walking backward pt.1 -guide
Gather
● When everyone has gathered open by welcoming everyone. Begin with prayer. If you
want, allow a time of quiet for people to come out of their day a bit and move into this
time.
● You can use any prayer, but here is a new prayer to open the time:
Gracious God, as we gather once again we ask you to meet us here.
Send your Holy Spirit to open our hearts. Ease any anxiety that has come this day.
Help us to become more in tune with you and with one another.
Bring your light and let us find our peace in you. Amen.
Warm-up
Here are some suggested questions to get the discussion-juices flowing, and help us all
continue to grow in knowing one another:
● How long have you been at Missio Dei? What draws you to this community?
● What is something that brought you joy in the past week?
● Jonny began the sermon talking about road trips. What is a memorable road trip you
have taken and why was it memorable?
Conversation
Start with the summary:
A new sermon series started on Sunday called “Walking Backward.” Spiritual growth often feels
like walking backwards—moving toward the future while facing our past. We can’t see exactly
where we’re going, yet faith invites us to trust that Christ walks with us in it all. This series
explores how looking back with compassion and forward with hope can shape a deeper, truer,
more grounded faith.
Have someone read the Scripture passages from Sunday out loud: John 3:1-10. Leave about
30 seconds of quiet. Then have a different person read it again. [This allows space for people
to really encounter the passage and hear it in a new way. Any version of the bible enriches the
reading.]
Questions for discussion:
● Have you heard this story or read this passage before? If so, what have you heard or
understood about it?
● Was there anything new for you in the sermon about this encounter?
● Where in your life or faith have you felt “off the map” or unsure of the next turn?
● What has that season taught you about God’s presence (or patience) with you?
● Nicodemus comes to Jesus quietly, curious but uncertain - a leader who has
questions he can’t ignore. What do you notice about the way Jesus receives
Nicodemus?
2
● Jesus isn’t telling Nicodemus to start over or throw everything away. He’s inviting
him to be born anew - to experience renewal by the Spirit. What might “being born
anew” look like for you right now?
● Is there an area of your faith, thinking or life that needs to be refreshed, reimagined,
or reopened to the Spirit’s work?
● Jonny mentioned how faith matures through states - from certainty to complexity,
compassion, and finally courage. Which of these words best describes where you
are right now?
● What might it look like to receive that stage as a gift rather than a problem?
● Is there a way your community can walk with you in that place?
● What questions are coming up for you?
● Are there other Scripture passages that this brings to mind? Read them together.
● [Ask other questions as they come to your mind or as appropriate. Go with the flow of
the conversation.]
Closing
● Have each person share one thing for which they are thankful right now. Have each
person share one challenge, concern, or place of adversity in their lives.
● If time, have an open time of prayer for people to pray for one another.. Encourage
people to do so without forcing anyone to have to.
End with prayer. Here is a prayer you can use if you so choose:
Holy Spirit, make us new again. Thank you for this time.
Go with us and give us a peaceful night.
Amen.