Small Group Questions

These questions are designed to foster discussion in small groups at Cedar Valley Church and are related to the sermon on 8/10/25. Click here to watch it on Youtube.

Icebreaker: What does it mean to live in the wilderness, and how can one get out of it? Do you think you can help someone else recognize they're in the wilderness and come out of it, or do they have to figure this out on their own?

Small Group Questions:

  1. How can one prepare for and overcome opposition from the enemy when aiming for the promised land? Now answer this question from the perspective of allowing other Christians to help you? Do you know who your go to person would be if you have an extremely private and sensitive struggle you need help with? How would you deal with someone within the church who said they were a Christian but they were advocating for ideas that would actually harm individuals spiritually rather than help them?

  2. What is the significance of experiencing the presence of God in identifying false religion? What exactly are you gaining from God when you are living in His presence?

  3. How can the James 4:7-8 formula be applied to one's daily life to stay out of the wilderness? Do you think you could use this formula to help another Christian walkthrough a difficult time in their life? Describe the process. The James 4:7-8 formula requires the code 24 7 365. Does this seem overwhelming to have to be spirit focused rather than soul focused for the majority of your life? Ephesians 5: 18-20 says "18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." How does this verse relate to the discussion centered on question four?

  4. What are the dangers of accepting a diluted religion? What do you think diluted Christianity looks like?

  5. How can the surplus of zoe life received in God's presence be shared with others? 

  6. How would you describe the difference between trying to gain life by using your soul , compared to trying to gain zoe life by using your spirit?