Week of January 25, 2026  – To Be Continued: Firm Foundations

To Be Continued — Week 4: “How Firm Is Your Foundation?”

Primary Text:
1 Corinthians 3:1–11

Supporting Texts:
Philippians 1:3–6
Matthew 7:24–27
1 Peter 2:4–6

Theme: Seasons change. Leaders come and go. Jesus remains the foundation.

Group Goal: Leave confident, hopeful, and committed to being the church—right where you are.

Small Group Study Guide

Icebreaker Questions (Choose 1–2)

  • When plans change unexpectedly (like snow cancelling normal routines), what’s your default reaction: adjust quickly, stress out, or shut down? Why?

  • What’s one “foundation” you’ve relied on in life besides Jesus (approval, control, comfort, routine, a leader, success)?

  • The worship pastor said, “We can be the church even when we’re not gathered.” What’s one simple way you’ve seen that lived out?

3) Read the Scripture Together

Read Aloud:
1 Corinthians 3:1–11

Then read one of these (optional):

4) Discussion Questions (Work through in order)

A. The Big Question:

How firm is your foundation?

In your own words, what does it mean for Jesus to be your foundation—not just a “feature” you add when needed?

The sermon stated:

“If Jesus isn’t your foundation, change feels like destruction. If Jesus is your foundation, change is just restoration.”

Where have you experienced that to be true?

B. “Who do I follow?” (1 Cor. 3:3–4)

Paul says division reveals immaturity: jealousy, quarreling, and “living like people of the world.” What are modern versions of “I follow Paul/I follow Apollos” in church life today?

What’s a healthy way to appreciate leaders without attaching your faith to them?

C. “Am I a part or the point?” (1 Cor. 3:5–9)

Paul says: planting and watering matter, but God makes it grow.

  • Where do you tend to take too much responsibility for outcomes?

  • Where do you tend to take too little responsibility and call it “trusting God”?

  • What’s one area where God might be inviting you to simply do your part—plant or water—without trying to control the results?

D. “Who is Jesus to me?” (1 Cor. 3:10–11)

Paul says we must be “very careful” how we build on the foundation. What does “careful building” look like in everyday life (habits, relationships, priorities)?

The message highlighted grief and love during change. How can a church grieve a transition without losing mission?

E. Hope for the Future (Phil. 1:3–6 )

Paul says, “Every time I think of you, I give thanks.” What is something you’re genuinely thankful for God doing in/through FCC over the years?

How does Philippians 1:6 change the way you view the future of the church—and your own spiritual growth?

5) Dig Deeper Passages (Pick 1–2 for the Group or the Week)

  • Matthew 7:24–27 — Two builders, two foundations. What does Jesus say the storms reveal?

  • Psalm 62:5–8 — God as rock, salvation, refuge. What changes when your refuge is God, not control?

  • Ephesians 2:19–22 — The church built on Christ as cornerstone. How does this shape unity in transitions?

  • 1 Peter 2:4–6 — Jesus the “living stone,” we become living stones too. What does that imply about your role?

  • Acts 2:42–47 — A picture of church life that can happen in homes. What can your group practice this week?

6) Application Steps (Make it Specific)

Choose one personal and one community action step.

Personal (Foundation Check)

  • Name your foundation: Write down one thing you’ve been leaning on besides Jesus (control, comfort, a person, stability, routine). Confess it to God this week.
  • Rebuild a habit: Pick one practice to “build on Jesus” daily for 7 days:
  • 10 minutes in Scripture
  • 5 minutes of silence/prayer

     

  • One act of obedience you’ve delayed

     

Community (Be the Church Where You Are)

  • Neighbor love: Do one practical act of service this week (help a neighbor, shovel snow, meal drop, text encouragement).
  • Plant/Water: Identify one person you can “plant” or “water” with—share your story, invite to church, ask how you can pray, send a verse.

     

Church (Stay Engaged)

  • Commit to presence: Decide now how you’ll stay connected in the transition (attend, serve, give, pray).
  • Pray for leaders: Pray by name for the worship pastor Nick, the elders, interim leadership, and the next lead pastor.

     

7) Closing Prayer (Leader Reads or Group Prays Together)

Jesus, You are our firm foundation.

When plans change and seasons shift, anchor our hearts to You—not to preferences, personalities, or comfort. Forgive us for the ways we’ve treated church like it’s about us, or treated leaders like they’re the point. Teach us to be faithful servants—willing to plant and water—trusting You for the growth.

We pray for Fork Christian Church: protect unity, deepen love, and keep the gospel central. Give wisdom and courage to leaders, and raise up people who will step in and serve. And for each of us, help us build carefully on Christ—through obedience, humility, and trust.

We remember Your body broken and Your blood poured out for us. Thank You for saving us, sustaining us, and finishing the good work You started.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Week of January 18, 2026  – To Be Continued: Best: Following the Holy Spirit

In this week’s message, we explored one of Jesus’ most surprising statements:

“It is best for you that I go away.” (John 16:7)

Though the disciples saw Jesus’ departure as loss, Jesus explained that His leaving would make way for the Holy Spirit—God’s presence living within every believer.

Through John 16 and Acts 13, we saw that:

  • Jesus with us was good, but the Spirit in us is better.
  • The Holy Spirit guides, convicts, empowers, and sends.
  • God’s mission continues when His people stop paddling in their own strength and begin setting their sails to the Spirit’s leading.

The big takeaway:
Our best life begins when our life becomes His life in us—through the Holy Spirit.

Small Group Study Guide

Ice Breaker Questions

  • What’s one area of life where you strongly prefer familiarity over change (food, routines, places, habits, etc.)?
  • Have you ever had a moment where something felt like a loss at first—but later you realized it was actually good for you?
  • When you hear the phrase “following the Holy Spirit,” what emotions come to mind—curiosity, comfort, fear, uncertainty?

READ & DISCUSS: SCRIPTURE

1. Jesus Says “Best” Looks Different Than We Expect

John 16:5–7, 12–14 (NLT)

Discussion Questions

  • Why do you think the disciples struggled with Jesus saying it was “best” that He leave?
  • What does Jesus say the Holy Spirit will do for believers?
  • In what ways might the Spirit’s presence be better than Jesus’ physical presence for the mission of the church?

2. The Holy Spirit Leads Through Community, Not Isolation

Acts 13:1–3 (NLT)

Discussion Questions

  • What stands out about the posture of the church in Antioch before the Spirit speaks?
  • How do worship, prayer, and fasting create space to hear from God?
  • Why is it significant that the Spirit’s call was heard and confirmed together?

3. Obedience to the Spirit Multiplies the Mission

Acts 13:44–49 (NLT)

Discussion Questions

  • How did obedience to the Spirit lead to both opposition and impact?
  • What does this passage teach us about the cost and fruit of Spirit-led obedience?
  • Why do you think God often spreads His message through sending rather than staying?

DIG DEEPER (Optional Scriptures)

Use one or two of these if time allows:

Dig Deeper Question:
What changes when we see the Holy Spirit not as optional—but essential?

APPLICATION — SETTING THE SAIL

Use these questions to move from discussion to action:

  1. Paddle or Sail?
    Where in your life are you relying more on your own effort than on the Spirit’s leading?
  2. Listening Posture
    What practices (prayer, Scripture, silence, fasting) help you better hear the Holy Spirit?
  3. Next Faithful Step
    Is there a nudge, conviction, or prompting you’ve been sensing—but resisting?

Simple Action Steps This Week

  • Pause daily and ask: “Holy Spirit, what are You inviting me into today?”
  • Stay engaged in worship, service, and community rather than pulling back during uncertainty.
  • Encourage unity by speaking hope and trust rather than speculation or fear.

CLOSING PRAYER

God,
Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit—our Advocate, Guide, and Helper.
Forgive us for the times we try to move in our own strength instead of trusting You.
Teach us to listen, to obey, and to set our sails to Your leading.
Give us courage when obedience feels costly and faith when the path feels unclear.
May our lives reflect Your mission, Your power, and Your love.
We trust that what You lead us into is always best.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Week of January 11, 2025  –  To Be Continued: Moses to Joshua

Description:

This week’s message reminded us that while we often resist change, God consistently uses it to accomplish His unchanging purposes.

Through the transition from Moses to Joshua, we saw that:

  • God’s promises never depend on one person

     

  • God leads His people forward through changing seasons

     

  • God calls His people to respond with obedience and courage

     

Joshua 1:8–9 gives us God’s clear instruction in seasons of uncertainty:
 study His Word, meditate on it, obey it—and move forward with strength and courage, not fear.

Small Group Study Guide

Ice Breaker Questions

  • Are you someone who prefers familiarity or enjoys change? Why?
  • What’s a change in your life that initially felt disruptive but later shaped you for the better?
  • When change happens, what’s your first internal response—fear, control, prayer, or avoidance?

Read Together 

Read each passage aloud together, then discuss:

Main Passages:

Primary Text

As you read, listen for:

  • What God promises

     

  • What God commands

     

  • What responsibility belongs to the people

Discussion Questions

God’s Promises Are Bigger Than Any One Person

📖 Deuteronomy 31:2–3

Moses doesn’t cross the Jordan—but God does.

Discuss:

  • Why is it significant that Moses points the people to God instead of himself?

     

  • Where do we sometimes attach our sense of security to people rather than to God?

     

  • How does this passage challenge the way we think about leadership and faith?

     

Key Truth:
 God’s promises move forward—even when people change.

God Leads Forward by Appointing Leaders

📖 Joshua 1:1–5

God personally commissions Joshua.

Discuss:

  • What stands out to you about how God speaks to Joshua?

     

  • Why is it comforting to know that leadership transitions are God-initiated, not accidental?

     

  • How does believing God leads leaders help reduce fear during change?

     

Key Truth:
 God is never absent between seasons—He is always ahead of His people.

God Does His Part — We Are Responsible for Ours

📖 Joshua 1:8–9

God promises His presence.
 Joshua is commanded to respond.

Discuss:

  • Why do you think God emphasizes obedience before success?

     

  • Which part is hardest for you right now: studying Scripture, meditating on it, or obeying it?

     

  • What does it look like to be “strong and courageous” in real, everyday faith?

     

Key Truth:
 We can’t control God’s role—but we are accountable for our response.

Action Steps

Invite each person to choose one or more of the following, rooted directly in Joshua 1:8–9:

1. STUDY

Set aside intentional time this week to read God’s Word—not rushed, not distracted.
 Ask: What does this passage actually say?

2. MEDITATE

Sit with Scripture.
 Repeat it. Reflect on it. Let it shape your thinking.
 Ask: What is God inviting me to believe or change?

3. OBEY

Identify one clear step of obedience God is calling you to take—and take it.
 Obedience doesn’t require full clarity, just faithful response.

4. BE STRONG & COURAGEOUS

Name one fear or discouragement you’ve been carrying.
 Pray boldly:
 “God, help me move forward—not afraid, not discouraged—because You are with me.”

Closing Prayer

God,
 You are faithful in every season.
 When things change around us, You remain the same.
 Teach us to study Your Word,
 meditate on Your truth,
 obey Your direction,
 and move forward with strength and courage.
 Help us not to be afraid or discouraged,
 because You are with us wherever we go.
 In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Week of January 4, 2025  –  To Be Continued: Trust and Obey

Description:

This week, we begin a new series called To Be Continued, rooted in the truth that God’s work does not stop when seasons change. In Acts 20, the Apostle Paul meets with the elders of Ephesus for a final, emotional farewell. He knows he is being led by the Holy Spirit into a difficult and uncertain future, yet he walks forward in obedience and trust.

This passage reminds us that faithfulness—not comfort or visible results—is how God defines success. Paul trusted God’s sovereignty, obeyed His call, and entrusted the church to the Lord rather than to himself.

We are studying this passage in a moment where change is present and emotions are real—but our confidence remains the same: God is still leading His church, and His good work is to be continued.

Small Group Study Guide

Ice Breaker Questions

  • What helps you trust God most when life feels uncertain?
  • When you think about obedience, what makes it hard?
  • What’s one example of a time God used a difficult season to grow your faith?

Read Together 

Read each passage aloud together, then discuss:

Main Passages:

Primary Text

Acts 20:17–32 (NLT)

Discussion Questions

FAITHFUL WHEN PAINFUL

Acts 20:18–19

“I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears…”

Discuss:

  • Why do you think faithfulness often includes hardship and emotion?
  • How does this challenge the idea that God’s will should always feel easy?
  • Where have you seen God grow you through difficulty?

Dig Deeper:

FAITHFUL AND FOCUSED

Acts 20:21

“I have had one message… repent and turn to God and have faith in Jesus.”

Discuss:

  • Paul did many things, but he stayed focused on one message. Why does that matter?
  • What distractions make it hard to keep the main thing the main thing?
  • How does this help us stay grounded during change?

Dig Deeper:

FAITHFUL BY FOLLOWING

Acts 20:22–23

“I am bound by the Spirit to go… I don’t know what awaits me…”

Discuss:

  • What does it mean to follow the Spirit without knowing the outcome?
  • How does Paul’s example shape how we approach big decisions?
  • What role do prayer, Scripture, and godly counsel play in discernment?

Dig Deeper:

FAITHFUL IS PERSONAL – BUT NEVER ISOLATED

Acts 20:24, 32

“My life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me…”

Discuss:

  • Paul’s calling was unique, but the mission stayed the same. What does that mean for us?
  • How does entrusting the church to God (v.32) bring peace?
  • Where might God be inviting you to deeper trust and obedience?

Dig Deeper:

Action Steps

  • Pray: Ask God where He’s inviting you to trust Him more deeply this season.
  • Reflect: Identify one area where fear or uncertainty has held you back from obedience.
  • Seek Counsel: Talk with a trusted believer about a decision you’re discerning.
  • Stay Engaged: Commit to serving, praying, and showing up—especially during transition.

Closing Prayer

God,
Thank You for being faithful in every season.
Help us trust You when we don’t have all the answers,
obey You when the path is hard,
and remain faithful to Your call.

Guard our unity, deepen our trust,
and remind us that the work You began, You will finish.

We entrust ourselves—and this church—to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

GROUP LEADER NOTE: 

This week, emotions may be present—and that’s okay. Our goal is not to avoid them, but to process them through Scripture, prayer, and trust in God’s sovereignty. Let’s keep our focus where Paul keeps his: on Jesus, the gospel, and faithful obedience.