The X Factor
Pastor Steven Furtick
Conversation Starters
We’ll celebrate Elevation Church’s 16th birthday next weekend! What do you remember most about being 16?
What’s your X factor — a special ability or quality you have? (e.g., self-discipline, problem solving, peacemaker, humor, etc.)
If you had to go on a talent show, what would you perform for the judges?
Review
Ask eGroup members to share their favorite points from the message, what spoke to them, a phrase or moment they related to the most, or questions they have. If members have a hard time recalling the message, talk through your notes and share your favorite points.
Make It Personal
On a scale of 1-10, are you more of a pessimist or an optimist? (1 is strong pessimist, 10 is strong optimist) Give an example of why you scored yourself that way.
Read John 5:1-7. How are you explaining your situations and talking about your circumstances? (If someone asks how your day was or how things are going, what kind of response are you likely to give?)
“The way you explain your life will either leave you stuck or move you forward.” How does that statement challenge you?
Where do you feel “stuck”? (e.g., anxiety, resentment, finances, relationships, health, etc.) Pastor Steven said God will show up in the area where you have the hardest time believing. How have you been experiencing that?
Some of us have fallen in love with our stuck-ness. For example, maybe we’ve learned we can get our way by getting angry. What about that resonates with you? Talk about some ways you might have fallen in love with your stuck-ness. (e.g., I tell myself I’m not good at something so I don’t have to take responsibility for it, I shut people out when they don’t do what I want, I remind people of times they let me down so they’ll feel guilty, etc.)
Go deeper. Now read John 5:1-7 in the King James Version. Verse four, the part about the angel troubling the water, was added later — Pastor Steven shared it wasn’t in the original text. Some of the things we believe, God didn’t speak. How do you identify with that?
How are you still operating as if Jesus isn’t risen? (i.e., How are you acting like you don’t have a perfect Savior on your side who will help you with everything? What are you not forgiving yourself for? Where are you not giving yourself grace/reflecting on Jesus’ character?)
In what ways can you explain your experience with a more godly perspective? What excuses do you need to confront?
Act On It
Write down the things that used to be true before Christ came along, and put an X over them. Write down what IS true about you because of the finished work of Jesus. Let it encourage you to explain your experience differently instead of making excuses.
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 loving us enough to challenge that way we think of ourselves and our situations, and thank You for sending Jesus to guide us to the life You want for us. Help us this week to cross out the things about ourselves or about You that aren’t true, and let the truth change how we explain our experiences. In Jesus’ name, amen.