We are Farmers

This Week in Lifegroups - Sunday October 19, 2025

On Sunday in our Revival and Reformation series, Dorothy Abshire taught us from the parable of the sower, that we are all farmers and have the opportunity to sow Kingdom seeds. Marinate on these truths to shape the way you love and lead your Lifegroup this week:

1. Help your group see their workplaces as their primary mission field. Many in your group may feel guilty for not being in "full-time ministry" or may compartmentalize their faith from their work life. This week, help them tear down that wall. Ask them to identify their specific sphere of influence: their workplace, neighborhood, gym, or school. Challenge them to see these places not as secular spaces they endure, but as sacred ground where God has strategically positioned them to represent His Kingdom.

2. Create space for honest conversation about the struggle to represent Christ well. Don't let your group settle for surface-level answers about godly character. Encourage vulnerability by asking: "Where do you find it hardest to show patience, kindness, or self-control?" Help them identify specific situations where they've failed to represent Christ well, then lead them toward practical repentance and renewed commitment.

3. Lower the bar for perfection while raising expectations for faithfulness. Your group may feel paralyzed by evangelism because they think they need to deliver a perfect gospel presentation. Help them embrace the freedom of "seed scattering." Encourage them to pray daily: "God, give me opportunities to scatter seeds today." Then help them identify simple seeds they can sow: words of encouragement, acts of kindness, mentions of God's faithfulness while being ready to share the full Gospel when the Lord opens the door. Make it practical and achievable, not intimidating.

4. Help your group develop eyes to see the different "soils" around them. Guide your group to think about specific people in their lives who represent different soil types: Who needs to hear about God multiple times? Who is a prodigal that needs prayer and compassionate pursuit? Who is a new believer that needs encouragement to grow? This framework will help them move from random evangelism to intentional, Spirit-led engagement with the people God has placed in their path.

5. Challenge your group toward integrated faithfulness, not compartmentalized religion. As you facilitate discussion, resist the temptation to let people treat these three strands (character, excellence, witness) as separate topics. Keep weaving them together. Ask: "How does your work excellence create opportunities for witness?" "How does your character give credibility to your words about Jesus?" Help them see that their most powerful testimony happens when all three work together in their daily lives, not just during "spiritual" moments.

Tools to Sow Seeds in Lifegroup This Week:

1. Organizing Discipleship Groups in Lifegroup - Now is a great time in the Fall to launch discipleship groups in your LIfegroup if you have not already done so. Here is a simple playbook to get started.

2. Fall Prayer and Fasting:

We will be praying and fasting as a church on October 27-29 for revival and reformation in Waco and through all of our spheres of influence. Wednesday the 29th, we will host a prayer rally to conclude the fast from 6-8pm in in the main auditorium. Cast vision this week for your Lifegroup to participate!

3. Lifegroup Discussion Guide:

This Sunday Amine Qourzal will be sharing a testimony of revival and reformation through his service as a mayor and Jimmy will be preaching as we continue to seek a fresh filling from the Holy Spirit to be witnesses in our spheres of influence!

The discussion guide for this week will post here on Sunday after church.

We love you!

Zach Daniel