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Finding the heart

AUGUST 17 | Discipleship Guide

Be Real Together:

Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together. Trust and friendship take time to build. If you’re launching a new DG, one person should tell their story — what do we need to know about you? Next week, have another person in your DG share their story.

Read Together: Matthew 22:36–40 CSB

Jesus was asked which commandment in the Law was the greatest. His response: Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind — and love your neighbor as yourself. These two commands summarize the whole Law and the Prophets. But notice the order: love for God comes first. Out of that relationship flows love for others. Without the heart behind it, our actions can become hollow. True life in Christ produces fruit through the Spirit that blesses others and shines the light of Jesus to the world.

The One Question:
Ask this question at your family meal or Discipleship Group.

Are you more focused on doing things for God or actually loving Him?

Grow Together:
Use these questions to go deeper with your DG or for personal study.

  1. Loving God First
    • What does it look like in your daily life to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind? Where do you find this most challenging?
  2. Fruit of the Spirit
    • Galatians 5 says the Spirit produces fruit in us. How might you be tempted to “hoard” that fruit instead of giving it away? Who around you might need the fruit of your faith this week?
  3. A Light in the World
    • Jesus calls the church “a city on a hill” (Matthew 5). How is Bright City—or your group—shining the light of Christ in our community? What could it look like to shine brighter together?

Pray Together:

  • Thank Jesus for loving us first and inviting us to love Him in return.
  • Confess ways we’ve replaced loving Him with simply doing things for Him.
  • Ask the Spirit to grow fruit in us that others can experience.
  • Pray for Bright City to shine as a light in Everett and beyond.