This small group discussion guide draws directly from the sermon “Showcase - 12:30pm Sunday Service | Live from Rossview” so you can keep engaging with the message all week. Read, reflect, and share it with your small group or friends.

SENT: Joining God's Mission

Small Group Discussion Guide — Week 2

A Note to Facilitators: This guide is designed to be flexible. You don't need to cover every question — choose what fits your group best. Estimated times are suggestions, not rules. Your goal is genuine conversation, not completing a checklist. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide your time together.

OVERVIEW

This week's message continued the Sent series with a powerful focus on God's heart for people who are far from Him — and our role in reaching them. Through the inspiring story of Pastor Sam Johnson and the global impact of Priority One Ministries, we were challenged to see that missions isn't just for professionals or overseas workers. Every follower of Jesus is called to pray, go, and give in ways that plant seeds for eternity. The central question of the message was simple but profound: What would you do if you truly believed God could do the impossible?

BEFORE YOUR GROUP MEETS

Suggested Reading: Matthew 28:18-20 | Acts 1:8 | Hebrews 11:1 | James 2:14-17

Pray over your group this week. Ask God to open hearts to His mission and to make your time together genuine and transformative.

ICEBREAKER (5–10 minutes)

Choose one of the following to open your time:

Option A:

"Tell us about a time someone went out of their way — maybe at great personal cost — to help you or someone you know. What did that act of sacrifice mean to you?"

Option B:

"If you could spend one week anywhere in the world serving people in Jesus' name, where would you go and why?"

Option C (lighter/fun):

"What's the furthest from home you've ever been, and what surprised you most about that place?"

SCRIPTURE READING (5–10 minutes)

Have someone read each passage aloud. Invite the group to listen for a word or phrase that stands out to them.

Matthew 28:18-20 (The Great Commission)

"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"

Acts 1:8

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Hebrews 11:1

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

James 2:14-17

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

[Leader Tip — Scripture Reading]: After the readings, ask: "What word or phrase jumped out at you?" Go around the room briefly before diving into discussion. This is a low-pressure way to get everyone talking early and ensures quieter group members have a natural entry point.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (35–45 minutes)

Work through as many questions as time allows. Questions are organized to move from observation → interpretation → personal application. You don't need to cover them all.

THEME 1: God Is Always on Mission (8–10 minutes)

1. What was one thing from Sunday's message that surprised you, inspired you, or stayed with you this week?

[Leader Tip]: This is your warm-up question. Don't rush it — let people share freely. It also helps you understand where your group is emotionally and spiritually before going deeper. If someone shares something unexpected, follow it rather than forcing the next question.

2. Pastor Mike described missions this way: "God has always been on a mission to reach people to be in relationship with Him." Looking at the Matthew 28 and Acts 1:8 passages, what do those verses tell us about God's heart for people who don't yet know Him?

3. Pastor Sam said he's been building Bible schools and training centers for over 60 years because he believes the most effective thing you can do is train others — just like Jesus did with His disciples. What do you think made Jesus' approach to "training" His disciples so powerful, and what can we learn from that today?

[Leader Tip]: If discussion stalls, offer this follow-up: "Jesus spent three years with 12 ordinary people before sending them out. What does that tell us about how God tends to work — through large institutions or through people investing in people?"

THEME 2: Faith That Moves (10–12 minutes)

4. Pastor Sam shared the story of going to Spain in 1966 — a country with no religious freedom — because he believed God had called him there. Then, almost immediately, the dictator declared religious freedom. He said he prayed over Joshua 1:9 and told God, "If you make me the same promise you made to Joshua, I'll go." What does that kind of faith look like in everyday life — not just on the mission field, but in your neighborhood, your workplace, or your family?

5. Hebrews 11:1 says faith is "confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Pastor Sam used this verse as his life verse — he hoped for a Bible school in Spain, then in Portugal, then in Tanzania, and God provided each one. What is something you're currently hoping for that requires you to trust God for what you can't yet see?

[Leader Tip]: This question can get personal quickly, which is good — but be sensitive. Some people may be walking through real pain or disappointment. Affirm that honest doubt is part of faith, not the absence of it. You might share something personal first to model vulnerability.

6. James 2:17 says "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." Pastor Sam often quoted this alongside Hebrews 11 — he called it "faith without works is dead; you have to work at it." In your own life, where do you find it hardest to move from believing something to actually doing something about it?

THEME 3: Three Ways to Participate in Missions (10–12 minutes)

7. Pastor Mike outlined three ways every Christian should be involved in missions: pray, go, and give. He was clear these aren't a menu — they're all three meant for all of us. Which of the three comes most naturally to you, and which one feels most challenging or unfamiliar? Why?

[Leader Tip]: This question often surfaces honest tension — some people have never thought of themselves as "missionaries" at all. Affirm that the "shortest mission trip is across the street to your neighbor" (as Pastor Mike said). Help the group see that missions is a posture, not just a program.

8. Acts 1:8 describes a kind of expanding circle of mission — Jerusalem (your city), Judea and Samaria (your region and uncomfortable neighbors), and the ends of the earth. Using that framework, what does your personal "Jerusalem" look like right now? Who are the people closest to you who need someone to pray for them, go to them, or invest in them?

9. Pastor Mike talked about the eternal return on investment — how building a school trains a pastor who plants a church that reaches hundreds of people, and that multiplies for generations. How does thinking about the long-term, eternal impact of your obedience today change the way you think about small acts of faith — like inviting a neighbor, praying for a coworker, or giving generously?

THEME 4: The Church as a Sent Community (5–8 minutes)

10. During the child dedication, the church was asked: "Do you, as a church, stand today as an encouragement to these families — to pray for them and help them lead their children to know God?" The congregation responded, "We will." What does it mean for a church to truly be a community that's "sent" together — not just individually? What does that look like practically in a small group like this one?

PERSONAL APPLICATION (10–15 minutes)

These questions are for more personal, reflective sharing. Remind the group that it's okay to share only what they're comfortable with.

1. Pastor Sam said that at 87 years old, with 7 million air miles and Bible schools in 65 countries, his conclusion is simply: "It's too soon to quit." What area of your faith life have you been tempted to give up on, pull back from, or put on hold — and what would it look like to press forward instead?

2. Pastor Mike asked the congregation to pray this prayer this week:

"Lord, everything I have is yours. What do you want me to do with your money?"

What would it look like for you to genuinely pray that prayer — not just about finances, but about your time, your gifts, your relationships, and your influence? What feels risky about praying it?

3. Who is one specific person in your life right now who doesn't know Jesus — a family member, friend, coworker, or neighbor — that you could commit to praying for by name this week? You don't have to share who it is, but consider: what's one step you could take toward them this week?

[Leader Tip]: You might close this section by inviting people to silently write down one name on their phone or a piece of paper — someone they're committing to pray for this week. This makes the application concrete without requiring public disclosure.

4. Pastor Sam's wife Joyce simply said, "Let's do it," when he asked if they should go to Portugal. Who are the people in your life who encourage you to say yes to what God is calling you toward? How can this group be that kind of community for each other?

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

Choose one (or more) of the following to practice before your group meets again:

☐ Pray — Write down the name of one person far from God and commit to praying for them every day this week.

☐ Go — Have one intentional conversation with someone in your "Jerusalem" — your neighborhood, workplace, or family — about faith, life, or how you can serve them.

☐ Give — Pray specifically about your giving and ask God: "What do you want me to do with your money?" Consider how you might participate in the church's miracle offering or another missions opportunity.

☐ Learn — Look up one of the ministry partners mentioned in the sermon (Priority One, Mercy Multiplied, Convoy of Hope, etc.) and spend 10 minutes learning about their work. Let it expand your vision for what God is doing globally.

☐ Share — Tell one person outside your small group something that impacted you from Sunday's message.

PRAYER FOCUS (5–10 minutes)

Use these prompts to guide your group's closing prayer time. You can pray as a group, in pairs, or have one person close in prayer using these themes.

Pray together for:

Boldness — That each person in your group would have the courage to take one step toward someone far from God this week.
Generosity — That God would give your group wisdom and open hearts as you consider how to give — of your time, resources, and presence — in ways that build His kingdom.
The world — Pray specifically for the regions mentioned in the sermon: Tanzania, Ukraine, Vietnam, France, Colombia, and the people being trained in Priority One's Bible schools right now.
Your church's mission — Pray for your church's missionaries, ministry partners, and local outreach efforts. Ask God to multiply the impact of every dollar given and every hour served.
One name — Invite group members to silently (or aloud, if they're willing) pray for the one person they identified during the application time who needs to know Jesus.

[Leader Tip — Closing Prayer]: Consider ending with a simple, spoken commitment prayer that the whole group can say together. Something like: "Lord, we are sent. Use us this week. Whatever you want, wherever you lead — we'll go." This creates a shared moment of commitment and sends people out with purpose.

OPTIONAL DEEP DIVE

For groups that want to go further or have extra time:

Deep Dive 1: Read Joshua 1:1-9 — the passage Pastor Sam prayed over before going to Spain. This was God's charge to Joshua after Moses died, calling him to lead Israel into the Promised Land despite the "giants." How does God's promise to Joshua — "I will never leave you nor forsake you" — apply to the "giants" your group is facing right now, individually or collectively? What land is God calling you to step into?

Deep Dive 2: Pastor Mike described missions in terms of eternal ROI — 85,000 graduates every five years, each planting a church, each reaching 80+ people. Read John 15:16, where Jesus says: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit — fruit that will last." What does "fruit that lasts" mean to you personally? How does the concept of generational, multiplying impact change the way you think about the ordinary, faithful things you do every day?

Deep Dive 3: The sermon opened with a child dedication, where parents committed to raise their children to "love God, follow Jesus, and be led by the Spirit," and the church committed to come alongside them. Read Proverbs 22:6 and Deuteronomy 6:4-7. In what ways is raising children in faith a form of missions? How does your small group or faith community play a role in the "village" it takes to raise the next generation of fully devoted followers of Jesus?

SUPPLEMENTAL SCRIPTURES

For personal study or additional group exploration:

Theme	Passage
The Great Commission	Matthew 28:18-20
Being Sent	John 20:21
Faith and Action	James 2:14-26
Generosity and Blessing	Malachi 3:10
Praying for the Lost	Romans 10:14-15
Courage to Go	Joshua 1:1-9
Fruit That Lasts	John 15:1-16
The Early Church's Generosity	Acts 2:42-47
Widows, Orphans, and Pure Religion	James 1:27
Raising the Next Generation	Deuteronomy 6:4-9

FACILITATOR NOTES AT A GLANCE

Section	Suggested Time
Icebreaker	5–10 min
Scripture Reading	5–10 min
Discussion Questions	35–45 min
Personal Application	10–15 min
Prayer Focus	5–10 min
Total	60–90 min

If your group runs short on time: Prioritize Questions 4, 7, and 8 from the Discussion section, and Application Questions 1 and 3. These cover the heart of the sermon most directly.

If your group is newer or quieter: Start with the Icebreaker and Question 1, and spend more time there. Don't rush to deeper questions — trust builds conversation, and conversation builds community.

If your group is theologically experienced: Move quickly through the observational questions and spend more time in the Deep Dive section and Application Questions 2 and 4.

This guide was prepared for Life Point Church small groups as part of the Sent series. For questions about small group resources or to connect with a ministry leader, contact your campus directly.

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit — fruit that will last." — John 15:16