Our Playbook for Flourishing

Our Playbook for Flourishing

February 11, 2024

Series: Our Playbook for Flourishing

Jason Cusick

Jason Cusick

Alex Grahmann

Alex Grahmann

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Discover the results of our recent church survey and learn how to grow in your faith and connect with our community. Explore the demographics of our church, the importance of relationships, and our goal of spiritual flourishing. Together, we will learn how to commit to relationship building, turn spiritual problems into clear questions, and explore the Bible to answer those questions. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow in your faith and connect with our community.

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Groups Discussion Guide

To view the Leader Guide, click here.

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

Introduction 

Spend a few minutes discussing with your group how the application from last week went. What specifically is everyone trying to apply and how has practicing that application gone? 

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

Key Verse for the Week 

Read this verse to your group first, then encourage the practice of memorization through the week. 

Hebrews 10:24-25 

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”  

**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  

  • How often do you evaluate how you are doing in your life (spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally)? How can processing how you are doing lead you to better growth?  
    • Which aspect of your life have you done this the most? 
  • How can you observe growth in a person’s life? What does this look like in a person’s relationships? 
    • How much do you want to grow this year? 

Opening Thought  

It can be easy to want to just keep doing life as “normal” and not try to evaluate where we are emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. We often try to think that we don’t need to even, especially when it doesn’t feel like anything is wrong. Unfortunately, however, this can sometimes lead us to being complacent and stagnate our growth. God calls us to not just live life normally, but to flourish with him. To do this, we should be aware of where we are and how we are doing, so we can see where we need to go to flourish with God. We can do this together by following God’s words and being honest with ourselves with how we are following them.  

This leads us to our big idea for the week:  

Big idea for the week
Together we can follow God’s playbook for spiritual flourishing 

Unpack 

Go around your group and have someone read each of the following verses, then discuss the connected questions:  

Read 

Colossians 1:16 

John 1:12 

2 Corinthians 5:17 

1 John 3:2 

Unpack 

  • How do you think God view us?  
    • How often do you see yourself in this way? How does this affect you? 
  • How do these verses help us know how we should view ourselves? When you evaluate how you are doing, why should you consider this?  

Read  

Philippians 2:2 

Ephesians 4:3 

Unpack 

  • How often do you view others as “having the same mind”? How could viewing others in this light foster a desire for relational growth? 
  • How much emphasis do you place on growing in relationships with others?  
    • What factors could hinder you from valuing growing in this area? What factors could help you? 

Read  

Colossians 2:6-7 

Ephesians 2:20-21 

Unpack 

  • The verses in the book of Colossians we read said we should let our “roots” grow in Jesus and our “houses” built on Jesus. What do you think these analogies mean in regard to how we should live with Jesus? 
    • Where are the areas in your spiritual walk with Jesus where you could be better “rooted” in him and have more of a foundation on him? 

Apply 

Take a moment to discuss this section as a group to decide what your action steps for the week can be: 

  • Pastor Alex during the service on Sunday talked about one way we can address places we see as a problem or struggle in our spiritual lives into a question. (i.e instead of “I don’t know how to pray” change it to “How do I pray?”).  
    • What “problem” could you explore as a question in your spiritual life? 
  • How can you be unified as a group to explore all these areas in each other’s lives together? 

Closing 

Read this to your group and then move to the Prayer and Verses section: 

When we follow God’s playbook, we can flourish, and we can (and should!) do this together as the Church of God. To know how to do this, we must remember to evaluate our lives together to see what direction we should go. To put this into action, however, we need to rely on God’s direction and by developing the relationships around us so we can go forward in this effort together. Let’s put this into action together this year as a community of people striving towards following God’s playbook so we can look back later and know that we are in a state of flourishing. 

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, even out loud. 
Observation: What can you observe about the scripture you read? 
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do, or feel, based on what you have read? 
Pray: 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: Romans 12:10 

Day 2: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 

Day 3: Mark 1:17 

Day 4: 1 John 3:11 

Day 5: John 4:24 

Day 6: Proverbs 18:10 

Key Verse for the Week 

Hebrews 10:24-25 

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” 

info@journeyoffaith.com

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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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