This small group discussion guide draws directly from Jeremy Wood's sermon “Formed, freed, and sent 2025 year recap” so you can keep engaging with the message all week. Read, reflect, and share it with your small group or friends.
YEAR-END KINGDOM FINALE: DISCUSSION GUIDE
OVERVIEW
This sermon reflects on the spiritual journey of Oasis Community Church throughout the past year, highlighting how God has been forming His people through repentance, baptism, identity transformation, spiritual practices, and unity. The pastor emphasizes that God is building His church and preparing believers to be "sent ones" who carry Christ's presence into every area of life.
ICEBREAKER (5-10 minutes)
Looking Back, Looking Forward: Share one significant way you've grown spiritually this past year and one area where you hope to grow in the coming year.
SCRIPTURE READING (5 minutes)
James 1:22-24 "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was."
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."
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (30-45 minutes)
Theme 1: From Hearing to Doing (10 minutes)
The pastor emphasized that "hearing without doing is neutral" and leads to self-deception. What's the difference between merely hearing God's word and actually doing it?
The sermon mentioned that "the devil doesn't care if you go to church or read your Bible as long as you don't apply it to your life." How have you seen this play out in your own spiritual journey or in the church at large?
What barriers often prevent us from moving from being "hearers" to becoming "doers" of God's word?
[Leader Tip: Help the group identify both external obstacles (busyness, distractions) and internal obstacles (fear, comfort zones, unbelief). This question can reveal where people might be stuck.]
Theme 2: Identity Transformation (10 minutes)
The pastor emphasized our identity as "new creations" in Christ. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 again. What does it practically mean that "old things have passed away" and "all things have become new" in your life?
The sermon stated, "We don't fight for our identity. We fight from our identity." What's the difference between these two approaches to Christian living?
[Leader Tip: Help the group understand that fighting FOR identity means trying to earn or prove our worth, while fighting FROM identity means operating from the security of who we already are in Christ.]
The pastor mentioned that "if you know who you are in Christ Jesus... there's no such thing as being offended anymore." Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
Theme 3: Spiritual Formation (10 minutes)
The sermon contrasted unintentional formation (which produces negative fruit) with intentional spiritual formation (which produces the fruit of the Spirit). In what areas of your life have you seen the difference between these two approaches?
The pastor listed several spiritual practices modeled by Jesus: solitude, prayer, scripture, fasting, community, service, generosity, Sabbath, and witness. Which of these practices has been most formative in your spiritual journey? Which one feels most challenging?
The pastor said, "God is not interested in what you can do for Him; He's interested in who you're becoming." How does this statement challenge or encourage your understanding of the Christian life?
[Leader Tip: Some people may struggle with this concept if they've been conditioned to focus on religious performance. Encourage honest reflection about how this perspective might change their approach to spiritual growth.]
Theme 4: Unity and Being Sent (10 minutes)
According to the sermon, "Unity is not a feeling. Unity is not an agreement. Unity is shared submission to Christ." How does this definition of unity differ from how unity is often understood in the church or in society?
The pastor emphasized that we are all "sent ones" with specific mission fields. What do you believe is your current mission field (workplace, school, neighborhood, family, etc.), and what unique challenges do you face there?
PERSONAL APPLICATION (10-15 minutes)
Take a few moments to reflect individually on these questions, then share with the group as you feel comfortable:
What "old things" from 2023 do you need to leave behind as you enter 2024?
Which spiritual practice from the list (solitude, prayer, scripture, fasting, community, service, generosity, Sabbath, witness) do you feel God calling you to develop more intentionally this year?
The pastor asked, "Where is God sending you? What has He been forming in you that others need?" How would you answer these questions?
What is one specific step you can take this week to move from being a "hearer" to a "doer" in response to this message?
PRAYER FOCUS (5-10 minutes)
Break into pairs or groups of three and pray for:
- Freedom from any area where you feel stuck or bound
- Clarity about your identity in Christ
- Commitment to spiritual practices that form Christlikeness
- Unity within your family, our church, and the wider body of Christ
- Courage and wisdom for your specific "mission field"
Close by praying together for Oasis Community Church to grow in unity and effectiveness in the coming year.
OPTIONAL DEEP DIVE (for groups with extra time or interest)
The sermon mentioned breaking "generational bondage" and establishing "generational blessings." What does Scripture teach about generational patterns, and how have you seen God break negative cycles in your family history?
The pastor emphasized the importance of unity among believers and churches. Read John 17:20-23, where Jesus prays for the unity of believers. What specific steps can we take to promote unity within our church and with other churches in our community?
The sermon touched on the concept of an "unshakable kingdom" (Hebrews 12:28) in the midst of a shaking world. What does it practically mean to "receive an unshakable kingdom" when everything around us seems unstable?
THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE
Choose one specific area where God is calling you to move from "hearing" to "doing." Write down your commitment, share it with someone in the group for accountability, and take at least one concrete step in that direction before next week's meeting.
[Leader Notes: This discussion is designed to help people reflect on their spiritual journey over the past year and prepare for growth in the coming year. The questions progress from reflection to application. If your group tends to stay theoretical, push gently toward practical application. If some questions generate particularly deep discussion, feel free to focus there rather than trying to cover everything. The goal is transformation, not just information.]