Groups Discussion Guide
Read Scripture. Go Deeper. Ask Questions. Take Action.
Failure Is A Feature
Scripture
Luke 22:31-32 NIV
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Main Idea
In life, failure can often feel like a heavy burden, weighing down our spirits and clouding our judgment. However, what if we viewed failure not as an end, but as a vital component of our growth? This perspective shift is crucial for all of us in our walk with God. To redefine our relationship with failure, we must first recognize that it is not an identity but an event. Each setback is a chance to learn and grow. When we encounter failure, we often feel defeated and discouraged. However, it is essential to remember that failure is simply a part of the process. Just as a software engineer expects bugs in a new program, we should anticipate challenges in our lives. This mindset shift allows us to view failure as a feature of our development rather than a flaw.
Your enemy will use your failures to mock you, but Jesus will use your failiures to make you.
Discussion Questions
1. Has there been a time where you felt like a failure, but God used that used that failure to help you grow?
2. What is our capacity for growth linked to?
3. How does God want us to use our imaginations? Do you look back at past failures with regret, or with wisdom for the future?
4. What is your attitude toward failure? Was there anything in the message that changed your perspective?
Summary
The times we are failing are when we are actually building. Despite our good intentions, everyone falls, fails, and makes mistakes. If you feel like a failure, don’t let it define or defeat you. Even your weaknesses can be a way forward. God can use you even with your weaknesses: not despite your weaknesses, but through your weaknesses. Much of our success is the fruit of our failures. When you start something, it usually doesn’t start how you envision. It usually starts like something you’re not proud of. When you start and fail, you’re trusting that your next success will come from the seed of your failure. Your capacity to move forward is linked to your ability to fail. You can’t change what happened, but you can change what’s next. God can use your failure. The problem many of us have is that we’re using our imagination to live in regret, when God wants us to use it for wisdom for the future.
Take Action
- Share one of your failures with a friend or family member.
- Following Jesus will change us. If you’ve made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, baptism is your next step. We’ll be celebrating decisions made and lives changed with baptisms on Sunday, September 29. Click here to learn more and register.
Announcements
- Radiant, our annual women’s event at Velocity, is coming soon! You can expect powerful worship, an amazing message, an awesome after party, and plenty of fun surprises along the way. This year, Radiant is Friday, September 13 at 7:00pm. Tickets are $20 and you won’t want to miss out. Click here to learn more or sign up today!
- Coming soon, join us for our First Wednesday service. We’re planning an evening of worship, prayer, and a message for youth and adults. Childcare is provided, but children must be registered to attend.
