Beyond | Wk 2: Growth Thrives in Discomfort
Life is full of unseen next steps and seasons of uncertainty. Beyond helps students move toward the future God is inviting them into through Scripture and practical rhythms. Drawing from James, Romans, 1 Peter, John, and Jeremiah, the series shows that hardship refines faith and produces hope. Each session pairs honest theology with simple practices like prayer and community, forming steady, forward-looking faith rooted in God’s work today and his promises for tomorrow.
BOTTOM LINE
Growth Thrives in Discomfort
SCRIPTURE
1 Peter 5:10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. // Luke 9:23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. // Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
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TAKE ATTENDANCE & INTRODUCE YOURSELF (If anyone is new)
FOR FUN: Take some time to catch up. Ask your students – What is one "practice" you do—like a specific playlist on the bus or a Friday run—that would ruin your whole week if it got skipped?
DISCUSS THIS:
1. What is one thing in your life right now that feels "uncomfortable" (e.g., a hard class, a new social situation, or a difficult habit)?
2. We often want the "varsity jersey" or "unshakable faith" without doing the hard work to get there. Why do you think our generation finds it so hard to embrace the "grind" instead of just wanting the "glory"?
3. How does changing your perspective—viewing stress or hardship as "growth tension" rather than a "problem"—change how you feel about your current struggles?
4. Read 1 Peter 5:10 together. The verse says God will "restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you" after you have suffered a little while. Which of those four words do you feel like you need most right now, and why?
5. The lesson encouraged us to "Stay" rather than run to distractions like TikTok, video games, or numbing out when things get heavy. What is your "go-to" distraction when life gets uncomfortable? How can you choose to "stay" with God in that moment instead?
6. Ignatius of Antioch said, "Now I begin to be a disciple," while he was facing his hardest moment. Have you ever had a time where a difficult situation actually made your faith feel more real or more personal?
7. Moving Beyond Together – Growth happens when discomfort, time, and God’s grace collide. What is one practical way this group can help you "stay in the tension" this week? (e.g., checking in on a hard situation, praying for a specific stressor, or keeping you accountable to a new habit).
FOLLOW UP / PRAY REQUESTS