Icebreaker Question What’s a time when you were asked to do something outside your comfort zone? How did you respond, and what did you learn from it? Read Judges 6:11-24 Questions How does God’s presence in Gideon’s fear-filled context shape your understanding of how God calls and equips His people? Why do you think Gideon questioned God’s past faithfulness (v.13), and how does God’s response in verses 14–16 shape how we should respond in seasons of doubt or discouragement? What does the Lord’s promise in verse 23 reveal about the connection between divine assurance and our capacity to serve? How have God’s promises strengthened you personally in a time of fear or uncertainty? Why is it significant that Gideon’s first response after this encounter is to build an altar and name it “The LORD is Peace” (v.24)? What does that reveal about worship as a response to God’s provision? Next Steps Write out a biblical promise related to peace, presence, or courage. Keep it visible (mirror, dashboard, phone lock screen) to remind you of God’s provision. ...

Icebreaker Question What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever held onto ‘just in case’ —but never used again? Read Romans 8:35-39 Questions What kinds of suffering or hardship might cause someone to question God’s love—and how does Paul confront that fear in this passage? How does Paul’s use of the word “who” (not “what”) in verse 35 change the way we think about separation from Christ’s love? Paul says we are “more than conquerors” through Christ’s love. What do you think that means? How is this different from just surviving hardship? What lies are exposed by the truth that nothing—life or death, angels or rulers, things present or future—can separate you from the love of God in Christ? Next Steps Identify personal fears or lies about God’s love, and write gospel truths from this passage beside each one. ...

Read Romans 8:31-34 Icebreaker What’s something small that gives you a sense of security- like a favorite spot, item, or phrase? Why do you think that brings comfort? Quesions What does Paul mean when he asks, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” How does this truth change the way we see hardship or opposition? How does Paul’s argument in verse 32 deepen our assurance? What does the cross teach us about God’s commitment to us? What does it mean that Jesus is “at the right hand of God…interceding for us”? How does this image provide comfort when we feel guilt or spiritual failure? Why is it difficult to rest in the assurance that God is for us, and what habits help you return to that truth? Prayer Focus Ask the Spirit to reveal any voices of accusation or condemnation you’ve accepted as truth—whether from shame, fear, the enemy, or yourself. Confess them openly and specifically. Then pray Romans 8:33–34 to remind you of your security in Christ. ...

Read: Romans 8:26-27 Questions When you consider the Spirit’s role in helping us in our weakness, how does that reshape your view of what qualifies as a “strong” or “effective” prayer life? Have you ever experienced a time when you didn’t know how to pray or what to pray for? How might this passage help reframe those moments? What do you think it means that the Spirit intercedes “according to the will of God”? How does that truth give you peace when your prayers feel uncertain or incomplete? How might a deeper trust in the Spirit’s help change the way you engage in prayer—both privately and with others? Next Steps Memorize Romans 8:26–27 to remind yourself daily that you are never alone in prayer. ...

March Prayer Meeting Blest Be the Tie That Binds Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Before our Father’s throne we pour our ardent prayers; our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares. We share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear, and often for each other flows the sympathizing tear. ...

Read: Malachi 3:13 – 4:6 Questions Read Psalm 73:1-5. Can you relate to the psalmist? Do you envy prosperity of those who don’t follow God? How does the psalmist in Psalm 73 resolve his envy? How does this relate to the final section of Malachi? Who or what is the “sun of righteousness” in Malachi 4:2? What strikes you about this imagery? Read Mal 4:2. Why are the righteous portrayed as leaping like “calves from the stall”? Next Steps Pray for the lost, who will not rejoice when the sun of righteousness returns. Think of individual people you know who seem not to fear the Lord. Pray that God would use you to point them to Him. Thank God that the sun of righteousness brings healing in his wings, that he rescues us from our sin

Read: Malachi 2:17 – 3:12 Small Group Discussion In 2:17, we read that God is wearied by the people’s words. What does this reveal to us about God? What are ways that we, too, may weary Him with what we say or do? In 3:3, we read of Messiah purifying the sons of Levi—that is, the priests. However, in the New Testament we read that all believers are part of the priesthood (1 Pet 2:4-5, 9-10). We, too, should therefore expect to be purified—have our sins removed. This will be completed when Christ returns, but God is also purifying us now. How have you experienced this in your life? Is it painless? How can we cultivate gratefulness for this process? Read Mal 3:6. Why is it good news that God does not change? Why was it such a big deal that the people were cutting corners on their tithe? See 3:10-12. Next Steps Repent of faithless words, actions. Thank God that we have abundant reasons to trust Him. Commit to speaking truthfully about God and giving generously to show you trust Him

Big Idea: Faithfulness to God is reflected in our worship, leadership, and relationships—especially in marriage. God calls us to honor Him with our actions and guard our hearts from compromise. Icebreaker: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given about relationships, marriage, or commitment? Or, What’s the worst piece of relationship advice you’ve ever heard? Questions Read Malachi 2:1-2. Why is God so serious about honoring His name? Read Malachi 2:5-6. What qualities made Levi a godly leader? Read Malachi 2:8. How can spiritual leaders cause others to stumble? Read Malachi 2:10-11. What does faithfulness to God have to do with how we treat others? Read Malachi 2:14. Why does God call marriage a covenant? Read Malachi 2:15-16. What does it mean to “guard yourselves in your spirit”? Prayer Focus For our worship – That we would honor God with our actions, not just words. For faithfulness – That we would be trustworthy in leadership, relationships, and commitments. For marriages – That God would strengthen and restore marriages in our church. For protection from compromi

Read: Malachi 1 Questions How have you personally experienced God’s love, even when you didn’t deserve it? Next Step: Spend time this week thanking God for specific ways He has shown His love to you. What are some ways people (including ourselves) offer God “half-hearted sacrifices” today? Next Step: Identify one area of your life where you have been offering God less than your best and commit to change this week. Why do you think God desires our sincere devotion rather than empty rituals? Next Step: Be intentional this week about worshiping God with sincerity. Before praying, singing, or serving, take a moment to align your heart with God. In what ways do we sometimes treat worship as a burden rather than a joy? Next Step: Reflect on your attitude toward worship and find one way to make it a joy this week (e.g., prepare ahead for Sunday, listen to worship music, or serve in a new way). What would change in your life if you truly viewed your time, talents, and treasures as offerings to God? Next Step: Make a specific plan to use your time, talents, or treasures in a way that honors God this week. How can we, as a church, encourage one another toward wholehearted worship? Next Step: Reach out to one person in your church this week to encourage them in their walk with God. Prayer Focus: Individually: Pray for God to reveal areas where you need to give Him your best, and ask for a heart of joyful worship. Corporately: Pray that our church would not offer God half-hearted worship but would be a people who honor Him with sincerity and passion. Next Steps Reach out to one person in your church this week to encourage them in their walk with God. ...

Ice Breaker What’s one big decision or moment in your life when you had to rely on someone else’s instructions or guidance? How did it feel to trust them, and did it turn out the way you expected? Big Idea You must trust God even when you don’t want to trust Him. Read: Deuteronomy 1:19-21, 26 Discussion Questions Read 1:26-27: How does fear distort our view of God’s character, and why is this so dangerous? Read 1:28-33: Why is it easier to focus on obstacles than on God’s power? What does this reveal about our faith? Read 1:34-35, 40: How does disobedience show a lack of trust in God, and what are the consequences of disobedience in our lives? Read 1:42-44: Why is presumption (acting without God) so dangerous, and how is it different from genuine faith? Read: 1:30; John 14:1: How does this passage ultimately point us to Christ, and why is He the answer to our failure to trust God? Next Steps Identify one tangible way you can demonstrate trust in God this week by stepping outside your comfort zone. Maybe it’s having a difficult conversation, saying yes to something He’s calling you to, or surrendering control in a specific area of your life. Write it down as a commitment and ask someone in the group to pray for you as you take this step. At the end of the week, reflect on how taking action grew your faith and prepared you to trust Him more in the future. ...