Cypress Groups

Group Norms

  • Be courageous, compassionate and connected

  • Be a listener

  • Eliminate judgement, advice giving, and interrupting

  • It’s okay to say “pass” on a question

  • Honor time. Time frame is about 45 minutes (give or take 15). Anything more is “meeting after the meeting”.

Resurrecting Hope

Retreat & Return - Sunday, April 27

Announcements:

  • This Sunday is Baptism Weekend & Cypress de Mayo. We’ll have activities for kids and everyone can bring their favorite Mexican dish to share.

  • Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Our youth group will be hosting a car wash on Sunday, May 11 to bless our mothers.

  • The next Men’s Breakfast is Sat. May 10 @ 8:30 am. Take a moment to RSVP by texting FEEDME to (727) 291-4491

Summary:

In this week’s message, Retreat and Return, we explored 1 Peter 5:6–11 and what it looks like to bring Jesus into the center of our anxiety. Peter writes to early Christians living under intense pressure and offers not a quick fix, but a path through anxiety—one grounded in humility, trust, and God’s care. We looked at five practices Peter points us toward: Retreat, Rest, Release, Remember, and Return. These steps form a rhythm that not only mirrors the life of Jesus, but help us cultivate a non-anxious presence in a very anxious world. At the heart of it all is this truth: peace isn’t something we achieve, but someone we receive.

Icebreaker:

What’s something small or quirky that tends to stress you out more than it should? (Like losing your keys, traffic, or running out of coffee?)

Discussion:

  • Eric said, “Anxiety is a signal, not a sin.” Have you ever experienced a moment when anxiety actually helped alert you to something important?

  • What kind of impact does worry or anxiety have on you? Or those around you?

  • Read 1 Peter 5:6-7. Peter encourages us to “humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand” and to “cast all our anxiety on Him because He cares.” What does it look like practically to do both of those things? What makes it difficult?

  • Jesus modeled the rhythm of retreat and return. What are some ways you’ve found helpful to retreat—even briefly—in your weekly or daily routine?

  • Discuss the Five R strategy for dealing with anxiety and worry: Retreat, Rest, Release, Remember, Return

  • Which of the five R’s (Retreat, Rest, Release, Remember, Return) do you sense God inviting you to lean into this week—and what’s one specific step you can take to respond?

  • What’s your take away from this teaching?

Prayer:

As we close, let’s take a moment to name the anxieties or burdens we’ve been carrying—silently or out loud—and invite Jesus into the center of those places.

You can use the breath prayer we learned this week to guide your group’s time:

“Jesus, You care for me… I cast my anxiety on You.”

After some silent reflection or shared prayer, close by asking God to restore each person with strength, peace, and hope.

Resurrecting Hope

Sunday, April 20

Announcements:

  • This Friday night is Under the Patio Lights. Encourage your group to attend together. Bring a picnic dinner or maybe got out together afterwards.

  • Baptism Weekend, May 4 at both services. Is anyone in your group thinking about Baptism?

  • May 4th is also Cypress de Mayo weekend. We’ll have activities for kids and everyone can bring their favorite Mexican dish to share.

Teaching Summary:

In this Easter message titled Overcoming Hopelessness, we look at the story of two disciples walking away from Jerusalem, devastated and confused after Jesus’ crucifixion. Found in Luke 24:13–35, their journey to Emmaus begins in despair but ends with renewed hope as the risen Jesus meets them, walks with them, comforts them with truth, and reveals Himself. This message reminds us that real hope isn’t tied to our desired outcomes, but to what Jesus has already overcome. Even when life feels dark or uncertain, the resurrection assures us that our story isn’t over — because Jesus is alive, and the tomb is still empty.

Icebreaker:

What’s something small that has gone wrong recently that totally threw off your day?

Discussion:

What are some everyday things people tend to tie their hope to? Why do those things often feel so fragile?

Read Luke 24:13-35. In the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, what stands out to you about how Jesus interacts with them in their confusion and despair?

Can you think of a time someone simply showing up made a difference in your life?

Is there a place in your life where hope feels hard to hold onto right now? What would it look like to “leave that in the empty tomb” and begin tying your hope to what Jesus has already overcome?

What was a take away from this teaching?

Prayer:

Invite each person to silently name the situation or burden in their life that feels the most hopeless right now.

Then close with this prayer:

“Jesus, thank You that You meet us right where we are — even in our confusion, grief, or doubt. You see what we’re walking through, and You never walk away. Help us release what’s heavy and painful, and to leave it in the empty tomb with You. Fill us with the kind of hope that doesn’t depend on our circumstances, but on what You’ve already overcome. Make that hope come alive in us again. Amen.”

Everyone is Welcome.

Seriously. Every week at Cypress, Christians and non-Christians, seekers and skeptics, fired-up and burned out all come together in search of answers to life’s great questions. There’s always room for more. We hope to see you soon!