When we talk about spiritual growth, community isn’t just a side dish on your spiritual plate. It’s not optional, and it’s not reserved for extroverts. Community is the bridge. It’s what carries you from salvation into transformation. Without it, you get stuck; with it, you grow. We want you to truly feel the weight of this truth. Today, we’ll discuss how God designed you to grow spiritually through relational connections and how these relationships move you from believing in Jesus to living more like Him.
- When was a time you accomplished something significant with a friend or partner that you never could have done alone? (Examples: moving furniture, completing a project, reaching a fitness goal, etc.)
- Pastor James mentioned that “faith doesn’t grow in silence. It doesn’t mature in isolation.” How have you seen this to be true or untrue in your own experience?
- What do you think is the most challenging aspect of being in authentic community with other believers?
- In the sermon, Pastor James shared three key principles about spiritual growth and community. What were they? (Bold faith awakens when ___?___ is shared, clarity comes as you __?__ with others, God moves in power when we move ___?___.)
- Read 1 Samuel 14:4: “On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez (slippery) and the other Seneh (thorny).” Can you share an experience where you trusted to follow Jesus in a certain area and faced obstacles, making it really hard? Did someone come alongside you as you worked through this?
- Read 1 Samuel 14:6. What does Jonathan’s use of the word “perhaps” reveal about the nature of faith? How does his armor-bearer’s response in verse 7 change the situation?
- Read Hebrews 3:12-13: “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” According to this passage and the sermon, why is daily encouragement so important?
- The sermon states that “people drift from their community of faith before they drift away from faith.” Why do you think this pattern exists?
- Think about a time when someone spoke faith into your fear. How did their words or presence change your perspective or give you courage?
- In what ways might you be trying to “climb alone” spiritually right now? What areas of your life have you been hesitant to invite others into?
- Proverbs 12:15 says, “A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one, but a person who listens to advice is wise.” How easy or difficult is it for you to seek and receive advice from others? What makes it challenging?
- Read James 5:16: “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” This isn’t just a verse about sin—it’s a verse about posture. It’s about humility. It’s about the structure of community. God designed healing and breakthrough to be released through togetherness. How important is it to have someone in your life to confide in?
- Who do you know that you can encourage to join a group? Group Link registration will remain open until August 24, 2025.
