Icon | Week 1

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

1. Have you ever pursued winning at all costs and seen it lead to negative consequences? How might choosing to lose have changed the outcome? Have you ever intentionally let someone else “win” for the sake of humility or peace? What was the result?

2. Where do you strive? Where do you catch yourself competing and comparing—internally or externally?

3. What are your go-to coping mechanisms for disappointment, discontentment, and never-enough-ness?

4. What does it mean to deny yourself in today’s world? Can you think of a recent situation where you felt the tension between self-interest and following Jesus?

5. Why do you think following Jesus often requires us to move in the “opposite direction” of culture? What are some specific areas where you see this contrast in your life or in the world around you?

6. Jesus calls us to take up our cross daily. What are some practical ways we can live this out in our daily lives, even in small, everyday conflicts?

7. The closing prayer asked for the wisdom to know what to do and the courage to do it. What is one area in your life where you need supernatural strength to live out the way of the cross? How can our group support each other in this?

8. Spend a few minutes this week meditating on this statement: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)