Life Group - Study Guides

During Thanksgiving gatherings, we often ask friends and family around the table to think about a few things for which they are genuinely grateful. Take time to do that before your holiday meal. As you reflect on God’s provision in these and other areas in your life, can you see (perhaps in hindsight) that He has always provided for you, in every situation? Choose to give thanks, not only this week, but with your whole heart and life.

What would you do with one million dollars? You’d probably put some in savings, invest some, pay off some bills and debts, things like that. But somewhere, at some time, you would be generous and give some away, either to a friend, a family member, or a stranger. Yet when we feel we have only a few precious dollars or possessions, we cling tightly to them. God wants us to be generous, so He can be generous right back to us.

Have you ever been proud to be a part of a group? You might have been selected for the Honor Society, Varsity Team, or made Eagle Scout. Maybe you made the President’s Club for top sales. Is there a point where pride in real accomplishments conflicts with our allegiance to God’s kingdom? Is there a tension between pleasing that boss or the cool kid … and doing what we know is right? Let’s talk about it this week.

Strange that we are talking about identity issues on a week where many of us are “playing pretend” and dressing up as Marvel heroes, Disney princesses, or scary creatures. In reality, we all wear masks, striving to make others believe we are someone we are not. Finding our true selves begins with a revelation from God, pertaining to our lives and situations.

The little things we surround ourselves with make an impact. Just as a seed grows in good conditions, we thrive when we create a healthy environment. This week we shifted focus away from distractions and obstacles and onto building God’s Kingdom in us. How do we position ourselves to be blessed with fruitful lives and understanding?