"The Pursuit of Pleasure" Discussion Guide

Recap

1. How did you look for ways to prioritize giving love and grace to those around you, or reach out to someone who needs comfort?

Main Thought

Almost everyone pursues pleasure: that feeling of happiness, satisfaction, or enjoyment. We’re surrounded by opportunities to pursue pleasure apart from God. Yet any source of pleasure that the world offers (apart from God) will be fleeting, or temporary. Parties, positions, substances, possessions - they’ll eventually end or run out. You might have also discovered that the world’s pleasures are misleading. They fail to meet expectations, and come with costs and consequences that we do not expect. The greatest pleasure we could ever experience is in God. The love and joy that we find in Him last forever, and they’re truly fulfilling. These things remain in every circumstance. Our desire for healthy habits like reading or exercise grow with time and effort; likewise, our desire for God will grow if we’ll start pursuing Him and continue consistently.

Main Passages

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life —is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
- 1 John 2:15-17

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
- Psalm 16:11

Discussion Questions

1. Have one of your pursuits of pleasure ever proven to be fleeting (temporary) or misleading (failing to meet expectations)? What happened? How did you respond?

2. How could you practically pursue God? Why is it hard to maintain those habits?

Apply

1. Pick one habit that might help you experience God more, preferably something that you aren’t already doing. Try your best to do that consistently over the next week.

"In the Zone" Discussion Guide

Recap

1. How does remembering God’s unconditional approval free us?

Main Thought

Pursuing perfection and clinging to comfort. These two things are on opposite ends of a spectrum, and they’re ultimately spiritual problems. Both promise to fulfill us on a deep level - and both fail to deliver! Perfection causes us to strive physically and emotionally; sometimes, it’s motivated by some insecurity. Clinging to comfort can feel good, but it can also cause us to miss God-given opportunities and waste God-given talents. We should allow God to keep us centered. We need to give God our best, because our efforts glorify Him - and we need to rest and trust in His goodness.

Main Passages

20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
- Romans 3:20

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
- John 16:33

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life —is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
- 1 John 2:15-17

Discussion Questions

1. There are three types of perfectionism: self-oriented (I need to be perfect), externally-oriented (things need to be perfect), and others-oriented (you need to be perfect). When was the last time you struggled with one of these kinds of perfectionism? How did the struggle make you feel?

2. Seeking comfort without God (counterfeit comfort) requires no faith and causes us to run from our problems; seeking comfort in God builds faith and helps us face our problems. How have you seen “counterfeit comfort” play out in your life?

Apply

1. Look for ways to prioritize giving love and grace to those around you, or reach out to someone who needs comfort.

“Approval Addicts” Discussion Guide

Recap

1. How did you use something you own to bless someone else recently?

Main Thought

Approval can be a good thing. It helps us form community, and it can be used to reinforce us when we’re on the right path. But we can become addicted to approval from other people when it becomes our ultimate source of identity, joy, or love. In such a situation, we’ll do anything - including actions that offend God, hurt people, and ultimately hurt ourselves - to win approval. God’s love sets us free from an addiction to approval. God’s approval is constant because it depends on His grace and not our actions. If we’ll trust and remember God’s opinion of us, then we’ll be set free from being controlled by the opinions of other people

Main Passages

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
- Proverbs 29:25

10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
- Galatians 1:10

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
- Galatians 2:20

Discussion Questions

1. Approval addicts battle three problems: obsessing over what others think, being overly sensitive to criticism, and struggling to say “no.” Which problem most describes you? Why do you have a hard time with that problem?

2. If we were to prioritize Christ’s approval over the approval of others, how might that change our lives and our relationships?

Apply

1. Pick some of the following scriptures. (You can read them all if you want!) Read them, think about what they mean, and remember who God says you are this week.

• 2 Corinthians 5:17, 20-21

• Ephesians 1:7

• Romans 8:11, 13, and 37

• Ephesians 2:10

• Matthew 5:14

"Living with Eternal Perspective" Discussion Guide

Recap

1. How did you pursue success God’s way - in obedience, trust, and humility - over the past week?

Main Thought

Wealth and possessions can be a dynamic tool or a deceiving trap. In today’s consumer-driven society, we often crave “more.” We want more money, more clothes, and more accessories. We want nicer cars and houses. But hearts that are preoccupied with love for possessions struggle to love God, His people, and His purposes. Wealth can never fully satisfy. It doesn’t last. Christians are called to use temporary possessions with a Christ-centered and eternal perspective in mind.

Main Passages

Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income…
- Ecclesiastes 5:10, NIV

3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
- Revelation 2:3-4

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
- 1 John 2:15-16

Discussion Questions

1. Why does wealth seem like a moving target? Why do we always want just a little bit more, even when we know it won’t last forever?

2. How can you use your temporary possessions to have an eternal impact?

Apply

1. Use something you own (your car, house, finances) to be a blessing this week.

"Living Under the Influence (of God)" Discussion Guide

Recap

1. Have you been praying for the people around you and asking God for opportunities to share Jesus with them?

Main Thought

Most people desire success. Success can be a good thing, but problems arise when we make it into the ultimate thing. If our success becomes our source of identity and joy, then what happens when we fail? Too many people have been broken by their failures and missed out on God’s fullness for their lives. Success motivated by selfishness often feels insufficient - we always crave more. Another great tragedy of success without God is that it can only be enjoyed on this earth; our great pursuits and passions, without Christ, will pass away.

Lasting success comes when we live under God’s influence. Success that is primarily motivated by a desire to love God is resilient. We need not fear failure, because it will not destroy our joy or identity. Obeying God in trust and humility positions us to receive His help in achieving success that’s enjoyable for us now, impactful to others, and felt throughout eternity.

Main Passages

“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” - Matthew 23:12

“and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.” - 1 Kings 2:3

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” - Matthew 6:19-21

Discussion Questions

1. How do you define success? What makes you feel successful?

2. Do you view success as a good thing, an ultimate thing that provides identity and joy, or both? How can you adjust your pursuit of success to love God and others?