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: Ephesians 4:1-16
Big Idea from Message:
(1) The journey of following Jesus begins with the first step.
(2) The extraordinary life of faith is usually defined in the ordinary moments of life.

Before jumping into Scripture, take a few minutes to answer the question, “Where am I on the journey of following Jesus?”

Paul begins this section of the text with the word “therefore” (oun in the Greek), which means, “based on everything I’ve written up to this point…” Why do you think this is an important place for us to start to understand what Paul is saying here? Hint: take a quick look at what Paul has said about the person and work of Jesus leading up to this chapter.

Paul says in Ephesians 4:11-12 that God has given gifts (people) to the church to equip the body of Christ for the “work of ministry” and, ultimately, to help each member of the Body mature into the image of Jesus. What do you think it means to mature (grow into) the image of Jesus and what are some of the marks or signs of maturity along the way of following Jesus?

What gifts has God given you for participating in the work of building up the body of Christ at BridgePoint, and all across St. Pete and Pinellas County?

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

This week, ask God to give you eyes to see where he is at work pouring his extraordinary life into the most ordinary spaces of your life. Spend time in prayer asking God to show you what next step you need to take on the lifelong journey of following Jesus. Pray for both the wisdom to know what to do and the courage to actually do what needs to be done. When in doubt, reach out to someone you trust who can help you figure out what the next step might be and hold you accountable to actually taking the step God is showing you.