This past weekend, we left the building for Serve Your City—a special weekend where instead of gathering for a typical service, our entire church went out to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the community. Because of that, this week’s Life Group questions are designed to help you reflect on the experience of serving.

WARM UP

1. What’s your favorite way to help others? Examples: Hands-on work, encouraging words, giving, organizing, etc.?

• Additional Thought: People are wired to serve differently—some love action, others love listening. This is a great way to appreciate the diversity of gifts in your group.
• Additional Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10 – “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
• Additional Question: How have you seen God use that style of service in someone’s life before?
• Conversation Caution: Watch out for people downplaying their own contribution or comparing with others. All service matters.
• Group Dynamic Tip: Go around the circle—this is a great low-risk question to get everyone sharing.

2. How did your group’s Serve Your City project go? What was a highlight or memorable moment from it?

• Additional Thought: Let this be celebratory! This is an easy on-ramp for stories of impact, humor, or lessons learned.
• Additional Scripture: Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
• Additional Question: Did anything about the experience surprise you?
• Conversation Caution: Some groups may have had challenging logistics or turnout. Keep tone positive and forward-looking.
• Group Dynamic Tip: If your group had people serving at different locations, consider breaking into smaller groups to reflect and then sharing highlights back.

 

KNOW IT 

Read James 2:14-19 aloud together. These verses come from Jesus’ half-brother, James, a man who didn’t believe in Jesus until after the resurrection. In this passage, James asks a pointed question, “Can faith without action really save a person?”

1.  What’s the problem when faith doesn’t lead to action? James uses examples like ignoring someone in need or claiming belief without doing anything different. What’s he getting at? Why do you think he’s so direct?

• Additional Thought: James writes boldly here because the early church was wrestling with passive belief vs. living faith. He’s not attacking grace—he’s calling for integrity.
• Additional Scripture: Titus 1:16 “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works.”
• Additional Question: What’s a modern example of saying one thing but doing another when it comes to faith?
• Conversation Caution: Avoid letting this turn into a legalism debate. The point is responsive obedience, not works-based salvation.
• Group Dynamic Tip: Assign someone to read James 2:14–19 aloud, then allow 2–3 of your quieter people to respond before opening it to the group.

2. James says, “Even the demons believe—and shudder.” What’s the difference between simply believing in God and living in a way that reflects trust in God?

• Additional Thought: James draws a clear line: true belief always leads to action. Demons have knowledge, but no allegiance or surrender.
• Additional Scripture: Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom…”
• Additional Question: How would you explain the difference to a non-Christian friend?
• Conversation Caution: Someone may question their own faith here. Affirm the process of growth while pointing to fruit over perfection.

3. How did Serve Your City give you a chance to live out or understand this kind of faith in action?

• Additional Thought: This is the “aha” moment—help people connect their experiences with the text.
• Additional Scripture: Galatians 5:6 – “…faith working through love.”
• Conversation Caution: Avoid generalizing. Draw out specific stories or interactions where faith became visible. This is a great way to help people see the good news of Jesus as transformational in a tangible way.
  • Example: We pulled out a ton of weeds at the project, it reminded me of how God pulls out weeds in my own life, and how He is working to make all things new.
• Group Dynamic Tip: Invite each person to share one faith + action takeaway even if it’s short.

 

SHARE IT

1. Was there a moment during your Serve Your City project where you felt the impact of what you were doing? Maybe it was a conversation, an expression of gratitude, or the realization that you were meeting a real need. Did something hit you personally?

• Additional Thought: Sometimes it’s a conversation, other times it’s a simple look or gesture that shows impact. Help the group name it.
• Additional Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:6 – “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.”
• Additional Question: What part of that moment stays with you now?
• Conversation Caution: Don’t make impact equal an emotional high. Quiet faithfulness matters too.

2. Outside of Serve Your City, where in your life do you see faith and action working together—or where do you want to see that more? Is there an area of your life that might need more action to reflect your faith?

• Additional Thought: This is the “what’s next” bridge. Serving isn’t a weekend event—it’s a lifestyle.
• Additional Scripture: Colossians 3:17 – “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
• Additional Question: If Jesus looked at your weekly schedule, what would He say is being invested in His kingdom?
• Conversation Caution: Don’t let this become guilt driven. Invite honest reflection without pressure to perform.
• Group Dynamic Tip: Break into pairs and share answers. Then regroup to name a few common action areas.

 

LIVE IT

1. Serve Your City is one weekend, but serving is the lifelong call of every follower of Jesus. What’s one sustainable way your Life Group could continue living out the “Serve Your City” mindset beyond this weekend—whether monthly, quarterly, or organically throughout the year?

• Additional Thought: Service rhythms work best when they’re habitual. Whether it’s quarterly, spontaneous, or rotating, make it doable.
• Additional Scripture: Hebrews 10:24 “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.”
• Additional Question: What’s one need you’ve seen locally that you think your group could meet?
• Conversation Caution: Avoid unrealistic expectations or piling on too many ideas. Start simple.

2. Is there someone in your life who needs to see God’s love through you before they’re open to hearing about Him? Think about a coworker, neighbor, or friend. What might it look like to love them with no strings attached?

• Additional Thought: Often, people’s hearts open through care, long before conversation. That’s the bridge of trust.
• Additional Scripture: John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
• Additional Question: What would “no-strings-attached love” look like this week?
• Conversation Caution: This could stir grief or frustration if people have tried and seen no result. Keep it hopeful and Spirit-led.
• Group Dynamic Tip: Close the group in prayer pairs, asking each to pray specifically for the person they named.