• Community Group Discussion Guide: Practice of Prayer – Being With God

    1. What stirred in you most from this message?
    Was there a phrase, image, or idea (Mother Teresa’s story, “beholding,” being “unveiled,” etc.) that stayed with you? Why do you think that resonated?

    2. How would you describe your current experience of prayer?
    Which of the “dimensions” feels most natural to you right now—

    • talking to God

    • talking with God

    • listening to God

    • or being with God?

    Which one feels most unfamiliar or uncomfortable?

    3. The message suggests that “you are what your mind looks at.” What do you find yourself regularly ‘contemplating’ in everyday life?
    How do you see that shaping your heart, your emotions, or your relationships?

    4. When you hear the invitation to simply be with God—to sit in silence, to “look at Him as He looks at you in love”—what is your honest reaction?
    Does that feel inviting, confusing, frustrating, intimidating… something else?
    Why do you think that is?

    5. Of the three movements of contemplative prayer—looking, yielding, resting—which one do you most sense God inviting you into right now?
    What might that look like in a real, practical way in your daily life this week?

    6. Let’s practice together: take 2–3 minutes of silence as a group.

    • Sit comfortably

    • Become aware of God’s presence

    • Gently return your attention to Him when distracted

    Afterward, share:
    What was that experience like for you? What made it difficult or meaningful?

  • Practice of Prayer: Listening to God

    Invitations for the Week Ahead

    1. Continue in Your Daily Prayer Rhythm

      • Use the pre-made prayer from last week—or choose a new one if that feels right. Let this be a daily moment to step into conversation with God.

    2. Begin or End Your Day with Gratitude

      • Notice and name gifts God has placed in your life.

      • Ideas: Keep a gratitude journal, jot notes on scraps of paper to carry through the day, or share thankfulness as a family around the table.

      • Pause at least once a day to give thanks for three things—no right way, just notice the good.

    3. Try Lectio Divina

      This is an ancient Latin phrase, first used by St. Benedict in the sixth century. It means “spiritual reading.” It’s a way of reading Scripture slowly and prayerfully, listening for God’s word to you. While you do not need to follow this four-step process, there are four

      movements to Lectio Divina that you may find helpful.

      First, get somewhere quiet and as distraction-free as possible. Open your Bible and pick out a passage that’s conducive to Lectio — a Psalm, a portion of the Gospels, or a section of an epistle (another word for letter, such as Romans, Ephesians, Philippians, etc.). Take a few deep breaths. Then:

      Read — A passage of your choice, slowly and prayerfully. Pay special attention to any words or phrases or ideas that jump out to you, or that

      move you emotionally or deeply resonate.

      Reflect — Reread the passage again, slowly. This time, pause over the word(s) or phrase(s) that were highlighted to you during your first reading. Meditate on them. Turn them over in your mind. Savor them.

      Respond — Pray your impressions back to God. You can use your own words or simply pray the text directly to God.

      Rest — Take a few minutes in silence to breathe deeply and rest in God’s loving word to you.

      Repeat this 3-5 times this coming week.

    Reflection & Discussion Questions

    1. Starting with honesty: what happens in you when you think about listening to God?

    Jesus says his sheep know his voice in Gospel of John 10, but people experience that invitation differently.

    When you hear the phrase “listening to God,” what rises in you most right now—excitement, skepticism, longing, fear, uncertainty, resistance? Why do you think that is?

    2. What voices are loudest in your life right now?

    Jesus contrasts the shepherd’s voice with the voice of strangers.

    What voices most compete for your attention these days—fear, urgency, approval, control, old wounds, cultural messages, other people’s expectations? How can you begin discerning which voices sound like Jesus and which do not?

    3. Which of the six ways God speaks feels most familiar—or most unfamiliar—to you?

    The sermon named six ways God speaks: Jesus, Scripture, circumstances, desires, the prophetic, and listening prayer.

    Which of these six has been most meaningful in your life? Which one feels least developed or most intimidating? Why?

    4. Obedience often reveals trust. Is there something you sense God may already be inviting you toward?

    The sermon said: Sometimes the clearest barrier to hearing God is not that God is silent, but that we are unsure we want to obey.

    Is there an area where you sense God may already be speaking, but trust or obedience feels costly? What would it look like to respond not by trying harder, but by receiving his love more deeply there?

    Consider ending your time together by practicing Listening Prayer together. Simply ask the Holy Spirit to speak and wait and listen together. Then invite people to share what came to mind, while holding it gently and testing it in community.

  • Practice of Prayer: Talking With God

    Invitations for the Week Ahead

    1. Continue in Your Daily Prayer Rhythm

      • Use the pre-made prayer from last week—or choose a new one if that feels right. Let this be a daily moment to step into conversation with God.

    2. Begin or End Your Day with Gratitude

      • Notice and name gifts God has placed in your life.

      • Ideas: Keep a gratitude journal, jot notes on scraps of paper to carry through the day, or share thankfulness as a family around the table.

      • Pause at least once a day to give thanks for three things—no right way, just notice the good.

    3. Step into Asking, Petition, and Intercession

      • Bring your own needs, the needs of others, and situations that weigh on your heart before God.

      • Ideas: Create “prayer cards” with names or situations to pray through, or spend time imagining a room filled with people God wants you to intercede for.

      • Ask God, “What do You want to do here?” and, “How can I add my yes to that?”

    Reflection & Discussion Questions

    1. From Talk to Conversation

      • Reflect on the analogy of children learning to speak. How does your current prayer life resemble “talking to God” versus “talking with God”? Where do you feel stuck, and where do you feel conversation beginning to happen?

    2. Gratitude as a Lens

      • How does intentionally noticing and naming God’s gifts change the way you see your life, your circumstances, or even your struggles? Can you identify one small thing this week that gratitude shifts for you?

    3. Honest Lament

      • What emotions or situations do you most struggle to bring honestly to God? How would allowing yourself to lament—bringing anger, grief, doubt, or confusion—change your relationship with Him?

    4. Jesus’ Invitation to Ask

      • Jesus invites us to “ask” as part of the rhythm of prayer. How does simply being invited to bring your requests to God—even the big or small things—affect the way you approach Him in prayer?

    5. Praying Promises, Not Problems

      • Scripture models praying God’s promises rather than only our problems. Are there areas of your life or the lives of others where you could bring God’s promises instead of just the struggles? How might that shift your prayers this week?

  • Practice of Prayer: Talking to God
    Scripture: Luke 11:1–4

    Part 1: Conversation Questions

    1. The Gap Between Promise and Practice:

      • Jesus makes bold promises about prayer in the Gospels. Why do you think, in practice, prayer often feels challenging, frustrating, or routine?

      • Can you share a personal experience of this gap? In general - how do you come into this space feeling about 'prayer' in your life?  

    2. “Lord, Teach Us to Pray”

      • The disciples saw Jesus heal the sick, cast out demons, and perform miracles—but the one thing they asked Him to teach them was how to pray. Why do you think that stood out to them?

      • What might that reveal about the connection between prayer and the life Jesus lived?

      • Invite each person to share, briefly, what first comes to mind when they hear Jesus’ words: “Lord, teach us to pray.”  What might those words mean for you today?

    3. The Lord’s Prayer as Formation:

      • Which part of the Lord’s Prayer resonates most with you today—worship, mission, dependence, forgiveness, or protection? Why?

      • How does using a “pre-made” prayer help you connect with God in a practical way?

    Part 2: Practicing Prayer

    Practice 1 – Establish a Daily Prayer Rhythm

    Invite the group to share ideas for a daily rhythm:

    • When will you pray? Morning, lunch, evening?

    • Where will you pray? A quiet room, outside, a favorite spot?

    • How will you pray? Sitting, standing, walking, journaling?

    • How long will you pray? Start small if needed; aim for consistency over duration.

    Encourage accountability: could someone in the group check in with you mid-week or at the next meeting?

    Practice 2 – Talking to God Through Pre-Made Prayers

    Discuss which pre-made prayer(s) each person might try this week:

    • The Lord’s Prayer

    • Psalms

    • Scripture prayers

    • Historic liturgy

    • A prayer app

    Invite sharing:

    • How might this help when you feel unsure what to say?

    • How can these prayers guide your heart toward God?

  • Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control

    1. Discussion Questions

    1. How have you experienced the battle between flesh and Spirit in your own life? Can you identify what you’re feeding most

    2. Any there any “walls” in your life feel weak or broken? Where are you most vulnerable to being controlled by impulses, habits, or fear?

    3. What are some practices or rhythms (Sabbath, prayer, scripture, generosity, fasting, service, witness, community) that could help you “hand the controller” to the Spirit?

    4. How does understanding self-control as Spirit-produced rather than self-produced change your perspective on struggles and failure?

    5. How does accountability in community help you allow the Spirit to work in your life?

    2. Personal Reflection / “Where I Am / Where I Want to Be” Exercise

    Invite group members to take a few minutes to reflect individually and write down answers to:

    Where I am…Where I want to be…Examples: I give in to worry, comparison, or distraction.I want to respond in peace, patience, and Spirit-led decisions.I struggle with consistency in prayer, scripture, or Sabbath.I want these practices to become rhythms that shape me.I let fear or anxiety control my decisions.I want to choose life by letting the Spirit guide me daily.

    • Encourage members to share one line or insight with the group.

    3. Shared 'Rule of Life'

    • A rule of life is a set of intentional rhythms that help us be Spirit-led.  Invite the group to brainstorm 3–5 practices they could adopt individually or as a group in the next month (or for whatever amount of time seems right for your group) to strengthen self-control and Spirit-led living. Examples:

      • Daily scripture reflection / prayer time

      • Weekly Sabbath or intentional rest

      • Monthly fasting or focused discipline

      • Acts of service within or outside the group

      • Accountability check-ins on temptations, habits, or areas of struggle

    • Write them on a shared board or digital document. Decide which practices the group will commit to trying together this month.

  • Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness

    1. Power Under Control

    Tina used the image of a horse under control to describe gentleness as “strength yielded.”

    • Where do you see power in your own life (influence, competence, personality, drive, opinions)?

    • When does that power become beautiful and life-giving?

    • When does it become reactive, defensive, or controlling?

    What would it look like for that strength to come more fully under the steady hand of Jesus?

    2. Identity: Achieved or Received?

    The “achievement binder” illustrated how easy it is to root identity in performance.

    • What has most shaped your sense of worth — achievement, failure, approval, comparison?

    • In what ways are you still trying to “finish what grace began”?

    • What would it mean for you this week to receive your identity again rather than prove it?

    How can this group help re-gospel one another when we drift back into earning?

    3. Striving vs. Yielding

    Paul rebuked the Galatians for beginning by the Spirit and then striving in the flesh.

    • Where do you notice striving in your life right now? (Productivity? Perfectionism? Control? Spiritual performance?)

    • How does striving affect your gentleness toward others? Toward yourself?

    • What would yielding look like instead of white-knuckling change?

    4. The Gentle Heart of Jesus

    In Matthew 11:28–30, Jesus describes His own heart as gentle and humble.

    • When you picture Jesus looking at you in your current season, what expression do you imagine on His face?

    • Is it easy or difficult for you to believe that His heart toward you is gentle?

    • Are you more likely to relate to “the achiever who cannot slow down” or “the bruised reed who feels barely holding on” — or both?

    What would it look like to actually come to Him this week?

    5. Practicing Gentleness (Fruit, Not Effort)

    The sermon emphasized that gentleness grows as fruit when we are yoked to Jesus — not as self-improvement.

    • Where is God inviting you to relinquish control or compulsivity right now?

    • Is there a specific relationship where Spirit-formed gentleness needs to grow?

    • What is one concrete way you can practice yielding to Jesus this week instead of striving?

    Close by praying for one another — specifically asking the Spirit to form gentleness as power rooted in love.

  • Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness

    1. “Taste and see.”
    Psalm 34:8 invites us not just to believe God is good, but to experience His goodness.

    • Where in your life have you genuinely tasted God’s goodness—not just known about it?

    • Where do you realize you may know the idea of God’s goodness, but still struggle to trust it personally?

    2. Who gets to define what is “good”?
    The message challenged the ways we casually define “good” for ourselves—relationships, choices, success, comfort.

    • Where do you see yourself most tempted to define “good” apart from God’s standard?

    • How has that played out in the past—for better or worse?

    3. God’s plumbline (Micah 6:8).
    God defines goodness as doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with Him.

    • Which of these feels most natural for you right now?

    • Which one feels most challenging or costly in this season?

    4. Goodness as action and attitude.
    Goodness isn’t just what we do—it’s why we do it.

    • Where is God inviting you to take a concrete step of goodness this week?

    • How might God be inviting you to check or realign your motives as you act?

    5. Leaving a trail (Psalm 23:6 & Galatians 6:10). (Optional)
    The image of goodness and mercy following us as a trail invites reflection.

    • If someone followed you for a week, what kind of trail would they see?

    • What would it look like for your group to intentionally “do good” together—especially toward those closest to you?

    Closing Prayer Suggestion for Groups:
    Invite the group to pray simply:
    “God, would You let Your goodness pass by us again—form us, heal us, and send us out as people who reflect Your heart.”

  • Sermon: Fruit of the Spirit – Kindness

    Opening Thought / Icebreaker

    Take a moment to check in with one another. Share a recent experience where someone showed you unexpected kindness. How did it impact you?

    Scripture Focus

    2 Samuel 9:1-13 – The story of David and Mephibosheth

    Discussion Questions

    1. Story Reflection

    Question:
    What stood out to you most in the story of David and Mephibosheth? Why?

    Leader Note:
    Encourage people to notice David’s repeated use of hesed—his intentional kindness—and how it transformed Mephibosheth’s life. Invite reflection on the emotional and spiritual impact of God’s kindness in our own lives.

    2. Personal Connection

    Question:
    When you think about your own life, where do you feel “Podunk” and in need of God’s hesed? How might His kindness move you from that place toward the “palace”?

    Leader Note:
    This is a reflective question; allow silence if needed. Guide the group to consider areas where they feel unseen, overlooked, or discouraged, and invite them to see God’s promise of transformation.

    3. Recognizing Niceness vs. Kindness (Awareness)

    Question:
    Looking back at the sermon, which of these nice vs. kind contrasts felt most revealing—or most uncomfortable for you?

    • Nice is surface-level. Kindness costs something (sacrifice).

    • Nice acknowledges. Kindness acts.

    • Nice is considerate. Kindness is compassionate.

    • Nice is selective. Kindness is selfless.

    • Nice is passively agreeable. Kindness is powerfully anchored.

    • Nice is self-improvement. Kindness is Spirit-empowered.

    Leader Note:
    This isn’t about “fixing” yourself—just noticing. Where do you see yourself leaning toward “nice” instead of “kind,” and why might that be? Encourage honesty and self-reflection.

    4. Application to Relationships

    Question:
    Where is God calling you to show Spirit-empowered kindness in your life—perhaps in your marriage, friendships, family, church, or workplace—even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable?

    Leader Note:
    Invite concrete examples. Help the group think beyond polite gestures to sacrificial, active kindness. Encourage the Spirit to guide them in identifying specific steps.

    5. Prayer / Commitment

    Question:
    As you consider the difference between “nice” and “kind,” what is one attitude, relationship, or response you want to surrender to the Spirit this week to allow kindness to grow?

    Leader Note:
    Close the discussion with a time of personal reflection and optional sharing. Encourage participants to write down a prayer or commitment. Remind the group that the goal is not performance but yielding to the Holy Spirit.

  • Fruit of the Spirit: Patience

    1. Opening the Conversation (Surface / Relational)

    When you think about waiting, what’s one thing in your life right now that tests your patience the most—big or small?

    • This could be traffic, relationships, work, finances, unanswered prayers, or something else.
      (Leader note: Keep this light at first—this helps everyone get in the room.)

    2. Culture vs. Formation (Awareness)

    The sermon talked a lot about how our culture trains us for speed, convenience, and instant results.

    Where do you notice “convenience culture” shaping your expectations—especially in your faith or relationship with God?

    • Are there areas where you feel pressure to rush growth, clarity, or outcomes?

    • How does that tension show up emotionally (frustration, anxiety, control, disappointment)?

    3. The Cost & Currency of Promise (Deeper Reflection)

    We heard the phrase: “For some things, the only payment is patience.”

    Is there a promise, hope, or desire in your life right now that feels delayed?

    • How have you been tempted to “take matters into your own hands” instead of waiting?

    • What do you think God might be forming in you through this waiting—not just after it?

    (Optional Scripture tie-in: Hebrews 6:12 — faith, patience, promise)

    4. How You Wait Matters (Heart-Level)

    The sermon reminded us that waiting isn’t passive—it’s formative.

    When you’re waiting on God, how do you usually wait?

    • With trust? Anxiety? Complaining? Control? Numbness?

    • What might it look like for waiting to become an active act of worship or obedience?

    5. Invitation to Practice (Response / Application)

    Patience is a fruit produced by the Spirit—but it grows in real-life situations.

    What is one specific area this week where you sense the Holy Spirit inviting you to practice patience on purpose?

    • A relationship?

    • A decision?

    • A response you don’t need to rush?

    • A prayer you need to keep praying?

    How can this group pray for you or support you as you wait well?




    AN INVITATION:

    Living Out Our 2026 Mission Objective

    On Celebration Sunday we introduced our 2026 M.O.’s, and the Missions Department is especially encouraged by M.O. #4:

    We will resolve to be people who use our gifts to serve in our church, in our neighborhoods, and in the nations.

    As you gather with community groupswe encourage you to begin conversations—maybe even many conversations—about how your unique gifts might meet the needs around you. Where do the needs of the church, our neighbors, and the nations intersect with the passions and abilities God has placed in you as a Community Group? What might God be inviting you into, and what could it look like to say “yes” to that invitation together?

  • Fruit of the Spirit: PEACE

    1. Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23, John 16:33, John 14:27, Romans 12:18, Matthew 5:9

      Opening Reflection:
      Take a moment to reread the passages above. Think about what Jesus said: “In this world you will have trouble… but take heart, I have overcome the world.” Peace is not the absence of trouble—it is a presence that holds steady in the middle of it. As you reflect, invite the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and reveal where He is already at work.

      Discussion & Reflection Questions

      1. Peace with God – Receiving what’s already given

      • Reflect on your relationship with God. Is there any guilt, shame, or distance you’ve been carrying that keeps you from fully trusting His love?

      • How can you personally respond to Jesus’ invitation to peace with God this week? What might it look like to simply say, “God, I want a relationship with You” and rest in that reality?

      2. Peace of God – Experiencing His presence in your life

      • Consider the pressures, anxieties, or uncertainties you are currently lifting on your own. Where do you need to invite the Holy Spirit to help carry the weight?

      • How does the idea of abiding in Jesus and leaning into His Spirit change the way you might face these pressures?

      3. Peace like God – Extending His peace to others

      • Are there relationships, conflicts, or grudges where God is inviting you to reflect His peace into the world?

      • What is one step you could take this week to pursue peace like God, trusting the Spirit to work through you?

      4. Practicing the Way – A rule of life

      • Thinking about your rhythms and habits, where could you intentionally practice abiding in Jesus, listening to the Spirit, or trusting Him in the small, daily pressures?

      • How might these practices cultivate a life of love, joy, and peace over time, rather than seeking temporary escapes?

      5. Prayer Together (Optional Group Exercise)

      • Invite the group to pair up or share in small triads. Pray with, for, and over each other:

        • For those needing peace with God, pray for courage to receive His forgiveness and trust.

        • For those needing peace of God, pray for the Spirit to guard hearts and minds under pressure.

        • For those needing peace like God, pray for wisdom, grace, and strength to extend His peace in relationships and conflicts.

      Closing Reflection:
      Take a moment to sit in silence and invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you personally. Ask Him to reveal where He is at work, where He wants to carry your weight, and how He wants to grow His fruit of peace in you.

  • Fruit of the Spirit: Love

    1. How do I want to Cultivate my heart as a place for the Holy Spirit to take root?

    2. In what ways do I no longer want to let the culture of the world tend my spirit?

    3. In 2026, where is God inviting me into a new space of spiritual formation?

    4. Do I believe that God can meet me in this change?

 

 

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