Connect20-25 minutes
Connect with your group about life this past week and then discuss the following questions.
- What's the most dramatic weather event you've ever experienced—like a powerful thunderstorm, tornado, blizzard, or drought?
- What is the last victory you celebrated? This could be anything from a diagnosis to a great parking spot.
- What is one prayer, big or small, that you found yourself praying for this week?
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
- Elijah prayed seven times for the rain to appear. How do you usually respond when God seems silent or delayed?
- Why do you think God sometimes shows up suddenly (fire) and other times gradually (rain)? What might He be teaching through both?
- If Elijah could give you one piece of advice about trust, prayer, or waiting for God, what do you think it would be for you today?
- As we've been talking about, an idol is anything we put our ultimate trust and hope in ahead of the one true God. Read Psalm 135:13-18. What does this passage teach you about how God sees you?
- In the passage you read above, how does the psalmist describe idols? What are the consequences of worshipping something other than God?
- The prophets of Baal shouted, danced, and even cut themselves trying to get their god’s attention. Where do we still fall into “performance religion” today?
Pray10-15 minutes
Ask for prayer requests and then you may opt to pray the following prayer.
God, You are the Creator and Judge over all the universe. You are powerful and loving at the same time. Lord, forgive me when I follow lesser, little, lords. I recognize these as idols and things that steal my heart from You. They are distractions and lies. Help me turn my heart towards You and please forgive me. I ask for Your courage this week to stand for truth and be courageous in my faith. I want to trust You in all areas of my life and in all seasons of my life. Help me trust You in the waiting. 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.
- Spiritual Pathways: A spiritual pathway is anything that helps you connect with God (e.g., the beauty of nature, worship music, relationships with other Jesus followers, prayer, journaling, etc.). List the spiritual pathways that help you experience Him. Circle your top one and spend time doing that this week. Write down one takeaway to share with your group.
- Prayerful Reflection: Spend time in prayer, asking God to reveal anything in your life that you've put in a "high place" ahead of Him. What steps can you take to remove it and worship God alone?
- Christmas Serve: It's that time! Consider serving as a group, with your family, or come and make a new friend. This is a great place to jump into serving and make an impact on our many guests who join us at Christmas. Visit thecrossing.church/servechristmas to sign up.