Stacking Strength
Wade Joye
Conversation Starters
What’s your greatest strength? (Or, what’s something you’re really good at?)
Wade said his vice (bad habit) is Diet Coke — he has at least six a day. What’s your vice?
Did you celebrate Memorial Day weekend? What did you do?
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 something you’re good at now, but it took lots of little consistent steps to become good at it?
Wade said a lie he struggles with is, “My greatest impact happens when I take giant steps of faith.” Can you identify with that? What’s a lie you struggle with when it comes to being consistent?
Where in your life is it easy for you to be consistent? Where is it difficult?
Read Nehemiah 6:1-9. Our greatest impact does not happen through giant steps of faith, but through daily steps of faithfulness. Why is that challenging to believe? How has that been hard to believe in your own life?
The impact of finishing is greater than the excitement of starting. How have you been tempted to pursue convenience instead of consistency in your relationship with Jesus? Why?
Share with the group a part of your faith that you’ve worked hard to be consistent with. (e.g., reading the Bible, attending your eGroup, prayer, going to church, etc.) How has that helped you?
The path of least resistance is rarely the path of obedience. How would you describe the difference between relief and peace? Think about where in your life you want peace. What would it look like for you to pursue peace instead of relief? (i.e., where in your life do you need to obey instead of looking for the least resistance?)
Read Daniel 6:6-10. Daniel was consistent and obedient — he got thrown into the lions’ den for going against the king’s decree, but God protected him. How does it encourage you to know God responds to our consistency and obedience? Is there anywhere you’ve struggled to believe this?
Don’t mistake what is most noticeable for what is most valuable. How can we determine what’s valuable versus what’s noticeable? What’s the danger in getting these mixed up?
Where in your life have you mistaken what’s most noticeable for what’s most valuable? How can you flip the way you see them?
Act On It
Tell the group where you want to be consistent this week (or this month, etc.). Take a few minutes to challenge each other on setting goals. (For example, if you want to be more consistent in reading your Bible, come up with a goal to help, like reading a chapter each day this week, or reading one of the gospels this month, etc.) Encourage each other during the week to hit your goals.
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, we’re so grateful for Your consistency and faithfulness. We want to grow in our consistency with You and in every area of our lives so You can use us in a greater way. Fill us this week with the grace and strength to obey You, to step out and pursue consistency instead of convenience, to choose peace over relief, and to focus on what’s most valuable — not what’s most noticeable. In Jesus’ name, amen.