Sept 6 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 was a favorite children’s story for you when you were younger?
Missing Buttons
SPEAKER: Pastor Nathan Pearson
Scriptures—
Eph. 2:1-5; Romans 3:23, 5:12; Isaiah 64:6; Titus 3:5; Gal. 4:4-7; John 3:16
Key Takeaways—
Core Theme - Grace, Redemption & Identity
The Human Condition: Much like Corduroy, we often live in a state of feeling "broken" or "missing a button" without initially realizing the depth or source of our spiritual need.
The Futility of Self-Fixing: We often exhaust ourselves trying to "fix" our own lives through behavior modification or religious effort, which ultimately fails to provide true peace or wholeness or transformation.
The Gospel Difference: Religion says to "work harder" or "climb higher," but the Gospel teaches that because we are dead in our sins, we cannot rescue ourselves—so Jesus came to do what we could not.
Redemption vs. Self-Improvement: God does not wait for us to be perfect or "buttoned up" before He loves and chooses us. He desires us in our brokenness and provides a new identity through adoption as His children.
Identity Shift: Once chosen by God, our "missing buttons" (failures, past, or wounds) are no longer the truest thing about us; our status as His redeemed and beloved children is.
Discussion Questions—
In what areas of your life do you feel you are may be trying to "fix your own button" rather than relying on God’s grace?
Why do we often define our identity by our failures and hurts or what we are missing instead of by who God says we are?
How does the concept of God desiring you before you were fixed change the way you view your relationship with Him?
Pastor Nathan said that religion tells us to "work harder, be a better person." What specific cultural pressures make you feel like you need to be "better" to be accepted?
How can we help each other stop identifying with our brokenness and start identifying with our redemption in Christ?
What does it look like to live as a "conduit of God’s grace from heaven to earth" instead of just focusing on the promise of heaven after we die?
Practical application—
Consider implementing one of the following this week:
Option 1: the Identity audit:
Spend time this week listing the labels you place on yourself (e.g., "I am a failure or inadequate because..."). Replace each one with a truth from Scripture about your identity in Christ.
Option 2: Surrender your buttons
During your daily prayer time, visualize the things you are trying to "fix" in your own strength and verbally hand them over to God, asking for His grace to replace your human efforts.
option 3: Speak Grace
This week, intentionally encourage someone else by affirming their value in Christ rather than focusing on their performance or behavior. Especially try this with someone close to you, like a family member, because we often focus on the failures and shortcomings of those closest to us.
Closing Prayer—
Heavenly Father,
Thank You that You did not wait for us to be perfect before You reached out to rescue us. We confess that we often try to fix ourselves, and end up exhausted by our own unsuccessful efforts.
Help us to let go of the shame of our "missing buttons" and fully anchor our identity in Your unconditional love and the finished work of Jesus. May we live this week not as people defined by our brokenness, but as Your beloved sons and daughters.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.