Lessons From Less
Wade Joye
Conversation Starters
Looking for a way to get the group talking? Try one of these conversation starters.
Wade Joye said that the one word he would use to describe himself on Sunday is “Grateful.” What’s one word you would use to describe this week for you?
Thanksgiving is over, and that means it’s leftover week. What’s your favorite meal to make with Thanksgiving leftovers? (Turkey Soup, Thanksgiving sliders, etc.)
Last week, Pastor Steven shared our church’s word for 2023, “Promise.” What word are you choosing for you/your family for next year?
Sermon Reflection
Help transition the group to the discussion with one of these questions.
What stood out to you from this week’s message?
What from the message encouraged you/challenged you the most?
Sermon Discussion
Select 1-2 themes from the sermon to discuss with your eGroup.
This week, Wade talked about the idea that “Less is More.” A tradeoff has to be made, causing you to see less of what you want now for more of what is actually most important. It can be hard for us to give up something we want now for what’s more important later.
Share an example of something that might be difficult to give up now that could lead to something better in the future. (example: less social media can lead to more productivity, less spending can lead to financial freedom, etc.)
What is something that you are hoping for more of in the future that can be beneficial to you?
What tradeoff can you make this week that will help you achieve what you want for your future?
Read Ephesians 3:20-21. Wade talked about how he used to focus on the two words “immeasurably more” in these verses. But now, he is challenged to focus on the two words “within us.” The “more” that Paul is talking about is less about what we see and more about who we are becoming.
How can focusing on who we are becoming, rather than on external goals, help us actually achieve more in our lives?
Can you think of a certain area in your life where you feel like you want to work on becoming more of something internally? (example: work on your patience, optimism, confidence, etc.)
What is one step you can take this week to start working on that thing?
Wade challenged us to stop asking ourselves, “where can I get immeasurably more,” and to start asking, “where is God calling me to BE immeasurably more?”
Share a time in your life where “being more” for someone else was more fulfilling than “getting more” for yourself.
What area in your life do you feel like you’re called to BE “immeasurably more?”
What is one way you can live out being “immeasurably more?”
Activating Faith
Challenge your group to keep activating their faith. Make this a part of your eGroup time or send this activity to them after you meet.At the end of his sermon, Wade asked us, “what if immeasurably more is less about what we are supposed to get, and more about what we are supposed to bring?” Read Colossians 1:27. As a church, we can make a powerful difference in this world by living like Christ is in us wherever we are.This week, use your phone as a reminder. You can make a screensaver, or set a timer to go off every day with the question, “Where is God calling me to be Immeasurably More?” Whenever you look at your reminder, reflect on how you can be an example of peace, hope, confidence, in whatever situation you’re in. You will never know how your example may be a reflection of Jesus to someone else.
Prayer
Close out your group with prayer using one of these options
This week, Wade challenged us to seek “immeasurably more” by focusing less on what we have and more on who God is making us. Have each person share one way they want to focus on becoming More of who God wants them to be. Whether that is more confident, patient, optimistic, etc. Have everyone in the circle take turns praying for the person to their right. Have them pray specifically for the area that the person shared about.
God, thank you that you are a God that promises immeasurably more in our lives. Help us this week, to change our focus from what we want more of, to what you want more of FOR us. Help us to see opportunities to be faithful to you and all areas of our lives, and to see where you are calling us to be immeasurably more for others. We love you and we thank you. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Additional Resources
Want to help your group go deeper after you meet? Send them one of these resources that relates to the sermon topic.
For a reminder to focus on God’s promise, watch this Sermon Clip by Pastor Steven.
Listen to RATTLE! by Elevation Worship as an encouragement that God moves in impossible situations.
Listen to Firm Foundation by Maverick City as a reminder of who God is our lives, regardless of what we’re facing.