The Bible calls us to live lives of thanksgiving—not just one day a year, but every day, in every circumstance. What if we spent less time critiquing the menu and more time cultivating a heart of gratitude? Thanksgiving, in its truest form, isn’t about a holiday table—it’s about a life transformed by God’s goodness and faithfulness.

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Questions for Reflection & Discussion

When you think of “thanksgiving,” what comes to mind first—the holiday or the spiritual practice? Why? How do you think our culture influences our view of gratitude?

What hinders us from living with an attitude of thanksgiving? Is it busyness, entitlement, or focusing too much on what we lack? How can we combat these tendencies?

What is one specific thing you are deeply thankful for right now? 

In this weekend’s passage from Acts, we see this truth clearly: With God, nothing is ever wasted. All things are His servants. He uses EVERY SINGLE THING we go through—including our suffering—to bring about His plan and purpose, not just in us, but in the world, too. Let’s talk about it!

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Questions for Reflection & Discussion

What would it look like to trust that God is working in all things, even painful ones, to make you more like Jesus?

What situations in your life might God be using to impact others, even if you can’t see it yet?

Who in your life might need to hear how God has been faithful to you during hard times?

Do you remember the “Be Like Mike” Gatorade commercial? It was the best. The idea was simple: if you drink Gatorade, you could somehow "become" like Michael Jordan – to shoot, move, and dominate like the GOAT.

As you might imagine for a boy growing up in the 80’s and 90’s, I was obsessed with Michael Jordan. All my friends were, too. We would have done ANYTHING to be like Mike.

For followers of Jesus, the call is not to be like Mike but to be like Jesus. In Acts, unlike the Gatorade commercial, we see that being like Jesus isn’t a mere slogan or wishful thinking for us; it’s a transformative reality that the Spirit provides. When we are filled with the Spirit, we can ACTUALLY live like Jesus. 

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Questions for Reflection & Discussion

Can you think of a time when you felt the Holy Spirit strengthening or guiding you? How would your daily life change if you regularly leaned on the Spirit’s power rather than your own abilities? What practical steps can you take to seek and rely on the Spirit’s empowerment more consistently?

How can you prepare yourself to face potential opposition for your faith, whether it’s subtle or overt? What promises from Scripture can you hold onto in those times?

What does it mean for you to “hold fast to the truth” in a world that often promotes its own version of truth? Where might you feel pressured or tempted to let go of the truth in your life?

If you have been around long enough to notice, it is safe to say that North Highlands is a growing church. For example, our membership has increased by 60% in the last 18 months. How good is God!

Being a part of a growing church is exciting. There are new people to meet. New ministries to start. God is on the move. It’s awesome. But “church growth” is not without its challenges. This week, we’ll explore how the early church navigated these growing pains and what it means for us today.

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Questions for Reflection & Discussion

Why do you think the early church’s rapid growth brought both excitement and challenges? How might unmet needs and fractured unity affect the health of our church community?

What specific gifts or strengths do you bring to the church? How can you use these to help strengthen the church’s mission, unity, and care for others?

The apostles remained focused on prayer and the ministry of the Word even amid practical demands. How can you guard against distractions and stay focused on our core mission as a church?