Make Room For The New

• There’s no more space on your phone for a new app — you have to make room. What’s the first thing you’re getting rid of?

• You just won a new car! What kind of car is it?

• It’s a perfect day to watch a movie. Are you more likely to watch a new one you haven’t seen, or put on an old favorite you’ve seen several times? Why?

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.

• On a scale of 1-10, how good are you at “making room for the new” in your life? Do you seek out new things, or are you more likely to hold onto old things?

• Read Leviticus 26:9-10. Give an example of something old you might be tempted to hold onto. How could that be holding you back from experiencing new things? (Are there any new things you’re praying for?)

• • (Leaders, use this question as an opportunity to go a bit deeper in the Bible.) Leviticus is the third book in the Old Testament — a central theme of the Old Testament is the revelation of God’s character. What does this passage reveal to you about God’s character? Share about a time when God brought something new into your life that turned out to be a blessing.

• Sometimes, new things can lead to tension — and our tolerance for tension determines our potential for growth. How do you usually respond to tension? Where are you facing tension right now (or facing a new thing)? (Encourage group members to talk about HOW they’re dealing with tension right now. Ask them what they would want life to look like on the other side of that tension.)

• Read Acts 9:36-40. Peter embraced tension — he knew if he kept people in the room with old mindsets, they wouldn’t be able to receive new miracles. Think about your mindsets. What’s a mindset you need to change to help you work through the tension you’re facing?

• Think about Joppa as any place where God sends something new, and then you have a choice for how to respond. You can stay in Joppa and let Him work, or you can run from it. Where do you feel like you’re in Joppa? Talk about how you can stand in faith and let God work in it.

• Later, while Peter was praying in Joppa, God spoke to him in a vision — read Acts 11:5-12. Pastor Steven used this to challenge us on three things to avoid and to make room for the new. As a group, talk about what each one means and give some practical examples:

• • Don’t be limited by a label. (How are labels on yourself, areas of your life, other people, or on God limiting you?)
  • Don’t be loyal to a lie. (What’s something you’ve believed that might not be true anymore?)
  • Don’t be late. (How could you miss the new because you’re holding onto something old?)

• Which one of those three things is making it most difficult for you to make room for the new? Why?

This week, make room for the new. Spend some time identifying old mindsets, patterns, behaviors, relationships, etc., that could be holding you back from the new things God wants to in you and around you. Two or three days after your group meeting, share with the group one old thing you’ve identified that you’re going to get rid of.

Ask eGroup members to share any prayer requests they have. Record any notes or prayer requests to pray for members during the week.

Father, we trust You. We know You have new things in store for us, so we ask You to help us identify what we’re holding onto that’s old and move it out to make room. Give us the wisdom to recognize the new when You send it so we can run toward it. In Jesus’ name, amen.