Under the Circumstances

Sometimes life can knock the wind out of you. When life’s circumstances weigh you down, it’s tempting to jump to conclusions about God.

But our circumstances don’t have to be an off-ramp for our faith. So, how do you hold on to God when it feels like God is no longer holding on to you? Join us this weekend and let’s talk about it.

4.24+27 – Week 934 – Curt Walters – “When Life Happens”

Curt Walters helps us see that our circumstances don’t have to be an off-ramp for our faith.

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Small Group Discussion Questions

This is the opportunity for your group will 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

Share about a time when you wondered about the goodness of God because of pervasive pain and suffering in the world?
What stood out to you most from the message this past weekend? What do you believe God may be saying to you?
Why do you think that stood out to you? What do you think God might be trying to say? (It’s ok if you’re just guessing. This will give you some space to process what it might be.)
Does your faith play a significant role in the midst of difficult circumstances? If so, how? If not, why do you think that is?
How has personal suffering impacted your confidence in the goodness of God?
Read John 11:32–43. Knowing that miracles don’t always happen the way we sometimes hope they would, how could the story of Lazarus still provide a foundation of hope for someone in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges?
Peter writes, “Cast all your cares on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). What is your initial reaction to that invitation?
Can you share a personal experience when you felt God’s presence and care during a difficult time in your life?
Wrap It Up. Close with Prayer. You can say something like, “God, thank you for inviting us into the work you are doing in our world. Help us to see this week ways we can serve and bless others through our role and position and to see you in it. Give us the same humility and love you have, so we can share it and reflect it with the people around us. Amen.”

5.01+04 – Week 935 – Curt Walters – “Better Promises”

Curt Walters unpacks how In an ever changing world it’s essential to find someone to move toward.

LISTEN ONLINE

Small Group Discussion Questions

This is the opportunity for your group will 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

Growing up, were you taught to believe in an “if we do, God will” type of faith? That is, were you led to believe your circumstances were connected to God’s promises? Or for example, that if you were faithful, your circumstances would be better? If so, what did that sound like and feel like?
What stood out to you most from the message this past weekend? What do you believe God may be saying to you?
Why do you think that stood out to you? What do you think God might be trying to say? (It’s ok if you’re just guessing. This will give you some space to process what it might be.)
Have you ever doubted God because of an unanswered prayer? Did your faith survive? If so, how?
Have you ever watched a Christian experience sustaining grace in the midst of suffering? How did it impact you?
Read Hebrews 12:1–3. Are you currently in a season in which you are “weary” and potentially “losing heart”? What would it look like to receive God’s grace? How can this group be there for you?
Wrap It Up: Close with Prayer. You can say something like, “God, thank you for inviting us to approach you with confidence. Remind us that this is always an option and that you will respond with grace and mercy. Thank you for communicating with us. Amen.”

5.8+11 – Week 936 – Curt Walters – “For Those Who Doubt”

Curt Walters helps us see that doubt is a normal part of our journey of faith.

LISTEN ONLINE

Small Group Discussion Questions

This is the opportunity for your group will 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

When you think about the people whose faith inspires you, who comes to mind? Which category does their story fall under: easy life or hard life?
What are some ways people jump to conclusions about God based on their circumstances, either positively or negatively
What stood out to you most from the message this past weekend? What do you believe God may be saying to you?
Why do you think that stood out to you? What do you think God might be trying to say? (It’s ok if you’re just guessing. This will give you some space to process what it might be.)
Have you ever been disappointed with God? Can you relate to the feeling of God seeming distant or absent during challenging times in your life? If so, in what season(s)?
Why are stories of faith in spite of hardship so inspiring? Why don’t we assume their faith was misplaced?
What would you tell a friend who has trouble believing in God based on their circumstances? Do you tell yourself and believe the same thing you would tell your friend?
Wrap It Up Close with Prayer. You can say something like, “God, thank you for inviting us to approach you with our doubts and questions. Remind us that you do not see these an offramp for faith, but a space for seeking you. Amen.”

5.15+18 – Week 937 – Curt Walters – “How To Build An Unskakable Faith In The Next Generation”

Curt Walters talks about how we can build the right kind of confidence to prepare kids for faith in real life.

LISTEN ONLINE

Small Group Discussion Questions

This is the opportunity for your group will 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

1. Think about the person or persons who were most instrumental in you growing your faith? What did they do? How did this happen for you?

2. What stood out to you most from the message this past weekend? What do you believe God may be saying to you?

3. Why do you think that stood out to you? What do you think God might be trying to say? (It’s ok if you’re just guessing. This will give you some space to process what it might be.)

4. This past weekend, Curt discussed how to change the parenting report card. Which of these shifts come easier to you, which come harder? Why do you think that is?

Protect to Prepare
Perfection to Progress
Value Faith Development to Being Intentional in Faith Development
Self-Focus to Others-Focus

5. These shifts are also reflective the way that God parents us. Which of these have been most impactful for you? Or another way to say it, which of these do you most appreciate? Why?

6. Research Psychologist Brene Brown says that “We are constantly telling a story to ourselves” Stories about who we are, how we’re doing, our quality of life. What is one thing you can do this week to help the “somebody’s” you’re raising or raising up tell a better story?

7. Wrap It Up Close with Prayer. You can say something like, “God, thank you for being a good, good Father. Help us with those we are raising and raising up to know what to do with what we are learning. Thank you for being knowable and relatable. Amen.”

5.22+25 – Week 938 – Curt Walters – “How Celebration Combats Discouragement”

Curt Walters unpacks practical steps to become a person of celebration.

LISTEN ONLINE

Small Group Discussion Questions

This is the opportunity for your group will 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

Let’s begin by answering one of the following questions: What are some daily struggles or frustrations that tend to discourage you the most? Or… share about a time in your life when you felt like your courage was drained?
What stood out to you most from the message this past weekend? What do you believe God may be saying to you?
Why do you think that stood out to you? What do you think God might be trying to say? (It’s ok if you’re just guessing. This will give you some space to process what it might be.)
This past weekend, Curt explained that discouragement is not from the Lord but from an enemy who seeks to rob us of courage. How does understanding this help you approach discouragement differently?
Read Luke 15:22-24 What was the celebration in these verses about? What did the father do to mark the celebration
Read Philippians 4:4 When does Paul say we should rejoice in the Lord? Why do you think he says, “again I say,…”? Why repeat it?
What’s your initial reaction to the idea that celebration is a tool given by God to combat discouragement? Have you ever thought of celebration in this way before?
Share about a moment recently where you saw God’s work in your life
What is one steps you can take to start celebrating God’s goodness more consistently?
Wrap It Up Close with Prayer. You can say something like, “God, thank you for your goodness and presence in our lives. Help us to see you this week and to pause to celebrate you and your goodness. Amen.”

4.24+27 – Week 934 – Curt Walters – “When Life Happens”

5.01+04 – Week 935 – Curt Walters – “Better Promises”

5.8+11 – Week 936 – Curt Walters – “For Those Who Doubt”

5.15+18 – Week 937 – Curt Walters – “How To Build An Unskakable Faith In The Next Generation”

5.22+25 – Week 938 – Curt Walters – “How Celebration Combats Discouragement”

Games We Play