God Writes the Best Stories
This Week in Lifegroups - Sunday January 25, 2026
Hello Lifegroup Leaders!
This week, in the midst of the ice and snow, we launched our journey through the book of Ephesians by exploring the backstory of how the church at Ephesus began.
The message reminded us that Scripture isn't only ancient history; it's recorded for our instruction and training, to equip us for the good works God has prepared for us and we saw how God continues to write incredible stories through ordinary people who are open to His leading.
The same Holy Spirit who empowered and strengthened the early church wants to fill and strengthen us, and multiply His life through us to the nations.
Here are 4 truths from the message to strengthen your leadership this week:
1. Scripture Is Your Training Ground for What's Ahead
Paul told the Corinthians that the stories of God's people "were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come."
The image in 2 Timothy is powerful: studying Scripture makes you like an artist who's been well trained and is about to create a masterpiece, or an athlete who's been well equipped and is about to compete.
As a Lifegroup leader, every time your group opens God's Word together, you're not just learning information. You're being trained. You're being equipped. You're being prepared for the good works God has already planned for you and your group to walk in.
That's exciting! Approach your discussion this week knowing the Holy Spirit wants to use it to prepare your people for something.
2. The Holy Spirit Wants to Lead You In Your Story
The whole reason Paul ended up in Ephesus was because the Holy Spirit spoke to him and Barnabas during a worship gathering.
Brett Phillips received a word during a church meeting that gave him peace and clarity for his work challenges.
Matt Wolfe received guidance from the Spirit as he prayed to start his work day.
Nathan and Ellen received prophetic confirmation at World Mandate that launched them into missions.
The pattern is consistent: the Holy Spirit speaks to people who are listening, and He leads them into stories they never could have written themselves.
Your Lifegroup gathering this week is an opportunity for people to hear from God. Create space for that. Ask the Spirit what He wants to say to your group.
The next chapter of someone's story might begin this week in your living room.
3. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit Produces Real Fruit
In this message, I shared about my own experience being prayed for by men at a summer camp. I didn't feel anything dramatic in the moment, but afterward, I noticed real change: increased hunger for God's Word, deeper understanding when I studied, a new awareness of God's presence, and a growing love for people.
These are fruits of the Spirit's work.
When Paul encountered those twelve disciples in Ephesus, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. This wasn't just an ecstatic experience; it ignited a deep change in and through them that birthed the church at Ephesus.
If anyone in your group has questions about the baptism of the Holy Spirit, this week's discussion creates a natural opportunity to explore it together.
4. What Happens in Your Group Can Go Deep, Wide and Generational
The gospel impact in Ephesus went "deep" in individual hearts as people burned their magic books and old ways of living, and it went "wide" as the message spread throughout all of Asia Minor. It also went generational. Families were changed, churches planted, the ripple effect lasted for generations.
That same pattern is available to your Lifegroup. When people in your group experience genuine transformation, it doesn't stay contained. Changed lives change families. Changed families change workplaces. Changed workplaces change communities. Your faithful leadership in a Lifegrougroup can have multi-generational impact. The fire that started in Ephesus burned for hundreds of years.
What the Holy Spirit births in your group this week might do the same.
For Ministry:
In 1 Corinthians 12 & 14, the Scriptures describe the gifts of the Spirit at work in the church to reveal Jesus, bring comfort, edification and encouragement to believers, salvation to the lost and glory to God. With that in mind, members of our prophetic community take time each Sunday to seek the Lord for insight into how the Spirit wants to minister and to whom during our services and this week in the life of our church. We often share these words on Sunday morning from the stage, but we also wanted to start sharing them here as well. By no means is this the only thing the Lord is doing in our midst, but we want to be faithful to steward these words, so please consider how they might minister to members of your group this week.
Words for Ministry:
One of our team heard God’s is calling His people to seek Him, abide in Him , rest in Him, trust in Him. He wants to reveal to you/us that He has given to each of His kids everything we need for life and Godliness.
There is a Tracy who longs for companionship. God is your mighty one who saves. He is doing a new thing. Trust Him! He loves you!
Many are seeking approval from those around them, from what they do and/or what they have. The Father wants you to know you already have His approval. That, “as a father has compassion on his children, so He has compassion on us, as He knows [we are weak.] He is saying seek first me and my kingdom ~ then these other things will fall in place.
Someone on the team heard the name John and that he has an injured right knee that’s possibly even messing with his work. The Lord is there with John.
Tools for Your Lifegroup This Week:
1. Discussion Guide: The discussion guide for the sermon is available and ready for your group this week. It includes the sermon summary, key scriptures with full text, and 10 discussion questions to help your group engage deeply with this message.
2. World Mandate: World Mandate is coming up in three weeks! This is a significant moment for our church family to gather, hear from global workers, and renew our commitment to God's purposes around the world. Make sure your group knows about it and encourage them to be part of this gathering.
3. Worship: You can use this playlist from our worship team for worship in Lifegroup. It includes the songs we sing on Sundays!