Connect

Main Idea:  Are you living under the influence? There’s Good News? We believe in a God who offers power to overcome abuse and freedom from addiction or negative influence.

Introduction:  Last week, we finished Deadly Doors, learning how to close the doors and expose the powers of darkness. Pastor Zac preached on depression and anxiety. This week Pastor spoke about “not being ok” and learning how to bring into the light the healing we need. Under the Influence is not just about drugs and alcohol. We all find ourselves under the influence of something.

Discussion Starter: What is influence? Has something or someone influenced you in a good way? Or in the wrong way?

Grow

Primary Scriptures:  1 Corinthians 6:12-20, 1 Corinthians 15:33, Titus 2:7, Ephesians 5:15-21, James 5:16

Other Scriptures: Ephesians 4:10, Romans 12:10, John 15:12-13, Colossians 3:12-14, Proverbs 13:20, 16:28, 17:9, and 18:24.

Discussion Questions:

1. Read 1 Corinthians 15:33 and Titus 2:7. “Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” Take a friend evaluation. Who is your sphere of influence? Who do you influence? Now evaluate how much Jesus influences your daily life vs. how much your friends and family influence you.
2. Read Ephesians 5:15-21 and James 5:16. For five weeks of Deadly Doors, we laid things at the cross, making way for Jesus to help us overcome. Did you pick anything back up? Or are there things you did not lay at the feet of Jesus that you are now prompted to put down?
3. Read Ephesians 4:10, Romans 12:10, John 15:12-13, Colossians 3:12-14. After reading these verses, how should we treat ourselves and one another? Pastor Chris challenged us to dive into the deep end of the Kingdom of God. Self-care and support for one another are two key pieces of doing this. In what ways do you allow God to be a part of your soul-care? How can you support each other during times of addiction or poor influence?
4. Read Proverbs 13:20, 16:28, 17:9, 18:24. Proverbs is a great book for gaining wisdom and instruction, for understanding how to live in a Godly manner. Sometimes the words are hard to swallow. Read these verses and ask God to examine your heart so that you can grow in wisdom and discernment. We grow closer to God through suffering and pain if we ask for His instruction. Choose one of these verse to memorize and meditate on this week.

Protect

Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into twos or threes for this section.

Pray for one another. Confess anything on your heart and ask God to examine your heart to see if there is anything else you need to lay at the cross. Then, rejoice and celebrate what God has done and will do to free any addiction in your life or the lives in your sphere of influence.