Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be 

Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be 

June 9, 2024

Series: In The Beginning

Jason Cusick

Jason Cusick

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The world seems to be falling apart all around us… and our personal struggles seem worse than ever. This doesn’t seem to be what God intended life to be like. In this second of our four-week series, IN THE BEGINNING, we’ll journey to the ancient Garden of Eden and discover how we are like Adam and Eve – crossing boundaries that lead to destruction, but thankfully, never outside God’s forgiving love.  

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Groups Discussion Guide

To view the Leader Guide for this week, click here.

To view a .docx version of this guide, click here.

 

Introduction

Last week, we began the Story Project where we will be going through the overarching narrative story of the Bible for about a year and a half; to do this we started at the most logical place to do so: the beginning! The Bible’s begins with the story of God creating the world. The main idea we took from this story in order to apply to our lives was that we can celebrate God’s goodness in the Creation story.   

Start this week’s discussion by explaining what action steps you decided to take since last week. How are you doing with them? 

After your time of connecting, begin your meeting with prayer.  

Key Verse for the Week  

*Read this verse, then encourage the practice of memorization through the week. 

Psalm 25:4 

“Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.” 

**When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us. 

Connect  

  • If something you have breaks, would you rather fix it or get a new one? What factors contribute to how much effort you put into this choice? 
  • Are you someone who likes boundaries or someone who likes to cross them? What makes you feel this way?  

Opening Thought  

When we know there are lines of what we should and shouldn’t do and cross them, it can be easy to justify and rationalize our reasons for doing so. While we can sometimes want to believe everything is alright in these situations, we also have an innate understanding that there is something wrong with the situation as well. This is where God tries to meet us to not only see what the results of our actions are but to trust him to move past them. This is one way we learn to follow God better, by moving from sin and shame to his forgiveness and life with him.  

This leads us to our big idea for this week:  

Big idea for the week
Even in this broken world, we can experience a
life-giving connection to God. 

Unpack 

To be able to know the story of God, we have to read the story! This week, we will be unpacking the story of how sin came into the world sequentially. Read each set of verses as a group then discuss the connected questions before moving on.  

**Context: Immediately before the verses you are about to read, God has placed humans in a Garden called Eden where they had everything they needed to live, there was no sin or shame, and they were safe. God said that they can enjoy everything in the garden except for the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  

Read 

Genesis 3:1-6 

Unpack 

  • Why do you think God put boundaries in place around what the man and woman were allowed to do in the garden? 
    • What do you think the serpent is supposed to represent to the reader?  
      • If you feel comfortable sharing, what in your life is the thing that usually tempts you to disobey God? What boundary is hardest to resist for you?

Read 

Genesis 3:7-13 

Unpack 

  • Why did the man and woman hide after eating the fruit? Why is this significant in the story? 
    • Have you had a moment of realization like this in your life? How did this change you?  
  • How often do you take personal responsibility when you have done something wrong? How do you react when you know you’ve done wrong?
    • What do you think God wants us to do in these times? 

Read 

Genesis 3:14-24 

Unpack 

  • How do you feel about the consequences God gave the man, woman, and serpent? Were they too harsh? 
  • Why do you think God gave the man and woman clothing in verse 21?  
    • When was a time you deserved greater consequences for something you did wrong, but were shown compassion and mercy instead? 
  • What does this section of verses show the reader about God and his character? 

Apply 

Based on the verses we just read, there are some things that we can do in response. Take a moment to discuss these questions as a group to decide what your personal action steps for the week can be: 

  • How will you thank God for the good boundaries that God has put in your life this summer? 
  • What is one way that you will try to turn from sin to experience God’s forgiveness this summer? 
  • How will we as a group do our best to hold each other accountable in these action steps?  
  • What is one way we will each be diligent to continue to be a part of learning the story of God during the summer break from life groups? 

Closing 

Read the first section to your group, then read the verse out loud to the group, and finally, move to the Prayer and Verses section: 

Despite our tendency to try to cross the healthy boundaries that God has given to us for our own protection, he still loves us and forgives us when we do. This doesn’t mean God wants it this way; he invites us instead to follow his guidance, choosing him rather than sinning because sin only leads to death and destruction of our bodies, minds, and soul. This week, as you go through each day, choose to accept his goodness, forgiveness, and invitation to life with him. This will allow you to have, as Jesus said in the book of John, “a rich and satisfying life”.  

Prayer and Verses 

Ask for prayer requests and conclude your time with prayer then share the Key Verse for the Week and Daily Devotional Verses with the group. 

Daily Devotional Verses  

Use the S.O.A.P. method to reflect on the verses below. 

Scripture: Read the verses several times. Reading out loud can be helpful as well. 
Observation: What can you see about the scripture you read? 
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do, or feel, based on what you have read? 
Prayer: This is a chance to talk to God about what you have read and ask him for help in living out what you’ve learned. 

Day 1: Colossians 3:2 

Day 2: Proverbs 14:27 

Day 3: Genesis 2 

Day 4: Genesis 3 

Day 5: Genesis 4 

Day 6: Genesis 5 

Key Verse for the Week 

Psalm 25:4 

“Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.” 

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PAUL & HOLLY ZWIERZYNSKI

  • Translating the Bible Support
  • North Carolina

Paul and Holly Zwierzynski serve at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, North Carolina, where they support Bible translation efforts around the world. Paul specializes in solar power and computer networking. He helps missionaries use low-power computers in remote areas and sets up reliable internet connections using tools like satellite and radio links. His work has supported over 180 field sites, allowing translation teams to collaborate across long distances. Holly works in the translation office as a project assistant. She helps develop Old Testament translation guides and reference materials used by Bible translators worldwide. Before moving to North Carolina, Paul and Holly served in Cameroon, where their passion for this work first began.

JERRY & BETH TUCKER

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Southern California

Jerry and Beth help prepare new missionaries for the field by leading orientation, providing training, building teams, and offering mentorship during the first year of overseas service. They serve with Wycliffe, a Bible translation organization, and bring years of experience to this important work. Their work began in 1995 in the Philippines, where they served as dorm parents and teachers. Both Jerry and Beth grew up at Journey of Faith, and the church has been supporting their ministry for 30 years. They remain committed to serving for many years to come.

TOM SHECK

  • Youth Development
  • South Bay

 Tom serves as the South Bay Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His goal is to see lives changed through the influence of athletes and coaches on middle school and high school campuses. FCA focuses on values like integrity, serving, teamwork, and excellence. The ministry equips students and coaches to grow in their faith and lead others by starting small group gatherings on campus, known as “Huddles.” These groups become places of encouragement, leadership, and spiritual growth within the school community.

CODY & LEXI SCRIVENS

  • Meeting Community and Church Needs
  • Dublin, Ireland

 Cody and Lexie are serving in Ireland, partnering with a local church to build relationships and share the message of Jesus. Their work takes place in a culture shaped by both deep religious tradition and growing secularism. Navigating this tension is challenging, especially in light of Ireland’s complex religious history, but they remain committed to reaching people who often feel distant from faith.

BRYAN & JACINDA MARTIN

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Philippines

 The Martin family is planting churches in the Philippines through World Team. One of the key ways they serve is by caring for creation. They work with vulnerable communities that are struggling as natural resources become scarce. By teaching sustainable practices for managing the environment, they help meet practical needs while also creating space to share about God’s design for humanity and introduce people to the Creator.

BARBARA LEE

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • San Diego, CA

Barbara supports missionary families by helping their children access quality education and navigate the many transitions that come with cross-cultural life. She currently leads the Indonesia MK (Missionary Kid) Care and Education Team, providing guidance, resources, and support for families across the region. In late 2025, she will join the U.S.-based MK Care and Education Team, where she will train new missionaries, equip education consultants, offer academic testing, and provide personalized educational help for families preparing to serve.

K & L

  • Starting New Churches
  • Southeast Asia

L and K are working to start churches among ten large, unreached, and unengaged people groups in Southeast Asia. They also lead a growing team that has expanded from 11 to 22 units since the pandemic, increasing their reach and impact in the region.

TIM & ERICKA HARRIS

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Oregon

 Tim and Ericka Harris understand the preparation, training, and lifelong commitment it takes to serve in missions. Their work has included cross-cultural ministry throughout Latin America, including eight years living and serving in Costa Rica with their family. Out of a desire to support those serving in demanding ministry roles, they provide pastoral care to missionaries, pastors, and ministry leaders around the world. Through their R.E.S.T. initiative—Retreat, Encouragement, Safety, and Transformation—they offer spaces for leaders on every major continent to step away, recharge, and return to their work with renewed strength and clarity.

MARK & BRENDA HALL

  • Starting New Churches
  • Guadalajara, Mexico

Mark and Brenda Hall moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2018, where Mark now serves as a teaching pastor at English Fellowship. The church brings together people from different cultures, backgrounds, and denominations, serving both international residents and Mexican nationals living in the city for work. Although their focus is now in Mexico, they remain connected to their previous work in Guatemala, where they spent 18 years investing in the lives of young people. Their move to Guadalajara opens new doors to build relationships, support the local community, and share the message of Jesus in meaningful and relevant ways.

RICH FRAZER

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Nepal and North India

The Fraziers serve with an organization called SOS, which stands for Spiritual Overseers Service International. Rick serves as the president and helps lead the organization’s three core objectives. The first is evangelism, which focuses on spreading the message of Jesus. The second is discipleship, aimed at strengthening the global Church. And the third is compassion, which means meeting the physical and spiritual needs of fellow believers. The Fraziers train Christian leaders and partner with Tabernacle Ministries in Nepal and North India. Through this work, SOS is mentoring more than 100 leaders who are reaching urban migrants with God’s love.

MARK & LISA DENEUI

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • France

 Mark is a Bible teacher focused on the New Testament who trains church leaders and church planters in French-speaking Europe. Lisa teaches English as a Foreign Language and French, using her skills to build relationships and serve the local community while sharing her faith. Together, Mark and Lisa serve with a network of church plants in the city of Strasbourg. They are committed to making Christ’s love known by partnering with the local French church to love their neighbors, share the gospel, and disciple new believers.

D & J

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Southeast Asia

D and J are building relationships with an unreached people group in Southeast Asia. Their hope is to see a new community of believers grow through intentional disciple-making and personal connection.

JOSEPH BRADFORD IV

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Los Angeles, CA

Joseph launched his nonprofit, B.A.R.E. Truth, Inc., in 2018 to serve individuals and families in Los Angeles facing homelessness, food insecurity, and other critical needs. Through mentorship, independent living support, housing assistance, and wellness services, Joseph and his team help people move toward healthier, purpose-filled lives. They also host weekly feeding events on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. B.A.R.E. stands for Balance, Ambition, Respect, and Encouragement.

BILL ANKERBERG

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Estonia

Bill leads a missions movement in the Nordic-Baltic region, focusing especially on Estonia, where fewer than 2% of people identify as Christian. His work includes supporting church planters, developing local leaders, strengthening compassion ministries, and mentoring pastors and missionaries across both the Baltics and Scandinavia. This ministry began in 2008 and continues to grow in reach and impact.

PAT & BETH ANDREWS

  • Bible Translation
  • Arlington, TX

 Pat serves with Seed Company, a subsidiary of Wycliffe Bible Translators, as Director of Field Projects for the Pacific Region and as a Translation Consultant. He helps oversee translation work in more than 60 languages, coordinating efforts across 11 organizations and 28 internships. Many of Pat’s teams are based in remote island communities, which often presents communication and travel challenges. Even so, Pat makes it a priority to visit his project teams and interns each year.

DENNIS & DENISE AHERN

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Washington State

Since 1992, the Aherns have provided counseling and care to missionaries in more than forty countries. They have a deep understanding of the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities that come with full-time ministry. Their commitment to supporting ministry workers led them to open a retreat center in Washington state called Selah Glen, where they host and lead pastoral care retreats. Through this work, the Aherns are able to care for those who spend their lives caring for others.

MIGUEL & MARIA ADAME

  • Church Planting
  • Baja Mexico

Pastor Miguel leads a growing church in Mexicali, Mexico, where he and his family have been serving the community since 2013. Their church runs weekly Bible studies, monthly outreach events, and provides a steady, welcoming presence in the neighborhood. In 2024, they opened a free private Christian elementary school that supports students with special needs or who are considered at-risk. Journey of Faith has partnered with this ministry through more than a dozen short-term mission trips.

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