August 30 2026
The heart of a Rust City Group is to care for people and carry the culture of Rust City Church.
You don’t have to follow this guide like a script! Use discernment from the Holy Spirit as you lead your group discussion.
If you notice that someone in your group needs additional care or support that’s beyond your capacity, please let a pastor know.
ICEBREAKER QUESTION OPTION:
What are you most looking forward to about the upcoming Revive Weekend?
Hot Takes Pt. 3
SPEAKER: Pastor Tiffany Varner
Scriptures—
Romans 12:1-2; I Timothy 2:8; Psalm 95:6; I Peter 2:5; Hebrews 13:15; Eph. 4:11-12; Matt. 28:19; Gal. 4:19
Key Takeaways—
Core Theme - Don’t Bring Your Consumer Attitudes to Church
The Danger of Consumerism: Church isn't a marketplace to be reviewed or a product to be rated based on our personal preferences. When our preferences become our authority, the things that drive our attitudes and actions, it hinders spiritual formation in our lives.
The Goal of Church: The primary purpose of the church is to worship God, equip the saints for service, and reach the world—not to cater to our comforts and wishes.
Active Discipleship: We are not spectators; we are the body of Christ. Being a Christian involves surrender, active participation, and being present rather than just showing up to a church service.
Identity as Priests: Because of Jesus, we are all part of a "holy priesthood" with direct access to God, called to offer our lives as a living sacrifice.
Discussion Questions—
In what areas of your life—at church or elsewhere—are you most tempted to have a "consumer" mindset?
Why do you think it is often easier to "do church" as a routine rather than to "be the church" in our daily lives?
How does your perspective on Sunday morning change when you view it as a time to offer worship rather than receive something you want?
The message emphasizes that being active in the church is not optional for the believer. What are the dangers of viewing church involvement as supplemental rather than central to faith?
How can we, as fellow disciple of Jesus, better support each other in being "activated" for service rather than just spectators?
What is one personal preference regarding church you might need to "lay down" to better serve the body of Christ?
Practical application—
Consider implementing one of the following this week:
Option 1: Commit to serving in the church
Commit to asking a ministry leader this week how you can serve, even in a small or behind-the-scenes capacity - Wednesday Outreach and Children’s Ministry both need help, for example
Option 2: Practice Intentional Presence
Next Sunday, come with the specific goal of being "fully present"—focusing your attention and engagement upward to God and towards connecting with new people
option 3: Be a Living Sacrifice this week
What is one preference you have about how things should be? Practice surrendering that or serving someone else this week (Monday–Saturday) that is outside of your usual comfort zone to keep your faith active outside of Sunday meetings
Closing Prayer—
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for inviting us into Your greater story. Forgive us for the times we have treated Your church like a place of consumption rather than a place of surrender.
Align our hearts with Your desires. Help us to be living sacrifices, active, engaged, and ready to serve. Form Christ in us, that we might love like Him, serve like Him, and reach our world with Your grace and truth. Use our hands, our voices, and our lives for Your glory.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.