Connect20-25 minutes
If this is your first time meeting as a group, take some time to get to know each other. Good questions to start with: “What keeps you busy during the week?” and/or “How did you get connected at The Crossing?” Then, head to “Let’s Get Started!”
If your group has been together for a while, take a few minutes to catch up, and then head to “Let’s Get Started!”
Let's Get Started!
Over the next nine weeks, we will explore one of the Bible’s most significant and foundational themes: mountain peaks. In the Old Testament, mountains were considered sacred spaces, places where heaven met earth, the areas where followers of God would go to encounter Him. At times these were holy, beautiful experiences. Other instances were filled with struggles. Either way, God met His people and brought hope, the very same hope that has the power to change our lives and this world today. Some of us have already spent much time in these stories, and others of us have not spent any time at all. Before we get started together, let’s take a few minutes to reflect on our individual journey so far.
Getting Started Self-Reflection
First take a few minutes to answer these questions alone, then talk with your group.
-
On a scale from 1-5 (1 being not at all, 5 being fully agree) with the following statements.
-
I feel comfortable reading the Bible.
1
2
3
4
5
Note: If you don’t have a Bible you love, grab one of our pastors or Crossing Bookstore staff—they would love to help you find one!
-
I feel comfortable talking about the Bible.
1
2
3
4
5
-
I have a good understanding of the story of scripture from Genesis to Revelation.
1
2
3
4
5
-
What obstacles have gotten in the way to reading the Bible in the past? (Lack of confidence, lack of interest, time constraints, overwhelming, unrelatable, or something else.)
Group Discuss:
- What did you learn about yourself through this exercise?
- What did you learn about the Bible growing up?
- How would you like to grow over the next 9 weeks?
Learn5-7 minutes
You will watch a short clip of the message from this series to set up your group discussion. The full version of the message is also available
online to reference before or after your group meeting.
Discuss20-30 minutes
- We have all pictured God in different ways. At different times in your life, how have you pictured God?
- Think of a time in your life when you blamed someone else. It can even be a time when you were young. What happened? How did it work out for you?
- When has God sought after you even when you felt like you didn’t deserve His grace?
-
Read Psalm 77 aloud.
- Have you ever related to the psalmist's feelings in the beginning of the psalm?
- In which verse does he experience a turning point?
- How does he choose to remember God's faithfulness?
- Read Deuteronomy 7:9. What does this verse teach you about God, His character, and His promises? In what ways have you seen God's faithfulness in your own life?
- Read 1 Peter 1:3. How has the hope of Jesus made a difference in your life or the lives around you?
- Read Isaiah 40:31. How does this promise bring hope? How does hope change the way you view your circumstances?
Pray10-15 minutes
Ask for prayer requests and then you may opt to pray the following prayer.
Lord, thank You for Your grace and immeasurable love. I can’t fathom how deep and wide Your love is for each and every one of us. Through our continuous sinning, You still reach out to us and show us Your love and mercy.
Father, I ask You now to please continue to seek after me. That even in my shortcomings, Your love and grace guides me to reveal You to others. That You use me for Your glory, to impact Your kingdom so that people will see that although they may be broken, they are not broke for good. That Your grace is sufficient for all, no matter the circumstance. Go with me now and help me to remember that Your arms are always outstretched for me.
In Your name,
Amen.
Action Steps5-10 minutes
Between now and next week, here are some suggestions for action steps.
Attend the Weekend Service: Note any takeaways, next steps, or reflections in your Peak Experiences notebook. These will help you prepare to participate in your small group, and your small group will benefit from your insights and questions as you learn together.
Other Practical Action Steps: Select one of these practical steps to commit to this week and bring your reflections with you next week.
- Reflect on God’s Faithfulness: Make a list of three moments where God was faithful. Put them in a place where you’ll see them regularly and remember His faithfulness.
- Watch an A&Q video: "Is the Bible True?" Is this a question you've been wondering about? How does this short clip comfort you? Does it stir more questions?