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Grow

January 18, 2026
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Theme: Planted Together

Key Idea: Growing from belief in Jesus into a lifelong apprenticeship—becoming like Him through relationship, formation, and obedience.

LEAN IN — Connecting Life to the Message

The message talked about wanting a faith bigger than our circumstances, not just better circumstances.

  • When you think about this season of your life, where do you most want growth—not just relief or change?
  • What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “The Way of Jesus”?
    (A belief system, a lifestyle, a relationship, something else?)

Early followers of Jesus were known for living differently—and sometimes uncomfortably so.

  • Where do you feel tension between following Jesus and fitting into the culture around you?
  • In what areas of your life does growth feel slow, frustrating, or unclear right now?

LOOK UP — Scripture Engagement

Main Passage: Acts 2:42–47

Read Acts 2:42–47 together.

OBSERVE — What does the text say?

  • What practices or rhythms stand out in this passage?
  • What words describe how the early believers related to:
    • God?
    • Each other?
    • The world around them?
  • What do you notice about devotion in verse 42?
  • What surprises you—or what do you find yourself curious about?

INTERPRET — What does the passage mean?

The early church didn’t just believe in Jesus—they ordered their lives around Him.

  • Why do you think growth happened so naturally in this community?
  • How do teaching, fellowship, prayer, and shared meals shape people over time?
  • What do you learn about God from this passage?
    • (Consider His presence, power, generosity, and activity.)
  • What do you learn about people?
    • (Consider formation, transformation, and the role of community.)

The message emphasized that growth is intentional progress, not instant perfection.

  • Why do you think spiritual growth is described more as a process than a moment?

APPLY — What’s my response?

The message outlined three ways we grow as followers of Jesus:
Relationship. Formation. Obedience.

  • Which of these feels strongest in your life right now?
  • Which one feels most underdeveloped or neglected?
  • What does it look like for you personally to:
    • Spend time with Jesus?
    • Become more like Jesus?
    • Obey what Jesus says?

Growth often requires dying to old ways in order to live new ones.

  • What might Jesus be inviting you to surrender in this season?
  • Where do you sense resistance—or conviction?

REFLECT — Bringing It Home

Jesus invites us not just to admire Him, but to follow Him.

Read Luke 9:23 together.

  • What stands out to you in Jesus’ invitation to deny yourself and follow Him daily?
  • How does this challenge common ideas of comfort, success, or spirituality?

The message reminded us: “You will never arrive, but you can always make progress.”

  • Where do you see progress in your life—even if it’s small?
  • What would “one step of obedience” look like this week?

Scripture

  • Acts 2:42–47
  • Matthew 28:18–20
  • Galatians 2:20
  • Luke 9:23
  • 1 Corinthians 2:16

Prayer

Use the guide below or allow space for spontaneous prayer.

Begin with Thanksgiving

  • Thank God for inviting us into relationship, not religion.
  • Thank Him for the gift of growth, even when it’s slow.

Move to Confession

  • Confess ways we’ve settled for belief without transformation.
  • Name any fear, pride, or comfort that keeps us from fully following Jesus.

Pray for Formation

  • Ask God to shape our hearts, minds, and habits to look more like Jesus.
  • Pray for the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us.

Pray for the Church

  • Pray that our church would be known not just for what we believe, but for how we live.
  • Ask God to grow us deep, not just wide.

Close by praying the Lord’s Prayer together.

Practice — STEP OUT

Choose 2–3 practices to engage this week as a group or individually:

Daily Time with Jesus

Spend 5–10 minutes each day in prayer or Scripture.
Ask: What might Jesus want to form in me today?

Practice Dying to Self

Intentionally choose humility, forgiveness, or generosity in a situation where you’d normally protect yourself.

Live the Way Together

Share a meal, coffee, or meaningful conversation with someone from your group.
Practice presence—no agenda, just shared life.

Obedience Check

Ask yourself each morning:
“Jesus, how can I follow You more closely today?”