When God Goes In
Conversation Starters
Looking for a way to get the group talking? Try one of these conversation starters.
Share about a time when you collaborated well with someone else.
What are your plans for Easter? Who are you inviting to church?
Sermon Reflection
Help transition the group to the discussion with one of these questions.
What stood out to you from this week’s message?
What from the message encouraged you/challenged you the most?
Sermon Discussion
Select 1-2 themes from the sermon to discuss with your eGroup.
Read Judges 6:11-12. When Gideon was hiding in a winepress, God called him a mighty warrior. “Sometimes we confuse who we are with where we are.”It can be easy to forget who God says we are when we feel trapped in a situation, but where we are doesn’t change who God says we are.
What are some common things people allow to identify them? (jobs, marital status, etc.)
“Stop confusing yourself with your state.” What situation have you gone through, or are you going through, that you’ve let define you?
What will you commit to this week to remind yourself of who God called you to be, regardless of where you’re at? (starting the day in prayer, rereading the story about Gideon, etc.)
“Before lifting comes sifting.” God has plans for us, but we need to allow Him to do some sifting to remove things that aren’t part of what He’s calling us to.
“Sifting isn’t meant to be comfortable, it’s meant to be profitable.” What can make the process of letting God “sift” be difficult for us?
Share about a time when something has been “sifted” out of your life that turned out for the best.
What do you feel God is calling you to do in your life right now? What do you need to let God “sift” out of your life to do that?
“You don’t have to be convinced to commit to it.”
What fears do people usually face when they commit to something before they have it fully figured out? (fear of failure, fear of being hurt, etc.) What can we do to replace that fear with faith?
What is God calling you to commit to even though you don’t have it fully figured out?
What’s the first step you can take to start committing to that thing?
Activating Faith
Challenge your group to keep activating their faith. Make this a part of your eGroup time or send this activity to them after you meet.
This week, Pastor Steven encouraged us to let God sift us. We won’t be truly ready for what God is bringing us into if we don’t let Him sift out the attitudes and beliefs that aren’t benefiting us. Take some time to intentionally invite God to sift you by:
Praying and inviting God to do His work in you.
Asking God to reveal those attitudes, habits, and beliefs that you have that He wants to remove. Write down everything that comes to your mind and heart.
Look at the list you’ve made and commit to praying about each this week. Write down truths from God’s word to replace the attitudes, habits, and beliefs that God is sifting out of you.
Example:
Sift out my:
Selfishness – I don’t want to inconvenience myself or my plans but God is asking me to become more selfless.
Truth – God is reminding me that Jesus set aside His comforts and convenience for me, so I should do the same. (Philippians 2:3-4)
Prayer
Close out your group with prayer using one of these options
Pair group members into groups and have each person share some of the struggles that have been holding them back from fully embracing who God says they are or what God is calling them to do. Have them pray for one another that they’ll begin to take steps toward what God is calling them to do and for Him to sift out what is holding them back.
God, Thank you for coming into each of our situations. You are not done with us and you know exactly who we are. Remind us this week of who we are in You and help us to allow you to do the work of sifting. Thank you for partnering with us in your great work. Thank you for being strong where we are weak. Give us your vision to see ourselves and our situations as you do. Align our hearts and our wills with you so that we can work together in what you have called us each to do. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Additional Resources
that relates to the sermon topic.
Listen to “More Than Able” by Elevation Worship to remind yourself that God is not done with you yet and He is more than able to complete the work in you that He has begun.
Watch Pastor Steven’s sermon “Blown Away!” for a reminder of how to let go of what’s been holding you back, so you can step into what God’s been preparing for you all along.
If you’re feeling weighed down by challenges you’re facing, listen to “Joy In The Morning” by Tauren Wells featuring Elevation Worship to remind yourself that God is still at work.