Breaking Chains Series, Week Two
Small Group Guide: Leaving Death in the Grave
OPENING PRAYER:
Ask God to open our hearts and minds to His truth, and help us leave behind what doesn't belong in our new life in Christ.
ICE BREAKER QUESTION:
Share about a time when you had to let go of something familiar to embrace something new. How did it feel?
KEY SCRIPTURE:
- John 11:43-44 (NIV)- John 12:12-15 (NIV)
- Romans 6:4 (NIV)- 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Discussion Questions:
1.The sermon talks about "stop wearing what doesn't fit anymore." What are some "grave clothes" that Christians might struggle to take off even after coming to faith?
Illustration: A man who had lost 200 pounds kept wearing his old XXL clothes—until one day a friend said, "You’re not that man anymore." He cleaned out his closet and began dressing for the body he had, not the body he left behind. Some of us need to clean out the spiritual closets.
2.How does the image of Lazarus coming out of the tomb but still wrapped in grave clothes relate to our own spiritual journey?
3.Share an experience where you felt God calling you to "let go of what holds you back." What was that process like for you?
4.The sermon mentions that "your past doesn't get to write your ending." How does this idea challenge or encourage you in your current circumstances?
5.Reflect on the statement: "When we let God interrupt our story, He replaces death with life, He rewrites your future with resurrection power." How have you seen this play out in your life or in the lives of others?
6.What does it mean to you personally to "leave death in the grave" and step into the new life Jesus offers?
7.What changes when Jesus doesn’t just remove your problems, but He becomes your reason for living?
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
1.Jesus calls us out of our old life, just as He called Lazarus out of the tomb.
2.We need to actively remove the "grave clothes" that no longer fit our new identity in Christ.
3.Our past mistakes and failures don't define our future in Christ.
4.God wants to rewrite our story with His redeeming power and purpose.
5.Jesus came to give you a new way of living and a new reason for living.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:
1.Identify one "grave cloth" (old habit, mindset, or relationship) that you need to remove this week. Share with the group and pray for each other in this process.
2.Write a letter to yourself from God's perspective, emphasizing your new identity in Christ and the future He has for you. Use as many scriptures as possible that describe how He sees you. (Insert your name into the scriptures)
3.Choose a verse from today's discussion that resonates with you. Commit to meditating on it daily this week and share any insights at the next meeting.
4.As a group, brainstorm ways to support and encourage each other in "stepping into your new story" throughout the week.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Thank God for His redemptive power and ask for the courage to fully embrace the new life He offers, leaving behind what doesn't belong.
Devotional: Jesus—My Reason for Living
There comes a moment in every believer’s journey when the question shifts from “What am I living for?” to “Who am I living for?”
The answer? Jesus.
He didn’t just save your life—He became your life.
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me...” – Galatians 2:20
Everything changed the moment Jesus stepped into your heart.
•Your Purpose took on a new definition.
•Your Identity found an anchor.
•You stopped chasing meaning and started living it—because now, to live is Christ (Philippians 1:21).
Let that settle in:
Jesus isn’t a part of your life, He IS your life.
“When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” – Colossians 3:4
•You’re not living for applause.
•Not for money.
•Not for validation.
•Not even for comfort.
You're living for the One who gave everything for you.
So today, let your breath be worship. Let your actions reflect Heaven. Let your purpose be clear: "I no longer live for me. I live for Him."
PRAYER
Jesus, You are not just a part of my life—You are my life. Remind me daily that everything I do, everything I have, and everything I hope for is found in You. Be my focus, my joy, and my reason for living. Amen.
Bible Study: Jesus—My Reason for Living
ROMANS 14:7–8 (NKJV)
"For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord..."
➡️ Whether you’re breathing or buried—your story is about Him.
ACTS 17:28 (NKJV)
"For in Him we live and move and have our being..."
➡️ Paul says this about God—and we know Jesus is God made flesh. Every breath and purpose finds its source in Him.
JOHN 15:5 (NKJV)
"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
➡️ Life without Jesus doesn’t work—He’s not just part of the equation, He’s the source.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:14–15 (NKJV)
"For the love of Christ compels us... and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again."
➡️ The love of Christ drives our lives—we’re no longer living self-focused, but Savior-focused.
COLOSSIANS 3:3–4 (NKJV)
"For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."
➡️ Not just a part of your life—Jesus is your life. That’s your identity now.
PHILIPPIANS 1:21 (NKJV)
"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
➡️ Paul isn’t just living for Christ—Christ is his life. Everything else is just bonus or loss compared to Him.
GALATIANS 2:20 (NKJV)
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
➡️ Paul says, “Christ lives in me.” Jesus doesn’t just change your life—He is your life.
OPENING PRAYER:
Ask God to open our hearts and minds to His truth, and help us leave behind what doesn't belong in our new life in Christ.
ICE BREAKER QUESTION:
Share about a time when you had to let go of something familiar to embrace something new. How did it feel?
KEY SCRIPTURE:
- John 11:43-44 (NIV)- John 12:12-15 (NIV)
- Romans 6:4 (NIV)- 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Discussion Questions:
1.The sermon talks about "stop wearing what doesn't fit anymore." What are some "grave clothes" that Christians might struggle to take off even after coming to faith?
Illustration: A man who had lost 200 pounds kept wearing his old XXL clothes—until one day a friend said, "You’re not that man anymore." He cleaned out his closet and began dressing for the body he had, not the body he left behind. Some of us need to clean out the spiritual closets.
2.How does the image of Lazarus coming out of the tomb but still wrapped in grave clothes relate to our own spiritual journey?
3.Share an experience where you felt God calling you to "let go of what holds you back." What was that process like for you?
4.The sermon mentions that "your past doesn't get to write your ending." How does this idea challenge or encourage you in your current circumstances?
5.Reflect on the statement: "When we let God interrupt our story, He replaces death with life, He rewrites your future with resurrection power." How have you seen this play out in your life or in the lives of others?
6.What does it mean to you personally to "leave death in the grave" and step into the new life Jesus offers?
7.What changes when Jesus doesn’t just remove your problems, but He becomes your reason for living?
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
1.Jesus calls us out of our old life, just as He called Lazarus out of the tomb.
2.We need to actively remove the "grave clothes" that no longer fit our new identity in Christ.
3.Our past mistakes and failures don't define our future in Christ.
4.God wants to rewrite our story with His redeeming power and purpose.
5.Jesus came to give you a new way of living and a new reason for living.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:
1.Identify one "grave cloth" (old habit, mindset, or relationship) that you need to remove this week. Share with the group and pray for each other in this process.
2.Write a letter to yourself from God's perspective, emphasizing your new identity in Christ and the future He has for you. Use as many scriptures as possible that describe how He sees you. (Insert your name into the scriptures)
3.Choose a verse from today's discussion that resonates with you. Commit to meditating on it daily this week and share any insights at the next meeting.
4.As a group, brainstorm ways to support and encourage each other in "stepping into your new story" throughout the week.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Thank God for His redemptive power and ask for the courage to fully embrace the new life He offers, leaving behind what doesn't belong.
Devotional: Jesus—My Reason for Living
There comes a moment in every believer’s journey when the question shifts from “What am I living for?” to “Who am I living for?”
The answer? Jesus.
He didn’t just save your life—He became your life.
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me...” – Galatians 2:20
Everything changed the moment Jesus stepped into your heart.
•Your Purpose took on a new definition.
•Your Identity found an anchor.
•You stopped chasing meaning and started living it—because now, to live is Christ (Philippians 1:21).
Let that settle in:
Jesus isn’t a part of your life, He IS your life.
“When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” – Colossians 3:4
•You’re not living for applause.
•Not for money.
•Not for validation.
•Not even for comfort.
You're living for the One who gave everything for you.
So today, let your breath be worship. Let your actions reflect Heaven. Let your purpose be clear: "I no longer live for me. I live for Him."
PRAYER
Jesus, You are not just a part of my life—You are my life. Remind me daily that everything I do, everything I have, and everything I hope for is found in You. Be my focus, my joy, and my reason for living. Amen.
Bible Study: Jesus—My Reason for Living
ROMANS 14:7–8 (NKJV)
"For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord..."
➡️ Whether you’re breathing or buried—your story is about Him.
ACTS 17:28 (NKJV)
"For in Him we live and move and have our being..."
➡️ Paul says this about God—and we know Jesus is God made flesh. Every breath and purpose finds its source in Him.
JOHN 15:5 (NKJV)
"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
➡️ Life without Jesus doesn’t work—He’s not just part of the equation, He’s the source.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:14–15 (NKJV)
"For the love of Christ compels us... and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again."
➡️ The love of Christ drives our lives—we’re no longer living self-focused, but Savior-focused.
COLOSSIANS 3:3–4 (NKJV)
"For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."
➡️ Not just a part of your life—Jesus is your life. That’s your identity now.
PHILIPPIANS 1:21 (NKJV)
"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
➡️ Paul isn’t just living for Christ—Christ is his life. Everything else is just bonus or loss compared to Him.
GALATIANS 2:20 (NKJV)
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
➡️ Paul says, “Christ lives in me.” Jesus doesn’t just change your life—He is your life.
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