Group Discussion Guide
Your Story Speaks, Part 1
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.
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.
LOVING
First moments together as a group to connect and pray (approx. 10-15 min).
Open with prayer and invite God to be part of your conversation and relationship.
- 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.
LEARNING
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 Peter 3:15; 1 John 4:7-21
Big Idea from Message: The story we tell should be one of how He first loved us
In 1 Peter 3:15, believers honor Christ as Lord in their hearts and are called to be ready to gently and respectfully explain the hope they have in Him. What stands out to you in this verse? What does it mean to you to share your story as one of “hope?”
In 1 John 4:7-21, love originates from God, and anyone who truly knows God will naturally love others. God's love was made visible through Jesus, and when we love one another, His love is made complete in us. Why do you think the writer of 1 John believes it is important for followers of Jesus to remember that God’s saving work in Christ is an expression of who God is - agape love?
In verse 12, the author writes, “...if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” What does it mean for God’s love to be “perfected” in your story? Why do you think this “perfection” is linked to how we love others?
In verse 17, the author says that “perfect love casts out fear.” How might being filled with fear lead us into a story of life that is absent of love from God and for others?
Testimony (1 Peter 3:15) and love (1 John 4), together, should push his church and people to consider how they live those truths out in every day life. When you think about sharing your hope in Christ and living out God’s love, what tension do you feel between boldness and humility?
How can you grow in both - being confident in your faith while embodying the gentleness, love, and fearlessness these verses call us to?
Scripture References from Message: 1 Peter 3:15; 1 John 4:7-21
Big Idea from Message: The story we tell should be one of how He first loved us
In 1 Peter 3:15, believers honor Christ as Lord in their hearts and are called to be ready to gently and respectfully explain the hope they have in Him. What stands out to you in this verse? What does it mean to you to share your story as one of “hope?”
In 1 John 4:7-21, love originates from God, and anyone who truly knows God will naturally love others. God's love was made visible through Jesus, and when we love one another, His love is made complete in us. Why do you think the writer of 1 John believes it is important for followers of Jesus to remember that God’s saving work in Christ is an expression of who God is - agape love?
In verse 12, the author writes, “...if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” What does it mean for God’s love to be “perfected” in your story? Why do you think this “perfection” is linked to how we love others?
In verse 17, the author says that “perfect love casts out fear.” How might being filled with fear lead us into a story of life that is absent of love from God and for others?
Testimony (1 Peter 3:15) and love (1 John 4), together, should push his church and people to consider how they live those truths out in every day life. When you think about sharing your hope in Christ and living out God’s love, what tension do you feel between boldness and humility?
How can you grow in both - being confident in your faith while embodying the gentleness, love, and fearlessness these verses call us to?
LIVING
The challenge for the week ahead is to grow in our faith and lovingly hold each other accountable through the community.
This week, find time to do two things: reflect on the story of your life and consider how God has been and is at work in and through that story, and find a way to share part of your story with someone else. Remember, this is about sharing God’s story of invitational love by being loving, not winning an argument or forcing someone else into anything.
Be sure to share how all of this went when you get together again next week!
This week, find time to do two things: reflect on the story of your life and consider how God has been and is at work in and through that story, and find a way to share part of your story with someone else. Remember, this is about sharing God’s story of invitational love by being loving, not winning an argument or forcing someone else into anything.
Be sure to share how all of this went when you get together again next week!