On your own or with your life group work through this reading plan to apply this weekend’s message to your life. If you haven’t done so yet, listen or watch the Sunday message below.

Life Group Discussion Guide
October 4, 2026

Aligning Our Lives With Jesus

Life Group Discussion Guide • October 4, 2026
1 John 2:5-6, But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.
By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to
walk in the same way in which he walked.

Following Jesus is more than knowing about Him. It is learning to align our lives with Him—how
we think, love, speak, choose, work, rest, serve, forgive, and relate to others.

We don't take next steps to earn God's love. We take next steps because He has already loved
us, and we want our lives to increasingly reflect Jesus.

Wherever you are in your faith journey, there is always another step toward Jesus.

1. SEARCH YOUR LIFE
Read Philippians 3:12–13

Paul knew he had not arrived. Yet he continued pursuing Christ with humility and purpose.

We often ask ourselves, “What do I need to fix?” Instead invite God, “Jesus, because You love
me and I love You, what do You want me to see?”

Following Jesus means being humbly honest about where we are without shame or
comparison. Sometimes aligning with Jesus means releasing the things that compete for our
hearts—approval, control, comfort, achievement, security, fear, or our own definition of success.

Discussion
1. Where do you sense Jesus inviting you to grow?
2. What can compete with Jesus for your attention, trust, or affection?
3. Who is someone you can be honest with about your walk with Christ?

Ask God quietly: “Jesus, what are You showing me?”

2. PRESS FORWARD
Read Philippians 3:14–15

Paul describes the Christian life as pressing forward toward the upward call of God in Christ.
The goal isn't becoming an impressive version of ourselves. The goal is Jesus. Wholehearted,
focussed pursuit of Jesus is a mark of mature followers and their devotion.

Ask the Holy Spirit to birth in you a deep hunger and longing for more of Jesus. Do you have a
burning desire to know God in a greater way than ever before?

“Because Jesus has loved me, what response of love is He inviting from me?”

Discussion
1. When has a small step of obedience made a difference in your life?
2. What tends to make you hesitate to take a next step with Jesus?
3. What would loving Jesus look like in one specific situation you will face this week?

3. BE STEADFAST & FAITHFUL

Read Philippians 3:16

Following Jesus usually isn't one dramatic decision. It is long obedience in a single direction.
We keep returning to Jesus. We practice what we know. We receive grace when we stumble.
We keep moving toward Him.

Spiritual practices don't earn God's love. They help us make room to receive, remember, and
respond to Him. This may include prayer, scripture, worship, community, confession, service,
generosity or rest.

Our standard is Jesus—not someone else's pace, appearance, or level of biblical knowledge.

1. What helps you stay faithful to Jesus when you don't feel especially motivated?
2. Which spiritual practice is helping you stay connected to God right now?
3. Is there a practice you sense God inviting you to begin or renew?
4. How have you defined spiritual maturity and in what areas of your life have you become more
like Jesus?

MY NEXT STEP
Daily Reminder: “I am the kind of person who takes bold next steps toward Jesus.”

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of the commitment we have made to follow Jesus and
we too can obediently take a step to deeper love and commitment to Him.

Complete this sentence: “Jesus, because I love You and You have first loved me, I will
obediently follow you in____________________.”

Write your response somewhere you will see it this week.

PRAY TOGETHER
Pray for obedience, humility, courage to take our next step.
● Our lives would increasingly align with Jesus.
● Our obedience would flow from love rather than performance.
● We would have humility to recognize where God is leading us.
● We would have courage to take our next steps.
● We would help one another keep moving toward Jesus.

The goal isn't simply to talk about following Jesus. It's to become people who are aligned with
Him.