Opening Question:

Share a time when you gave up something you wanted or changed your plans to help someone else. What made it worth it?

Key Takeaways:

• People Over Preference: We believe God cares deeply about people who are far from Him, so our personal preferences should never outweigh our mission to reach them.
• Spiritual maturity means laying things down. Following Jesus isn’t just about what we gain, but what we’re willing to sacrifice for the good of others.
• The church exists to help people encounter Jesus. We must be willing to remove barriers and make room for those who are searching for Him.
• Love requires action and sacrifice. What feels like an inconvenience to us might become an extraordinary opportunity for someone else to experience Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

Part 1: The Problem With Preferences

1. Read Luke 9:23. Jesus calls His followers to deny themselves and take up their cross daily. What do you think it means to deny yourself? How is that different from the way our world encourages us to live?
2. The pastor said, “The problem isn’t that we have preferences. The problem is when our preferences start having more influence over our decisions than Jesus does.” Where do you see this tension in your own life? How can something as simple as comfort, convenience, or having things your way begin to take priority over following Jesus?

Part 2: Making Room for Others

1. Read Romans 15:1–3. Paul challenges believers to consider the needs of others instead of living to please themselves. Why do you think this can be so difficult, even for people who genuinely love Jesus? What might it look like to put someone else’s needs ahead of your own in your everyday life?
2. In Mark 2:1–5, four friends carry a paralyzed man to Jesus, but the crowd prevents them from getting inside. The friends refuse to give up and find another way to bring him to Jesus. What stands out to you about their determination? What are some ways Christians or churches can unintentionally make it harder for people to encounter Jesus? How can we help remove those barriers?

Part 3: Living People Over Preference

1. The pastor shared four P.O.P. manifestos: “I’ll give up, so others can get up”; “I’ll move aside, so others can get inside”; “I’ll choose less, so others can have more”; and “I’ll give up what’s comfortable, so others can find what’s possible.” Which of these challenges you the most right now, and why? What might living it out look like in your relationships, at work, or at church?
2. Read Philippians 2:3–4. Paul encourages believers to look beyond their own interests and consider the interests of others. Think about one preference, routine, or comfort you tend to protect. What is one practical change you could make this week to put someone else first and help them take a step toward Jesus?