Against the Grain - Friends in the Kingdom

Last Midweek: Live on Mission with God

This week’s message challenges students to recognize that following Jesus is not seasonal—it’s a lifelong calling that shapes every part of who we are. Because of what Jesus has done, our lives are no longer our own; we are called to live on mission, motivated and controlled by His love. As students step into new seasons, they are invited to take their next right step with Jesus and actively make Him known to others. Here are some discussion questions to further guide your conversation: • What stood out to you from tonight’s message or the passages we read? • In less than a month, you’ll be ending one chapter and beginning another (new grade, new school, graduation, etc.). What are you most excited or nervous about—and how could following Jesus shape the way you walk into it? What do you need to be intentional about this Summer so that you are ready for this new season? • Michael said that if we belong to Jesus, our lives are no longer our own. What do you think that actually means in real, everyday life? Do you believe this? Does your life model this? • 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 says, “the love of Christ controls us.” What are some things that tend to control people your age? What about you personally? Where do you most often find yourself living for your own plans, comfort, or approval instead of for Jesus? • Read Matthew 28:18-20. When you hear “make disciples”, what comes to mind? What do you think that actually looks like for a student? • What makes it intimidating to talk about Jesus with others? What could help you take a step of courage in that area? • This summer, what is one specific way you can stay intentional in your relationship with Jesus (habits, community, church, sharing your faith, etc.)? • How can this group pray for you to live on mission with God this Summer?

Against the Grain - Friends in the Kingdom

This week closes our “Against the Grain” series. Tonight, we’re exploring one of the most fundamental of all human needs: friendship. Today, loneliness is the norm; we’re digitally connected and personally isolated. Jesus shows us in John 15 that this was not what we were made for. We were made for relationships with Him and other people that produce a flourishing life, not a life of despair. But deep friendship is only built with intentional effort. Here are some discussion questions to further guide your conversation: * In your experience, do you think it’s easy to find/make “close friends”? Why/why not? Why do you think we feel so disconnected from other people as a culture even though we interact so frequently with others on social media?  * Read John 15:12-15. Clearly, we can’t literally lay our lives down for everyone (you can only die once), so what does it mean (practically) to lay your life down for a friend?  * Do you have a friend who knows everything about you (even the pieces of you that feel shameful)? Why/why not? Why is it so hard to tell someone the deep struggles we face? * What character traits would make someone a good “candidate” for being a close friend (someone you’d want to walk life together with)? Do your 3 closest friends fit the bill? What do you do if you don’t have close friends? If they aren’t making you like Jesus? * How do you go from being “surface level friends” with someone to spiritual vulnerability and deep friendship? (Be honest and practical - name the steps/traits that would be required!) What gets in the way of making that shift with your friends?  * Can you be vulnerable like that with the guys/girls in your small group? Why/why not? What would have to change about your small group to make vulnerability feel possible? * Pray, asking God to bring us and make us genuine, lasting friends.

Against the Grain - Love the Others

This week pushes students to see that following Jesus means rejecting the divisions our culture normalizes—like cliques, tribes, classes, races, and biases. While the world groups people by differences, Jesus calls us to love across those lines with humility and sacrifice. When we do, we don’t just get along—we display the unity Jesus died to create. Here are some discussion questions to further guide your conversation: • What stood out to you from tonight’s message or the passages we read? • Read Ephesians 4:1–3. What stands out to you about how we’re supposed to treat each other? Which of these (humility, gentleness, patience, love) is hardest for you personally? Why? • What are the biggest “dividing lines” at your school (friend groups, race, sports, popularity, style, beliefs)? Which of these do you feel the most pressure to stay inside of? • Are there people you tend to avoid, judge, or even dislike? What makes them hard to love? Where do you think those attitudes come from (friends, family, social media, past experiences)? • Jesus says to treat others how you want to be treated (Matthew 7:12) and to love your enemies (Luke 6:27-31). What would that actually look like in your life this week? • Why do pride and insecurity cause us to divide from others instead of love them—and how does the gospel change that? How should remembering what Jesus has done for you change the way you see and treat people? • How can this group pray for you to see others with the same love and compassion that Christ has for you?

Against the Grain - A Life of Transformation

**DISCLAIMER** This week’s audio file was faulty. The first 6.5 minutes are difficult to hear. The recording returns to normal after that mark. We apologize for the inconvenience! This week opens our new series called “Against the Grain.” In this series, we’re exploring the nature of the stark contrast a Christian’s life is meant to pose to the life espoused by the culture we live in. This week, we’re discussing the mechanics of true transformation. Paul teaches in Romans 12:1-2 that the road to transformation begins with presenting our physical bodies as living sacrifices, and that the use of our bodies determines whether we’re conformed to the culture or transformed by the renewal of our minds. Here are some discussion questions to further guide your conversation: * When you first began going to church/learning about Jesus, what were you taught as the “next steps” in the Christian life after surrendering to Jesus? What ideas did you have about what a “mature believer” looked like? How were you taught to become one? Did you want to become one? * Read Rom. 12:1. What do you think it means to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice”? How is a “living sacrifice” different from just a sacrifice? How do we (practically) do this with our actual, physical bodies?  * Read Rom. 12:2. What would it really look like for someone to completely conform to this world? Why is the Christian commanded not to conform to this world?  * In what areas do many Christians in our culture tend to look just like the world? Be honest: in what ways do you find it easy to  conform to the world in your own life? * What does it mean to “renew our minds”? What role does our physical body play in renewing the mind? Why does renewing our minds lead to transformation? * What practical steps can you take not to be conformed to this world? What can you do to be transformed by the renewal of your mind? What role does the Holy Spirit play? * Pray, asking God to do the work of transforming us so that His way is our default.

Illusion of Control: Comparison

This week wraps up the Illusion of Control, discussing the danger of attempting to control our lives through the trap of comparison. Paul 1 Corinthians 15 shows 2 potential pitfalls for falling into the trap of comparison. First, we tend to focus on our weakness; second, we focus on our greatness. The only solution is to focus firmly on Jesus, having our minds renewed in Him and becoming truly content. Here are some discussion questions to further guide your conversation: * Is comparison always a bad thing? In what ways can it be a useful tool? When does comparison turn dangerous? * Read 1 Cor. 15:1-6. Why do you think it’s significant that Paul points out Jesus’ appearance to so many people, many of whom were still alive? Why is it so important that we understand the resurrection as a historical fact, not just a religious idea? * Read 1 Cor. 15:7-10. Be vulnerable. What’s something in your life that makes you feel like “the least” of your friends? Why is it so easy to believe that these things define us?  * What’s something in your life that makes you feel above other people? What’s the risk in believing this defines us? In either scenario, what’s really true of you in Jesus? * Be honest. Where does most of your time, energy, and attention go every day? Why? What’s the fruit of that focus in your life? Is it growing joy or shame/anxiety? * How do we practically focus on Jesus this week, not ourselves? In what ways can you “renew your mind”? What does it mean to "take thoughts captive”? How can you do that? * Pray, asking God to help us focus our hearts on Jesus and grow in the fruit of the Spirit.