Small Group Guide: "The Stones"
Key Takeaways:

1. We are called to remove spiritual hindrances from our lives.
2. We should crave God's Word like a newborn craves milk.
3. We need to embrace our identity as living stones in God's spiritual house.
4. We are to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God.
5. We are to live as God's chosen people, a royal priesthood.

Discussion Questions:

1. Pastor mentioned five spiritual hindrances: malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. Which of these do you find most challenging to remove from your life? Why?
2. How can we develop a stronger craving for God's Word in our daily lives? Share any practices that have helped you grow in this area.
3. What does it mean to you to be a "living stone" in God's spiritual house? How does this identity impact your daily life?
4. The sermon emphasized that our faith should be active, not passive. What are some ways we can actively live out our faith in our communities?
5. How does understanding ourselves as a "royal priesthood" change our perspective on our role in the world?
6. Pastor shared a personal story about Alpha and changing his attitude. Can you share an experience where changing your attitude made a significant difference in your spiritual life?

Practical Applications:

1. Daily Word Challenge: Commit to spending time in God's Word every day this week, even if it's just for 10 minutes. Share your experiences with the group next week.
2. Spiritual Hindrances Inventory: Take some time this week to prayerfully reflect on any spiritual hindrances in your life. Write them down and ask God for help in removing them.
3. Acts of Service: Look for opportunities to offer "spiritual sacrifices" through acts of service in your community. This could be volunteering, helping a neighbor, or supporting a local ministry.
4. Attitude Check: Each morning this week, consciously choose to have a positive, God-focused attitude for the day. Keep a journal of how this impacts your experiences.
5. Identity Affirmations: Write down three affirmations based on your identity in Christ (e.g., "I am a living stone in God's house"). Speak these over yourself daily.

Closing Prayer: Thank God for His Word and ask for His help in applying these truths to our lives. Pray for each other's specific needs and challenges.