Not Jesus

Culture says a lot of things that sound spiritual, inspiring, and even “Jesus-y” — but Jesus never actually said them. In this new teaching series, we’ll unpack some of the most common cultural clichés about purpose, identity, faith, and church… and discover the better, deeper, life-giving truth Jesus really offered. Because sometimes the biggest thing standing between us and real life is believing the wrong version of Jesus.

P.S. And if you know someone who could use a talk like this, invite them to come sit with you!

5.21+24.26 – Week 992 – Curt Walters – “NOT JESUS: Follow Your Heart”

Curt Walters unpacks the popular phrase “Follow Your Heart” and why it may not lead where we think – and what Jesus said instead.

LISTEN ONLINE

Heard in The Venue

Small Group Guide

Week 1: Follow Your Heart

This is the opportunity for your group to discover what God might be saying to you out of the
weekend experience, and how you can respond through a group discussion.

*These questions are designed to help you create meaningful conversations. Adjust the
questions as needed, and don’t feel like you need to answer all of them.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Start Off
1. We kicked off the series “Not Jesus: Things Jesus Never Said” with the saying “follow your
heart.” Why do you think “follow your heart” is such a popular message in culture?

2. Can you think of a decision where you “followed your heart” and let feelings lead more than
wisdom or faith? What happened?

Reflect on What Jesus Said

3. Read Luke 14:27-30. From this passage, we looked at the following guardrail for decision-
making: “Count the cost before you make the call.” How can counting the cost help with
making a good decision?

4. Read Matthew 6:22-23 and Proverbs 4:23. These passages encourage us to “Guard
what shapes your heart.” What are some common “inputs” (social media, entertainment,
relationships) that most influence your heart right now?

5. Read Matthew 6:31-34. The third guardrail for us was “Seek first, decide second.” What
does it practically look like for you to seek God first before making decisions?

Go Deeper

6. Where in your life are you most tempted to follow your feelings right now?

7. What is one decision you need to slow down and “count the cost” on this week?

8. How would your life look differently if you consistently put God first in decisions?

PRAY: Let’s end our time praying together. You can say something like: “God, help us this
week to seek you first in each decision — big and small – and to pause … then follow your
lead. Amen.”

5.28+31.26 – Week 993 – Curt Walters – “NOT JESUS: You Do You”

Curt Walters unpacks the problem with “you do you” spiritually—and why Jesus pointed us toward something bigger and better.

LISTEN ONLINE

Heard in The Venue

Small Group Guide

Week 2: Find Your Purpose Within

This is the opportunity for your group to discover what God might be saying to you out of the
weekend experience, and how you can respond through a group discussion.

*These questions are designed to help you create meaningful conversations. Adjust the
questions as needed, and don’t feel like you need to answer all of them.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Start Off

When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up, and why?
When it comes to purpose, why do you think people tend to focus more on the what of life rather than the why?

Reflect on What Jesus Said

Read Luke 9:23-25. What do you think Jesus is saying in this passage, and how does that relate to finding our purpose?

Go Deeper

Curt shared that he decided to follow Jesus when he was in high school going into high school. If you have made the decision to follow Jesus, when did that happen for you? What was your life like before and after that decision?
Curt also said, “Jesus is inviting us to patriciate in the work of God – bringing light to dark places, hope to hopeless places, and bring ins a restoring to the broken places in this world. The invitation is to join him in his redemptive mission.” How would your daily life change if your primary “why” became following Jesus instead of pursuing personal success or comfort?
What is one area (work, school, family, relationships) where you can live out God’s purpose more intentionally this week?
Read the following quote by Andy Stanley: “Blessed is the one who gets the opportunity to devote his life to something bigger than himself and to find himself surrounded by friends who share his passion. In this way I have been disproportionally blessed.” What steps can we as a group take to live into this?

PRAY

Let’s end our time praying together. You can say something like: “God, help us to live with a renews awareness of your purposes as our “why” in whatever “what” we find ourself in this week!. Amen.”

5.21+24.26 – Week 992 – Curt Walters – “NOT JESUS: Follow Your Heart”

5.28+31.26 – Week 993 – Curt Walters – “NOT JESUS: You Do You”

Here To There

Easter 2026

Navigating Us

Game Day 2026

Living Happy

NAVIGATE

FISHERS CAMPUS

5.21+24.26 – Week 992 – Curt Walters – “NOT JESUS: Follow Your Heart”

5.28+31.26 – Week 993 – Curt Walters – “NOT JESUS: You Do You”

Not Jesus

Here To There

Easter 2026

Navigating Us

Game Day 2026

Living Happy

Follow Us!

NAVIGATE

FISHERS CAMPUS