I Am Number 12

Which would you rather go 12 days without: TV, your phone, or other people?

Dr. Daniels is writing his next book — if you wrote a book, what genre would it be? (e.g., self-help, historical fiction, sci-fi, spiritual, cooking, fantasy, etc.)

Do some number puzzles with your group!

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.

• What are three adjectives people might use to describe you? Do you agree with them?

• Here are some words the Bible uses to describe Christians: royal, salt, blessed, chosen, special, set apart, holy. (What other words can your group think of?) Which of those words are easy for you to believe and accept? Which one is the most challenging for you?

• • Why is that word(s) challenging for you? The Bible tells us these things so we can believe and act them out, but sometimes the truth doesn’t equal our experience. Are you living in a way consistent with how you see yourself, or with how God sees you?

• Seeing ourselves the way God sees us is important in helping us live like a number 12, and Dr. Darius gave three strategies to also help us: embrace your uniqueness, walk in the wind, and scream for the Savior. Which one is easiest for you? Which one is the most challenging? (Is there a particular one you need to focus on in this season? How can seeing yourself the way God sees you help with that?)

• • What does it mean to you to be number 12? How have you felt like a number 12 in your life (or not)? (In what ways do you feel pressured to fit in or stand out? In what ways do you compare your situation to others? How has that been harmful to you?)

• Peter was a number 12 — he stepped out of the boat while the other 11 stayed. Read Matthew 14:28-29. This scripture is an example of the Principle of Exception; people can’t walk on water, but God broke the rules so Peter could. Share about a time when God broke the rules for you and did something unexplainable or miraculous. (Share your favorite “exception” story from the Bible aside from Jesus’ resurrection.)

• Go deeper. We need to be able to receive God’s grace if we’re going to live like a number 12, but there’s a difference between understanding grace and receiving it. Read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Culture idolizes people who are self-made and who rely on their own strength, but to fully receive God’s grace, we have to know that we are insufficient. Talk about the difference between understanding and receiving grace. Is there an area of your life where you struggle to receive grace? (Where do you feel sufficient and able to do things yourself? Are there places where you don’t want to ask God for His help?)

• Read Matthew 14:22-25. Jesus took time to reset Himself spiritually. Where are you rowing when you should instead be resetting yourself spiritually? What would a spiritual reset look like for you? (How could that have a positive impact on you in the natural? How could it help you live like a number 12?)

• In Matthew 14:29, Peter moved on a “come.” Dr. Darius said, “Sometimes, we don’t walk on water because ‘come’ isn’t enough.” Share about a time you moved on a “come” without other details. Are there any areas in your life right now where you’re facing a “come”? (What details are you waiting for? Why?)

Identify one of the three points you need to focus on to be a number 12 — do a spiritual reset this week that will help you live out that point. (e.g., If you need to walk in the wind, you could study some Bible passages that encourage and strengthen you to keep walking and have “long belief” instead of “strong belief.)

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 exceptions You make for us and for setting us apart through Jesus’ sacrifice. Please give us the courage to step out of the boat and walk toward You, and the resilience to keep walking no matter what wind blows our way. In Jesus’ name, amen.