A weekly guide to carry the conversation beyond Sunday morning.
Begin by welcoming everyone and opening in prayer. Pray specifically for:
“What’s the longest you’ve ever waited for something important? How did that waiting period change you?”
(This connects to the 1,656 years between Adam and Noah mentioned in the sermon)
Key Points to Highlight:
Key Verse: “So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.” (Genesis 6:22)
Context from Sermon: Pastor Josh said, “We’re all jacked up. Some of us might mask it better than others, but we’re all messed up… How thankful and how good is it of God that we were not born with screens that projected our true thoughts about one another?”
He also emphasized: “Anytime that we veer away and we shy away from the brokenness of humanity, we step away from the meaning of why Jesus came.”
Discussion Question: “The sermon painted a stark picture of humanity’s depravity by Noah’s time—’everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil.’ Why is it important that we don’t minimize our own brokenness? How does acknowledging our need for a Savior change the way we approach God?”
Leader Tip: This can be uncomfortable, but it’s foundational. Help people see that admitting brokenness isn’t about shame—it’s about honesty that leads to grace. Share your own example first to create safety.
Context from Sermon: Pastor Josh highlighted Genesis 6:2 where “the sons of God saw the beautiful women and took any they wanted as their wives.” He said: “There’s no companionship language here. It is ownership language. And we will see humanity reach levels of depravity when women go from companion to object.”
He continued: “God cares deeply about humanity, understanding the value of being a human. And whenever humans act inhumane, that grieves the heart of God.”
Discussion Question: “The sermon pointed out that humanity’s depravity included objectifying people—treating them as possessions rather than companions. Where do you see this happening in our culture today? How can we actively honor the dignity and value of every person we encounter?”
Leader Tip: This applies beyond gender—we objectify people when we use them for our purposes (networking, social status, etc.). Keep this practical and current without being preachy.
Context from Sermon: Pastor Josh described Noah’s relationship with God using the word “intimacy” and acknowledged that many people are squeamish about that word. He said: “Intimacy is closeness. It’s openness. It’s sharing the stuff that we bury in a box and pretend it doesn’t exist. Speaking to fears, speaking to concerns, speaking to insecurities, sharing the most vulnerable aspects of life. Noah did that with God.”
He also noted: “So much of the resistance that people have with God is not God. It’s other people’s pursuit of God that turns you off.”
Discussion Question: “Pastor Josh said Noah ‘walked in close fellowship with God’—a relationship marked by intimacy, not just religious duty. What does intimacy with God look like practically? What barriers keep us from that kind of closeness? Have you seen broken examples of faith that made intimacy with God harder?”
Leader Tip: Be prepared for people to share painful church experiences or family religious dysfunction. Validate their pain while gently pointing them toward what healthy intimacy with God can look like.
Context from Sermon: Pastor Josh emphasized that God waited 1,656 years before the flood, showing His patience. He said: “God, it seems like you put up with them for a long time. That shows that paints a picture of his patience.”
But he also warned: “Let’s not let this… don’t use this as an excuse to continue in doing what you know you shouldn’t be doing. I know I don’t need to run down the roster of things that grieve the heart of God. We know what they are because we have the spirit of God in us.”
Discussion Question: “God waited 1,656 years before the flood—demonstrating incredible patience. How does God’s patience encourage you? At the same time, how do we avoid using God’s patience as an excuse to delay obedience in areas where we know we need to change?”
Leader Tip: Balance grace with truth here. God is patient, but that shouldn’t lead to presumption. Help people identify one specific area where they’ve been delaying obedience.
Context from Sermon: Pastor Josh noted that Noah obeyed God’s command to build the ark even though “up to that point, nobody had ever built a boat.” He said: “I’ll build this structure. I don’t get it. I don’t get it. Until it was the time.”
The sermon emphasized twice: “Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him” (Genesis 6:22) and “Noah did everything as the Lord commanded him” (Genesis 7:5).
Discussion Question: “Noah built an ark even though he didn’t fully understand the plan. When has God asked you to do something that didn’t make sense at the time? How did you respond? What helps you obey when you don’t understand?”
Leader Tip: Share examples of delayed understanding—how sometimes we only see God’s purpose in hindsight. This builds faith for current uncertainties.
Context from Sermon: Pastor Josh made a powerful connection: “The best way that we will remain in God’s covering is to remain in his word, to remain in the path of being a person of prayer, where we die to our own desires, and we establish a rhythm of Sabbathing… Those are micro arks, but we have to be intentional to build those in our life.”
He warned: “Prayer does not happen accidentally. Knowing the word of God does not happen accidentally. And by the way, if Sunday mornings are your only inroad of knowing the word of God, then please start reading your Bibles.”
Discussion Question: “The sermon compared spiritual disciplines to the ark—protected spaces where God keeps us safe. Which of the three rhythms mentioned (daily prayer, screen-free meals, or intentional rest) is most challenging for you? What makes it difficult? How can this group support you in building that rhythm?”
Leader Tip: This connects directly to the GrowCard question. Consider having group members share which rhythm they chose and why. Discuss practical barriers and solutions.
Context from Sermon: Pastor Josh asked everyone to choose one of three rhythms to establish as “protected space with Jesus” and to “protect it this week as if it were a matter of life and death.”
The Three Options:
Group Activity:
Challenge: Pastor Josh said, “If you are negligent on building these into your week, you’re choosing a slow death.” Discuss why spiritual disciplines are truly matters of life and death, not just religious activities.
Prayer Focus:
Closing Statement: “Remember: ‘The Lord shut them in’ (Genesis 7:16). When we position ourselves in God’s covering through obedience and spiritual disciplines, He seals us in His protection. You are covered by the blood of Jesus. There is no room for fear—only curiosity and wonder about what God will do.”
1. Pray for Your Group
2. Personal Preparation
3. Know Your Group
4. Prepare Your Space
On the topic of brokenness (Question #1):
On objectification (Question #2):
On intimacy with God (Question #3):
On obedience without understanding (Question #5):
Consider having your group memorize Psalm 91:1 together:
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Memory Tips:
A weekly practice you can do beyond Sunday morning.
Identify one rhythm or safe place your family can intentionally use this week (meal, prayer, rest, Scripture). Ask: “How does turning to God protect us in our daily life?”
A weekly practice you can do beyond Sunday morning.
Practice: Build a Personal Ark
Choose one rhythm that will act as your ‘ark’—a protected space with God this week.
