Groups Discussion Guide
Read Scripture. Go Deeper. Ask Questions. Take Action.
The Problem is the Pattern
Scripture
1 So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service. 2 Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature.
Main Idea
January is the beginning of a new year and with it usually comes a desire to start fresh or work towards new goals. Goals or improvement in our lives do not happen automatically. The goals we have and achieve are those supported by a routine or system of habits. These habits establish a pattern in our lives to make us successful in achieving those goals. The same is true when considering how to hear better from God or growing closer to Him. We all would say we want more of God in our lives or we want to know what His will is for us to do. The truth is God never leaves us. He is always there but we need to create the right patters in our lives to cultivate recognizing God's voice and following Him.
Discerning God's voice doesn't happen with better goals, it happens with better tuning.
Discussion Questions
- Share one goal you have for 2026.
- Share what patterns or habits you need to establish to make those goals possible and how we as a group can help keep you accountable.
- When it comes to your relationship with God, what patterns (Scripture, Prayer, Sunday, Service, Giving) do you feel God is encouraging you to establish?
Summary
The apostle Paul wants us to understand our ability to grow closer to God and accomplish God's will in our lives is fully dependent on the pattern of life we follow. If we are not careful, we will be frustrated with our walk with God or why things aren't working out for us. The problem is we try accomplishing God's will by following the same patterns or mold of the world. We want to not pray or read scripture and be caught up in the busyness of "normal" life but then be frustrated that we don't hear from God. To be in alignment with God, we need to establish godly patterns in our life as a baseline to our success. There are 5 patterns to start with as your pattern.
- Scripture - Establish a pattern of receiving scripture daily.
- Prayer - Pray every day. God wants a daily relationship with you. The best relationships are not because of strict appointments but in the everyday conversations we have with each other. The same is true with God.
- Sunday - The apostle Paul instructs us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God. This is our reasonable service to attend and serve God regularly.
- Serving - Serving demonstrates we are hearing God's instructions to serve the body of Christ.
- Giving - In God's economy, things are tied to honoring God with His tithe.
Take Action
- Go to Essentials to find out more about Velocity and areas you can serve.
- Begin to honor God with regularly giving.
Announcements
- January 18th - Essentials
- January 7th - First Wednesday Service
- Complete our year-end survey.
