooperation to the spiritual disciplines and the five commitments of The Refinery, showing how these practices aren’t rules for approval, but “watering cans” that create space for God to work. You’ll be invited to shift from trying to training—from short bursts of effort to sustainable rhythms of faithfulness.

Lifegroup Discussion Questions

Cultivate: Nurturing Growth (1 Corinthians 3:1–10)

1. Paul says, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” Which part of that process—planting, watering, or trusting God for growth—do you find most difficult right now, and why?
2. The sermon warned us against two dangers: burning out by trying to control outcomes or drifting into passivity. Which of those tendencies do you see more clearly in your own spiritual life?
3. Planting was described as consistent exposure to God’s Word through practices like Scripture, prayer, worship, and speaking truth. What does planting currently look like in your daily or weekly rhythm? Where might God be inviting you to sow more faithfully rather than sporadically?
4. Watering requires patience and long-term faithfulness— “a long obedience in the same direction.” Who has helped water your faith over time, and how did their steady presence shape your growth?
5. The sermon emphasized that watering supports growth but does not force it. How does this truth change the way you view spiritual disciplines—especially when they feel ordinary or unnoticed?
6. Paul reminds us that only God makes things grow, protecting us from both pride and discouragement. Where do you need to release control and trust God with the results—either in your own life or in someone you are investing in?
7. Looking at the Five Commitments, which one feels most life-giving for you right now? Which one feels most neglected—and why?
8. This week’s challenge is to treat the Spiritual Health Reflection as a soil test, not a report card. Which description best fits your current season—dry soil, crowded soil, or exhausted soil—and what is the one discipline you will commit to “watering” for 10 minutes a day this week?

This message reminds us that all the power and potential for growth is already within the seed of faith. God’s Word lacks nothing; it is fully equipped to take root and produce fruit in our lives. The question isn’t whether the seed works, but whether our hearts are being cultivated to receive it.

Lifegroup Questions:

1. The message begins with the image of pulling weeds and gardening. What experiences have you had with gardening, yard work, or even houseplants—and how do those experiences help you relate to the idea of spiritual growth?
2. Read Matthew 13:1-9. When you hear Jesus’ parable of the sower as a whole, what stands out to you most this time? Why do you think that detail caught your attention?
3. Understanding isn’t about intelligence but about receptivity and willingness. What do you think it looks like, practically, to be open to God’s word rather than just hearing it?
4. Read Matthew 13:18-23
5. The parable describes four types of soil. Which one do you most naturally see yourself in right now—and what has shaped that condition of your “soil” recently?
6. The rocky soil represents joy without deep roots. What helps move faith from surface-level enthusiasm to a deeper, lasting obedience—especially when life gets hard?
7. The thorny soil is choked by worries and the deceitfulness of wealth. What are some modern-day “weeds” that tend to crowd out your attention to God? How do you usually respond to them?
8. If the power is in the seed but the condition of the soil still matters, what are some intentional practices or rhythms that help cultivate “good soil” in your life right now?

As we begin this Cultivate series and consider a tool like the Spiritual Health Reflection, what is one area where you sense God inviting you to grow this season—and how can this group support you in that?

Lifegroup Questions:

1. As you reflect on the year that’s ending, what word or phrase best describes it for you—and why?
2. The sermon talked about unintentional influences (like favorite foods or habits). What are one or two things about you that you can trace back to your family or early influences?
3. The sermon reminds us that influence isn’t limited to parents. In what ways do you see yourself influencing the next generation—positively or unintentionally—through your words, habits, or presence?
4. Read Judges 2:6-10. When you hear that “another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done,” what stands out to you? What do you think might have gone wrong between those generations?
5. Read 2 Timothy 1:1-5. Paul highlights a sincere faith passed from Lois, to Eunice, to Timothy. What differences do you notice between this passage and the story in Judges? What do those differences teach us about intentional faith?
6. The sermon makes a distinction between what is taught intentionally and what is simply “caught” through proximity. In your life, what faith practices are you intentionally teaching—and what might others be catching just by watching you?
7. Our calendars, spending, and routines quietly communicate what we value most. If someone observed your life for a month, what do you think they would conclude matters most to you?
8. The sermon ends by asking whether our story will read more like Judges 2:10 or 2 Timothy 1:1–5. As you look ahead to the coming year, what is one intentional step you could take to live—and pass on—a sincere faith?

Throughout this series, we’ve explored what it means to approach God with humility, curiosity, and trust. As we close, we see how forgiveness anchors all of that posture. Jesus came to make a way for broken relationships to be restored—first between humanity and God, and then between one another. Because we have been freely forgiven, we are called to forgive from the heart.

This message challenges us to examine where repentance, humility, and forgiveness are needed in our own lives, and to embrace the freedom that comes when we live as people shaped by grace.

Lifegroup Questions:

1. Share about a time in your life where someone showed you forgiveness that deeply impacted your life. 
2. Read Matthew 18:21-22. Peter suggests forgiving up to seven times, which would have seemed very generous in his day, yet Jesus pushes far beyond that. How do we live out this call to forgiveness without keeping score, while also wisely addressing patterns of harmful or unhealthy behavior toward ourselves or others?
3. Read Matthew 18:23-34 The servant forgiven an enormous debt refuses to forgive a much smaller one. What emotions or reactions does this story stir in you?
4. Why do you think forgiveness can be so difficult, even when we know how much we’ve been forgiven by God? What fears, wounds, or misconceptions tend to get in the way?
5. Read Matthew 18:35 Jesus says forgiveness must come “from the heart.” What do you think that means practically? How is forgiving from the heart different from simply letting something go on the surface?
6. Read Matthew 4:12-17. Jesus was born so that people might be reconciled to God and know life to the full. From the beginning, He invites people to turn from broken ways of living (like unforgiveness) toward life giving ways of living (forgiveness). 
7. As we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth, what might it look like for you to live more fully as a “forgiven and forgiving person” this Christmas season? Is there anything you need to repent of to God yourself? Is there anyone you can show forgiveness as God has forgiven you? 

Rooted in 2 Corinthians 5:17–19, Matthew 18:15–20, and Matthew 2:13–18 this message reminds us that creation has always been God’s way. From the opening words of Scripture to the promise of all things being made new, God calls His people to participate in His creative, reconciling work.

While the human heart remains the greatest obstacle to true peace, those who follow Jesus are invited to model a better way—one marked by humility, love, truth, and restoration. Finding the right community moves us to live the right way: as agents of reconciliation.

Listen in as we consider how childlike trust in Christ reshapes the way we relate to one another and how the Church can reflect God’s renewing work in the world today.

Lifegroup Questions:

1. Our brains are intentionally designed to help us remember the good from our past. What are some of your favorite or best childhood memories?
2. Read Matthew 2:13–18 Herod cared about making his name great. Where do you see “Herod-like” patterns—control, fear, or self-preservation—showing up in our world today? Where do you see them showing up in yourself?
3. Read Matthew 18:1–4. How does Jesus’ definition of greatness challenge the way our culture defines success or influence?
4. When Jesus says, “Unless you change…,” what do you think real change actually looks like in a person’s life?
5. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17–19. How is reconciliation different from simply trying harder or becoming a better person? What does it mean for us to be people of “reconciliation?”
6. Read Matthew 18:15–17. How does Jesus’ approach to accountability differ from how confrontation usually happens in the world?
7. Why do you think Jesus assumes that growth, accountability, and reconciliation all happen in the context of community? How have you seen this in your own life?
8. Who in your life helps keep you accountable in your relationship with Jesus—and what might need to change for you to experience healthier, deeper community?

Pastor Landon explores Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18, where a shepherd willingly leaves the ninety-nine to search for the one who is lost. It isn’t careless; it’s attentive, intentional, and deeply sacrificial. This is the kind of love God has shown each of us.

As we look at the story of Jesus’ birth—Mary’s courageous “yes,” Joseph’s obedience despite uncertainty, the Magi’s long and risky journey—we see a picture of love that exceeds limits and expectations. God’s love comes to us generously, purposefully, and relentlessly, hoping that we might be found.

Join us as we continue to embrace Advent with childlike wonder and discover again that God’s love is a love that gives.

Lifegroup Questions:

1. When you think back to your childhood or past Christmases, what shaped your view of giving vs. getting? How has that perspective changed as you’ve grown?
   
   
   
2. Read Matthew 18:10–14. Jesus describes a shepherd who will not rest until the lost sheep is found. What does this picture teach us about the costliness and persistence of love? Where have you experienced that kind of love personally?
   
   
   
3. Read Matthew 2:1–12. The Magi traveled far, spent much, and risked greatly to honor Jesus. What part of their example stands out to you the most—and why?
   
   
   
4. The sermon mentions “mutual voluntary submission.” Where have you seen this kind of self-giving love strengthen a relationship? How can this be hard to put into practice?
   
   
   
5. In what ways does our culture—especially during the holidays—pull us toward getting rather than giving? What helps you resist that pull?
   
   
   
6. The sermon highlighted three areas where we can practice generosity with others: words, time, and finances. Which of these comes most naturally to you, and which are most challenging? Why? How can you grow in all three? 
   
   
   
7. Imagine rooting your life more fully in God’s generous, self-giving love. How might that shift the way you live, make decisions, or relate to others in the coming weeks?

Advent is the perfect season to reflect on this invitation. God Himself entered our world as a child—small, vulnerable, dependent—showing us that His kingdom is woven through humility, trust, and love. And just three decades later, Jesus would teach His disciples that childlike faith is the very posture required to truly see, understand, and follow Him.

This isn’t a call to abandon thought or reason. Children are some of the most curious people on earth. Instead, Jesus invites us into a way of living marked by openness, surrender, and humility—a willingness to ask, to wonder, and to be shaped by God rather than shaping the world in our own image.

As we begin this Advent journey, Pastor Landon helps us see that those who take God’s claims seriously are changed by them. We can either soften our hearts to His love and direction… or harden them in an attempt to stay in control.

Lifegroup Questions: 

1. Looking back at your childhood, what do you remember anticipating the most during Christmas? How does that sense of wonder or longing compare to how you experience Advent today?

2. In Matthew 1:18–24, Joseph faces a confusing and stressful situation. What stands out to you about Joseph’s posture in this moment? Where do you see humility at work?

3. Advent is described as a season of waiting and preparing our hearts.What helps you wait well? And what tends to distract you or pull you into hurry?

4. The sermon talked about God making “the first move” toward us in Jesus. Where in your life have you experienced God initiating, pursuing, or drawing near?

5. In Matthew 18:1–5, Jesus places a child at the center of a conversation about greatness. Imagine yourself in that moment. How does Jesus reframe the whole conversation with this one move? How does this illustration help us consider the idea of greatness still today?

6. Humility can be described not as thinking less of yourself but rather meeting others on equal footing. Where might God be inviting you to practice that kind of humility in a relationship right now?

7. Philippians 2:5–7 gives us a picture of Jesus’ humility. What part of that passage challenges you most? What part encourages you most?

8. As we move into Advent, how do you sense the Spirit inviting you to “lean in like a child”? What is one practical way you can cultivate humble, joyful anticipation this week?

9. In Luke 22, Jesus gives the disciples bread and cup as symbols of His self-giving love. How does the practice of Communion invite us into a posture of humility—both in remembering Jesus’ sacrifice and in how we relate to others?

In Acts 9, we meet a woman whose faithful, everyday obedience made such an impact that her community could not imagine moving forward without her. Her story reminds us that our calling matters and that God works through ordinary people who simply choose to walk with Him.

This week’s message challenges each of us to believe deeply: God is not done with you. There is meaningful work for you to step into—today, and every day—for the glory of God.

And finally, we want to offer a heartfelt thank you to Pastor Ben for sharing his heart in this message and for the faithful way he has served as our Student Ministry Director. As he begins his transition out of this role, we honor his leadership, his impact, and the love he has poured into our students and our church family. We’re grateful for Ben, Cynthia, Miles, and JJ!

Lifegroup Questions: 

1. When you hear the phrase “God is not done with you,” what stirs in you — hope, hesitation, uncertainty, gratitude? Why do you think that is?
2. The sermon highlighted that our primary calling is to love and follow Jesus, and our secondary calling is how we express that in our daily life and work.
   How would you describe your own sense of calling in this season — primary and secondary?
3. In Ephesians 2:10, Paul says we are “God’s handiwork… created to do good works.” What “good works” might God be preparing for you right now, even if they seem small or ordinary?
4. Tabitha was remembered as someone who was “always doing good and helping the poor.” If people in your community described your life in one sentence, what do you hope that sentence would say?
5. Peter’s first instinct recorded in the passage (Acts 9:40) was to kneel and pray. What tends to be your first instinct in moments of pressure, grief, or challenge? How might you cultivate a more prayerful reflex?
6. The widows showed Peter tangible evidence of Tabitha’s love — the clothes she had made. What are the ‘tangible’ ways your faith shows up in the lives of others? What would you like those to be?
7. The miracle in Acts 9 led to many people believing in the Lord. Where have you seen God use ordinary obedience in someone’s life to make an extraordinary impact?
8. The sermon reminded us that God invites us to “clear the room” of distractions and listen. How can you put this into practice in your own life to help you hear God’s call clearly?
9. What is one concrete act of love, service, or obedience you feel prompted to do this week — and how can your group support you in it?

Drawing from a famous line in The Shawshank Redemption — “Hope is a dangerous thing” — Pastor Landon challenges the idea that hope sets us up for disappointment. In the story, hope is seen as something that tempts people with what may never come. But Scripture tells a different story.

We meet a Shunammite woman who longed for a child but had buried that hope deep, fearing the heartbreak of it never becoming reality. Yet through God’s power, her deepest dream, the one she dared not even speak aloud, becomes a living testimony to His faithfulness.

Pastor Landon helps us see that when we walk with Jesus, our hopes and dreams aren’t too big — they’re often too small. God invites us to trust Him fully, to believe that He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

LIFEGROUP QUESTIONS: 

* Where in your life have you felt the tension between hope and disappointment? What does the Shunammite woman’s story help you see about that tension?

* The Shunammite woman was generous and hospitable long before she experienced a miracle. What does her posture teach us about trusting God in the everyday, ordinary rhythms of life?

* She said to Elisha, “Don’t mislead your servant!” Why do you think hope felt so risky to her — and why does it sometimes feel risky to us?

* How have your past experiences, abilities, or resources shaped what you believe God can or cannot do? What parts of your story make trusting God feel easy? Which parts make it hard?

* When her son died, the woman went straight to Elisha — she refused substitutes. What might it look like for us to go “straight to God” when we’re overwhelmed?

* How does hearing modern stories, like Scott & Ryann’s, help you make sense of the stories in Scripture? Where do you see God weaving hope and healing in people around you?

* Read Ephesians 3:20–21.What dreams or hopes in your life feel “too big,” and how does this passage challenge or encourage you?

* The sermon ended with this takeaway: “God can be trusted with everything.” What is one concrete area of your life where you need to actively practice trusting God this week? What might one small act of trust look like?

This story invites us to do the same: to trust that God sustains, provides, and gives us life. No matter how dry the season, His presence and provision are always enough—because He is enough.

Key Takeaway:
With God, there is always enough. Trust Him by putting Him first.

To learn more about The Refinery Church, connect, or share a praise or prayer request, visit Refineryohio.com

No situation, relationship, or circumstance is too far gone for Him. What looks like a dead end to us is a starting point for His resurrection power.

Walk away from this episode with a renewed belief: Life in Jesus can always overcome death. Whatever you’re facing, live with confidence that God can bring new life into every part of your story.

To learn more about The Refinery Church, connect, or share a praise or prayer request, visit Refineryohio.com