ICEBREAKERS
Make sure to start off with prayer. Then choose one or more questions to open up with.
1. What are some of your go-to summer songs?
TALK-IT-OUT
Go through each main point and scripture from the message and use the corresponding questions in discussion with your group. Encourage your group to pull this post up on their own device to follow along.
Song of Solomon 4:7 (ESV)
You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.
POINT 1: FOR EVERY MILE OF ROAD, THERE ARE TWO MILES OF DITCHES.
POINT 2: ON ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD IS THE ROMANTIC DITCH.
Talk-it-Out: Have you been seeking and waiting for a perfect opportunity in your life? (Maybe a relationship/marriage or job/school)
POINT 3: ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD IS THE DITCH CALLED CYNICISM.
Talk-it-Out: Are there areas in your life that you have taken the role of the cynic?
1 Corinthians 13:4–8 (NIV)
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
POINT 4: DON’T BE SURPRISED THAT THE PICTURE HAS A PRICE.
Talk-it-Out: Have you had expectations of something in life that ended up taking more work than you thought?
John 16:33 (NIV)
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
POINT 5: DON’T LET PEOPLE’S IMPERFECTIONS, FAULTS, AND FAILURES CAUSE YOU TO BECOME CYNICAL.
Talk-it-Out: Is there someone in your life that is causing you to be cynical because of their imperfections?
POINT 6: DREAM REALISTIC DREAMS AND STAY AWAY FROM FANTASY.
Talk-it-Out: What is something you can work on in your marriage, job, family, church, school, community that can help make one of your dreams a reality?
Proverbs 12:11 (NIV)
Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
WRITE-It-Out
Encourage your group to start writing things down. Do the following exercises:
- Do a SOAP devotion on Colossians 3. Read the SCRIPTURE. Write down at least one OBSERVATION, at least one APPLICATION for your life, and one PRAYER inspired by this scripture.
Live-It-Out
Encourage your group to start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
- Think of one "ditch" in your life right now and take steps to get out of it.
- Complete Growth Track. Every Saturday in Tacoma 6:00pm, and every Sunday at all of our campuses at 11:30am.
Closing Thoughts
- Finish group with prayer requests and praise reports.
- More resources are always available here: Group Resources.