November 2, 2025 // Different - The New Normal
1. Share something quirky about yourself that makes you different from most people (you put ketchup on everything, you don’t like coffee, etc.)
2. In the movie clip from Wonder we heard Auggie’s sister say, “You can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.” When in your life have you felt pressure to “blend in”? How easy or hard was it to stay true to who you are, or who God made you to be?
3. Proverbs 29:25 says, “Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.” What are some of the “traps” people fall into today when it comes to trying to please others in order to fit in? How can trusting God free us from those traps?
4. We talked about how crabs pull each other down when one tries to climb out.
Have you ever experienced “crabs in a bucket” moments — when others tried to pull you down because you were trying to make a change or live differently? How did you respond?
5. Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.” What are some ways followers of Jesus can stand out in a positive way in today’s culture? What’s one area in your own life where God might be calling you to live differently?
6. Read Philippians 4:8. Garry talked about how where you look–where you focus--is where you’ll end up going even if it’s not where you want to go. What are you currently “fixing your attention on”? What would it look like this week to refocus your attention on God and let Him shape how you think and live?
For an easy way to read it wherever you go, check out the Bible under the Helpful Stuff tab on the TMP app.
1. Share something quirky about yourself that makes you different from most people (you put ketchup on everything, you don’t like coffee, etc.)
2. In the movie clip from Wonder we heard Auggie’s sister say, “You can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.” When in your life have you felt pressure to “blend in”? How easy or hard was it to stay true to who you are, or who God made you to be?
3. Proverbs 29:25 says, “Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.” What are some of the “traps” people fall into today when it comes to trying to please others in order to fit in? How can trusting God free us from those traps?
4. We talked about how crabs pull each other down when one tries to climb out.
Have you ever experienced “crabs in a bucket” moments — when others tried to pull you down because you were trying to make a change or live differently? How did you respond?
5. Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.” What are some ways followers of Jesus can stand out in a positive way in today’s culture? What’s one area in your own life where God might be calling you to live differently?
6. Read Philippians 4:8. Garry talked about how where you look–where you focus--is where you’ll end up going even if it’s not where you want to go. What are you currently “fixing your attention on”? What would it look like this week to refocus your attention on God and let Him shape how you think and live?
For an easy way to read it wherever you go, check out the Bible under the Helpful Stuff tab on the TMP app.