This guide is designed to help your group create a space for genuine connection and conversation within your discussion time. Don't feel pressured to address every question each week. Instead, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you as you lead your group in uncovering what God intends to communicate during your time together.

This guide comprises three sections: Loving, Learning, and Living. Each section aims to steer your conversation towards meaningful discussions about spiritual growth as individuals and as members of the body of Christ.

First moments together as a group to connect and pray (approx. 10-15 min).

• How have you seen God at work in your life since the last time we met?
• What has been one high and one low since the last time we met?
• How did you do with living out what we talked about last time we met?

Open with prayer and invite God to be part of your conversation and relationship.

The majority of the group discussion is devoted to open dialogue, reflecting on God’s Word and its personal application to each of our lives (approx. 60-75 min).

Scripture References from Message: 1 John 2:3-11
Big Idea from Message: Love is the clearest evidence of a life that is connected to God.

1. Would people who know you best describe your faith more by what you say or how you love?
2. Where do you see the biggest gap in your life right now between belief and action?

Read 1 John 2:3-11 together. John connects knowing God with obedience. 1. How do you typically think about obedience? 2. How does the idea of “abiding” (remaining in Jesus) reshape obedience from something you do to something that flows?

The big idea was: Love is the clearest evidence of a life connected to God. Read the following passages together and answer the questions: Galatians 5:16-18; 22-25; John 15:1-8. What common thread do you see about how real faith shows up? If someone evaluated your actions this past week, what kind of “fruit” would they see?

Curtis encouraged us to push love beyond belief into action, citing Jesus’ own life and how he moved towards sinners, the outcast, and marginalized. Who is hardest for you to “move toward” in love right now? Why?

The 3 closing challenges we were left with were: 1. Be honest about where love is missing in your life, 2. Connect with Jesus before trying harder, and 3. Take one step toward someone. Which of these do you find the most difficult and why? Which one do you feel you do well and why?

The challenge for the week ahead is to grow in our faith and lovingly hold each other accountable through the community.

Based on the 3 closing challenges, discuss as a group and then reflect this week on the following questions: Who is one person God might be prompting you to move toward this week? What is one specific, tangible step of love you can take? What practical way can you connect with Jesus before you start trying harder?