Get to know your group! No matter how long you’ve known one another, we encourage you to start with simpler prompts. Pick a question to discuss over a meal or the beginning of group to prioritize meaningful conversation before you dive into the material for this week.

START SMALL – What is one funny but embarrassing memory you have from growing up?

GO DEEPER – What is a difficult experience you went through that you initially resented but now feel grateful for?

FACILITATOR GUIDE:
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READ: Hebrews 11:24-28. Invite different group members to read the passage out loud, two or three times. Each time, use a different Bible translation.

Spend 2 minutes in silent prayer. After two minutes, have someone close in prayer.

EXERCISE:
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REFLECT: What is your ship?

On Sunday, Miles talked about Moses choosing to be with the people of God rather than the fleeting pleasures of sin (Hebrews 11:25). He chose to be faithful instead of turning back to his life of royalty and luxury. It is easy to turn back to our old life, our old identity, and the way we used to think when your former life is still an option.

Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador, famously ordered his men to burn their ships after landing in Mexico. This was intended to eliminate any possibility of retreat and force his soldiers to fully commit to conquering the new land, leaving them with no option but to fight and survive.

So often, we leave our “ship on the shore” so when we face trials, it becomes too easy to run back to safety.

When reflecting on your relationship with Jesus and the local church specifically, what are the places or things in your life that you are holding onto as a safety net in case following Jesus or committing to a local church gets hard? What would it take for you to turn away from living a life of faith and following Christ and building his church?

CONTEMPLATE: For today, we encourage you to stop and really contemplate this question and provide space for vulnerability and honesty. Spend good time in prayerful silence and reflection and journal your thoughts.

Then open up a time for discussion around the questions above. After everyone has had the opportunity to share, encourage one another and pray together through what was shared.

THIS WEEK’S READING:

Each week, we will include scripture readings that are meant to help you reflect more deeply throughout the week, personally, or in your group:

• Exodus 4:18-31
• Psalm 16
• Matthew 19:16-30
• Mark 10:17-31
• Luke 18:18-30
• John 4:1-42
• John 6:60-69

Take time to sit with these passages, return to them daily, and let them shape your prayers, questions and conversations this week.

CHALLENGE:

COMMIT — This week, ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate a step of obedience to commit to that you need to consider making. This could look like confession, reconciliation, baptism or another step of faithful obedience. Be open to what the Lord is saying and ask your community for encouragement.

As a symbol of leaving your old life, if you have not been baptized, you can find more information and the baptism application HERE.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Platforms to Pillars — Mark Sayers

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