Say Yes To Simple

• We just released the Essentials study! If you were going to a desert island for a week, what three essential items would you take with you? (Food, water, and immediate family members automatically go with you.)

• Lots of people are joining eGroups right now. Share a favorite or funny eGroup memory.

• Holly said there are two kinds of people in this world — those who love January and those who hate it. Which one are you and why?

Ask eGroup members to share their favorite points from the message, what spoke to them, a phrase or moment they related to the most, or questions they have. If members have a hard time recalling the message, talk through your notes and share your favorite points.

• Holly said she has learned from Pastor Steven that sometimes the most complicated problems have a simple solution — not necessarily easy, but simple. What’s the difference between simple and easy? Give an example of a time when you faced a simple solution that wasn’t easy.

• ACCEPT: Read 2 Kings 5:1. What’s a challenge or change you’re facing that feels complicated? Talk about some ways it would be easy for you to blame someone else or look for reasons why you’re facing that situation. (What would it look like for you to accept it?)

• • Share a time when you accepted a situation and how God changed your perspective because of it. What did you learn from that experience?

• ASK: Read 2 Kings 5:2-5. What are some reasons why asking for help can be difficult even though it’s simple? (e.g., thinking the other person won’t understand, shame, pride, etc.) Who or how do you need to ask for help?

• • Talk about ways we can make ourselves more available so others can ask for our help. (e.g., being authentic, accepting others, fostering connections, etc.) How can being a help to others also teach us about asking for help?

• ACT: Read 2 Kings 5:9-14. Talk about some things that keep us from acting when we get a simple instruction from God. (e.g., pride, needing to know the outcome, trying to find other ways to solve the problem, etc.) How have you experienced some of these?

• • Anger is easy. Obedience is simple. How are you allowing anger or offense to keep you from acting and obeying God? How might that be keeping you from facing yourself?

What simple step do you need to say yes to? Tell the group which step you need to take this week: accept, ask, or act. Encourage each other to follow through, and share how God moves in your lives.

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 Your willingness to give us simple instructions even when we’re facing the most complicated problems. We ask that You will give us wisdom to recognize those steps and courage to take them immediately, trusting the outcome to You completely. In Jesus’ name, amen.