All the Feels Week 1 – Discussion Guide
Getting Started
Main Idea: Through complete submission and surrender to God, we can refuse to let all the feels have all the power.
Introduction: Emotional immaturity is a sign of spiritual immaturity. Emotions make us feel all over the place, but we can avoid handing over control to our emotions by living in step with the Holy Spirit.
Discussion Starter: Have you ever witnessed a child lose control of their emotions and it was almost funny because of how silly it seemed?
Encounter God
Primary Scriptures: Galatians 5:1, 13-15, 18, 19-26, Ephesians 5:18, Philippians 4:8
Discussion Questions:
- In Church of the Highland’s “Freedom” study, Chris Hodges says, “Feelings follow, choices lead.” In general, are you following your feelings or are you leading with your choices?
- Read Galatians 5:19-21. While many of these “acts of the flesh” may not be an issue for you, which ones are a struggle?
- On the flip side of that, Galatians 5:22-23 shows us the “fruit of the Spirit.” Discuss which fruits you struggle with and which ones are solid. Share with one another wisdom and guidance to improve in struggling areas.
- Read 2 Corinthians 10:5 This verse provides a two-step process for submitting to all the feels. First, when an unredeemed thought and emotion creeps in, take it captive. Then, once it is captive, we can make it obedient to Christ. Discuss a scenario where you were emotional in the last week and how you could have lived this out.
Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Philippians 4:8 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.
Embrace Others
Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into twos or threes for this section.
Embrace Groups typically start and stick together around a shared interest. It stands to reason, that everyone in the group has an emotional attachment to what brought your group together. How do you let God redeem those emotions and be glorified through your common interests?
Engage the World Around Us
Engaging at Faith Promise: What area of service at FP are you emotionally drawn to (Worship, Greeting, Kids, etc.)? If you are not already serving in that area, allow your emotions regarding that service to be redeemed by submitting it to God.
Engaging in Our Community and the World: The same goes for engaging in our community and world. Where are you emotionally drawn in our community and world? Allow you emotions to be matured by redeeming them in the service of God’s Kingdom.
Expand God’s Kingdom
If you are currently leading someone in their spiritual growth, read Philippians 4:8 together, then read God’s Word, pray, and meditate on what it means to think about what is: true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. If you don’t have someone that you aren’t currently pouring into, find someone and go over Philippians 4:8.
Leader’s Notes
ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.
– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.
– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.
– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.
– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through the development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.
