Small Group Discussion Guide

"Live A Life That Pleases God"

A Message by Pastor Mirek Hufton

1. SERMON RECAP

Pastor Mirek Hufton explored what it means to live like Jesus by examining the driving motivation behind a consecrated life — pleasing the Father in all things. Drawing from John 8:29, he challenged the congregation to move beyond casual Christianity toward a passionate, faith-filled pursuit of holiness. He reminded listeners that pleasing God is not rooted in legalism but in love, and that a pure heart produces a powerful life.

2. KEY SCRIPTURE

John 8:29 (NKJV)

"And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him."

3. ICE BREAKER

Think of someone in your life — a parent, coach, mentor, or employer — whose approval genuinely mattered to you. What was one thing you did specifically because you wanted to please them?

4. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Question 1 — Understanding the Text Pastor Mirek pointed to Enoch in Hebrews 11:5 as a man whose defining testimony was that he pleased God. What do you think a life that consistently pleases God actually looks like in everyday, ordinary moments — not just in dramatic acts of faith?

Question 2 — Honest Reflection Pastor Mirek drew a clear distinction between living to please God, living to please people, and living to please ourselves. Which of those three pulls most strongly on you right now, and in what area of life does that show up most clearly?

Question 3 — Going Deeper He highlighted Ephesians 4:30, warning that believers can grieve the Holy Spirit through things like lying, bitterness, corrupt speech, and unchecked anger. Which of those is most commonly overlooked or excused among Christians today, and why do you think that is?

Question 4 — The Power of Words Pastor Mirek taught that what comes out of our mouths — doubt, negativity, cutting others down, or coarse talk — is one of the primary ways we grieve God. How does what we say either reflect or contradict what we claim to believe about God's promises over our lives?

Question 5 — Sin and Freedom He made a strong case that holiness is not a restriction but a place of genuine freedom, referencing Romans 6 and the idea that Christians are to reckon themselves dead to sin. Does that idea feel real and livable to you, or does it feel more like a theological concept that is hard to apply? What makes the difference?

Question 6 — The Cost of Pleasing God Pastor Mirek shared personal stories of choosing to honor God over the expectations of employers and social pressure. He said plainly that when you please God, people will sometimes not be pleased. Can you think of a moment when pleasing God cost you something socially or professionally? What did that experience teach you?

5. APPLICATION CHALLENGE

This week, choose one specific area — speech, a habit, a relationship, or a daily routine — where you sense God is asking for greater consecration. Write down one concrete action you will take in the next seven days to align that area more fully with what pleases Him, and share it with one person in this group who can follow up with you before next week's meeting.

6. PRAYER POINTS

• Pray that each group member would develop a genuine, growing passion to please God above the approval of people or the desires of self, just as Pastor Mirek described.

• Pray for freedom from any specific sin cycle that has felt habitual or difficult to break, believing together that 2026 can be the year those cycles are broken, as Pastor Mirek declared over the congregation.

• Pray for the boldness to speak words of faith over your circumstances rather than words of doubt, trusting that a life of holy, faith-filled speech honors God and steers your life in the direction He intends.

7. MEMORY VERSE

1 Peter 1:15 (NKJV)

"But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct."

Leader Note: Encourage group members to return next week ready to share how their application challenge went. Celebration and honest accountability both belong in this space.