THREE THINGS TO KNOW
DON’T MISS THIS. Summer has officially arrived at Ada Bible Church! While your rhythm may change, don’t forget to stay connected to your local church family. From our Women’s Summer Study to monthly events with Ada Bible Young Adults, there is something for everyone this summer. To explore our summer happenings, click HERE.
GROUP VALUES. This week, we wrap up our focus on SERVING. We believe God created, called, and gifted us to serve. Serving is one important avenue through which God builds his church and takes care of his people. As you reflect on the month together, highlight any significant moments from your service. Where did you see God at work in your small group through serving? Did someone take a step toward serving this month? Pray that God will continue to develop a posture of serving in your small group in the future.
GROW AS A LEADER. While summer offers many groups a perfect opportunity to pause and shift rhythms, we must remember the importance of staying connected to God’s Word. We have a few resources we believe are helpful for those looking for an extra way to remain engaged during the summer months. Three resources are the Beyond the Weekend Devotional, Beyond the Weekend Podcast, and the Ada Bible App. Check these out and take Ada Bible Church and God’s Word with you this summer!
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Welcome to the first week of our sermon series, CONFIDENT. We will explore how to have assurance and confidence in our faith. This week, we begin with the foundational question: Why can we trust that our faith in Jesus is real and reliable?
ICEBREAKER
What proven scientific fact or real-world event sounds so crazy that it’s hard to believe it’s actually true? (Think: octopuses have three hearts, or there are more possible chess games than atoms in the observable universe!)
THIS WEEK’S TEXT
Have someone read 1 John 1:1-4 aloud.
What phrases or ideas stand out to you in this passage?
How does John describe his motivation for writing in verses 3-4?
What is the ultimate goal John expresses for his readers?
THIS WEEK’S SERMON
Pastor Aaron started the CONFIDENT sermon series by exploring reasons we can be confident in our faith. As a group, recall some of the sermon’s big ideas and main points.
In a world filled with different religious beliefs, why do you think the claim that “God reached down” rather than us reaching up is significant?
The historical evidence for Jesus has been a foundation for many believers’ confidence throughout church history. How does knowing about the manuscript evidence and non-Christian sources encourage your faith?
What do you make of the disciples’ willingness to die for their testimony about Jesus? How does their commitment affect your confidence in the Gospel?
As you are comfortable, share about the times, whether past or present, that you have wrestled with doubt about your faith in Jesus. How did God meet you in that, or how are you still struggling?
Pastor Aaron encouraged us to invite God to make himself real in our lives. Where are you inviting God to show himself real to you?
Our trust in Jesus’s testimony leads us to fellowship with God. Through a relationship with him, we are offered “joy complete.” When have you experienced this kind of joy, or how can you grow in that kind of complete joy?
What is one step you can take this week to grow in confidence in your faith in Jesus, whether through reading the Bible, praying or moving toward God’s people in his church? Take time to pray over one another as a group about these steps.
WRAP UP
This week, we discussed reasons we can be confident in our faith including how God reached down, how God entered history, the disciples’ testimony and how God is personal. What from this conversation or the sermon encouraged or challenged you the most, and why?