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Remember our small group rules...
1. No Cross-Talk
Let each person finish sharing without interruption.
Avoid jumping in with your own experience while someone else is speaking. After someone shares, others may respond to what was said, not redirect the conversation to themselves. This creates space for every voice to be heard.

2. Share — Don’t Fix
Our small groups are not counseling or teaching sessions.
We will do our best to refrain from solving one another’s problems or “fixing” each other. The goal is presence, listening, and encouragement — not advice unless it is specifically invited.

3. Stay on Topic
To respect everyone’s time, we will stay focused on the planned content for each week.
If important questions or side conversations come up, we will “park” them (write them down) and revisit them later during a large-group gathering or another appropriate setting. We will save in-depth theological debates or complex doctrinal discussions for large-group environments where church leadership can help guide and steward those conversations.

4. Slow Down and Make Space
Take time to think, ask questions, and wait for responses. Silence is okay. Small groups are not about getting through material quickly but about creating space for connection, reflection, and trust. You are encouraged to share but never forced. Listening is participation. 

5. Trust and Accountability
We will guard these groups and hold to confidentiality. Our small group leaders will only be communicating with the pastor about the prayer needs that are communicated in our small groups. We will address anyone who is not being trustworthy and confidential when it comes to the information shared in our small groups.

Remember the Purpose of Small Groups
Small groups exist to build relationship, communication, and spiritual community.
By remembering that this is not a teaching or counseling environment, we help create a safe space where people can share honestly and grow together.

********SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE*********

Small Group Guide: Church Tutorial - The "Why" of Church
Opening Prayer
Begin by inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion and open hearts to what God wants to speak to each person.

Icebreaker Question
What's something you've recently learned how to do (from YouTube, a friend, etc.)? What made you want to learn it?

Key Takeaways from the Sermon

1. Church is about equipping, not entertaining - We gather to be trained for our purpose, not just to watch.
2. Worship is a personal response to God's presence - Different people worship differently based on their season and experience with Jesus.
3. Relationships matter - Small groups allow us to bear one another's burdens and celebrate victories together.
4. The power of the Holy Spirit is for today - The early church needed God's supernatural power, and we need it even more.
5. The question isn't "Why does the church do this?" but "Why won't I do this?" - Our response determines our growth.

Discussion Questions
Part 1: Why We Gather
Question 1: The sermon stated, "You can be a Christian without going to church, but can you stay saved?" What do you think this means? How does gathering together help us in our walk with Jesus?
Question 2: Read Acts 2:42-47. What did the early church prioritize? How does our church today compare to this model?
Question 3: Have you ever felt like you were just "watching" church rather than participating? What would it look like for you to shift from spectator to trainee?

Part 2: Worship & Response
Question 4: The pastor mentioned that different people worship differently - some quietly, some loudly, some dancing. Have you ever judged someone else's worship? How can we create space for authentic, Spirit-led worship?
Question 5: "Maybe the reason no one's running the aisles anymore is we just haven't been changed in a while." Does this statement challenge you? When was the last time you had a genuine encounter with God that changed you?
Question 6: Why do you think having a public response time (altar call) is important? Have you ever held back from responding when God was speaking to you?

Part 3: Serving & Small Groups
Question 7: The sermon asked, "How do you bear one another's burdens when you don't know one another?" Why are small groups essential to church life, not optional?
Question 8: "Serving is a discipleship tool. It helps you become more like Jesus." How has serving others (even when you didn't feel like it) shaped your character or faith?
Question 9: Are you currently in a small group or serving somewhere? If not, what's holding you back?

Part 4: The Power of the Holy Spirit
Question 10: For those new to Pentecostal expressions of faith, what questions do you have about speaking in tongues, prophecy, or other gifts of the Spirit?
Question 11: Read 1 Corinthians 14:39 - "Do not forbid speaking with tongues." Why do you think some churches have moved away from the supernatural gifts? What are we missing when we do?
Question 12: "If we want what they had (in Acts), maybe we need to do what they did." The early church was known for prayer. How would our lives change if we prioritized prayer like they did?

Part 5: Personal Application
Question 13: The sermon ended by flipping the questions on us: "Why don't YOU commit your life to Jesus? Why don't YOU build Christian relationships? Why don't YOU respond with your whole heart?"

Which of these questions hit home for you?
Question 14: "You see others serving, giving, committing, and growing. Why not you?"
Is there someone in this church whose faith you admire? What's stopping you from having that same kind of relationship with God?

Question 15: What is one specific area of your life you've been holding back from God? What would full surrender look like in that area?

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge:
Choose ONE of the following to commit to this week:

1. Worship Breakthrough - During worship this Sunday, close your eyes and focus only on Jesus. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks. Let yourself respond authentically to His presence.
2. Relationship Building - Reach out to someone in the church you don't know well. Invite them to coffee or lunch. Ask about their story.
3. Serve Somewhere - Sign up to serve in one area of the church, even if it's outside your comfort zone.
4. Prayer Commitment - Dedicate 15 minutes each day this week to prayer. Ask God what He wants from you and what's holding you back.
5. Surrender Something - Identify one area you've been holding back from God and write a prayer of surrender. Share it with someone in your group for accountability.

Closing Activity
Pair up and pray for each other:

• Ask: "What's one thing you're holding back from God?"
• Pray specifically for breakthrough in that area
• Commit to checking in with each other this week

Questions for Next Week
Remember to text your questions for next Sunday's Q&A service to 314-375-6341.
No question is too simple or too complex. The church wants to hear from you!

Closing Prayer
Pray together that:

• God would help each person move from spectator to participant
• The Holy Spirit would have full access to every area of our lives
• We would experience genuine transformation and not just information
• Our small group would grow in authentic community and accountability

Leader Notes

• Be vulnerable first - Share your own struggles with surrender and commitment
• Don't rush - It's okay if you don't get through all questions
• Create safety - Remind the group that what's shared stays in the group
• Follow the Spirit - If God is moving in a particular direction, go with it
• End on time - Respect people's schedules while leaving room for ministry moments