For many of us, the first thing that comes to mind when we think of “church” is our Sunday morning gatherings for worship and a message. But real spiritual growth can’t possibly be contained to one hour a week! Instead, God has a plan for our lives and spiritual growth that can be refreshing to every hour of our week.
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Discussion Guide
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Begin your time together with prayer
Introduction
Take some intentional time to discuss how your group’s experience with spending time in the Bible throughout the week went. What did everyone learn and how are they trying to put it into practice in their lives so far?
This week we will be discussing how we can grow together through serving, living together in groups, and being generous with what we have.
Connect
* What’s one skill you only discovered because someone else pointed it out to you first?
* When have you done something with others (on a team, at school, at work, or at church) that felt better together than doing it alone?
* Can you think of a time you stepped out of your comfort zone to help someone, and it ended up being a positive experience?
Opening
It can be easy to move through life focused on our own schedules, needs, and plans, but some of our greatest growth happens when we notice the needs of others and respond to God’s call. When we slow down and pay attention, we start to see opportunities to make a difference in ways that impact others and shape who we’re becoming. God invites us to a life of serving, gathering with others, and practicing generosity. These steps may take us out of our comfort zone but will lead us closer to who he is shaping us to be.
This leads us to our main idea for this week
We should utilize every chance to grow together.
Unpack
Read each set of verses out loud as a group, making observations as you go. Afterward discuss each of the connected questions before moving to the next set of verses:
Read
1 Peter 4:8-11
Matthew 5:14-16
* Why do you think serving others is important? How could this show who Jesus is to those who don’t follow him?
* These verses remind us that God gives everyone different spiritual gifts to use for others. What’s one ability, skill, or strength you think God has given you that might want you to use?
* How could you use these gifts to serve others within the church? How could you use them to serve others outside of the church?
* Jesus says that his followers are supposed to be the ‘light of the world.
