This small group discussion guide draws directly from the sermon “Showcase - 9AM Worship Service” so you can keep engaging with the message all week. Read, reflect, and share it with your small group or friends.

Small Group Discussion Guide

"The Importance of Trusting in God"

Based on the Sermon from 2 Corinthians 5:17

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." — 2 Corinthians 5:17

📋 LEADER OVERVIEW

Before Your Group Meets: Read through this entire guide. Pray for each person in your group by name. Choose which questions best fit your group's needs — you don't have to use every question. Have Bibles available, or encourage members to bring their own. This guide is designed for 60–90 minutes.

Sermon Summary: In this message, Pastor Young reminded us that as believers, there is no "summer break" from trusting God. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 5:17, he preached that genuine trust in God produces three things in every believer's life: a Choice (committing fully to Christ), a Change (a visible transformation in how we live), and a Commitment (an ongoing, wholehearted devotion to God — not giving Him our leftovers). The sermon called everyone, whether a longtime Christian or someone exploring faith for the first time, to move beyond merely saying they trust God and to demonstrate that trust through real, visible action.

⏱️ SUGGESTED TIME GUIDE

Section	Time
Welcome & Icebreaker	5–10 min
Scripture Reading	5 min
Discussion Questions	30–45 min
Personal Application	10–15 min
Prayer Focus	5–10 min
Total	55–85 min

Note: Optional Deep Dive questions are for groups with extra time or those who want to go further.

🌡️ ICEBREAKER

(5–10 minutes)

Choose one of the following to open your time together:

Option A (lighter, fun)

"Think about a time in your life when you took a real 'break' — a vacation, a sabbatical, or even just a long weekend. What made it feel like a true break? What did you leave behind for a while?"

Option B (more reflective)

"Is there someone in your life — a parent, mentor, coach, or friend — who you trusted completely? What made you trust them so much?"

After a few people share, transition by saying something like:

"Today we're going to talk about what it really looks like to trust God — not just as a feeling or a phrase we say, but as something that actually shows up in how we live."

📖 SCRIPTURE READING

(5 minutes)

Have someone read the following passages aloud. Encourage the group to listen for words or phrases that stand out to them.

Primary Text — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (New King James Version)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

Supporting Texts Referenced in the Sermon:

Proverbs 3:5–6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

Psalm 37:3–5

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 (Read before Communion, included for reference)

"For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes."

After reading, ask: "What word or phrase from any of these passages caught your attention? Why?"

(Allow 2–3 brief responses before moving into the discussion questions.)

💬 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

(30–45 minutes)

These questions follow the three-part structure of the sermon: Choice, Change, and Commitment. Move through them at whatever pace fits your group. You don't have to use every question.

SECTION 1: MAKING A CHOICE

"When you trust in God, you make a choice."

Question 1 (Observational — Start Here)

What was the most memorable moment, illustration, or point from Sunday's sermon that stuck with you? Why did it stand out?

[Leader Tip] This is a low-pressure opener that helps people re-engage with the sermon. There are no wrong answers. If the group is quiet, share your own answer first to model openness.

Question 2 (Interpretive)

Pastor Young said that when you truly trust in God, you make a definite choice — you're not guessing, hoping, or wondering about your relationship with Christ. What does it mean to be certain about your faith? Why do you think so many people feel uncertain about where they stand with God?

Question 3 (Personal)

Joshua 24:15 says, "But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Pastor Young talked about how Joshua drew a clear line even when the people around him were going in a different direction. Can you think of a time — in your own life or in someone you know — when choosing to follow God meant going against the crowd? What did that feel like?

[Leader Tip] This question can surface some deeply personal stories. Affirm whatever people share. If someone shares a painful experience, acknowledge it before moving on. You might say, "Thank you for sharing that — it takes courage to live differently."

Question 4 (Application)

The pastor listed several choices that come with trusting God: salvation over damnation, faith over feelings, relationship over religion, grace over gimmicks. Which of those contrasts resonates most with where you are right now? Which one challenges you the most?

SECTION 2: MAKING A CHANGE

"You can tell if a person is truly trusting in God because there's a change in their lives."

Question 5 (Personal & Reflective)

Pastor Young shared his own story about how his wife, Elizabeth, didn't believe he had truly changed until she saw it in his actions over three years — not just his words. Why do you think it's so hard for others (and sometimes for ourselves) to trust that real change has happened in someone's life?

[Leader Tip] This question can open up honest conversations about broken trust, past failures, or the slow process of transformation. Remind the group that this is a safe space. If someone shares something vulnerable, don't rush past it.

Question 6 (Interpretive)

Paul writes that in Christ, "old things have passed away." Pastor Young used this phrase to describe the visible, behavioral change that should accompany genuine faith. What do you think "old things" means in your own context? What kinds of "old things" does God want to replace with something new in the life of a believer?

Question 7 (Biblical Exploration)

The pastor called several "witnesses" from Scripture — Peter, the Woman at the Well, and the Woman Caught in Adultery — as examples of people whose lives were genuinely changed by an encounter with Jesus. Which of those stories connects most with your own experience, and why?

[Leader Tip] If some group members are unfamiliar with these stories, briefly summarize them: Peter (the disciple who denied Jesus but became a bold preacher at Pentecost — Acts 2), the Woman at the Well (John 4), and the Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8). Encourage people to look them up this week.

SECTION 3: MAKING A COMMITMENT

"All things have become new — that's a commitment."

Question 8 (Reflective)

Pastor Young asked a convicting question: "What if God gave us His leftovers?" He listed leftover grace, leftover mercy, leftover forgiveness, and even leftover air. How does that image challenge the way you think about your own commitment to God?

Question 9 (Application)

The pastor said many of us give God "what's left over" — time, energy, and attention — after everything else is taken care of. In your own honest assessment, in what area of your life do you feel most tempted to give God the leftovers rather than the first fruits? (This could be time, finances, relationships, talents, etc.)

[Leader Tip] This is one of the most personally challenging questions in the guide. Model vulnerability by sharing your own honest answer first if you sense hesitation in the group. Remind everyone that this is not about guilt — it's about growth.

Question 10 (Community)

Pastor Young reminded us that we can't afford to take a summer break from the things that keep us spiritually strong — Bible reading, prayer, church, fellowship, and serving. As a group, what is one commitment we could make together this season to help each other stay spiritually engaged rather than drifting?

[Leader Tip] This question is designed to build group accountability. Be ready to offer a few practical suggestions if the group needs a prompt — for example, a group text thread for prayer requests, reading the same Scripture passage each week, or attending a church event together.

🪞 PERSONAL APPLICATION

(10–15 minutes)

Invite each person to reflect quietly for 1–2 minutes on these questions before sharing with the group. Let people know they can share as much or as little as they're comfortable with.

Reflection Questions:

1. Of the three things Pastor Young said should happen when you trust in God — a Choice, a Change, and a Commitment — which one do you feel most settled in right now? Which one do you feel God is calling you to grow in?

2. Is there an area of your life where you've been making decisions without first consulting or trusting God? What would it look like to bring that area fully before Him this week?

3. The sermon included an invitation to respond — to come forward, to call, to make a decision. Whether or not you responded publicly, is there a decision you sense God is calling you to make or act on right now? What's holding you back?

📌 THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

Choose one (or more) that fits where you are:

Beginner Step: Write down 2 Corinthians 5:17 and put it somewhere you'll see it every day this week. Each morning, ask God: "Lord, what does it look like to trust You today?"
Growth Step: Identify one "old thing" that you know God wants to replace with something new. Share it with one trusted person this week and ask them to check in with you.
Deeper Step: Read Proverbs 3:5–6 and Psalm 37:3–5 every day this week. Journal about what "trusting God with all your heart" looks like in one specific decision or situation you're currently facing.
Community Step: Reach out to one person in your small group this week — not to talk about anything big, just to say, "I'm praying for you." Then actually pray for them.

🙏 PRAYER FOCUS

(5–10 minutes)

Close your time together in prayer. You can pray as a whole group, in pairs, or have one person close. Use these prompts to guide your prayer time:

Pray Together For:

Gratitude — Thank God for His unconditional love, unmerited grace, and the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Choice — Ask God to give clarity and courage to anyone in the group who is still unsure about their relationship with Him or who needs to make a clear decision to follow Christ.
Change — Pray that God would continue the work of transformation in each person's life — that "old things" would truly pass away and that new life in Christ would be visible to those around them.
Commitment — Ask God to help each person stop giving Him their leftovers. Pray for renewed devotion — to prayer, Scripture, church, fellowship, and service.
Each Other — Spend a moment praying specifically for the needs of people in your group. If time allows, let each person share one prayer request before closing.

Suggested Closing Prayer (for the facilitator or a group member):

"Father, we thank You that You have never given us Your leftovers. You gave us Your very best — Your Son, Jesus Christ — so that we could be made new. Help us to trust You not just with our words, but with our choices, our changes, and our commitment. Where we have drifted, draw us back. Where we are uncertain, give us confidence. Where we are holding back, give us the courage to go all in. We love You, we praise You, and we trust You. In Jesus' name, Amen."

🔍 OPTIONAL DEEP DIVE

(For groups with extra time or who want to go further)

Bonus Question 1 — Theological Exploration:

The church covenant read during the service included the phrase: "having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior." What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping us make the choice, the change, and the commitment that Pastor Young described? How have you experienced the Spirit's guidance in your own faith journey?

For further study: John 16:13, Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:16–25

Bonus Question 2 — The Lord's Supper:

The service closed with Communion, based on 1 Corinthians 11:23–29. The passage says we should "examine ourselves" before taking the Lord's Supper. What does it mean to examine yourself? How does regularly participating in Communion connect to the idea of making and renewing our commitment to trust in God?

For further study: 1 Corinthians 11:27–29, Luke 22:19–20

Bonus Question 3 — Summer Spiritual Disciplines:

Pastor Young made the point that summer is not a spiritual break — the enemy doesn't take a vacation. What spiritual habits or disciplines do you find hardest to maintain when life gets busy or your routine changes? What has helped you stay consistent in the past? What might help you this season?

For further study: Hebrews 10:24–25, Colossians 3:16, Psalm 1:1–3

📚 RELATED SCRIPTURES FOR FURTHER STUDY

Encourage group members to explore these passages on their own this week:

Theme	Passage
New Life in Christ	Romans 6:1–11
Trusting God Completely	Isaiah 26:3–4
Genuine Transformation	Romans 12:1–2
The Cost of Commitment	Luke 9:23–25
God's Faithfulness to Us	Lamentations 3:22–23
Assurance of Salvation	1 John 5:11–13
The Woman at the Well	John 4:1–30
The Woman Caught in Adultery	John 8:1–11

👋 FACILITATOR NOTES & TIPS

If your group is quiet or hesitant to share: Start with yourself. Share your own honest answer to a question first. This gives others permission to be real. Also, try breaking into pairs for a question or two — smaller conversations feel safer for introverts.

If your group goes deep fast: That's a gift. Let the conversation breathe. You don't have to get through every question. A few questions discussed deeply are more valuable than many questions covered quickly.

If someone shares something painful or vulnerable: Don't rush to fix it or move on. Acknowledge what they shared: "Thank you for trusting us with that." Pray for them specifically before moving to the next question.

If someone is new to faith or unfamiliar with the Bible: Welcome their questions. Normalize not knowing everything. You might say: "That's a great question — let's look at it together," or "Some of us are still figuring that out too."

If the group runs out of time: Prioritize the Personal Application and Prayer sections. Community and prayer are often what people carry with them longest after the meeting ends.

This discussion guide was prepared for small group use at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church. For questions or additional resources, visit franklinabc.com or contact the church office at 504-488-8488.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." — Proverbs 3:5–6