Leader Guide
This week in life group we are exploring another dimension of Worship: sacrifice. In most areas of life, we’re used to investing rather than sacrificing. We invest time in our jobs because we receive a paycheck. We invest money into things like retirement accounts because we expect a future return. Even in relationships, sometimes we give time or effort with the hope that we’ll receive appreciation, respect, or something back. Sacrifice is giving something valuable without expecting a return. It’s choosing to give because someone is worth it, not because it benefits us. That’s part of what makes worship unique. God doesn’t need anything from us, but when we recognize His worth, our response is often to give Him our time, attention, devotion, and trust—even when there’s no immediate benefit to us. As we look into God’s Word, we will see examples of people whose response to God went beyond convenience and comfort.
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 know more and explore. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. What’s something you’ve spent more time, money, or effort on than most people would consider reasonable—simply because you love it? What’s a completely useless skill that you have and are oddly proud of it?
2. Read John 12: 3-8. Why do you think Mary chose to pour out something so valuable instead of offering a simple gesture of honor? What do you think her actions communicated about how she saw Jesus? What might sacrificial devotion to God look like in everyday life today?
Leader: The perfume Mary used was extremely expensive - roughly a year’s wages. From an investment perspective, it made no sense. But sacrifice often doesn’t make sense to people who are thinking in terms of return. Mary wasn’t trying to gain something from Jesus; she was responding to who He was.
3. Read 2 Samuel 6:14-16, 20-22. David celebrates before the Lord with complete freedom and intensity. What do you notice about the difference between David's perspective and Michal’s reaction? Why do you think acts of extravagant sacrifice sometimes make people uncomfortable?
Leader: David wasn’t trying to protect his reputation. He was focused on honoring God. Sacrificial worship often means letting go of control, pride, or the need to appear composed. Over time it’s easy for worship to become familiar, but sacrificial worship invites us to intentionally bring God our best, our attention, our effort, and our hearts.
4. Read Romans 2:29b. Why do you think concern about what others think can sometimes affect how people worship? What might change about our worship if our focus was only on honoring God like David or Mary did?
Leader: This verse reminds us that our goal isn’t the approval of people, but the approval of God. When our focus is on Him, worship becomes less about appearances and more about responding to His goodness. That kind of worship is freeing and helps us grow in a deeper relationship with Him.
Action Step: This week, notice moments where you could move from investment thinking to sacrifice thinking. You might normally give you time, attention, or kindness expecting something in return. Instead, look for a moment to give freely as a response to God’s love for you.
Next group time, come ready to share one small moment where you choose to respond in a meaningful way and how it changed your time in worship.
Optional - Deeper Dive: Read Romans 12:1. If worship is offering our whole lives to God, what part of everyday life do people most often keep for themselves?