40 Days Discussion Questions: Week 1
The Hustle To Prove Yourself
Life can feel like a constant competition to prove your worth. Whether it’s striving for success, building the right connections, or keeping up socially, you’re always under pressure to show you’re capable. Yet, no matter how hard you try, it never feels like enough. The harder you hustle, the more drained and stressed you become, and you’re left questioning if you’re measuring up. This week, we will discuss how your worth doesn’t come from how well you perform or what you achieve but comes from what Jesus has already done.
Memory Verse for Week 1: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
Try using this Bible verse memorization tool. Each letter in the following line is the first letter of the memory verse.
IHBCWCAINLL, BCLIM. TLINLITB, ILBFITSOG, WLMAGHFM. G 2:20
Dig a little deeper into the memory verse. Ask yourself the following three questions. Discuss your answers with your group:
- What?: (What is this verse saying?)
- So What?: (What does it mean to me?)
- Now What?: (To apply this verse, I must)
1. What thought or idea stood out to you in this week’s sermon?
2. What makes you feel like no matter how much you do, it’s never enough?
3. Read Matthew 11:28-30. Who is Jesus calling? What is He offering?
4. Can you share a time when you were overwhelmed and then experienced the rest that Jesus is talking about?
5. Pastor James said, “You Don’t Need to hustle to get ‘There’—Jesus Invites You to Rest ‘Here.’” Just as the Pharisees burdened people with religious striving, today's hustle culture pressures us to prove our worth through constant achievement. How does understanding God's unconditional love free us from the burden of always trying to do more?
6. In the previous verse, Jesus talked about His yoke. There are two yokes in life: one based on your own efforts and another on what Jesus has already done. The world demands constant striving, but Jesus offers rest, forgiveness, love, and worth through His finished work on the cross. What yoke are you tied to right now?
7. Read Galatians 2:20. Paul is not just saying Jesus died for us—he’s saying we died with Him. When Jesus went to the cross, He bore the full weight of your sin and mine. At the cross, He declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30). How can we practically remind ourselves each day that our identity is now in Christ and not in our past mistakes?
Last Words
Read Romans 8:1. Live from Approval, Not for It – Instead of striving to earn love, accept that you are already loved by God. Practice gratitude, speak truth over yourself, and remind yourself that Jesus has already done the work for you.
Easter is just around the corner. Who do you plan to share an invite card with?
Would you consider serving at one of our Easter services? We will have many first-time visitors on campus, and we want everyone to feel at home. If you would like to help, please scan the QR code below and complete the Volunteer Interest Form. You would not be committing to a team (although you might fall in love with it!); we just want to talk with you about where you could help out. Guest Experience and Journey Kids are where we will have the most need on Easter Weekend.
We encourage you to attend one or all of our Night of Prayer events starting at 6:30 p.m.:
- Daytona – April 3 (4 Rivers)
- Orange City – April 6
- Online (streamed) – April 13
- DeLand – April 8
- Deltona – April 1.
Mark your calendar and plan to attend Consume, our Good Friday Worship Service, on April 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Orange City location. Childcare will not be provided, so please start planning now.