Steve High                                                Rockford Campus                                             Oct. 29, 2023

 

In Significant Moments

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE

 

REMINDERS

Leader Development Class (Sunday nights) 

Please join us on Sunday nights for the LDC! Our goal is that all our leaders would be connected into trainings at least 4 times a year to keep sharp and to help sharpen others. For questions or suggestions on class topics, please reach out to Trent Heaton ([email protected]).

 

 

TOGETHER IN LIFE

We are getting our first flakes of snow this week!

Share about your favorite childhood memories of the fall season.

 

TOGETHER IN THE WORD

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: James 4:13-17 

Note: We encourage you to read the entire text together as a group out loud.

 

FAÇADE OF CONTROL

What does it feel like to be out of control?

Share a time when you felt totally out of control of a situation.

Facades are like props/sets on a movie set – all visual, no substance; temporary, not permanent. What facades do you see in the world?

How can we assess if we are building a façade?

*Do you quickly and easily judge others?

*Are you entitled and feel offended at an intrusion on your ‘rights’?

*Are you overly self-reliant or self-focused?

What are some ways facades come crashing down? When do you see the power of reality come crashing in on facades?

What do you think of this quote by John Piper? How have you seen this in your life?

Where are you tempted to take control of life?

*Caution: Control often looks like the good gifts of God. What makes the difference is

Our heart’s attitude – if the gift is gone, will your soul be ok?

 

What do you think of this quote? What stands out as significant or challenging?

 

Ways to Confront our Façade of Control:

• Have a Heart of Humility: Repent of our grasping for control and demanding ways
• Have a Posture of Submission: Being open-handed toward God with all our life
• Have an Eternal Perspective: See clearly Ultimate Reality for what it is: a vapor. Never cling to the temporary in exchange for the eternal.

 

TOGETHER IN ACTION

Confess to God and someone you trust an area of your life where you take control. Ask God to help you surrender your arrogance and move toward humility.

Practice Sacrifice. What is something that you can give up this week to remind you to keep your eyes on eternity? Fast and pray.

 

TOGETHER IN PRAYER

Pray through each person’s needs this week. Contact at least one group member this week to circle back and pray with them.