Series – Remain

Title – The Rhythm of Remaining Part 2

1.  Before jumping into today's discussion, take a few minutes this week to explore the resources available at destinychurch.me—including this week's 5-Day Family Devotional, 11:1 Bible Reading Plan, and other discipleship tools. You can also use Ask Ezra for deeper Bible study throughout the week. Which of these resources has helped you grow the most, or which one would you like to begin using more consistently?

2.  Jesus said, "If you remain in me, and my words remain in you..." (John 15:7). What's the difference between simply reading God's Word and allowing God's Word to "remain" in you? What does that look like in everyday life?

3.  One of the big ideas from this message was that God's Word is meant to transform us, not just inform us. Can you think of a time when a passage of Scripture genuinely changed the way you thought, responded, or lived?

4.  Jesus connects obedience with joy in John 15:10-11. Why do you think our culture often sees obedience as restrictive, while Jesus presents it as the pathway to lasting joy? How have you experienced that in your own life?

5.  Have you ever discovered something in Scripture that completely changed your understanding of a passage? What was it? This week, use Ask Ezra to explore a verse from John 15 and come next time you gather ready to share one new insight with the group.

6.  The message ended with the challenge to reflect the love of Jesus in ordinary, everyday moments. Who is one person God may be inviting you to intentionally love, encourage, forgive, or serve this week? What is one practical step you can take before next Sunday?

Ask Your Kids

I Need God's Forgiveness Everyday

1. What happens inside us when God forgives us?

2. How can that overflow to others?

3. In the story of the Samaritan Woman, how is her reaction to understanding who Jesus was an example of what we should be doing as believers?

A Different Kind of Freedom

1. When you hear the word "freedom," what is the first thing that comes to mind?

2. Have you ever struggled to believe that God had truly forgiven something from your past? If you're comfortable, share with your group!

3. Why is willpower alone usually not enough to overcome temptation?

4. Why do you think serving others is connected to spiritual freedom?

5. Why do you think it's difficult for some to serve in the church or even outside of the church?

Ask Your Kids

I Need God Everyday

1. Think back to the basic things we need every day that we learned about —food, water, air, and shelter. Why do you think we need those things? Why do we need to add God to that list?

2. In Exodus we read that God brought the Israelites out of Egypt. He guided them through the wilderness, provided food and water for them, and He gave them instructions on how to live as His people. What are some ways you think God has helped you in the past week?

3. Think about all parts of your life- home, school, sports, church, etc. Where do you need more of God?

Series – Remain

Title – Rhythm of Remaining

1.    One of the best ways to keep growing throughout the week is to engage the resources available through Destiny Church. Have you checked out our 5-Day Family Devotions, Bible Reading Plan, or other discipleship resources?

• Destiny Church Resources: Destiny Church
• Weekly Family Devotions: 5 Day Devo
• For deeper study of John 15, spend some time exploring Ask Ezra and discuss anything that stood out to you.

2.    Jesus said, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." What makes it difficult for people to truly believe they are deeply loved by God? Why do you think so many Christians struggle to live from His love instead of striving to earn it?

3.    The sermon suggested that one of our greatest spiritual struggles may not be a lack of discipline, but a lack of confidence in God's love. What tends to make you question God's love the most—failure, disappointment, shame, unmet expectations, difficult circumstances, or something else? How do you typically respond when those moments come?

4.    The message reminded us that God doesn't merely tolerate His children—He delights in them. How would your relationship with God change if you were fully convinced He delights in you, rejoices over you, and loves you exactly as He says He does?

5.    Paul prayed that believers would grasp how wide, long, high, and deep the love of Christ is. Looking back over your life, can you identify a moment or season when you experienced God's love in a particularly real way? How did it impact your faith and relationship with Him?

6.    The big idea of the message was: Receive His Love. Remain in His Word. Reflect His Love. Of those three rhythms, which one comes most naturally to you? Which one needs the most growth in this season of your life, and what is one practical step you can take this week?

Ask Your Kids

My Life Matters to God

1. Today we read in Ephesians 1. According to verse 4, when were we chosen by God?

2. What are some things Jesus did for us to show our lives matter to God?

3. How does knowing your life matters to God encourage you?

Series – Remain

Title – Rooted Fathers

1.    Who is a man (father, grandfather, coach, pastor, mentor, etc.) who has had a positive spiritual influence on your life? What made their influence so impactful?

2.    Jesus said, "Apart from Me you can do nothing." Why do you think it's possible for someone to look spiritually healthy on the outside while being disconnected from Jesus on the inside? Have you ever experienced a season like that?

3.    The message emphasized that fathers and men carry tremendous influence and that "rooted fathers create rooted families." Who are the people currently being influenced by your life, and what do you hope they are learning from your example?

4.    The sermon challenged us with the idea that faith is caught more than it is taught. If the people closest to you only learned about following Jesus by watching your life—not listening to your words—what would they learn?

5.     The message talked about leaving behind "fruit that lasts" and a spiritual legacy that impacts future generations. When your children, grandchildren, family, or friends look back on your life one day, what do you hope they will say mattered most to you? What evidence of that are they seeing today?

6.     What is one practical step you can take this week to deepen your connection to Jesus and bear fruit that lasts?

Ask Your Kids

Where I Live Matters to God

Jeremiah 29:1-4

1.If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

2. When God’s people were far from home, God told them to seek peace and pray to God for the city they were in, called Babylon. Where the Israelites lived mattered to God, and where we live matters to God too. How can this Bible story remind us that where we live matters to God?

3.God sent Jesus so we could have a relationship with Him. We can follow God no matter where we live, whether we like where we are or not. How can you follow God right now where you live?

Series: REMAIN

Sermon Title: Cut It Out

1. What is one thing you have recently tried to "cut back" on? How successful were you?

2. The sermon notes mention that "we love to be the ones holding the shears" because it gives us control. Why does having control over our own boundaries feel so comforting?

3. Read John 15:2 NIV. What is the difference between being "cut off" and being "pruned?"

4. Pruning implies pain or loss. Can you share a time when God removed something good from your life so that something better could grow?

5. What does the word "remain" look like in your practical, daily routine?

Ask Your Kids

My Life Matters to God

Judges 13-16 Life of Samson

1. How does the story of Samson show that our lives matter to God?

2. Even though Samson made some bad decisions, God still had a plan for his life. How does that encourage you when you make mistakes?

3. How can you use the ways God has made you unique to bring people to Him?