ICEBREAKERS
Make sure to start off with prayer. Then choose one or more questions to open up with.
- Have you ever had a great experience serving at church or somewhere else? If so, tell us about it.
- What was your favorite thing that you ate during Thanksgiving this year?
- What is your greatest talent or ability?
Message Review
Main points and scriptures from this week's message.
This weekend, Pastor Kevin talked about leaning into a lifestyle of Trusting God.
Proverb 3:5–6 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.
Everyone leans one direction or another. Some lean on their own understanding, some lean on worry, doubts, or fears. Even others lean back in hesitation.
So how about as God's people, we all lean together on a lifestyle of trusting God.
The writer is not saying don’t trust anyone. He’s saying that men will let you down and fail you. But God will never fail!
Psalm 20:7 (KJV)
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
During the time Psalm 20 was written, it was referring to an era where there were two primary methods when it came to waging war. Some kings put all their trust in chariots, and others in horses, but God's people trusted in God!
Psalm 125:1 (NIV)
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
If you want to lean into a lifestyle of trusting God, here are some ways you can do that:
1. EMBRACE GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY.
2. ENGAGE GOD’S PRESENCE.
3. BE A TITHER
Tithing is a Biblical concept of giving to God the first 10% of all your increase. Tithing shows God that you trust Him. It shows God that you rely on Him, not yourself or your riches.
Proverb 3:9 (NIV)
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops . .
Tithing is not about money. It's about first things.
Genesis 28:22 (NASB)
. . . of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.
4. USE YOUR VOICE TO LIFT AND LEAD.
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.
TALK-IT-OUT
The following questions will help guide your discussions and give your group some opportunities to open up and share.
- Can you remember a time when you leaned on your own understanding, only later to find out that your understanding was wrong?
- In what ways are you currently submitting to God?
- Is it easy or difficult for you to trust others?
- What is the current object of your worry? How can trusting God help you in that situation?
- In what ways are you going to use your voice to lift and lead?
- Finish this sentence: I know that I can trust God because ________________.
WRITE-It-Out
Encourage your group to starting writing things down. In a journal or on paper, write down the following:
- Write a letter to God saying you are sorry for the times that you did not trust him, and tell him what you are going to hand over and trust him with.
- Write down three things you can do to lift and lead others in the next week. Think social media, your work, encouraging others, etc.
Live-It-Out
Encourage your group to start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
- This is a continuation from last week. Every day pray for our nation, our leaders, and the Church.
- Complete the three things that you wrote down in the Write-it-Out section. These are the three ways you are going to lift and lead others in the next week.
- Complete the Growth Track. There is no Growth Track during December, but starting again January 8, we will have Growth Track every Sunday at 11:30 at all of our campuses.
- Serve together as a group. To view serving opportunities with Champions Foundation, click HERE.
Closing Thoughts
- Finish group with prayer requests and praise reports.
- More resources always available here: Group Resources