Cypress Groups
Group Norms
Be courageous.
Be compassionate.
Be connected.
Be a cog. (Not a hog nor a log)
Loving Well
Others-First Love - March 22
Summary:
This week’s message, Others-First Love, focused on how humility is the key to healthy, life-giving relationships. We often approach conflict and conversations with two underlying assumptions—I’m right and I have rights—which can lead us to prioritize winning over understanding and protecting ourselves over loving others. In Philippians 2:3–8, Paul calls us to a different way: to let go of selfish ambition and choose humility by putting others first, just as Jesus did. Rather than clinging to His rights, Jesus laid them down to serve and love us, even to the point of death on a cross. In the same way, loving well means releasing our grip on being right and our sense of entitlement, and instead asking, “What do others need from me today?” This kind of selfless love doesn’t come naturally—it’s formed in us as we follow Jesus and allow His Spirit to shape our hearts, leading us to deeper, stronger, and more meaningful relationships.
Icebreaker:
What’s a small, everyday inconvenience that tends to annoy you more than it probably should?
Discussion:
When you think about the two mindsets—“I’m right” and “I have rights”—which one do you tend to default to more in your relationships?
Read Philippians 2:3-8: Paul says to “value others above yourselves” and to have the same mindset as Jesus—what stands out to you most about that, and why do you think it’s so difficult to live out?
Can you think of a time when someone put you first in a small but meaningful way? How did that impact you?
What’s one relationship or situation in your life right now where you may need to “loosen your grip” on being right or holding onto your rights—and what would it look like to take a step toward others-first love this week?
What’s one of your take aways from the teaching?
Prayer:
Take a few minutes to pray for one another, asking God to form the humility of Jesus in your hearts. Pray for specific relationships where it’s hard to let go of being right or holding onto your rights, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you love others with a selfless, others-first love this week.
Loving Well
The More Excellent Way - March 15
Summary:
In the message, Justin reminded us that the Christian life is not primarily about religious activity, spiritual gifts, or even doing good works. At its core, Christianity is about love flowing from a transformed heart.
Justin explained that the fall distorted humanity by replacing God’s image with self-centered living. Instead of living to love others, we naturally live for ourselves — protecting ourselves, promoting ourselves, and defending ourselves. But Jesus came not only to forgive sin, but to restore the image of God in us. As that restoration happens, we become free from living for ourselves and begin living for God and for others.
This is why Paul calls love “the more excellent way.” You can have gifts, knowledge, faith, generosity, and sacrifice — but without love, Scripture says it counts for nothing. The real question becomes: Will God's love flow through us, or will it stop with us?
Discussion:
Justin shared that the goal of the Christian life is love, not just knowledge or good works. Where do you personally find it easiest to focus on doing Christian things rather than growing in love?
The message talked about the difference between living for ourselves and living free from ourselves. What are some ways self-centeredness can quietly show up in our daily lives without us realizing it?
Justin said that when we are free from living for ourselves, we become free to love difficult people. Think about a challenging relationship in your life. How might viewing that person through compassion instead of offense change the way you respond to them?
The message ended with this question: Will God's love flow through me, or will it stop with me? What is one practical way you could intentionally let God’s love flow through you this week?
What is one take away from the teaching this week?
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!
