Removing Hinderances to Personal and Relational Growth - Ephesians 4:25-32

 

 Study Guide for Week of November 23, 2025

This Week's Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-32

Crossroads Community Group Guide

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone, especially new people, and read aloud the purpose of your group.

B. Purpose: Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.

C. Worship Time (Optional): Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use: I I Give You My Heart (or pick your own YouTube video that shows the lyrics.)

D. Video Message                                                                  

       

E. Upcoming Events: Crossroads Website        

F. Review:

1. How did you do with what you want to apply from last week?
2. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

G. Opening Question (an icebreaker - a simple question to introduce the main theme):

• Why is it hard to forgive people who hurt you?

H. Background Information for this study: 

Paul is here teaching the new believers in Ephesus t0 get rid of certain behaviors. As you go through the lists Paul puts down here take your time and talk about each item and discuss ho each area effects the groupp members lives. Make it personal. Focus on the topics that seem most relevant to your particular group.. 

First Section: Ephesians 4:25-27. Lying and anger.

Second Section: Ephesians 4:28 -30. Stealing and unwholesome talk.

Third Section: Ephesians 4:31-32. Bitterness, rage, brawling (arguing), slander, being kind, comapassionate and forgiving.

In this study be sure to make a practical application to each section. Make application to your life including what you will do to tell other people the message.

J. Word: Read the scriptures above by section. Read it in smaller portions aloud together several times. (The goal is for everyone to understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words; keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses.)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?

2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.

3. What are the details?

4. What jumps out at you and catches your attention?

5. What details can you add to what others in the group have said?

Healthy Relationships Start With a New Mind - Epesians 4:17-23 and Romans 12:1-12

 Study Guide for Week of November 16, 2025

This Week's Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-23 and Romans 12:1-2 

Crossroads Community Group Guide

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone, especially new people, and read aloud the purpose of your group.

B. Purpose: Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.

C. Worship Time (Optional): Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use: I I Give You My Heart (or pick your own YouTube video that shows the lyrics.)

D. Video Message                                                                  

       

E. Upcoming Events: Crossroads Website        

F. Review:

1. How did you do with what you want to apply from last week?
2. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

G. Opening Question (an icebreaker - a simple question to introduce the main theme):

• Why is it hard to live a life of holiness and harmony with others?

H. Background Information for this study: 

Paul is here teaching the new believers in Ephesus that living the Christian life is a matter or dying to the old way of thinking and living a new way, the Jesus - like way. He uses the analogy of death to the old self and birth to a new self created to be like Jesus. Notice key words in these scriptures and discuss them with the group. 

First Section: Ephesians 4:17-19. The old life. Note the downward spiral that Paul describes.

Second Section: Ephesians 4:20 -23. The new life in Jesus. Notice the importance of the thoughts.

Third Section: Romans 12:1-2. How we can transform our lives. Discuss how to do this.

In this study be sure to make a practical application to each section. Make application to your life including what you will do to tell other people the message.

J. Word: Read the scriptures above by section. Read it in smaller portions aloud together several times. (The goal is for everyone to understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words; keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses.)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?

2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.

3. What are the details?

4. What jumps out at you and catches your attention?

5. What details can you add to what others in the group have said?

Healthy Relationships Start with You - Ephesians 4:1-16

 

Study Guide for Week of November 9, 2025

This Week's Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Crossroads Community Group Guide

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone, especially new people, and read aloud the purpose of your group.

B. Purpose: Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.

C. Worship Time (Optional): Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use: I I Give You My Heart (or pick your own YouTube video that shows the lyrics.)

D. Video Message                                                                  

       

E. Upcoming Events: Crossroads Website        

F. Review:

1. How did you do with what you want to apply from last week?
2. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

G. Opening Question (an icebreaker - a simple question to introduce the main theme):

• Why is it so hard to live in unity with other people? 

H. Background Information for this study: 

These scriptures are an exhortation of the Apostle paul to the new Christians at the city of Ephesus. Notice what he emphasizes and the key words that he uses.  Discuss how to apply these principles to all relationships such as in the church; in marriage; in a family and in the workplace.

First Section: Ephesians 4:1-6. The charcter necessary for unity.

Second Section: Ephesians 4:7-13. The importance of growing and working together

Third Section: Ephesians 4:14-16. The goal.

In this study be sure to make a practical application to each section. Make application to your life including what you will do to tell other people the message.

J. Word: Read the scriptures above by section. Read it in smaller portions aloud together several times. (The goal is for everyone to understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words; keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses.)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?

2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.

3. What are the details?

4. What jumps out at you and catches your attention?

5. What details can you add to what others in the group have said?

K. Discuss the following general questions together. (The goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion. The leader should not speak for more than 30% of the time; let the group discover what God is saying to them.)

1. What catches your attention in these verses?

2. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

3. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story?

4. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

Join the Adventure - Acts 8:26-40

 

Study Guide for Week of November 2, 2025

This Week's Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Crossroads Community Group Guide

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone, especially new people, and read aloud the purpose of your group.

B. Purpose: Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.

C. Worship Time (Optional): Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use: I I Give You My Heart (or pick your own YouTube video that shows the lyrics.)

D. Video Message                                                                  

       

E. Upcoming Events: Crossroads Website        

F. Review:

1. How did you do with what you want to apply from last week?
2. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

G. Opening Question (an icebreaker - a simple question to introduce the main theme):

• What are some wrong ideas that people have about faith in Jesus and church?

H. Background Information for this study: 

Philip was one of the seven men the church chose in chapter 6 of Acts to distribute food fairly to the different groups of widows. In this incident Philip is used by God to reach one person with the good news of Jesus. An Ethiopian person would not be seen as equal in the eyes of a Jew of that day. A Eunuch (a castrated man) would not be accepted by a Jew of that day. The Jewish temple had a seperate area where non Jews were permintted to worship but they were not allowed in the sactuary itself.  

First Section: Acts 8:26-29. How God gets Philip and the Eunuch together. Note God's purpose in doing this.

Second Section: Acts 8:30-35. Philip explains the good news of Jesus.

Third Section: Acts 8:36-40. the result of Philip following God's lead.

In this study be sure to make a practical application to each section. Make application to your life including what you will do to tell other people the message.

J. Word: Read the scriptures above by section. Read it in smaller portions aloud together several times. (The goal is for everyone to understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words; keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses.)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?

2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.

3. What are the details?

4. What jumps out at you and catches your attention?

5. What details can you add to what others in the group have said?

K. Discuss the following general questions together. (The goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion. The leader should not speak for more than 30% of the time; let the group discover what God is saying to them.)

1. What catches your attention in these verses?

2. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

3. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story?

4. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

Jesus The Light of the World - John 9

Study Guide for Week of October 26, 2025

This Week's Scripture: John 9:1-12 and John 9:35-41.

Crossroads Community Group Guide

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone, especially new people, and read aloud the purpose of your group.

B. Purpose: Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.

C. Worship Time (Optional): Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use: I I Give You My Heart (or pick your own YouTube video that shows the lyrics.)

D. Video Message                                                                  

       

E. Upcoming Events: Crossroads Website        

F. Review:

1. How did you do with what you want to apply from last week?
2. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

G. Opening Question (an icebreaker - a simple question to introduce the main theme):

• Why is it hard for people to believe in miracles? 

H. Background Information for this study: 

Jesus shows compassion to a man who was born blind. Note that The man did not even ask to be healed but Jesus went to him and healed him. Notice also the man's obedience and trust in Jesus. The man takes Jesus at His word and travels a quarter of a mile to wash in the pool of Siloam and he is healed.  

First Section: John 9:1-5. the situeation and the disciples view of the situation.

Second Section: John 9:6-7 The man's faith and obedience.

Third Section: John 9:8-12 and John 9:35-41. The reactions to the man's healing.

In this study be sure to make a practical application to each section. Make application to your life including what you will do to tell other people the message.

J. Word: Read the scriptures above by section. Read it in smaller portions aloud together several times. (The goal is for everyone to understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words; keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses.)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?

2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.

3. What are the details?

4. What jumps out at you and catches your attention?

5. What details can you add to what others in the group have said?

K. Discuss the following general questions together. (The goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion. The leader should not speak for more than 30% of the time; let the group discover what God is saying to them.)

1. What catches your attention in these verses?

2. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

3. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story?

4. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story? 

Join the Adventure - Acts 3:1-16

 

Study Guide for Week of October 19, 2025

This Week's Scripture: Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 3:1-16

Crossroads Community Group Guide

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone, especially new people, and read aloud the purpose of your group.

B. Purpose: Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.

C. Worship Time (Optional): Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use: I I Give You My Heart (or pick your own YouTube video that shows the lyrics.)

D. Video Message                                                                  

       

E. Upcoming Events: Crossroads Website        

F. Review:

1. How did you do with what you want to apply from last week?
2. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

G. Opening Question (an icebreaker - a simple question to introduce the main theme):

• Why do many people who attend church not talk about Jesus to other people they meet everyday? 

H. Background Information for this study: 

Jesus called His church to Go and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus called each follower of His to be on an adventure with Him in ministering to people outside of the church. Yet many people when they come to Jesus see their Christian life as based in the church community and not outside the church community. They live in 2 worlds so to speak. These scriptures give us a snap shot of what it was like in the early church. Yes they had time together but they also reached people outside of the church people and practiced their faith everywhere they went. 

First Section: Acts 2:42-47. A snapshot of life together in the church gatherd together.

Second Section: Acts 3:1-10. On an adventure with Jesus ourside the church gathering.

Third Section: Acts 3:11-16. Bringing many people to know Jesus.

In this study be sure to make a practical application to each section. Make application to your life including what you will do to tell other people the message.

J. Word: Read the scriptures above by section. Read it in smaller portions aloud together several times. (The goal is for everyone to understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words; keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses.)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?

2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.

3. What are the details?

4. What jumps out at you and catches your attention?

5. What details can you add to what others in the group have said?

K. Discuss the following general questions together. (The goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion. The leader should not speak for more than 30% of the time; let the group discover what God is saying to them.)

1. What catches your attention in these verses?

2. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

3. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story?

4. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

The Power of One Day to Change Your Life - Luke 5:1-11

 

Study Guide for Week of October 12, 2025

This Week's Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Crossroads Community Group Guide

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone, especially new people, and read aloud the purpose of your group.

B. Purpose: Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.

C. Worship Time (Optional): Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use: I I Give You My Heart (or pick your own YouTube video that shows the lyrics.)

D. Video Message                                                                  

       

E. Upcoming Events: Crossroads Website        

F. Review:

1. How did you do with what you want to apply from last week?
2. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

G. Opening Question (an icebreaker - a simple question to introduce the main theme):

• Why is it hard to change your life or your life situation? 

H. Background Information for this study: 

These scripture record how Jesus called Peter and the other first disciples. Notice that it was Jesus who called them. He took the initiative. They were not seeking Him. Notice the potential in just one day and one encounter with God to change your life. Notice how Jesus challenges them to take a step outside of what they usually do. Finally notice how once they realize who Jesus is they see their own unworthiness and Jesus forgives them and calls them.  

First Section: Luke 5:1-3. One ordinary day.

Second Section: Luke 5;4-5. The challenge and Peter's reluctance and unbelief.

Third Section: Luke 5:6-11. The encounter with Jesus and who He is.

In this study be sure to make a practical application to each section. Make application to your life including what you will do to tell other people the message.

J. Word: Read the scriptures above by section. Read it in smaller portions aloud together several times. (The goal is for everyone to understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words; keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses.)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?

2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.

3. What are the details?

4. What jumps out at you and catches your attention?

5. What details can you add to what others in the group have said?

K. Discuss the following general questions together. (The goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion. The leader should not speak for more than 30% of the time; let the group discover what God is saying to them.)

1. What catches your attention in these verses?

2. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

3. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story?

4. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?