CONNECT
If new people have joined your group, take time to introduce yourselves to each other.

Some light-hearted questions to get the conversation rolling:
1. If your life had deleted scenes, what’s one moment that should definitely be cut?
2. You’re forced to accept a lifetime achievement award… today. What do they awkwardly (or hilariously) say you’ve achieved?

OK… time to switch gears.

PRAY TOGETHER
Allow a moment for silence. This is often the most meaningful moment.

Then spend a few minutes asking God to meet each of you personally, right where you are. Pray that He would show you new and beautiful things and lead you further along the path of life. Allow time for everyone to contribute as God leads.

If you read history, you will find that those who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next.
~ C.S. Lewis

STUDY AND DISCUSSION
tips
Resist the urge to get through all the questions. It’s OK if you don’t. That’s not the point. Let the Holy Spirit guide your reflection and discussion. Spend time reading and really thinking about what the Bible is saying.

If your group has eight or more people, it might be helpful to break into circles of four or five for greater participation and deeper discussion. When you come back together, invite each group to share a few takeaways from their conversation.

1. Paul contrasts an earthly tent with a building from God. What do you think he’s trying to communicate through that imagery?

2. What does Paul mean by longing to be clothed in a heavenly dwelling rather than being found naked?

3. In verse 7, Paul says we live by faith, not by sight. In the context of this passage, what do you think that specifically refers to?

4. 2–3 Minute Reflection:
Invite each person to quietly ask, Lord, where am I living by sight instead of faith right now?

Follow with this Gentle Sharing Prompt:
What surfaced for you—and what feels like one small next step toward trust?

5. Have someone read verse 9 twice. What does it mean to please the Lord?

6. Over the last week, one choice I made that was pleasing to the Lord was…

7. From verse 10, how would you describe the difference between fear-based judgment and accountability within relationship?

8. How have your motivations or perspectives on life changed over the last year? What’s an example?

9. Have each person finish this sentence: If I don’t want to waste my life, then maybe it’s time to…

10. How can we as a group help each other live more with an eternal perspective?

11. What does it mean that believers have been raised with Christ?

12. Draw a line down the center of a page, making two columns. On the left, make a list of earthly things Paul mentions in verses 5-9 and on the right, a list of heavenly things based on verses 12-17.

13. What’s one earthly practice or pattern that lingers on in your life? Explain.

14. What’s one heavenly practice or pattern you’d love to be more true of you? Explain.

PERSONAL APPLICATION
After this week’s lesson, what’s one thought, question or takeaway you’re sitting with right now? Pause and ask God what He wants to say to you. Allow time for Him to speak, being sensitive to thoughts that come to mind. Growing often comes by simply making yourself available to God.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY
Memorizing Scripture enables us to carry within us the life-giving, life-shaping words of God at all times in all places. Here’s a verse to memorize based on this week’s teaching:

So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 2 Corinthians 5:9 (NIV)

PRAY
◾ As a group, confess areas where temporary things have taken center stage.
◾ Ask God to help you live for what lasts.

App and the Daily Devotional
Spend time with God with the Daily Devotionals available on the App. You can also find Sunday Message resources and videos, leave prayer requests, give and more.

Why Jesus?
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200.

Additional Study Tools
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.