Getting Out of Your Own Way

Group Time

PRAY

Pray aloud as a group.

Lord, I want to show up for my life, even when things are hard. I need Your peace and strength. Be near to me when things get uncomfortable. Assure me of Your love. Use this time with my sisters to build my faith. Spirit of God, be my counselor as I study the Bible. In Jesus’ name, amen.

SHARE

Take a few minutes to go around and allow group members to introduce themselves and answer the questions below.

1. What brought you to this group?
2. What do you hope to gain from this study?

READ

Invite someone to read aloud as group members prepare their hearts for Lisa’s teaching.

Psalm 25

LEARN

Session 1 Video Teaching (12:00 min.)

Gather your group together to watch Lisa’s first video teaching. You can use the outline and notes sections below to keep track of what you are learning.

Date:___________

The real reason we don’t seem to make traction in life is not because life is hard. It’s because when life is hard we bail on God. God wants to take us through hard things and refine us through the process.

How to show up for your life when life gets hard:

• Redefine “good” according to God’s Word.
• Become aware of the “cycle of offense.”
• Hard things ► Anger/hurt ► Offended ► Progression is blocked.
• Make peace with your life.
• Stop running away.

Our hard places are helping us while we are looking to push them away.

DISCUSS

Group discussion is the most important part of the study. Take 20–45 minutes to process what you are learning with your group.

1. Invite a group member to read John 16:33 aloud. As a group, collaborate on a list of all the things you know for sure about life based on John 16:33.

2. Name one hard thing in your life right now.

3. Invite a group member to read Romans 8:28 aloud. Based on Romans 8:28, how does this verse bring you hope about the hard parts of your life?

4. According to Lisa, there are some misleading messages floating around that counterfeit God’s truth about our circumstance. Which of the following messages distract you the most? Check all that apply and share with your group.

• You can do hard things, in and of yourself.
• You are good, just as you are.
• You create your own “good” life.

5. According to God’s Word, your Savior is helping you through the hard good. Which of the following Bible truths resonate with you the most? Share with your group.

• God is good. Therefore, hard things that lead you to God will be good for you.
• Growth is good. That means process and progress are important.
• A good life is one of Kingdom usability.
• I’m honestly struggling to believe anything good can come from the hard I’m experiencing.
• I have doubts and concerns, but I’m willing to give God a chance to bring the good from the hard.

6. How do you respond to God and others when you are frustrated with your life? How do you think that impacts their lives?

7. According to Lisa, making peace with life isn’t about saying you agree with decisions that were out of your control; making peace with life means coming to terms with realities, doing your absolute best, and leaving the rest up to God. What might you be holding onto that you could release to God?

PRAY

This prayer is for your group leader to pray over your group as a blessing. This is your opportunity to receive a blessing from the Lord before you pray for one another and take prayer requests. Prayer blessings are a biblical practice of loving others by calling on the Lord on their behalf.

Lord of transformation, help us embrace the change You want to bring to our lives.

Lord of comfort, comfort us when we feel uncomfortable with the refining process.

Lord of love, remind us, all things are working together for our good. Spirit of God, do your good work in us; we’re ready. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Group Prayer Requests

List your group members’ prayer requests.

Pray as a group before you close your time together.