1. Where in your life right now do you most need God’s wisdom, and what might it look like to intentionally ask Him for it this week?2. What are some common ways believers today ask God for help while still holding on to control? How can we practice trusting God more fully?3. What circumstances tend to make your faith feel unstable? What helps anchor your trust in God during those times?4. How does our culture define success and worth, and how does James challenge those definitions for believers?5. What practical steps can we take to live with an eternal perspective in our daily decisions, finances, and relationships?

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This week's Small Group Questions:1. James begins by calling himself a “servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.”What does it practically look like for you to begin this new year as a servant of Christ rather than the owner of your plans?2. James tells us to “count it all joy” when we face trials.How does knowing that God uses trials for growth change the way you view a current challenge in your life?3. The sermon emphasized that God uses testing to produce steadfastness.Can you share a time when God used a difficult season to strengthen your faith or deepen your dependence on Him?4. James urges us to let perseverance have its “full effect.”Where do you feel tempted to rush God’s work or seek quick solutions instead of trusting His timing?5. God’s goal is that we become “perfect and complete” in Christ.As we move through this year together as a church, what is one area where you sense God calling you toward deeper spiritual maturity?

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Small (MAC) Group Discussion Questions

1. When have you felt like an “outsider” in your life or faith journey?
   How does knowing that Jesus came for outsiders change the way you see yourself?

2. Jesus said that the sick need a doctor, not the healthy (Matthew 9:12).
   What does that tell us about who Jesus came for—and how we should view our own need for Him?

3. Why do you think God chose shepherds and Magi to be among the first to encounter Jesus?
   What does that reveal about God’s heart?

4. In what ways can the church sometimes act more like a “club” than a “hospital”?
   What practical steps can we take to become more welcoming and grace-filled?

5. Who in your life might feel far from God right now?
   How can you reflect Jesus’ hope, mercy, and compassion to them this week?

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MAC Group Discussion Questions

1. How does the humility shown in Jesus’ birth challenge our usual ideas of what greatness looks like?In what ways does the manger confront the pride or status-seeking that can slip into our own lives?

2. Philippians 2 says Jesus “humbled Himself.”
Why is it important to recognize that His humility was a choice, not an accident?
How does that shape the way we understand God’s character?

3. Where do you personally find it most difficult to walk in humility—relationships, work, church, admitting weakness, serving others?
What practical steps could help you reflect Christ’s humility in that area?

4. Jesus’ humility led to His exaltation (Philippians 2:9–11).
What does this teach us about the connection between humility, obedience, and God’s blessing?How have you seen God honor humility in your own life or in others?

5. As you think about the Lord’s Table (communion), how does connecting the manger to the cross deepen your understanding of Christ’s sacrifice?
How does remembering His humility impact the way you approach God and others this week?

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Death and Resurrection Foretold

30 From there they went out and began to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it. 31 For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.” 32 But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him.

33 They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, He called the twelve and *said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

Discussion Questions

1. What point or scripture from the sermon stood out to you the most, and why do you think it resonated with you?

2. How does this message challenge or encourage you in your current season of life?

3. Was there a specific truth or idea that you feel the Holy Spirit highlighted for you to apply this week?

4. What practical steps can we take—individually or as a group—to live out the main theme of this sermon?

5. Who in your life might benefit from hearing the truth shared in today’s message, and how can you share it with them?

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Small Group Questions

1. What part of the message challenged you the most about living with daily gratitude—not just seasonal or situational thankfulness? Why?

2. Paul commands us to ‘rejoice in the Lord always.’ What makes that difficult in your modern life? What helps you choose joy even when your emotions disagree?

3. We talked about prayer, thanksgiving, and supplication. Which of these comes most naturally for you, and which do you tend to struggle with?

4. Think of a time when you brought a need to God with sincerity (supplication). How did God answer—or how did He give you peace even before the answer came?

5. What practical step can you take this week to slow down, notice God’s blessings, and cultivate a deeper heart of gratitude?

Small Group Questions for 11/16/2025

The Power of Showing Up — Acts 2:42–47

1. What part of Acts 2:42–47 stood out to you the most, and why do you think God highlighted that for you today?

2. How has “showing up” — whether in worship, fellowship, or teaching — impacted your spiritual life at some point in your journey?

3. Which area do you personally struggle to show up in most (teaching, fellowship, worship, serving)? What makes that area difficult?

4. What is one practical way you can be more intentional about showing up for your church family this month?

5. How do you think our church would change if everyone committed to “showing up” with the same devotion described in Acts 2:42–47?