Giving God The Glory
Dr. Dewey Smith
Conversation Starters
What is the most memorable gift you’ve ever received?
Would you consider yourself the type of person who makes decisions with your head, or with your heart?
Review
Ask eGroup members to share their favorite points from the message, what spoke to them, a phrase or moment they related to the most, or questions they have. If members have a hard time recalling the message, talk through your notes and share your favorite points.
Make It Personal
Romans 12:1 tells us to be “living sacrifices.” As living sacrifices, we should continually be giving God glory and honor in our lives. What are some ways you can give God glory throughout your week?
We constantly hear messages from culture that are distracting to the hope we have in Christ. Describe some ways you have overcome the distractions of culture. How do you remain thankful and hopeful even through these circumstances?
The enemy often attacks our thoughts and tries to make us forget who God says we are. Read 2 Corinthians 10:1-5. What can you do when you recognize a thought that doesn’t align with God’s word?
Share a time God renewed you and kept your mind. How might you encourage someone else who is going through a similar situation?
Consider how you are a living testimony of who God is. In which of the following ways has God proven himself to you. (Take some time to share and praise God for the ways He’s at work in your life.)
You were facing health issues, but God healed you.
You were struggling financially, but God provided for you.
You should have fallen apart by now, but God kept your mind.
You were facing depression and anxiety, but God stayed with you.
You had enemies, but God’s protection was on you.
In what ways are you living proof of the goodness of God and all He has done for you? Share your experience with the group.
Activate Your Faith
Take inventory of your mind this week. Write down a list of the thoughts you’ve been allowing to take root in your mind that need to be renovated. Choose a verse to keep in front of you that speaks God’s truth over each area of your life. Examples:
BELIEF: I believe that there is no hope for my situation << TRUTH: Psalm 40: He hears my cry and will carry me through for his Glory
BELIEF: God can’t forgive me for all I’ve done << TRUTH: 1 John 1:9: If I confess, he will forgive me!
BELIEF: My best days are behind me << TRUTH: 1 Corinthians 2:9: I can’t even imagine the good things God still has in store for me!
Prayer
Thank you, God, for each and every time you demonstrated your mercies toward us. Remind us to turn our focus to gratitude for your mercies so that we can give you the glory you deserve. Help us to not be conformed to this world, but instead, transform our minds. Help me to identify the thoughts and beliefs I have that are not from you and remind me of scriptures that will help me to take those thoughts captive. Thank you for keeping me, and for all the ways you prove your love, mercy, grace, and kindness to me. Help me to show others who you are by being a living sacrifice for your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Go Deeper
Listen to this podcast from the Bible Project to discover more about the biblical concept of glory.
Additional Resources
Listen to Mercy by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music.
To apply Romans 12:1-2, listen to Living Sacrifice by Brandon Lake.
For more on being transformed by the renewing of your mind, watch the sermon, “A Lesson In Letting Go.”