A weekly guide to carry the conversation beyond Sunday morning.
Icebreaker Question: What’s one word that describes how you felt about 2025, and one word that describes your hopes for 2026?
Leader Tip: This connects to the GrowCard questions from the sermon and helps people ease into the discussion.
Question: What does it mean to you personally to be a “citizen of heaven” rather than just a resident of earth?
Sermon Context: The pastor emphasized that “this earth is our temporary residence” and that God has “dropped it in our heart, plain as day, over and over and over again that we are called to live as citizens of heaven.” He shared the image from Capernaum of houses with added rooms, illustrating how God builds an addition to His house for each of us—He doesn’t want relationship from a distance, but wants us attached to His house.
Leader Tip: Help the group move beyond surface answers. Push gently into what this looks like practically in their daily decisions, relationships, and priorities.
Question: The Cornerstone Project survey revealed that Grow Point “gets the why” and values discipleship, but the practice is weak because people are tired and overcommitted. Can you relate to this? Where do you see this gap in your own life?
Sermon Context: The survey team told the church: “Your church gets the why. They understand the value… The heart is there but the practice is weak… your people are tired. They are stretched over, committed, overdone… their desire is there, which is amazing, but the practicing, it is an area that you could focus on.”
Leader Tip: Create a safe space for honesty. Many people feel guilty about this gap. Acknowledge that recognizing it is the first step toward change. Ask: “What’s one area where you want your practice to match your values in 2026?”
Question: How does the idea of “simplifying” and being “cohesive” as a church family encourage you? What’s one way you could simplify your spiritual life to make room for deeper practice?
Sermon Context: The church is implementing four key words for 2026: Simplicity, Cohesive, Now What (application), and Tell the Story. The pastor explained they’re “not giving you another handout… It’s not a heavy craft, it’s not another event. We’re streamlining.” The church is moving to have all ministries (kids, students, adults) following the same series so families can be “on the same page” and continue conversations together, with text reminders at 5pm on Thursdays during family dinner time.
Leader Tip: Help people see that spiritual growth doesn’t require adding more, but often requires removing distractions and focusing on what matters most.
Question: The pastor said “Jesus is returning” and mentioned that Iran currently has the largest surge of new Christians anywhere in the world. How does remembering Jesus’ return change how you approach your daily life?
Sermon Context: The pastor stated: “Y’all, I can’t remember if this… Jesus is returning. And there is a global stirring… Our days, our days here are temporary. Jesus is returning. I want to live these days as a citizen of heaven.”
Leader Tip: This isn’t about fear or date-setting, but about living with purpose and urgency. Ask: “If you knew Jesus was returning next year, what would you do differently this week?”
Question: The pastor said, “If we don’t tell the story, we’re just a yacht club.” Who is one person God is putting on your heart to share the story of Jesus with in 2026?
Sermon Context: The fourth key word for 2026 is “Tell the Story.” The pastor emphasized: “I have no interest in being a yacht club because I don’t want it to be about what’s happening here. I want to be about going out and telling the story of Jesus Christ… Because Jesus Christ has rescued me. He has set me free. He has put my feet on a firm foundation. And I better go and tell the story.”
Leader Tip: Have people actually name someone (they can share the name or keep it private). Encourage them to pray for that person by name this week. Consider having the group pray together for these specific people.
Question: Looking at Philippians 1:27 – “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ” – what’s one specific way you want to live differently as a citizen of heaven this week?
Sermon Context: This was the key verse of the entire message. The pastor also referenced Philippians 3:20: “But we are citizens of heaven where the Lord Jesus Christ lives, and we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.”
Leader Tip: Help people get specific. Not “I’ll pray more” but “I’ll pray for 10 minutes each morning before checking my phone.” Not “I’ll be nicer” but “I’ll encourage my coworker who’s struggling.”
Reflection: Have each person share their answer to the second GrowCard question: “God, I’m thanking you in faith for __________ in 2026.”
Closing Prayer: Pray over each person’s faith statement. Thank God for what He’s already going to do in 2026. Pray for the group to live as citizens of heaven with one spirit and one purpose.
A weekly practice you can do beyond Sunday morning.
A weekly practice you can do beyond Sunday morning.
