Cypress Groups
Group Norms
Be courageous.
Be compassionate.
Be connected.
Be a cog. (Not a hog nor a log)
Reality Check
Labor Day - Sept 6th
Summary:
There’s what we expect, and then there’s reality—and when the two don’t match, we often wonder what went wrong. Paul’s first few years as a follower of Jesus show us that a real encounter with Jesus really changes us, obedience is sometimes met with opposition, all of us need a Barnabas to walk beside us, and suffering still finds its way into our stories. Following Jesus doesn’t guarantee an easy or trouble-free life, but beneath every challenge is a deeper reality: God meets us with his grace. As Jesus told Paul, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Whatever unexpected realities we face, we can remain faithful and live with confidence that Jesus is enough and his grace will meet us there.
Icebreaker:
What is something you experienced—a movie, restaurant, vacation, purchase, or event—that turned out differently than you expected?
Discussion:
What expectations do people commonly have about what life will be like after they begin following Jesus?
Read Acts 9:19b-30: What did Barnabas do for Paul when the other believers were afraid of him? Who has been a “Barnabas” for you, and what difference did that person make in your life?
Which reality from Paul’s journey connects most with your experience right now: Jesus changes us, obedience can bring opposition, we need others beside us, or suffering still finds its way into our stories? Why?
Where is your current reality different from what you expected, and what would it look like for you to trust that God’s grace is enough in that situation?
Prayer Time Guide:
Invite group members to share where they most need God’s grace right now. Pray for those situations specifically, asking God to help each person recognize his presence, rely on his strength, and remain faithful through whatever reality they are facing.
Something Worth Showing Up For
Personally Invested - August 30th
Summary:
God is always at work in the world, and Jesus modeled what it looks like to recognize that work and join Him in it. The mission of Jesus—reaching people far from God, restoring God’s dream for a broken world, and reproducing that mission in others—now belongs to every Jesus follower. Rather than assuming someone else will do the work, we are invited to make the mission personal by investing our time, talents, and treasure. As we intentionally invest in what God is doing here, near, and far, we don’t simply support the mission from a distance; we partner with God in a life-transforming, world-changing work that also shapes our own hearts.
Icebreaker:
What is a project, cause, or activity you became personally invested in—and what drew you into it?
Discussion:
When you notice an important need, what usually makes you want to get involved, and what might tempt you to think, “Let someone else do it”?
Read John 5:17-19: Jesus looked for where His Father was working and joined Him there. Where do you see God at work in your relationships, church, community, or the wider world?
Which part of the Jesus Mission resonates most with you: reaching people far from God, restoring God’s dream for the world, or reproducing the mission in others? Why?
What is one specific way God may be inviting you to make His mission personal by investing your time, talents, or treasure? What step could you take this week?
Prayer Time Guide:
Ask God to help each person recognize where He is already working, overcome the instinct to leave the mission to someone else, and respond with the courage and generosity to invest personally in His work here, near, and far.
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!
