Conversation Starters
Looking for a way to get the group talking? Try one of these conversation starters.
Pastor Tauren Wells mentioned watching The Mighty Ducks as a kid. What was your favorite show or movie growing up?
If you could play any instrument in the world, what would it be? Or, if you currently or previously play an instrument, what is it?!
Sermon Reflection
Help transition the group to the discussion with one of these questions.
What stood out to you from this week’s message?
What from the message encouraged you/challenged you the most?
Sermon Discussion
Select 1-2 themes from the sermon to discuss with your eGroup.
Read Ephesians 1:22-23. Pastor Tauren shared that through his church choir, he saw how his gift of singing was given by God to be a blessing to others. Jesus is the head of the church, and He uses the Church to connect us to our purpose and to help us discover the gifts He’s given us to bless others.
Share a time when God has used others in the church to bless you.
What gifts/passions do you feel like God has given you? How can you use these gifts/passions to help bless others?
Where can you serve at our church to use this gifting to encourage others?
Pastor Tauren said a guitar string’s full potential is displayed when it is connected to both the head and the body of the guitar. The same is true for us. Our potential is greatest when we are connected to Jesus and to His church.
How does being more committed to something help us to have more potential in that area. Give some examples (Opportunities at work, practicing a musical instrument, better communication in a relationship, etc.)
“You’re limited when you’re disconnected.” How have you seen this play out in your own life?
What is one way this week that you want to commit to connecting with Jesus and commit to connecting with your church family?
“Where you feel the tension is where you find your purpose.” On a guitar, the tension in the strings is the source of its sound. When we are connected to Christ and the church, we live in the right tension — we become God’s intention for the church and we can become a solution to tension.
Share about a time when something beautiful happened from a situation you felt tension in. How has living in tension led you to your purpose in the past?
What area of tension have you noticed lately? What action step can you take to start being a solution to the tension you see?
When you face tension, what are some practical steps we can take to stay committed and connected to what you are called to?
(examples: connect with a friend to encourage one another, write your commitments down in a place where you’ll see them, pray over your commitments and ask for God’s help in keeping them)
Activating Faith
Challenge your group to keep activating their faith. Make this a part of your eGroup time or send this activity to them after you meet.This weekend we were reminded of the importance of being connected to the church. It’s sometimes tempting to believe that we don’t need the church; that if we have Jesus, that’s enough. However, without connection to the church, we miss out on the full purpose God has for our lives. We aren’t meant to live this life alone.Take a moment to think through your summer and then write out a “summer church commitment plan” as a group. What do you want to commit to do together this summer as a way of intentionally connecting to the church?Examples: attend church together every week, join a weekend volunteer team, commit to meeting — times throughout the summer, serve a LOVE week event together, etc.Keep this plan and refer back to it to see how your group is doing!
Prayer
Close out your group with prayer using one of these options
A Guided Prayer
Dear God, Thank you for your church. Thank you for giving us the gift of living life and serving others alongside a body of believers. Please renew our joy and love for your church. Reveal to us the gifts and purpose you’ve placed inside of us and give us opportunities to live out those gifts within your church this week. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Additional Resources
Want to help your group go deeper after you meet? Send them one of these resources that relates to the sermon topic.
Listen to “Build Your Church” by Elevation Worship & Maverick City as a way to remember this week’s message!
Watch Finding Your Purpose from Pastor Steven for a reminder how nothing can keep you from your purpose.
Watch this short from Pastor Holly to learn more about getting direction from God.