We Are Here For Good Group Guide

Discussion Questions

Choose the questions for your group; no pressure to use all of them.

Start Off

• How was your Thanksgiving? What was one moment, conversation, or food that stood out to you?
• Read this week’s DNA Statement: We Are Here For Good - In a divided and complex world, we are known by what we are for, not by what we are against. We love in unexpected ways with surprising generosity as we seek to meet brokenness, need, and injustice with the hope of Jesus. Which words or phrases stand out to you with this DNA statement?
• When you think about people who have been “here for good” in your life, who comes to mind and why?

Reflect on God's Word

• Read Matthew 25:34-40 aloud. What emotions come up for you when you hear Jesus’ words “I was hungry… thirsty… a stranger…”?
• Do you tend to feel inspired, guilty, or overwhelmed by passages like this? Why?
• Take turns reading Esther 4:6-17 aloud. Sometimes our desire to do good is rooted in the unhealthy and inaccurate belief that we have to be the hero. In what ways does Mordecai’s message help Esther (and us) avoid being the hero?

Go Deeper

• Ashlyn described three postures: here for guilt (“I’m not doing enough”), here for me (“I have to be the hero”), and here for good (“I’m invited, not required”). Which one do you most naturally drift toward right now, and what does that posture do to your heart?
• Ashlyn shared a quote from Andy Stanley, “Do for one what you wish you could do for all.” How does that quote impact you?
• What is one group of people, a need, or an issue that deeply stirs your heart, and knowing that you can’t fix everything, what is one small, faithful action you could take for someone?
• Think about your current season or responsibilities. What has God placed in front of you “for such a time as this”, and how could doing something affect your relationship with God?

Share and Pray

• Take some time to share things you are thankful for as well as prayer requests. Consider going around and taking turns to pray out loud for the person on your right.

Verse to meditate on and memorize this week:

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ – Matthew 25:40

Put It into Practice (Between Meetings)

1. Do for one. Identify one concrete, small act of compassion or generosity (ex. pay for a meal, help a family with Christmas gifts, check in on a neighbor, support a foster child, encourage a coworker, serve someone in your home, etc).
2. Name your “hero complex” trigger. Ask: Where do I try to be the fixer? Practice letting God be responsible for the results.
3. Slow down and be interruptible. Ask God each morning: “Who do you want me to notice today?”
4. Pray or fast for someone in need. Like Esther did—before acting, bring the situation to God.
5. Be Here For Good as a group. Consider choosing one shared act of generosity as a group this Advent season (ex. contribute together for Gifts For Good, find a serving opportunity on our website or somewhere else, collect gift cards for single parents, support one group member’s mission or project, etc.)