No Shortage! (The Power Of Therefore)

Conversation Starters

• Pastor Steven’s family likes Chick-fil-A. What’s your favorite fast-food restaurant?

• October is Pastor Appreciation Month! Share about someone in ministry who has made an impact in your life. After group, write a card, send a text, or call them to let them know.

• There’s a shortage of one kind of food, and you get to pick what it is — what food do you choose?

Review

Ask eGroup members to share their favorite points from the sermon, what spoke to them, a phrase or moment from the sermon they related to the most, or questions they have. If members have a hard time recalling the sermon, talk through your notes and share your favorite points.

Make It Personal

• Tell the group what grace means to you. (You can look at some passages for more context, such as Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 6:14, and Romans 11:6.) How has your definition of grace changed over the years?

• Is there an area of your life where you are living with a “grace-shortage” mindset? Have you been more thorn-conscious or grace-conscious lately? Why? (How can we grow in being more grace-conscious?)

• Read 2 Corinthians 12:6-10. What does “therefore” in this passage mean to you? Are you so focused on your thorn that you’re missing your “therefore”? (What is your “therefore”?)

• Go deeper. Take a moment to reflect on the story you’ve been telling yourself about your thorn, then talk about it. If God doesn’t remove it, expect Him to use it — how could God be using your thorn for your good and His glory?

• What have you been grounded in this year? (e.g., grace, your gifts, feelings, goals, latest blessings, etc.) Share what being grounded in grace looks like for you on a practical level.

• Read 2 Corinthians 12:8-9. Paul asked God three times to take his thorn away, but God didn’t answer until after the third time. Satan wants to plant a seed in the silence — it’s easy to believe a lie while we wait on God’s answer. What story are you telling yourself in the silence? (Have you stopped asking after a second time and now you’re just standing there?)

• Change the power of your therefore. Talk about what this practically looks like. How can you do it? What in your life is God’s grace “there for”?

Act On It

Pastor Steven said, “Every time you feel the thorn, tell yourself a different story. You don’t get to choose your thorn, but you do get to tell yourself a different story.” What story do you need to tell yourself this week? Write it down and get it in front of you — on your phone, in your car, at your desk, at the dinner table, in the kitchen, in your pocket, etc.

Prayer Requests And Prayer

Ask eGroup members to share any prayer requests they have. Record any notes or prayer requests to pray for members during the week. Father, thank You for the grace and mercy You freely give us every day. You’re the God Who sees every one of our thorns and offers us power in our pain. Will You reveal to us what our thorns are “there for” this week? Remind us of Your truth so we don’t fill in the silence with lesser voices. Open our eyes to be more grace-conscious so we can remain grounded, no matter what pressures we face. In Jesus’ name, amen.