The Blessing Of A Closed Door

• You’re having a bad-breath moment. Besides a toothbrush and paste, what’s your go-to breath freshener?

• What was your first job? Share a funny story or memory.

• You’ve locked yourself out of your house — would you rather wait a few hours for a locksmith or find a way to break in?

• Play a round of “Scattergories” with the category of “door.” The person who can list the most uniquely named places with a door or types of door wins! (e.g., if you select the letter “C,” they could list “car door,” “closet door,” “checkered door,” etc.)

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.

• Share about a door in your life that God closed in the past, and now you’re grateful He did. (How did that experience grow your faith?)

• What closed doors have you experienced recently? How have those closed doors impacted you? (What’s usually your initial reaction when you come up against a closed door?)

Pastor Stephen gave us three points to help us process what to do when we’re facing a closed door.

• Not all closed doors are the same. Read John 20:19-22. Some doors aren’t closed by God — they’re closed by our own fear. Where in your life has fear closed a door? How can you “prosper” and move forward?

• Some closed doors are a setup. Read Acts 1:4. God will close a door if the timing isn’t right for us to walk through it. What are some ways we can prepare while we’re waiting for God to open a door?

• Don’t get used to closed doors. Read Acts 12:11-16. Why do we sometimes stop believing for God’s best? Talk about some practical things we can do to renew our faith when that happens.

• Go deeper. Identify the closed door that’s most often on your mind recently. Do you think that door is closed because of your own fear, because the timing isn’t right, or because the enemy has closed it and God’s about to do something greater? What can you do differently based on this sermon to help you deal with that door?

This week, do something with a closed door in your life. You could face your fear and open that door yourself (e.g., apologize to someone you hurt), you could accept God’s timing and prepare for Him to open the door (e.g., take some classes to get ready for the job you want), or you could renew your confidence in God that He will open a currently closed door or an even BETTER door in the future (e.g., pray with expectation and believing for God’s best). Write down one practical thing you can do.

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 every door You’ve closed and every door You’ve opened for us. Show us where we need to silence fear and move forward in faith and where we need to wait on You. We’re so grateful that with You there is always hope, no matter what doors are in front of us. In Jesus’ name, amen.