Borrowed Confidence
Pastor Steven Furtick
Conversation Starters
If you could borrow anything for one day, what would it be?What’s your favorite piece of clothing you own? (e.g., lucky shirt, comfortable pants, a sentimental hat, etc.)You’re on Jeopardy: What subject would you have the most confidence in? (e.g., movie trivia, world history, grammar, etc.)
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 difference between being confident in something and getting your confidence from something?
Read Philippians 1:1-6. Paul states he is confident in this: “[…] that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” He was getting his confidence from God. Talk about some things you see people getting their confidence from. Real talk: Where are you getting your confidence from? (e.g., financial security, God, social media presence, church, support from others, your pastor, etc.)
Has your source(s) changed or been challenged over the past year?
When you borrow confidence, where do you borrow it from? “When you borrow confidence from the wrong places, the interest rate is ridiculous.” How can we borrow from the right places?
Paul had partners to help him. Share about some partners who have stood by you in challenging times. Who are your partners now?
Now read 1 Samuel 17:28-36. The people who should have been David’s partners weren’t, and David was facing something he’d never done before. What are you facing right now that you’ve never done before? (What Goliath are you standing in front of?) Who can you partner with (maybe someone who’s faced a similar situation) who you could borrow some confidence from?
What do you do when “they” don’t believe in you? David thought back to a lion and bear he had killed — he borrowed confidence from something that was already in his bag. Talk about some ways you can remember something you’ve already walked through to take confidence from it.
Certainty is knowing how; confidence is knowing WHO. How does knowing that God has given you a “this” for every “them” — something you can use to help you overcome what you’re facing — help you get your confidence from Him? (What’s your “this” right now? Think about David’s sling and Moses’s staff. They had tools to help them carry out their calling. What are yours?)
Act On It
“I remain confident.” Whether you relate more to Paul or David, remaining confident isn’t a feeling — it’s a decision. Either write down, print out, or find an image of Psalm 27:13-14. Look at it each day this week and make the decision to be confident in and get your confidence from God.
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 we can have absolute confidence in You and Your plans. Show us this week the things we’ve been getting our confidence from instead of You, and help us flip it. We’re making the decision to be confident in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.