Wk 1 // July 4 & 5
WK 1 // BETTER
July 4 & 5, 2026
Small Group Discussion Guide
SERMON RECAP
Spend a few minutes recapping this week's sermon together.
TAP HERE TO VIEW THE SERMON NOTES.
INTRODUCTION
Today's message reminds us that every person experiences pain, setbacks, and "thorns" in life. The question isn't whether hardship will come, but how we will respond when it does. As followers of Christ, God invites us to become better (not bitter) by trusting Him through every trial.
UNDERSTANDING
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ 2 CORINTHIANS 12:7–10
Jesus never promised an easy life, but He promised His presence and His strength. Instead of viewing hardship as meaningless, Scripture teaches us that God often uses it to shape our character and deepen our dependence on Him.
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ PSALM 40:1–3
Every hardship presents a test. Will we move closer to God or drift farther away? Waiting on Him is rarely easy, but it often becomes the place where He builds our faith and gives us a new testimony to share with others.
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ GALATIANS 6:2
God never intended us to face life's thorns alone. One of His greatest gifts is the church: a community where people encourage, support, pray for, and strengthen one another through every season.
APPLICATION
Following Jesus doesn't eliminate suffering, but it transforms the way we experience it. Every difficulty becomes an opportunity to trust God more deeply, grow spiritually, and point others to His faithfulness.
PRAYER
Lord, help us trust You in every season and see our hardships as opportunities to grow closer to You. Give us the strength to choose faith over fear, hope over bitterness, and to faithfully carry one another's burdens. May our lives reflect Your grace so others can see Your power at work in us. Amen.
July 4 & 5, 2026
Small Group Discussion Guide
SERMON RECAP
Spend a few minutes recapping this week's sermon together.
TAP HERE TO VIEW THE SERMON NOTES.
- What was one takeaway from this week's sermon for you?
- Were there any stories, ideas, or points that stuck out?
- Was there anything that challenged you?
INTRODUCTION
- What is one challenge or hardship you've faced that unexpectedly taught you something valuable?
- When you think of the word "better," what area of your life immediately comes to mind?
- What is one person who has encouraged you through a difficult season, and what made their support so meaningful?
Today's message reminds us that every person experiences pain, setbacks, and "thorns" in life. The question isn't whether hardship will come, but how we will respond when it does. As followers of Christ, God invites us to become better (not bitter) by trusting Him through every trial.
UNDERSTANDING
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ 2 CORINTHIANS 12:7–10
- Why do you think God chose not to remove Paul's "thorn" even after repeated prayers?
- According to this passage, how can weakness become a place where God's strength is displayed?
- What does this passage teach us about God's grace during seasons of suffering?
Jesus never promised an easy life, but He promised His presence and His strength. Instead of viewing hardship as meaningless, Scripture teaches us that God often uses it to shape our character and deepen our dependence on Him.
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ PSALM 40:1–3
- What actions did David take while waiting on God?
- What changes did God bring about after hearing David's cry?
- How can patiently waiting on God strengthen our faith during difficult seasons?
Every hardship presents a test. Will we move closer to God or drift farther away? Waiting on Him is rarely easy, but it often becomes the place where He builds our faith and gives us a new testimony to share with others.
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ GALATIANS 6:2
- Why do you think God calls believers to carry one another's burdens?
- What keeps people from asking for help when they're struggling?
- How does helping someone else reflect the love of Christ?
God never intended us to face life's thorns alone. One of His greatest gifts is the church: a community where people encourage, support, pray for, and strengthen one another through every season.
APPLICATION
- Which "thorn" or challenge in your life is God asking you to view differently this week?
- What is one practical step you can take this week to move closer to God instead of allowing hardship to make you bitter?
- Who can you intentionally encourage or help carry a burden for this week?
Following Jesus doesn't eliminate suffering, but it transforms the way we experience it. Every difficulty becomes an opportunity to trust God more deeply, grow spiritually, and point others to His faithfulness.
PRAYER
Lord, help us trust You in every season and see our hardships as opportunities to grow closer to You. Give us the strength to choose faith over fear, hope over bitterness, and to faithfully carry one another's burdens. May our lives reflect Your grace so others can see Your power at work in us. Amen.