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Tim Somers preaching "Stretch The Truth" at Elevation Church

Stretch The Truth

July 19, 2023
• 95min. read
•
eGroups

Conversation Starters

Looking for a way to get the group talking? Try one of these conversation starters.

  • Share about a time when you stretched the truth.

  • Play a round of two truths and a lie.

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.  

  • Stretching can be both a blessing and a burden. When we experience stretching, we face difficulty and tension. But you can tell that something is working when you experience some tension.

    • Describe a time in your life when stretching led to success or victory.

    • In what areas of your life are you currently experiencing tension? How would you describe the stretching you feel?

    • What step can you take this week to embrace the stretch you are experiencing so that you can grow through it?

  • In 2 Kings 4:8, the Shunammite woman urged Elisha to come to her home so that she could prepare a meal for him. She did not hesitate to make the invitation, which set her up for a miracle later. Our “mouths” can be used to speak life or death into situations, which can change our perspectives and our futures.

    • Describe a time when life-giving words were spoken over a situation in your life. What changed when those words were spoken?

    • What situations do you believe God wants you to start speaking life into?
      What might be holding you back from doing so?

    • How can you overcome this challenge so you can speak truth into your situation?

    • What specific life-giving words do you want to start proclaiming over that situation in your life this week?

  • In Isaiah 43:18-19, God tells us that He is doing something new, we only have to open our eyes to see it. However, we can get stuck dwelling on the past instead of looking at situations from God’s perspective. But choosing to see things like God does can change our attitudes and our actions.

    • Are there any areas of your life where you’re struggling to see God at work?

    • What could be distracting you from seeing God in this area?

    • What can you do this week to refocus on God’s perspective when you feel distracted?

  • Read 2 Kings 4:10.The Shunammite woman probably experienced sorrow because she did not have a child. But rather than focusing on that part of her story, she took action and supported God’s work by making a place for the prophet in her home. The story we are focused on affects the actions we take.

    • If someone were to look at the actions you’ve taken over the past week, what story might they think you are focused on?

    • What work do you think God wants you to participate in? How could you serve others in a way that blesses them and brings God honor?

    • With the resources you currently have, what actions could you take to contribute to the work God is doing?

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.

  • This week, take an honest inventory and reflect on the following questions:

  • Mouth: What situations am I speaking death over? What areas am I speaking life into?

  • Eyes: In what areas of my life am I able to see things as God does? Where am I not aligned with how He sees things?

  • Hands: What actions am I taking regularly that bring honor to God and help fulfill the purposes He has for me?

Now, choose one of these areas to reflect deeper on. Write down 1-2 action steps you could start to do this week to grow in this area and share them with your group.

Prayer

Close out your group with prayer using one of these options:

  • Have people share one area of their life they need to speak God’s life and truth into. Have each person pray for one other person’s request. This could be simple for each person, “God, we speak life and Your resurrection power over _____. Work a miracle and open our eyes to see you moving in this situation.” or more free-flowing according to preference of the group.

  • God, thank You that You’re at work in our lives. Thank You that You are not finished with us, and that our stories are just beginning. Today, I speak the truth of Your Word over each person in this group. Help us see more clearly that You are working in our lives. Give each of us the courage and drive to take action on the dreams You’ve put in our hearts. Resurrect hope and dreams in our lives that will bring You glory. Help us to use our lives to show Your goodness and grace to those around us. We give You all our praise and thank You for all your many blessings. In Jesus’ 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 powerful reminder of the miraculous resurrection power of God, listen to “RATTLE!” by Elevation Worship.

  • To worship your way towards the resurrection you have in Christ, listen to “Welcome Resurrection” by Elevation Worship.

  • To be encouraged that there is more to your story, no matter how it looks now, check out, “There’s More to the Story,” a sermon from Pastor Steven.