OPCC Discipleship Group (Matthew 12: 22-37)

Tips for Leading with Purpose

  • Start with a meal. Use this time to connect, share life’s battles, and take the spiritual and life “temperature” of the group.

  • Encourage balanced participation. Make space for everyone to share, don’t let any one voice dominate.

  • Embrace silence. Don’t rush to fill the quiet; let the Holy Spirit move and give time for responses.

  • Facilitate, don’t teach. Leaders guide discussion but let the Holy Spirit do the teaching.

  • Lead with prayer and expectation. Be a person of prayer during the week, trusting God to work in your group.

  • Stay supported. For guidance, support, or leadership help, reach out anytime at discipleship@overlandpark.cc.

1. Check-In & Prayer (30 min, over a meal)

  • The person who provided the meal prays before eating.

  • Over the meal, ask one deeper spiritual check-in question (rotate weekly):

    • “How have you seen God moving in your life this week?”

    • “Where have you felt personal resistance to God’s leading?”

    • “Where are you gaining or losing ground in the Kingdom?”

    • “How have you experienced God’s grace this week?”

  • Allow open sharing and conversation as you eat.

2. Scripture Deep Dive (45 min)

  • Begin with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to teach the group.

  • Read this week’s passage together (from the provided scripture calendar).

    1. Important: The passage changes each week and can be read by anyone in the group, not just the leader.

  • Guide discussion with two core questions:

    1. “What stood out to you in this passage?”

    2. “How does this scripture push you toward freedom or repentance?”

  • (Optional) Add: “What is God saying to you from this passage?”

3. Application & Prayer (15 min)

  • Silent prayer (2–3 minutes): “What is one step of obedience Jesus wants me to take this week?”

  • Share responses openly with the group.

  • Pray for each other’s courage and faithfulness.

  • Close each week in group prayer for:

    • The church, the upcoming message, and the congregation.

    • Transformation through this scripture in our community.

    • That God would shape us into a city of transformation.