Week of February 1, 2026  – When God Sets the Stage

The Four Acts of Productive Transitions

OPENING PRAYER (5 minutes)

Begin by asking God to open hearts and minds to His work in your lives, especially in the transitions you’re currently facing or will face in the future.

ICEBREAKER (10 minutes)

Question: Share about a significant transition in your life (moving, job change, relationship change, etc.). What made it challenging? What made it easier?

SERMON RECAP (5 minutes)

This sermon explored how God uses transitions to prepare us for new chapters in our lives. Through Joseph’s story, we learned about the four acts of productive transitions:

• Disruption/Discomfort – When God grabs our attention

• Waiting – Embracing the wilderness season

• Transition/Leaving – Trusting God in the unknown

• New Calling/Arriving – Stepping boldly into what’s next

Key Verse: Philippians 3:12b-14

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Act 1: Disruption and Discomfort (15 minutes)

• Joseph experienced extreme disruption when his brothers threw him into a pit and sold him into slavery. What disruptions or discomforts are you currently experiencing in your life?

• The sermon mentioned that we often turn to “knee-jerk sins” when uncomfortable (anger, depression, substances, shopping, etc.). What do you tend to turn to instead of God when life gets uncomfortable?

• How can we recognize when God is using discomfort to get our attention versus when we’re just going through normal life challenges?

• Read Genesis 37:23-28. Joseph’s brothers’ jealousy led to his disruption. Have you ever experienced a major life change caused by someone else’s actions? How did you respond?

Act 2: Waiting – Embrace the Wait (15 minutes)

• The sermon stated, “Waiting really sucks.” Why is waiting so difficult for us, especially in our instant-gratification culture?

• Joseph waited three years before seeing any improvement in his situation. David waited 15 years between his anointing and becoming king. What are you currently waiting for God to do in your life?

• The sermon emphasized that “waiting seasons are not wasted; they are God’s training ground.” What might God be teaching you during your current waiting season?

• Share about a time when you had to wait for something from God. Looking back, what did that waiting period accomplish in your life?

Act 3: Transition/Leaving – Trusting God in the Unknown (15 minutes)

• Read Genesis 39:2-6. Even in slavery, Joseph thrived because “the Lord was with him.” What does it look like practically to trust that God is with us during major transitions?

• The sermon used the phrase “Boldly go where no man has gone before.” What transition is God calling you to make that requires bold faith?

• Productive transitions require releasing comfort zones, old identities, or unhealthy patterns. What might you need to let go of to move forward into what God has for you?

• The pastor shared about transitioning through his wife’s illness and death. How can we support group members who are going through painful transitions?

Act 4: New Calling/Arriving – Step Boldly into the New (15 minutes)

• Read Philippians 3:12b-14. Paul talks about “forgetting the past and looking forward.” What from your past do you need to leave behind to fully embrace what God has next?

• The sermon mentioned that “you can’t stay in the doorway forever; you must step into the room.” Are you currently standing in a doorway, hesitating to fully commit to a new season? What’s holding you back?

• Joseph eventually became second-in-command of Egypt. His painful transitions prepared him for enormous influence. How might your current struggles be preparing you for future ministry or influence?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Write these down or share them on a group chat:

• God uses disruption to get our attention and prepare us for the next chapter

• Waiting seasons are training grounds, not wasted time

• When life shifts, God stays (sermon’s recurring theme)

• Productive transitions require letting go and trusting God

• Every transition is an invitation to deeper trust and Spirit-led mission

PRACTICAL APPLICATION (15 minutes)

Individual Reflection

Take 3-5 minutes of silence for each person to consider:

Three Questions from the Sermon:

• What do I need to leave behind?

• Where is God training me in waiting?

• What new mission must I embrace?

Sharing

Invite group members to share one insight from their reflection (without pressure—allow people to pass if they prefer).

Action Steps

Choose ONE practical step to take this week:

• If you’re in Act 1 (Disruption): Identify your “knee-jerk sin” and choose a godly alternative (prayer, Scripture, calling a friend) to turn to instead.

• If you’re in Act 2 (Waiting): Journal about what God might be teaching you during this season. List three possible lessons or character qualities He’s developing.

• If you’re in Act 3 (Transition): Write down what you need to let go of and share it with one trusted friend for accountability.
• If you’re in Act 4 (New Calling): Take one bold step toward the new thing God is calling you to do. Schedule it on your calendar this week.