Table Group Guide

The Kingdom Stuff

3. Total Dependence

Table purpose statement (Share at the start or before the Discovery section):
This group exists for the purpose of discipleship. A disciple is someone who loves and obeys Jesus. (John 14:15) That means our focus is hearing from God and taking steps of faith. Our goal is to multiply another healthy Table. One day, some of you will lead a group like this!

Table Talk (⅓ of meeting)
Connect and check in with your group before diving into spiritual conversation.

  • Icebreaker: How did the wildfire smoke change your routine? 
  • High/ Low/ Buffalo. Briefly share a part of your week that was good, bad, or weird. 
  • Where has God been at work in your life? 
  • What’s an area of life or faith that you want God to move? Have one person offer a short, honest prayer over this OR pair up and pray for each other. 

Discussion Guidelines

  1. Everyone shares in sentences, not paragraphs. 
  2. Focus only on what this passage is saying. (This keeps everyone on the same page) 
  3. Share from your perspective – we won’t argue or give advice. 
  4. Give everyone time to respond. Silence is OK. 
  5. The facilitator will facilitate discussion, not teach. 

Discover what God is saying to you. (⅓ of meeting) 
Big Idea: Stop trusting what you can control and start depending on what God has proven.

Read Mark 8:11-21.
Read it in two translations if time permits. 

  • What is God highlighting to you in this passage? 
  • What do you think Jesus meant by "the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod”? (v15)
  • Is there anything you've been taking in lately (news, stress, social media) that impacts your faith?
  • Jesus often calls us to the place where we need to trust God more fully. Where do you sense God calling you to lean into discomfort to grow in faith? 
  • Remembering God’s faithfulness is an important way we build our faith- that’s one of the reasons we need each other! Share a time of God’s faithfulness in your life.

Go do it. (⅓ of meeting)

  • How is God prompting you to trust him more fully right now? 
  • Action step: This week, grab a notebook and sit in a quiet place. Pray and ask God’s Holy Spirit to remind you of examples of His faithfulness to you. Make a list of everything that comes to mind. Pray again, thanking God for His faithfulness. 
  • Pray for the Empty Chair. Place hands on an empty chair in the circle and ask God to fill it with someone who needs to be here next week. Plan a lowkey hangout to make for an easy invitation!