Conversation Starters
Bubble Blowing Contest! Have everyone grab a piece of gum and see who can blow the biggest bubble. (If you’re meeting in person, grab some gum that’s known for making big bubbles like Bubblicious, Dubble Bubble, or Bazooka bubble gum.)
Would you rather hear everyone’s thoughts for the rest of your life or have everyone be able to hear your thoughts for one day?
Who’s someone who’s really good at knowing what you’re thinking?
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 things so far this year are right on schedule? Have you had your “bubble burst” for any things you were expecting?
Sometimes we find ourselves so frustrated or discouraged that we think, “Why even bother?” In what areas of your life have you found asking yourself this question lately? (e.g., work, marriage/dating, friendships, school, family, etc.)
We don’t have to believe everything we think. What are you believing that’s starting as a thought? Where are you letting too much fear or trouble into your thoughts?
Read Mark 5:35-42. Jesus only took specific people with him to heal Jarius’s daughter, and the rest, He put out in their own bubble. Which do you need to focus on more: getting the wrong people or things out of your bubble, or keeping the right people and things inside your bubble? Why?
The miracle happened after Jesus narrowed down the number of people who were in the room — there were too many people. Where in your life is there TOO MUCH? What can you do to manage that?
This was better than what Jairus had believed for. Share about a time when God burst your bubble and did something better than you expected. (Has He ever used a disappointment to deliver you?)
Read 2 Kings 5:9-14. Certainty is faith in what you thought God would do — confidence is faith in Who’s going to do it. God had to burst Naaman’s bubble. In what ways do you relate to Namaan and his “I thought” pattern of behavior — trusting too much in what He thought instead of God’s thoughts? What’s not going the way you thought it would?
How is this sermon already starting to show you places where God wants to burst the bubble of what you thought? (e.g., what you thought you needed, could be, couldn’t survive without, etc.)
God wants to set us free from what we think is better. Where in your life are you thinking, “This would be better if __________”? What can you do to burst that bubble?
Act On It
There are bubbles we place ourselves in, bubbles we place others in, and bubbles God wants to burst. What kind of bubble do you need to focus on this week?
The bubble you place yourself in: Maybe you could take 5 minutes at the start of your day to remember where your help comes from and give God praise.
The bubble you place others in: Do you need to keep the right people in your bubble, or let some others out of your bubble?
The bubble God wants to burst: What thoughts have you been having that don’t match what God is thinking?
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 loving us too much to let us stay in the wrong thought bubbles. Help us manage our bubbles this week so we can think and be influenced in the way You want for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.