1. Where are you trying to control your life instead of trusting God? What situations, relationships, plans, or outcomes do you find yourself worrying about or trying to manage because you struggle to believe that God is in control?

2. Read Romans 8:5–8 and Colossians 3:1–5. Paul contrasts setting our minds on “the things of the flesh” with setting our minds on “the things of the Spirit.” According to these passages, what does it look like in everyday life to set our minds on the things of the Spirit, and how does that shape the way we live?

3. Romans 8:6 says, “To set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” When you look honestly at your life, where are you currently looking for life, peace, or security apart from Jesus? What would it look like to turn from that pursuit and trust Jesus as the source of the life and peace your heart is looking for?

Middle School
1. Did you think about this at all this week? Was there a moment where following Jesus actually cost you something - even small?

2. Was there a moment you wish you'd handled differently — where you kind of closed your hands instead of opening them?

High School
1. The Pharisees understood exactly what Jesus was saying about them — and chose to protect their position instead of repenting. Where in your life do you understand what following Jesus would require, but you're choosing comfort or control instead?

2. Peter could say "we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard" because he'd actually seen Jesus die and rise. What's the difference between following Jesus because it's familiar, and following Him because you're personally convinced He's worth it — and which one is closer to where you're at right now?