Beta Blessings
Pastor Steven Furtick
Conversation Starters
We’re up to over 21,000 people in eGroups! Share a fun or favorite eGroup memory you have. (If you have someone new in your group, pick five fun get-to-know-you questions from this list to ask them. If you have several new people, consider letting the whole group answer the questions!)You’ve been chosen to create a beta version of the next iPhone! What’s a critical or fun feature you’re going to put on it?Do you like to be on the cutting edge of technology and get things in beta form, or do you prefer to get something after all the bugs have been worked out?
Review
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.
Make It Personal
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “beta”? How would you define it? (Merriam Webster defines the word as “a stage of development in which a product is nearly complete but not yet ready for release.”)
Read Genesis 12:1-5. This was a beta blessing for Abram. Share about a beta blessing you’ve had — something that happened and you weren’t sure at first if it was a blessing or not.
Now read Joshua 5:2-6. Beta versions (and blessings) are there for testing to work the bugs out, like when the Israelites traveled through the wilderness for 40 years to get to the Promised Land. 2020 was a year that tested us all in some way. What bugs were revealed in your life last year? How have you experienced God’s help in removing those bugs? (Where do you feel like you’re in a beta blessing now? Talk about some bugs God is currently working out. (e.g., bitterness, unbelief, selfishness, shame, anger, the need to control things, etc.))
God is the Alpha and Omega, but He’s also God of the beta. How does knowing God is still in control of the in between encourage you? What things do you do to keep yourself grounded when you’re in a “in between” season?
When we get attached to a beta version, we put God in a box. (Sometimes, it might be because of an expectation that He’ll provide for us the same way He has in the past.) What old blessings or mindsets are you holding on to? Share about something that’s new and you’re working to embrace it (or you need to start embracing it).
Read Luke 5:5-11. The fish weren’t the blessing — they were the bait to get the fishermen to their calling. How has God used something in your life to get you to a greater blessing? (Is there a place in your life right now where you need to take the bait?)
Now read John 21:4-6. Jesus had them do things a different way. What is God leading you to do a different way? (e.g., the way you talk at work, how you spend time with God, who you hang out with, etc.)
Act On It
Praying to be blessed vs. obeying to be blessedPeter’s fishing failure in Luke 5 was the setup for him to meet Jesus, and he was able to go from empty nets to boat-sinking blessings — but it started with him obeying. Think about a boat-sinking blessing you’re praying for. Ask God to show you where you need to obey so you can be in position to receive whatever blessings He has in store for you. Is there a step of obedience you can take this week?
Prayer Requests And Prayer
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 ALL the blessings You’ve given us — even the ones we don’t recognize as blessings because they’re in beta form. Give us grace this week to approach those blessings with open hands so we can experience the growth You want for us on our way to the fullness of the blessings You have planned for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.