Honor Our Heroes 25th Anniversary

Small Group Discussion Guide

Based on the message by Pastor Mirek Hufton

1. SERMON RECAP

In this message, I shared that the real battle facing America — and each of us personally — is not political or economic, but spiritual. Jesus came to proclaim freedom to the captives, and that same freedom He declared in Luke 4:18 is still available to every person today. True liberty flows from knowing God's Word as truth, letting it change us from the inside out, and then having the courage to share that freedom with others.

2. KEY SCRIPTURE

Luke 4:18 (NKJV) "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed."

3. ICE BREAKER

When you were growing up, who was your biggest hero — real or fictional — and what made them feel heroic to you?

4. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Question 1 — Opening the Conversation I said in the message that America's deepest problem is spiritual, not political or economic. Do you agree or disagree with that? What evidence do you see in everyday life that supports or challenges that idea?

(Leader note: Let people land on different sides here. There are no wrong answers — you're looking for honest reflection, not a debate winner.)

Question 2 — Getting Into Scripture Read Luke 4:18 together again and then read 2 Corinthians 3:17: "Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." Jesus listed specific kinds of people He came to free — the poor, the brokenhearted, the captive, the blind, the oppressed.

Which of those descriptions feels most relevant to your life right now, and why? Which one do you see most often in the people around you?

Question 3 — Digging Deeper I mentioned that you can be like Lazarus — raised from the dead but still walking around in your grave clothes. In other words, genuinely saved but still bound up by old habits, fears, religious traditions, or lies you've believed for years.

What are some of the "grave clothes" that tend to keep believers from experiencing real freedom, even after they come to Christ? Have you ever wrestled with any of those yourself?

Question 4 — Truth and the Word Read John 17:17: "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." I talked about how the Word of God is the book of freedom — that the more deeply you get it inside you, the freer you become.

Be honest with each other: What's the biggest obstacle that keeps you from getting deeper into Scripture on a regular basis? What has actually helped you stay consistent when it worked?

Question 5 — Honoring Those Who Serve A big part of this message was about honoring people who put themselves in harm's way — military, first responders, civil servants — and connecting that to the sacrificial love of Christ.

How does the sacrifice of those who serve in uniform reflect something of what Jesus did for us? And how might genuinely honoring them — not just saying thank you — become an act of faith and witness?

Question 6 — Boldness and Proclamation I shared stories about proclaiming the gospel in places like Pakistan, Nigeria, the halls of Congress, and even on the streets of Atlanta. I said that proclaiming freedom — speaking it out loud — is one of the key ways freedom spreads.

Most of us aren't going overseas or walking Senate hallways. But where is your everyday space — your workplace, neighborhood, school, or family — where you could be more vocal about what Jesus has done for you? What holds you back most: fear, not knowing what to say, or something else?

5. APPLICATION CHALLENGE

This week, do one specific act of proclamation and one specific act of honor.

• Proclamation: Find one person in your natural sphere of life — a coworker, neighbor, family member, or friend — and simply tell them one thing Jesus has done for you. It doesn't have to be a full gospel presentation. Just one real, personal sentence: "I want you to know, this is what Jesus did for me." Then pray for that person by name this week.

• Honor: Identify one person you know who serves or has served — military, law enforcement, firefighter, teacher, or other public servant — and reach out to them specifically to say thank you. A text, a card, a phone call, a meal. Make it personal and intentional, not just a passing comment.

Come back next week ready to share what happened.

6. PRAYER POINTS

Take a few minutes to pray together over these specific items:

1. Spiritual awakening — Pray for a genuine move of God's Spirit across our nation, our city, and specifically our local schools, campuses, and neighborhoods. Ask God to use our church as a catalyst, not just a spectator.

2. Those who serve — Pray by name for any military members, first responders, or public servants your group knows personally. Ask God to protect them, encourage them, and draw them close to Himself.

3. Freedom in our own hearts — Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any "grave clothes" — any area of bondage, fear, or unbelief — still clinging to members of your group, and pray for specific breakthrough and liberty in those areas this week.

7. MEMORY VERSE

2 Corinthians 3:17 (NKJV) "Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."

Write it on a sticky note. Put it somewhere you'll see it every day this week — your bathroom mirror, your phone wallpaper, your dashboard. Let it remind you that freedom isn't something you manufacture. It's something the Spirit of God brings when He's welcome.

Thank you for leading your group this week. What you do matters — you are helping people step out of grave clothes and into freedom. Keep going.