Fall Kick-Off Group Guide

August 2024

Discussion Questions

  • The 5 Faith Catalysts Jeff mentioned are practical teaching, providential relationships, private disciplines, personal ministry, and pivotal circumstances. In what ways would you like to grow spiritually, and which of the five does that fit into? 
  • Jeff emphasized the importance of our hearts being receptive to God's Word. How would you assess the "soil" of your heart right now? 
  • Jeff talked about how life’s difficulties can lead to a crusty heart. How do you typically respond to disappointment or disillusionment with God? 
  • Read James 1:23-24 together. What are some reasons we can hear but not want to apply what the God says? 
  • When you look at your life, what are the things that have softened your heart, and what has hardened your heart? What examples do see in scripture of people with either hard or soft hearts? 
  • The message described how distractions can choke out spiritual growth. What are the “weeds” in your life that might be hampering your opportunities to grow? (After some discussion, read Matthew 6:25-33 to add to the conversation).
  • Jeff discussed the tension between our desire for comfort and the need for transformation. What are some areas in your life where you've settled for comfort instead of embracing the discomfort that comes with true growth? How do verses like Luke 14:27 play into this life equation? 
  • This talk challenges the idea that spiritual depth is just about knowledge (1 Corinthians 8:1). How do you personally define spiritual depth? What does it look like for you to live out God's Word in a deeper way?
  • Read Hebrews 3:13 together. How might joining or participating more fully in a small group help you grow in understanding and applying what God says through the scriptures? 
  • Jeff assured us that with the right heart condition, spiritual growth is guaranteed. What steps can you take today to prepare your heart for growth this year, and what kind of harvest do you hope to see? (See Galatians 5:22-23; this passage uses the example of spiritual fruit but speaks very well to this principle). 
  • A final note: To deeply understand and apply truth, we want what we’re learning to stay with us over time. One powerful help is to remember and reflect on the verses that stand out to us from sermons and spiritual conversations (Romans 12:1-2). Which verse from the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:3-9, Matthew 13:18-23) or this discussion guide could you write down and think on for the rest of the week? Doing this on a regular basis would fit under the private disciplines area of the 5 Faith Catalysts.
  • “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.” Psalm 119:15.