DISCUSSION QUESTIONSChoose the questions that best fit your group (no need to use all of them):Icebreaker: Jeff shared the story of his mom and brother at Baskin Robins. What’s your favorite ice-cream flavor? Brand? Ice-cream shop? Deeper questions: How often do you reply “busy” when someone asks you how you are doing? In what area(s) of life do you feel overwhelmed with options? What are some of the biggest demands in your life right now? How anxious are you? Do you feel the need to simplify your life to be more effective? Jeff talked about Jesus going to Jerusalem for a Jewish festivals in the middle of a ministry busy season. He stopped by Bethany, a nearby small town, to hang out with his close friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Read Luke 10:38-40. How do Mary and Martha react differently to this visit from Jesus? What words does Luke use to describe their actions? Look at Martha’s question in Luke 10:40. Jeff suggested it was a rhetorical question, and she was ready for Jesus to back her up. Share about a time when someone wasn’t doing what you thought was the most important thing, and then later you realized you were the one missing it? Read Luke 10:41-42. Jesus expresses the big idea, or principle, of this series in this passage. Martha isn’t doing a bad thing, in fact, she is doing something important and urgent. But Jesus reminds her to consider the most important thing. Have you heard of this “one thing” principle before? If so, how have you applied it? Jesus tells Martha that cooking the meal was not the big opportunity embedded in the moment. Jesus, God in human flesh, the Creator, was in the room; Mary understood that and was seated at his feet listening. Tell us about a time when you let a distraction, or something important or urgent get in the way of what was most important. Jeff talked about the idea of redeeming the time. Read Ephesians 5:15-17. According to this passage, how does a fool live versus a wise person? Kairos, the Greek word for time that Paul uses in Ephesians 5:15-17 is about a moment (versus chronos, which measures time as it passes or “ticks” by). Jeff said, “Every moment has an opportunity that is there to be seized.” He encouraged us to live this way each day, each moment, and each season. Take turns answering one of the questions below. What do you think is the opportunity in this moment during your group meeting? The rest of this day? This week? This season in your life? Pray together for discipline to ask this question on a regular basis, for the discernment to rightly identify the opportunity or “one thing,” and for the obedience to then focus on it. VERSE TO MEDITATE ON AND MEMORIZE So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. – Ephesians 5:15 - 16 PUT IT INTO PRACTICE Spending some time thinking about your season (family, work, activities, etc.). Define your season as best you can and write it down. Then spend time praying (every day) and asking God to show you your “one thing.” As you listen, write down what comes to mind. Share it with your spouse, a friend, another family member, or a group member. Pray that God would continue to refine it and confirm it so you can obediently focus on it. Consider meeting with another group member this week to discuss the season you are in, share your one thing, help each other flesh it out, and encourage each other. Text your group members to encourage them to ask the question, “What is the opportunity embedded in this day that I need to seize?” Pray and ask God to prepare you to receive more and to be transformed during this Simplify series.