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: Galatians 5
Big Idea from Message: When the journey of life or faith get tough, keep going back to Jesus

Whether you’re brand new to faith or have followed Jesus for decades, the temptation is to move on to “what’s next.” But Paul reminds us that maturity isn’t about complexity—it’s about consistent dependence on Jesus through the Spirit. Have you ever outgrown something (a habit, place, or rhythm) only to realize you actually needed it more than ever?

Faith isn’t always exciting or emotional. Sometimes it feels dry, routine, or even heavy. When has your faith felt stale or overwhelming? What do you think contributed to that?

Paul’s solution isn’t to push harder—it’s to “walk by the Spirit.” What does that phrase mean to you in real, daily terms? How is it different from trying to do it all in your own strength?

The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) are signs that the Spirit is at work in us—not results we force, but fruit we bear by staying close to Jesus. Take a moment to walk through the list together. Where do you see growth in your life right now? Where do you see a need for growth?

Sometimes the hardest part of following Jesus isn’t the big, visible moments—it’s surrendering in the small, unseen places. What’s one specific area of your life where you need to stop trying to “hold it all together” and instead invite Jesus to take the lead again?

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

Each day this week, begin or end your day by asking: “Am I walking in my own strength, or walking by the Spirit?” Reflect on one fruit of the Spirit you want to see grow in your life and ask God to help you live it out intentionally that day. You don’t need to do more—just stay close to Jesus and let His Spirit do the work in you.