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: Mark 9:14-29
Big Idea from Message: Following Jesus means practicing the rhythms of his life in our own.

Read the story found in Mark 9:14-29 as a group. The man in the story cries out “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” How do those words resonate with you? In what ways do you relate to that statement? If willing, share a time in your life when you’ve cried out to God in a moment of honesty and desperation.

Pastor Brad quoted Ruth Haley-Barton who said, “Your desire for more of God than you have right now, your longing for love, your need for deeper levels of spiritual transformation than you have experienced so far is the truest thing about you.” Do you know what your deepest longings are? How have you been able to discern them in your life? Are there any specific rhythms you currently practice that help you realize them, or might there be current rhythms that are keeping you confused or distracted that need to be addressed?

When it comes to our spiritual development, it’s about practicing not being perfect. The more we keep working and learning, the more we realize how much we don’t know. Does that feel counterintuitive to you? How might a shift in understanding our spiritual lives as a practice, rather than only head knowledge help us in our spiritual growth?

Sometimes we only run to spiritual practices in moments of crisis but perhaps living in the rhythms of spiritual practices before the chaos will better equip us during the crisis. The quote from James K. A. Smith said, “The orientation of the heart comes from the bottom up, through the formation of our habits of desire. Learning to love God takes practice.” What are some ways you long to love God but need practice? Are there any spiritual areas or longings you think you’re supposed to have that you find challenging to practice (ex: I don’t currently practice generosity but I want to want to practice it. How do I develop that desire?)

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

This week as part of your daily rhythm, focus on one of these passages of scripture each day that remind us to practice our faith: Galatians 5:16-26; Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 2:1-13; Philippians 4:4-9; James 2:14-18