Work It Out

• Pastor Daniel said his mom used to tell them to “work it out.” What’s a phrase your parents said to you a lot?

• If you had a lot of siblings, would you rather be the oldest or the youngest?

• You have 30 minutes to work out. Would you rather go for a jog, lift weights, ride a bike, go swimming, or play a sport?

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.

• How would you define faith? How has your understanding of faith changed throughout your life?

• Pastor Daniel said when we face a difficult situation, we usually respond by trying to fix it ourselves, going to others for help, or just accepting it as our lot in life. Which one is usually your first instinct? Why?

• Faith doesn’t grow in comfort — it grows in discomfort. Where are you in discomfort right now? How would that situation and your faith change if you approached it with this perspective?

• Read these passages about faith: Romans 10:17, 2 Corinthians 5:7, 1 John 5:4, Ephesians 6:16, and James 1:3. Which one challenges you the most in how you use or grow your faith? Why? 

• What’s a challenge you’re struggling to have faith in?

• Pastor Daniel gave us three points to help us work out our faith. 1) The deficit is faith’s opportunity. 2) The Word is faith’s foundation. 3) The sacrifice is faith’s test. Which of those points helped you the most in seeing how to have faith in the challenge you’re facing?

(Have group members answer one of the questions below based on which point from the sermon helped them the most.)

• The deficit is faith’s opportunity. Talk about a deficit you’re facing. What would it look like for you to press into God so He can use that deficit to grow your faith?
• The Word is faith’s foundation. How have you been avoiding the Word? What steps do you need to take to get more connected to the Word?
• The sacrifice is faith’s test. What’s God blessed you with that you’re struggling to release back to Him? What would it look like for you to release it?

This week, work out your faith. Think about an uncomfortable situation or challenge you’re facing — press into God through the deficit, connect to the Word, or release your blessing back to God so He can grow your faith to the next level.

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 never leaving our faith where it is — for the way You help us grow our faith so we can draw closer to You. This week, let us see our lives through Your eyes so we can recognize the ways You’re helping us work out our faith. Help us take those opportunities to build our trust in You and make our faith stronger so You can do more through us. In Jesus’ name, amen.