ICEBREAKER
What's something you were absolutely convinced you could do yourself, only to discover you REALLY needed help?
Maybe assembling furniture without instructions, fixing something around the house, cutting your own hair, or refusing to ask for directions!
TRANSITION
Throughout our SURVIVOR series, we've learned how Satan attacks different areas of our lives. This week, we discovered another strategy: Convincing us that we can do life WITHOUT God. The enemy doesn't have to convince us to stop believing in God. He just needs us to start living independently of Him.
DISCUSS
READ Romans 1:17
“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’”
The Bible doesn't just tell us to BELIEVE in God. It tells us to LIVE BY FAITH.
1. What's the difference between believing God exists and actually depending on Him every day?
The message reminds us that we can have faith in our abilities, money, relationships, or plans—but eventually, life brings something bigger than we can handle.
2. Why is it so easy to depend on ourselves when things are going well?
3. What usually causes us to recognize our need for God?
READ Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
4. What are some everyday distractions that pull our attention and dependence away from God?
GET PERSONAL:
The message asks a powerful question: “Am I doing life WITHOUT God?”
We can love Jesus, attend church, and still make decisions without seeking Him.
5. What areas of life are we most tempted to handle ourselves instead of depending on God?
READ James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
The message reminds us that “Wisdom is not microwaveable!”
6. Why is waiting on God sometimes harder than stepping out and doing things ourselves?
READ Matthew 14:29–31
“So He said, ‘Come.’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’”
Peter wasn't perfect, but he was willing to STEP OUT OF THE BOAT!
7. What do you think keeps people from taking a step of faith when they sense God leading them?
The message reminds us: “Your faith may be weak, but your Savior is not.”
8. How does knowing Jesus immediately reached out to Peter encourage you when you're struggling with fear, doubt, or uncertainty?
GET PRACTICAL
Faith isn't simply saying, “God, I believe You can.” Faith is saying, “God, I trust You enough to surrender.”
9. What's one area of your life where you need to stop saying “I've got this” and start saying “God, I trust You”?
THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE — STEP OUT OF THE BOAT!
Don't let fear keep you in the boat when Jesus is calling you to step out!
REMEMBER: THE ENEMY WANTS YOU DISTRACTED. JESUS WANTS YOU DEPENDENT.
Faith isn't having all the answers.
Faith isn't controlling every outcome.
Faith isn't knowing what tomorrow holds.
FAITH IS TRUSTING THE ONE WHO DOES!
PRAYER
Ask God to reveal areas where we've been living independently of Him. Pray for the wisdom to wait on His timing, the courage to step out in faith, and the willingness to surrender every area of our lives to Jesus.