First listen to the sermon (posts Sun. afternoon). Then use the ideas below to help you and your group apply what the Lord is teaching you. Icebreaker idea: If you could pick any person (living or dead) besides Jesus to be more like, who would it be and why?

A way to pray: Pray for each other's growth in holiness, particularly in the areas shared when discussing the Being Transformed question below.

For discussion:

• Treasuring God: In this week's passage, what truths about who God is and what he's done for us do you appreciate most?
• Being Transformed: How is it that God's holiness leads us to holiness? What's one area of my life where I want to experience this transformation more fully?
• Loving Others: What is it about the way God has loved me that I long to reflect in the way I love others? What would that look like practically?
• Pursuing Unity: Why should being "born again" through the gospel unite us in a love for each other far beyond any other characteristic or preference (Husker fan, American, etc.)? Where can I see this happening in my own life?

First listen to the sermon (posts Sun. afternoon). Then use the ideas below to help you and your group apply what the Lord is teaching you. Icebreaker idea: Which kid would you be in The Marshmallow Test? (If you haven't seen the video, you can find it here.) What could the researchers offer instead of marshmallows that would make it too irresistible for you to wait?

A way to pray: Pray for the people brought up in the Loving Others question below.

For discussion:

• Treasuring God: What is the confident hope Christians have about the future? How does this hope strengthen us in times of trial?
• Being Transformed: What does it mean to rejoice even while we're grieved by various trials? How can we do this practically?
• Loving Others: Who in my life needs to know about this strength we can have and to find it in Jesus the way I have?
• Pursuing Unity: When we suffer, how can we remind ourselves and each other of this "good news" that has been so precious to prophets and even angels?

First listen to the sermon (posts Sun. afternoon). Then use the ideas below to help you and your group apply what the Lord is teaching you. Icebreaker idea: What's the farthest away from home you've ever been?

A way to pray: Pray for each other to grow in our ability to live well as elect exiles – to draw people to God by how we live during the time He gives us here.

For discussion:

• Treasuring God: Why is it important to remember that God has known us and loved us since before He even made us?
• Being Transformed: What's one area of my life where the Spirit wants to make me more like Jesus? What step of obedience can I take this week?
• Loving Others: How should our lives as elect exiles be a blessing to the world around us? (i.e. Why are we still here?)
• Pursuing Unity: How does being elect exiles give Christians so much in common, even if we're different from one another in almost every other possible way?

First listen to the sermon (posts Sun. afternoon). Then use the ideas below to help you and your group apply what the Lord is teaching you.

Icebreaker idea: What's one thing you're looking forward to this fall?

A way to pray: Pray that God will bring 2000 people into a growing relationship with him through our ministry by 2022. Ask Him to show you what part He has for you to play, and to give you the boldness to play it.

For discussion:

• Treasuring God: What is the calling that Paul urges us to walk in a manner worthy of? Why is it so special? (See also Eph. 1:3-14, 2:1-22.)
• Being Transformed: What's one way I need to grow up in my Christian walk? What's the first step?
• Loving Others: What is the work of ministry God has for our church right now? What part do I play?
• Pursuing Unity: How do we pursue oneness within the body of Christ? What are some of the obstacles we have to overcome in this pursuit?