Small Group Discussion Guide

"A True Friend Leads You to Jesus"

Theme: Friendship, Intercession & Carrying One Another

A Note to Facilitators: Welcome! This guide is designed to help your group have a real, meaningful conversation — not just cover material. You know your group best, so feel free to skip questions, spend more time where the conversation is rich, or adapt the language to fit your group's style. The goal isn't to finish every question. The goal is for people to leave feeling seen, challenged, and connected. You've got this.

OVERVIEW

This week's message explored what it truly means to be a godly friend — and to have one. Drawing from the story of the four friends who carried a paralyzed man through a crowd and lowered him through a roof to reach Jesus (Mark 2), the sermon challenged us to examine the quality and direction of our friendships. A true friend doesn't just show up in good times — they carry you spiritually, intercede for you faithfully, and point you toward Jesus no matter what obstacles stand in the way.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Suggested Total Time: 60–90 minutes Best Group Size: 4–12 people

Quick Section Guide:

SECTION 1 — ICEBREAKER

(5–10 minutes)

Start here to warm up the group and ease into the topic.

Opening Question: Think back to a time when a friend showed up for you in a way you didn't expect — maybe during a hard season, a difficult moment, or when you really needed someone. What did they do, and why did it stick with you?

[Leader Tip]: This question is intentionally light and positive to get people talking and smiling before going deeper. If someone shares something heavy, acknowledge it warmly and let the group know you'll have space to go deeper soon. If the group is quiet, share your own brief story first to model vulnerability.

SECTION 2 — SCRIPTURE READING

(5 minutes)

Read the following passages aloud. You can ask a volunteer to read, or read them yourself.

Primary Passage

Mark 2:1–5, 11–12 (NIV)

"A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'

... 'I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.' He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, 'We have never seen anything like this!'"

Supporting Passages

Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV) "Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'"

Hebrews 10:24–25 (NIV) "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

A Quick Word on Context: The story in Mark 2 takes place early in Jesus' ministry. Word had spread about His healing power, and crowds were so thick that a paralyzed man and his friends couldn't get through the door. Rather than give up, the four friends climbed to the roof, dug through it (rooftops in that culture were flat and made of mud, wood, and thatch — accessible but not easy to break through), and lowered their friend down. Jesus noticed their faith — not just the paralyzed man's — before He healed him. That detail is significant.

SECTION 3 — DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

(30–45 minutes)

Work through as many questions as time allows. Questions are organized from lighter to deeper. Feel free to skip or reorder based on your group.

PART A: What We Noticed

Starting with what the group observed and heard

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

[Leader Tip]: This is a great first question because there's no wrong answer — it simply invites people to share what they remember or what resonated. Don't rush past this one. Sometimes the most important conversation starts right here.

2. In the story from Mark 2, Jesus saw the friends' faith before He healed the paralyzed man. What does that tell us about the power of someone else's faith on our behalf?

Optional follow-up: Have you ever felt like someone else's faith carried you when yours was running low?

PART B: What It Means

Digging into the message and the scriptures

3. The message described a true friend as someone who carries you — not just physically, but spiritually. What does "carrying someone spiritually" actually look like in everyday life? What are some practical examples?

[Leader Tip]: If the group gets stuck, offer a few examples to spark thinking: praying for someone without being asked, sending an encouraging text, speaking truth when someone is about to make a bad decision, or simply showing up. Then let the group build on those.

4. Proverbs 27:17 says "iron sharpens iron." The message pointed out that sharpening isn't always comfortable — it involves friction. How do you think healthy, godly friendships balance encouragement with honest correction? Where does that balance get hard?

5. The message made an interesting point: sometimes the people in our lives who aren't believers will still hold us accountable to who God has called us to be. Have you ever experienced that? What does that tell us about how God works through relationships?

[Leader Tip]: This question can open up rich conversation about God's grace working outside of church walls. It also helps people who have non-Christian friends feel seen — they don't have to choose between their faith and their relationships. Keep the tone curious and non-judgmental here.

6. 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns that "bad company corrupts good character." The message challenged us to honestly evaluate whether our friendships are pulling us toward Jesus or away from Him. What makes that kind of honest self-evaluation so difficult to do?

Optional follow-up: What usually has to happen in your life before you're willing to take a hard look at who you're surrounding yourself with?

PART C: What It Means for Us

Bringing it home

7. The four friends in Mark 2 faced a very real obstacle — a crowd so thick they couldn't get through the door — and they didn't let it stop them. They found another way. What are some "crowds" — obstacles, fears, or excuses — that can keep us from showing up for the people we care about spiritually?

8. The message talked about two kinds of intercession: praying from a distance (when someone doesn't even know you're praying for them) and praying out loud (letting someone know you're standing in their corner). Which one comes more naturally to you, and which one stretches you? Why?

[Leader Tip]: This question often surfaces some really honest sharing about fear of rejection, not knowing what to say, or feeling like prayer "isn't enough." Affirm both forms of intercession as genuinely powerful. If your group is in a season of intercession together, this is a great place to connect the question to that context.

SECTION 4 — PERSONAL APPLICATION

(10–15 minutes)

These questions are for personal reflection. You can invite people to share, but make it clear that they don't have to. Some people may want to sit with these privately.

Take a few quiet moments to think through these questions. You're welcome to share with the group, but you can also keep your reflections personal.

1. Think about the people currently in your inner circle. Are they generally pushing you toward Jesus and your purpose — or in a different direction? What does that honest assessment reveal?

2. Is there someone in your life right now who needs you to be one of their "four friends" — someone who will carry them, pray for them, and refuse to give up on getting them to Jesus? What's one thing you could do for them this week?

3. Are there any friendships or relationships in your life where you've been the one who needed carrying — but you've been too proud, ashamed, or independent to let anyone in? What would it look like to let your guard down a little?

4. Hebrews 10:24–25 calls us to "stir up love and good works" in one another. What's one specific, practical way you could stir that up in someone you're close to this week?

✅ THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

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

• 🙏 Pray daily for one specific person you're "standing in the gap" for this week. Write their name down somewhere you'll see it.
• 📱 Reach out to a friend who may be going through something hard. Let them know you're thinking of them and praying for them — even if it feels awkward.
• 🪞 Do an honest audit of your closest friendships. Ask God to show you clearly whether those relationships are sharpening you or dulling you — and what, if anything, needs to change.
• 💬 Start a conversation with someone in your group about praying for each other more intentionally. Consider exchanging prayer requests this week.

SECTION 5 — PRAYER FOCUS

(5–10 minutes)

Close your time together in prayer. Here are some suggested focuses:

Pray together for...

• 🔵 The people on your hearts — those you're standing in the gap for, whether they know it or not. Lift them by name if you're comfortable.
• 🔵 Courage and humility — to be the kind of friend who carries others spiritually, and to be humble enough to let others carry us when we need it.
• 🔵 Discernment — wisdom to recognize which friendships are building us up and which ones are pulling us off course, and the courage to make changes if needed.
• 🔵 Faith that moves — like the four friends who refused to let a crowd stop them, pray for a faith that finds a way through every obstacle.
• 🔵 Your group — that your friendships with each other would grow deeper, sharper, and more Christ-centered through this season.

Suggested Prayer Format: Open with a brief prayer of gratitude. Invite anyone who wants to pray aloud to do so. Close by praying specifically for the people each group member mentioned during the week's challenge. End with a simple blessing over one another.

SECTION 6 — OPTIONAL DEEP DIVE

(10–15 minutes — use if your group wants to go further)

These questions are for groups that want to dig deeper into the theology and broader biblical themes from the message.

Deep Dive 1: The message referenced the story of the Roman centurion in Matthew 8:5–13, where a soldier intercedes for his servant and Jesus marvels at his faith. Read that passage together if you have time. What similarities do you see between the centurion and the four friends in Mark 2? What does it tell us about how Jesus responds to persistent, faith-filled intercession on behalf of someone else?

Matthew 8:8–10 (NIV): "The centurion replied, 'Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed... When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, 'Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.'"

Deep Dive 2: The message touched on the "whole armor of God" as something we put on not just for ourselves, but so we can fight spiritual battles on behalf of others. Read Ephesians 6:10–18 together. How does the imagery of spiritual armor connect to the idea of intercession and friendship? Which piece of the armor feels most relevant to you right now — and why?

Deep Dive 3: The message described healthy friendship as doing four things: encouraging prayer, supporting purpose, correcting when needed, and celebrating growth. Looking at the friendships modeled in Scripture — David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18), Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1), Paul and Timothy (2 Timothy) — which of these four qualities do you see most clearly in those relationships? Which one do you think is hardest to find in friendships today, and why?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For Personal Study This Week:

• Mark 2:1–12 — The full story of the paralyzed man and his four friends
• Matthew 8:5–13 — The centurion's intercession for his servant
• Ruth 1:15–18 — A picture of loyal, sacrificial friendship
• 1 Samuel 18:1–4 — The covenant friendship of David and Jonathan
• Ephesians 6:10–18 — The armor of God
• James 5:16 — "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective"

FACILITATOR CHECKLIST

Before your group meets, take a few minutes to:

• Read through the full guide and mark the questions you want to prioritize
• Read Mark 2:1–12 on your own and let it sit with you for a bit
• Think of a personal story or example you could share to model openness
• Decide how you'll handle the personal application section (share aloud or keep private)
• Have a way for group members to exchange prayer requests (paper, group text, etc.)
• Pray for your group by name before they arrive

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." — Proverbs 27:17

Guide prepared for Calvary Hawthorne Small Groups | Week of: ____________ Facilitator: ____________ | Group: ____________