Week 2 - Surrender
Leader Guide
Are you all in? This week we learn what it looks like to live a surrendered life. Surrender is hard and something we have to do every day, but it makes for the most fulfilling life. Our church is made up of you and me; each of us has an important role to play. God wants to use us, but we must be willing to surrender all we have to Him each day.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. What’s the most valuable possession you have? What would it take for you to let it go?
2. Introduce, learn, celebrate. Read Acts 20:24, Luke 9:23, and John 10:10. What is the mission the Lord gave Paul? Is this mission the same one we have? What is the cost of following Jesus? How would the verse from Luke change if you take out the word “daily?” Does it sound “fun” to follow Jesus, according to this verse? Why is it worth the sacrifice? What makes for an abundant life?
Leader’s Note: We—just like Paul—have been given the mission of sharing the Good News of Jesus. We do that by introducing others to Him. It doesn’t always feel great to follow Jesus. We must let go of many things that used to be big parts of our lives. It goes against culture, but choosing to daily follow Him will give us a truly good, satisfying, and eternal life.
3. Attend a weekly service: Read Acts 2:42-47. What do these verses teach us about the early church? How did the early church use their homes and resources? Why is attending a service in person with the family of God so important?
Leader’s Note: They were devoted to God. They knew that everything they had was from Him, belonged to Him, and that He gave them good things to be used for His glory. The early church used their homes as a place for fellowship and discipleship. They took communion together and ate together. A meal was a great reason for them to have someone over. “Pray before service, come early, stay late, be a part of a serving team. This is how we learn to follow Jesus – to be a part of our church family.” God is present when we gather and worship; we hear His words for our specific church body when we are here. Miracles happen when we gather in His presence!
4. Serve on a ministry team: Read 1 Peter 4:10. To which believers does God give a spiritual gift? What is it to be used for? Are some gifts more significant than others? How can you use your gifts to serve? How does serving bless you and others?
Leader’s Note: God gives all believers at least one spiritual gift when they come to faith in Jesus, to be used for God’s glory and mission. While each gift is different, they are all needed and equally important. You have something to offer. God gave you a gift and He wants to use you. The church needs everyone to use their gift to be a fully functioning body. In serving, you reap the blessing also!
5. Connect in a Life Group: Read 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Galatians 6:2, and Proverbs 27:17. Why do we need reminders to encourage each other? What is the most helpful thing a friend can do?
Leader’s Note: It is a challenge to continually encourage those around you. However, we must keep building one another, urging each other in our walks with Christ. Even when we don’t feel like it, showing up for your Life Group is one way to find encouragement and deep relationships with other believers. We need others around us to sharpen us, teach us, build us up, and help us mature spiritually. We need others to go where God needs us to go.
6. Give generously through tithes and offerings: Read Matthew 6:21 and Proverbs 3:9-10. How can we align our hearts to God, based on the verse in Matthew? Why should the Lord get our best and first? What is the outcome of giving God our best? What should be our motivation behind the giving of our tithes and offerings?
Leader’s Note: When we put our physical treasure (our money and resources) in God’s hands, our hearts will then be aligned to Him, based on this principle. By surrendering our finances, we will see our faith grow. The world says the more money we have, the happier we will be. But giving is a test from God; that’s all. The Scriptural promise is that God will come through in this area, and His provision will further strengthen our faith.
7. Quiet time: Read Luke 22:39,40, Mark 1:35, and Romans 12:12. How did Jesus prioritize His time with God? What did this routine do for the disciples? How will / do you make your quiet time a priority in your day?
Leader’s Note: Taking time with God early in the morning was a usual practice for Jesus. The disciples saw the benefits that He received from His time alone with God and they were able to follow Jesus’ example. You can be an example to those in your home, at work, and your friends by taking a daily personal time with God. Your spiritual walk will be strengthened. When you spend time with God, you hear directly from Him. Make it a priority by scheduling your time with God into your daily routine.
8. Action Step: Will you take time this week to ask God how He wants you to be “all in” at our church? What do you need to surrender? Are you willing to surrender your life to be “all in” with what God’s doing?
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
9. Read 1 Kings 17:10-16. In the story of Elijah and the widow, what would you have done in the widow’s position? In the story, it is easy for the widow to be focused on a handful of flour when God wants to do something so much more. Why is this a great example of giving your “first fruits”? In your life, what is the thing that is hardest to trust God with it?
Leader’s Note: Your first fruits are giving God both your first AND your best. We give first fruits out of faith. The first of our time, money, and stuff. God demands our first fruits because it shows that He is first. It is easy to say, “I trust God,” yet show that you don’t mean it by not following through. But it is impossible to give up your time and resources and not really trust Him.
10. Read Malachi 3:10-11. What does God say He will do if we trust Him with our first fruits? Why does He wait for us to give our first fruits before He blesses us? Was there a time when no matter how much time you put in or how much money you saved, you ended up behind in your bills and responsibilities? Have you ever seen God’s blessings by trusting Him with your first fruits? Is the blessing that God gives us in return always the same as the investment?
Leader’s Note: We are not cursed if we don’t give God our first fruits, but we are also not under His hedge of protection. God is teaching us to trust Him. If He simply blessed us no matter what, we would have no "skin in the game.” God is constantly growing us, and part of that growth is learning to trust God and obey, even when it is extremely difficult! God doesn’t care whether you make six figures or have very little money. Even if you’re on assistance, He wants your first and your best because He wants the first and the best of your heart. He wants the first and best of your focus. He wants the first and best of your passions.
11. Read Genesis 4:3-7, Proverbs 19:3 and Hebrews 11:4. Why was God less pleased with Cain’s gift than with Abel’s gift? Was it the value of animals compared to the value of vegetables? Check out Luke 21:1-4. What does God value above anything else? Have you ever tried to give God the leftovers of your resources? Why does this hurt God?
Leader’s Note: God doesn’t evaluate our gifts by their earthly value, but by how much we value them in our heart. If you have practically no money, yet give your first and best to God, He values that more than someone who gives out of excess, because it was hugely valuable to part with it. It was a sacrifice! If we have very little extra time due to kids and work, but we give it to God and to serving, God finds it valuable, because of the value that time has for us. God desires us above anything else. The reason for our very creation, the reason for the cross, and the reason for every sign and wonder is so that we would be drawn to a trusting, committed relationship with Him.
12. Final Thought: Read Genesis 22:1-14 and Matthew 6:21. With what “first fruit” did Abraham trust God? What did Abraham’s son represent? God also wants our first when it comes to our future, family, dreams, and even our problems. What would it look like to give God the first fruits in your marriage? In your dreams? In other areas? Overall, which areas are you best at giving God your first fruits? In which area(s) do you need to trust God?
Leader’s Note: Isaac represented Abraham’s future and dreams. He was the fruit of the promise. It is easy to measure whether we trust God with our finances and our time, but God wants more than our stuff. He wants our hearts. Often, our time and money are not the most important things to us; rather, it’s our dreams, family, and relationships. God wants the first fruits in those too. Challenge your Life Group to consider where they need to grow in the first fruits concept. Also encourage them in the areas where they already succeed.