Ever wonder why life feels so hard when you’re trying to follow Jesus? What if the disruptions, challenges, and painful moments aren’t random—but actually part of God’s design to transform you? Discover how the trials you face are refining something precious within you that can’t be produced any other way.
Ever wonder why life feels so hard when you’re trying to follow Jesus? What if the disruptions, challenges, and painful moments aren’t random—but actually part of God’s design to transform you? Discover how the trials you face are refining something precious within you that can’t be produced any other way.
A weekly guide to carry the conversation beyond Sunday morning.
Icebreaker Question: What’s one thing that seemed really hard at the time but looking back, you can see how it shaped you for the better?
This week’s message explored how God uses trials, disruptions, and challenges to refine us and produce His DNA within us. Pastor Josh reminded us that “pressure doesn’t change you, it reveals you” and that the difficulties we face aren’t random—they’re part of God’s sovereign purpose to transform us into who He created us to be.
Key Scripture: Read 1 Peter 1:6-9 together.
Context from sermon: Pastor Josh said, “Suffering that we go through is of divine necessity… The suffering that we go through serves God’s sovereign purposes somehow. And if you want to have an attitude towards the disruptions in life, then in some way, shape or form, you are giving an attitude to God’s divine purposes.”
Discussion Question: How does viewing trials as having “divine necessity” change the way you respond to difficulties? What’s the difference between accepting suffering as random versus seeing it as part of God’s refining process?
Leader Tip: Help the group distinguish between fatalism (“everything bad just happens”) and faith (“God can use this for His purposes”). Encourage honest responses—some may struggle with this concept.
Context from sermon: Pastor Josh shared: “Family can often be the crucible that you are in because family knows you best, family sees more of you than anyone else. And family can often bring out of you parts of you that you didn’t even know were in there. And so in addition to that, so also is belonging to the body of Christ.”
Discussion Question: Can you share an example (without naming names if it’s sensitive) of how a difficult relationship—whether family or church—has revealed something in you that needed refining? How did you respond, and what did you learn?
Leader Tip: This can get vulnerable quickly. Set the tone by sharing first if appropriate. Remind the group of confidentiality. Watch for people who might be in toxic situations—affirm that while God uses relationships to refine us, abuse is never acceptable.
Context from sermon: Referencing Luke 8:13 and the parable of the sower, Pastor Josh said: “I’ve seen people so hungry to invite Jesus into their heart. And then not long after that prayer of salvation, some massive disruption in their life… And I’ve seen individuals, I’ve seen in their eyes where it just faith dwindles, faith withers because their roots are shallow.”
Discussion Question: What’s the difference between someone whose faith withers in trials versus someone whose faith deepens? What practices or beliefs help us develop deeper roots?
Leader Tip: Guide the conversation toward practical spiritual disciplines (prayer, Scripture, community, worship) that deepen roots. Avoid judgment toward those who’ve walked away—instead, focus on what helps us stay anchored.
Context from sermon: Pastor Josh described the pattern of trusting God in chaos: “I don’t get it. But I trust… I didn’t ask for this… Nonetheless, I trust you. I don’t trust them right now, but I trust you. I don’t know who to trust right now, but I trust you. I don’t even trust my own thoughts, but I trust you.”
Discussion Question: Have you ever been in a season where all you could do was say, “I don’t understand, but I trust You”? What was that like? How did God meet you in that place?
Leader Tip: This may bring up current struggles. Be prepared to pray for people in the midst of trials. Remind the group that it’s okay to not have all the answers—that’s what faith is.
Context from sermon: “Really what a temptation is, is not taking God at His word, going all the way back to the garden… Did God really say? At that moment, that is where the temptation was. Did God really say? The moment we begin playing out, did God really, is God really with me? Is God really leading and guiding me?”
Discussion Question: When you’re in the middle of a trial, what are the “shortcuts” you’re most tempted to take instead of trusting God’s timing and process? (Examples: controlling the situation, avoiding the pain, making decisions based on fear, etc.)
Leader Tip: Help people identify their specific patterns. Some people control, some avoid, some numb, some rush ahead. Self-awareness is the first step to change.
Context from sermon: “Our faith is more valuable than any material thing that we can lay our hands on… You can lose everything. You can lose every friendship, you can lose every dollar that you have to your name, you can lose everything. Y’all believe it. You can lose everything. But if you have faith, you have all you need.”
Discussion Question: Do you truly believe that faith is more valuable than anything else? What would it look like to live as if that were true? What might need to change in your priorities or perspective?
Leader Tip: This can challenge materialism and comfort-seeking. Be gentle but honest. Help people think practically about what they’re building their life on.
Context from sermon: “The next time that that moment comes up, the practice is going to be just a pause for five to 10 seconds… And in that time of pausing, you’re just asking yourself the question, what does my new DNA do here? And then in that moment purposefully respond differently.”
Discussion Question: Think about your typical response to disruptions (anger, control, withdrawal, anxiety, etc.). What would it look like for your “new DNA in Christ” to respond differently? What specific situation this week can you practice this pause?
Leader Tip: Make this practical and specific. Have people identify one situation they’ll likely face this week and role-play or talk through how they might respond differently. Consider having accountability partners check in during the week.
Personal Reflection:
Closing Prayer Focus:
A weekly practice you can do beyond Sunday morning.
Talk about a challenge you’ve faced and what it revealed about your faith. Ask: “How can we trust God when life feels hard?”
A weekly practice you can do beyond Sunday morning.
Let the Heat Reveal You
The Challenge: When pressure hits this week, pause instead of reacting — and choose a Kingdom response.
Concrete Action:
