Selfless – Grateful In The Grind
Week 1 notes download
Small Group Time:
Talking through the message during the week helps you and your group turn what God is saying to you into action
steps. Begin with key questions, add any optional Scriptures and questions if needed, and then wrap up by deciding on
your next steps.
Main Idea:
We constantly make decisions about who we want to be. We make resolutions; we set goals. Often, these goals are
focused on ourselves. Losing weight, saving money —even the best goals are often inherently self-centered. Christ did
not call us to live that way. To live the life God has for us, we must be willing to reject our own comfort for the good of
others. It’s not easy, and it sure isn’t comfortable. But when we start living a generous life, God can do so much more.
Key Questions:
1. What are some things you are really looking forward to in the coming days, weeks, and months?
2. Ben talked about living with the “around the corner” mentality in his life. So often, we get caught just waiting
for the next thing around the corner to happen, and once it does, we believe we’ll finally be happy. What are
some ways you’ve done that in your own life (marriage, family, job, etc.)?
3. In the middle of the grind, it becomes so easy to forget about everything we have. What are some things in
your life that it is so easy to forget to be thankful for when life feels like a grind?
4. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:18. How does gratitude change our perspective? How does it change our generosity?
5. Read 1 Corinthians 15:9-10. What do you think Paul is saying in this passage?
6. Ben mentioned three things that are enemies to our generosity: the pillow (comfort), the shiny thing
(distraction), and the towel (quitting). Which do you fight most?
7. What good things are you tempted to quit? One of the things Ben talked about was the difference between
passion & purpose. We constantly want to follow our passions, but oftentimes, our passions seem like they keep
changing. When we follow our selfish passion, purpose never follows. But when we follow God’s selfless purpose
for our lives, passion always follows. How can you let God’s purpose for you create passion?
Next Steps:
• What’s one thing you will do this week as a result of something you learned from this message?
• Identify some areas of your life where you want to be more generous. What would it take to get there?
