Small Group Discussion Guide

"Days of Holy Fire Revival Service — Back to Basics"

A Message by Pastor Chris Hufton

1. SERMON RECAP

Pastor Chris Hufton challenged the congregation to stop educating themselves beyond their obedience, calling the church back to the simple but demanding work of actually doing what God's Word says. He drew on James 1:19-27 to show that hearing the Word without obeying it is self-deception, and he pressed into practical areas where modern believers have quietly drifted — from neglecting the tithe to surrendering their attention to screens and digital content. He closed with a call to let the consuming fire of God burn away everything that dilutes a believer's saltiness and effectiveness in the world.

2. KEY SCRIPTURE

James 1:22-25 (NLT)

"But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it."

3. ICE BREAKER

What is one piece of practical advice you have known for years — about health, finances, relationships, or anything else — that you have still never quite gotten around to following?

4. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Question 1 Pastor Chris drew a sharp distinction between accumulating biblical knowledge and actually obeying what a person already knows. He asked, "Why are you trying to educate yourself beyond your obedience?" Where do you think that gap between knowing and doing tends to show up most honestly in everyday Christian life?

Question 2 Pastor Chris used the image of salt being diluted by water, arguing that the more competing voices, content, and distractions a believer pours into their life, the less distinct their saltiness becomes. He pointed out that fire is the only way to boil the water off and restore the salt's potency. What are the specific "waters" in your own life that you sense are diluting your walk with God right now?

Question 3 Romans 12:17-21 and Deuteronomy 1:30 were used to make the case that God fights His own battles and does not need His people to become combative on His behalf — whether online or otherwise. Pastor Chris challenged the group to post truth without diving into the comment sections of those who oppose it. How do you personally navigate the tension between standing for truth and slipping into carnal conflict, especially on social media?

Question 4 Pastor Chris described the modern smartphone as a portal that can either build a believer's fire or drag them toward spiritual coldness — and he noted that multi-billion-dollar companies are scientifically designed to capture and hold human attention. He asked, "Where do we give our attention?" How intentional are you currently about what you allow your eyes and your time to consume, and what does that pattern reveal about what you are actually worshiping?

Question 5 He referenced Matthew 7:21-23, where Jesus warns that people who prophesied, cast out demons, and performed miracles in His name will still hear the words "I never knew you." Pastor Chris connected this to the fruits of the Spirit — patience, kindness, love, joy, peace — as the true measure of whether someone's fire is burning. Honestly, which fruit of the Spirit do people closest to you see most clearly in your daily life, and which one would they say still needs work?

Question 6 Pastor Chris pointed to the Lyft driver named Johnny, who earned forty-seven thousand dollars driving Lyft and gave it all away to trafficking survivors, school fees in Africa, and people in need. He said she was simply doing what God said — giving her life away. What would it look like for you to take one thing God has already clearly told you to do and actually do it this week, without waiting for more information, more teaching, or better circumstances?

5. APPLICATION CHALLENGE

Before the group meets again, each person should conduct an honest audit of their weekly screen time — using the built-in usage report on their phone — and identify one specific app or content category that is consistently consuming time that could be given to prayer, Scripture, or serving others. The challenge is not simply to feel convicted but to take one concrete action: delete the app, set a firm daily time limit on it, or replace thirty minutes of scrolling with thirty minutes of reading Scripture or praying out loud. Come back next week ready to share what the audit revealed and what action was taken.

6. PRAYER POINTS

First: Pray that each group member would develop a genuine hunger to obey what they already know from Scripture, and that the Holy Spirit would close the gap between knowledge and action in each person's life.

Second: Pray for protection over families — especially children and teenagers — from the harmful and spiritually dangerous content that is accessible through devices, and for wisdom among parents to put meaningful, loving boundaries in place.

Third: Pray that God's consuming fire would burn away pride, spiritual performance, and any area where group members have been doing religious activity for their own recognition rather than out of genuine love for God and others.

7. MEMORY VERSE

James 1:22 (NLT)

"But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise you are only fooling yourselves."