The Secret Life

The Secret Life

January 21, 2024

Series: Right Side Up

Alex Grahmann

Alex Grahmann

Audio Download

Listen to Messages

Sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking that if what happens in our lives doesn’t get recognition, doesn’t get likes, doesn’t get people’s attention, then it isn’t valuable.  But in God’s view of life, our most important connection – the one that we have with him – thrives in secrecy.  Why is that?  What’s the benefit of developing a healthy personal relationship with God?  How can we become more intimately connected to Him this year?

Watch Full Service

Group Discussion Guide

To view the Leader Guide for this guide, click here.
To view a .docx version of this guide, click here.

Introduction 

Take a few minutes to chat as a group! What were some highs and lows of your week? How has the application from last week’s group been going for everyone? 

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. 

Galatians 5:25 

“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” 

**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 private of a person are you? Which aspects of your life do you typically want to be less public? 
  • How often are your actions driven by a desire to be acknowledged by others? Why do you think you live this way? 
  • How do you typically evaluate how strong someone’s relationship with others is? What is the benefit to carving out intentional alone time with valued relationships?  

Opening Thought  

Our world looks more different now than it ever has when it comes to connection and interactivity. There are so many options to see, speak, and experience time with other people and their lives that we don’t need to worry about distance or time separating us from most everyone in the world. Unfortunately, with all these options, we tend to have less quiet time by ourselves. We might have time alone, but this doesn’t mean it’s quiet or even genuinely restful. This can influence our relationship with God as well. If we look at the life of Jesus, there were many times when he would have solitary times praying with God. Jesus knew that time alone with God is crucial to relationship with him. 

This leads us to our big idea for this week:  

Big idea for the week
In an all-too public world, we should double-down
on our private relationship with God. 

Unpack 

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

Read

Matthew 6:1 

Mark 6:31-32 

Unpack

  • Why do you think Jesus placed so much emphasis on solitude? Why is this important when it comes to how you spend your time with God? 
  • Why do you think external spiritualism is commonly seen as the best way for evaluating how faithful someone is to God? How necessary do you think external expressions of faith are? 

This next two sections show how those faithful to God understood the importance of solitary time with God. The first section is from one of the historical books of the Bible called “2 Kings” and describes how one of God’s prophets Elisha goes with his servant to bring a woman’s son back to life. Pay attention to how they act in their first moments of seeing the child. 

Read

2 Kings 4:32-33 

Unpack

  • What did Elisha do when he saw the child on his bed? Why do you think he did this first and why do you think it’s important? 

The next verse is from Exodus and describes one of the ways Moses (one of the most holy prophets in Judeo-Christian history) set up a system to talk to God.  

Read

Exodus 33:7 

Unpack

  • This verse says that Moses set up a “Tent of Meeting” away from the camp where the people of Israel stayed. Why do you think Moses decided to intentionally set it up away from the rest of the camp? How would this have helped orient God’s people to prioritize their time with God? 
  • Without going into too much detail (it’s private after all), what aspects of your life do you share only with God? How does sharing these with him, and him only, directly contribute to a strong connection with him? 

Read

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NLT) 

Philippians 4:6-7 

Unpack

  • On a score of 1-10, about how much time do you spend living a quiet life vs trying to be seen for what you do? Why is this the case?  
  • What about in your faith? How much of your faith is private vs seen by others? How do we balance private faith with public faith? 
  • How would your life be different if you took the time to make your private life of faith even more important than the way you express your faith publicly? What challenges and concerns do you have about doing this? 
  • How can making intentional private time with God help you grow to express your faith better publicly?  

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: 

  • What are some ways you could begin expressing your faith more privately, starting this week? Will you try to do this? How can the group support you? 
  • If you are usually a more private person with your faith, how can you start taking steps to share your relationship with God to others more publicly? 
  • How will you begin to develop your relationship with God alone in a new way, starting this week? 
  • How can we as a group practically help you grow in your personal relationship with God from now on? 

Closing 

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

When we spend time away from the things in this world that can distract us from our relationship with God, we can find genuine intimacy with him that helps our connection with God flourish and guard us from becoming “burnt out”. Instead of trying to find when we are in private relationship with God regularly, we can be a better follower of Jesus to others. This week, practice this private time with God and see how it goes. As with every practice, you may not be very good at it, but with time, you’ll come to see that the secret and private life with Jesus is essential to following Jesus well. This is one more way we can follow Jesus’ life and teachings well this year.  

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: Matthew 6:6 
Day 2: Psalm 62:5 
Day 3: Psalm 23:1-3 
Day 4: 1 Peter 5:6-7  
Day 5: Psalm 46:10 
Day 6: Acts 1:13-14 

Key Verse for the Week  

Galatians 5:25 

“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” 

info@journeyoffaith.com

(424) 327-6500

1243 Artesia Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Facebook Instagram Youtube Shield-alt

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.

Add Your Heading Text Here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.