Fill In The Gap
Larry Brey
Conversation Starters
Describe the perfect cruise. (e.g., where would you go, how long would it last, what perks would the boat have, etc.)
LB’s dad was his hero — who was your childhood hero? Why?
You’re going on vacation, but your flight is delayed by two hours. How do you fill in that gap? (e.g., explore the city, take a nap, watch Netflix on your iPad, make some work calls, find someone to chat with, 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
When we’re facing disappointment, what does it mean to “fill in the gap”? Identify some things we can fill those gaps with.
If you don’t fill in the gaps, something will grow. Where are you facing disappointment? (What disappointments have you dealt with this year?) What will grow if you don’t fill in that gap?
Read 1 Samuel 13:11-14. LB helped us understand the boy Saul — not just Saul as the king — to teach us about filling in the gap with grace. How good are you at filling gaps with grace? What are some challenges that come with that? (Talk through some specific examples. Are there practical things we can do to help us extend grace?)
Insecurity always presents itself as excuses. What excuses have you been telling yourself? How are those excuses masking insecurities? (How can we use grace when we’re facing these situations?)
Read 1 Samuel 14:1-6. What we often want God to put in the gap is the outcome. What Jonathan put in the gap was his obedience. God’s job is the outcome, our job is obedience. How can that truth set you free in this season? What does obedience look like for you?
Share about a time when you were obedient to God, but it was challenging. What happened? How did that impact your faith and your relationship with God?
Go deeper. Read 2 Samuel 9:1-7. Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, came to the king’s table, which was a place that Saul never felt he earned. How are you trying to prove your place at the table? Is there a grace you can fill that gap with?
Act On It
Choose one (or both!) points to act on this week:Give some grace. Think about someone you’ve been seeing offense in. Do you know their backstory? Make the choice to extend them grace, and let your actions and words to that person reflect your choice.Who’s your armor-bearer? (Who has God put in your life that you need to bring closer?) Take a step to bring them closer — invite them out to lunch, plan a weekend hangout, set up a schedule to have coffee regularly, etc.
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 being the hero who never lets us down. You know the disappointments and insecurities that run deep in our hearts, and You meet us with grace. Help us to fill in the gap left by our disappointments with more of You. Show us the next right step as we seek to obey You, and we ask that You bless those around us in the process. In Jesus’ name, amen.