Small Group Guide: Grace to Repair
Series: The Power of Grace
Message: Grace to Repair
Speaker: Pastor Jerome White
Opening Prayer & Icebreaker
Prayer: Begin by asking God to reveal areas in each person's life that need His grace and repair.
Icebreaker: Share about a time you attempted a DIY home repair project. Did it go well, or did you eventually need to call in a professional?
Key Scripture References
Romans 12:1-2 (The Message)
Psalm 103:1-18
Isaiah 1:18
Sermon Summary
Pastor Jerome challenged us to stop decorating our brokenness and instead allow God to truly repair the damaged areas of our lives. Just as you can't renovate a room while living in it comfortably, we must step back and let God do the deep work—not just cosmetic changes, but fixing the foundation, the wiring, and the hidden problems we've been avoiding.
Discussion Questions
Part 1: The Mind of Grace
What "broken areas" in your life have you been avoiding or simply decorating instead of truly repairing?
Read Romans 12:1-2. What does it mean to you to "place your everyday, ordinary life before God as an offering"? What would that look like practically this week?
Pastor Jerome said, "Petition God to adjust your culture of comfort." What comfort zones might God be asking you to leave in order to grow?
How have you been trying to "renovate while living in the room"—attempting to change while holding onto old patterns?
Part 2: Wrapped in Grace
Read Psalm 103:1-18 together. Which verse or phrase stands out most to you and why?
Pastor shared the story of being cold and grabbing pieces (towel, blanket) when a full comforter was underneath him. Where in your life are you settling for "pieces" when God has something complete for you?
"It's not enough to be around God. We must be fully covered by Him." What's the difference between being around God and being fully covered by Him? Which describes your current relationship?
How does knowing that "God's love wraps around us to break the wind" change how you approach difficult circumstances?
Part 3: The Value of Repair
Read Isaiah 1:18. What does it mean that God wants to "argue this out" with us? How does this picture of God differ from how you typically view Him?
Pastor said, "Don't die like dogs—waiting for someone to give you something." Where have you been waiting passively instead of actively pursuing what God has for you?
"Only you can abort the process." What might cause someone to stop the repair process God has started in their life?
How does understanding your value in God's eyes change your willingness to go through the repair process?
Key Takeaways
✅ Stop decorating brokenness—God wants to do deep renovation, not cosmetic touch-ups
✅ Separate yourself from what needs repair—You can't renovate while living in dysfunction
✅ Petition God to adjust your culture of comfort—Growth requires leaving comfort zones
✅ It's not enough to be around God—We must be fully covered by Him
✅ God's repair process is not up for debate—He completes what He starts if we don't abort the process
✅ Your value hasn't diminished—What you went through doesn't define your final worth
Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge: The Oil & Prayer Exercise
Following Pastor Jerome's instruction, take home anointing oil and:
Walk through your home praying over each room
Touch doorframes, beds, kitchen appliances, and pray for God's presence
Anoint your vehicle and pray for safety
Create a "sacred space" mindset in your everyday environment
Personal Reflection Questions
Set aside 30 minutes this week to journal on these questions:
What specific area of brokenness am I ready to stop decorating and start repairing?
What would it look like to give God "full contractor rights" over this area?
What comfort zones do I need to leave to experience God's full renovation?
Where am I settling for "pieces" instead of God's complete covering?
Accountability Partner Action
Pair up with someone in your group
Share ONE specific area you're committing to let God repair
Text each other daily this week with prayer requests and progress updates
Pray specifically for each other's "renovation process"
Group Activity Option
The Renovation Metaphor Exercise:
Bring construction paper, markers, and building materials
Have each person draw/create a "before and after" of an area God is renovating in their life
Share with the group and pray over each person's renovation
Memory Verse
Psalm 103:12 (The Message)
"And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins."
Prayer Focus
Pray for:
Courage to expose broken areas to God's light
Willingness to step out of comfort zones
Patience with God's renovation timeline
Faith to believe in complete restoration, not just partial fixes
Protection from aborting what God has started
Eyes to see our value as God sees it
Closing Prayer Prompt:
Have each person share one area they're committing to repair, then have the group lay hands on them and pray specifically for God's grace in that area.
Before Next Week
Download the Family Life Church app and explore upcoming events
Join a life group (Life Group Fair on January 25th)
Consider registering for baptism (January 18th at 11am service)
Continue the 21-Day Churchwide Fast (5am-5pm, water only)
Pledge toward the Future Home Campaign if you haven't already
Leader Notes
Sensitivity Reminder: Some group members may have deep trauma or brokenness. Create a safe space where vulnerability is honored. Have resources available (counseling referrals, pastoral care contacts) for those who may need professional help beyond group support.
Time Management: This guide contains more questions than most groups can cover in one session. Select 6-8 questions that best fit your group's needs and dynamic.
Follow-Up: Check in with anyone who shared vulnerable areas during discussion. A simple text during the week can make a significant difference.
"God will not stop until the repair is complete. But only you can abort the process." - Pastor Jerome White
Series: The Power of Grace
Message: Grace to Repair
Speaker: Pastor Jerome White
Opening Prayer & Icebreaker
Prayer: Begin by asking God to reveal areas in each person's life that need His grace and repair.
Icebreaker: Share about a time you attempted a DIY home repair project. Did it go well, or did you eventually need to call in a professional?
Key Scripture References
Romans 12:1-2 (The Message)
Psalm 103:1-18
Isaiah 1:18
Sermon Summary
Pastor Jerome challenged us to stop decorating our brokenness and instead allow God to truly repair the damaged areas of our lives. Just as you can't renovate a room while living in it comfortably, we must step back and let God do the deep work—not just cosmetic changes, but fixing the foundation, the wiring, and the hidden problems we've been avoiding.
Discussion Questions
Part 1: The Mind of Grace
What "broken areas" in your life have you been avoiding or simply decorating instead of truly repairing?
Read Romans 12:1-2. What does it mean to you to "place your everyday, ordinary life before God as an offering"? What would that look like practically this week?
Pastor Jerome said, "Petition God to adjust your culture of comfort." What comfort zones might God be asking you to leave in order to grow?
How have you been trying to "renovate while living in the room"—attempting to change while holding onto old patterns?
Part 2: Wrapped in Grace
Read Psalm 103:1-18 together. Which verse or phrase stands out most to you and why?
Pastor shared the story of being cold and grabbing pieces (towel, blanket) when a full comforter was underneath him. Where in your life are you settling for "pieces" when God has something complete for you?
"It's not enough to be around God. We must be fully covered by Him." What's the difference between being around God and being fully covered by Him? Which describes your current relationship?
How does knowing that "God's love wraps around us to break the wind" change how you approach difficult circumstances?
Part 3: The Value of Repair
Read Isaiah 1:18. What does it mean that God wants to "argue this out" with us? How does this picture of God differ from how you typically view Him?
Pastor said, "Don't die like dogs—waiting for someone to give you something." Where have you been waiting passively instead of actively pursuing what God has for you?
"Only you can abort the process." What might cause someone to stop the repair process God has started in their life?
How does understanding your value in God's eyes change your willingness to go through the repair process?
Key Takeaways
✅ Stop decorating brokenness—God wants to do deep renovation, not cosmetic touch-ups
✅ Separate yourself from what needs repair—You can't renovate while living in dysfunction
✅ Petition God to adjust your culture of comfort—Growth requires leaving comfort zones
✅ It's not enough to be around God—We must be fully covered by Him
✅ God's repair process is not up for debate—He completes what He starts if we don't abort the process
✅ Your value hasn't diminished—What you went through doesn't define your final worth
Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge: The Oil & Prayer Exercise
Following Pastor Jerome's instruction, take home anointing oil and:
Walk through your home praying over each room
Touch doorframes, beds, kitchen appliances, and pray for God's presence
Anoint your vehicle and pray for safety
Create a "sacred space" mindset in your everyday environment
Personal Reflection Questions
Set aside 30 minutes this week to journal on these questions:
What specific area of brokenness am I ready to stop decorating and start repairing?
What would it look like to give God "full contractor rights" over this area?
What comfort zones do I need to leave to experience God's full renovation?
Where am I settling for "pieces" instead of God's complete covering?
Accountability Partner Action
Pair up with someone in your group
Share ONE specific area you're committing to let God repair
Text each other daily this week with prayer requests and progress updates
Pray specifically for each other's "renovation process"
Group Activity Option
The Renovation Metaphor Exercise:
Bring construction paper, markers, and building materials
Have each person draw/create a "before and after" of an area God is renovating in their life
Share with the group and pray over each person's renovation
Memory Verse
Psalm 103:12 (The Message)
"And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins."
Prayer Focus
Pray for:
Courage to expose broken areas to God's light
Willingness to step out of comfort zones
Patience with God's renovation timeline
Faith to believe in complete restoration, not just partial fixes
Protection from aborting what God has started
Eyes to see our value as God sees it
Closing Prayer Prompt:
Have each person share one area they're committing to repair, then have the group lay hands on them and pray specifically for God's grace in that area.
Before Next Week
Download the Family Life Church app and explore upcoming events
Join a life group (Life Group Fair on January 25th)
Consider registering for baptism (January 18th at 11am service)
Continue the 21-Day Churchwide Fast (5am-5pm, water only)
Pledge toward the Future Home Campaign if you haven't already
Leader Notes
Sensitivity Reminder: Some group members may have deep trauma or brokenness. Create a safe space where vulnerability is honored. Have resources available (counseling referrals, pastoral care contacts) for those who may need professional help beyond group support.
Time Management: This guide contains more questions than most groups can cover in one session. Select 6-8 questions that best fit your group's needs and dynamic.
Follow-Up: Check in with anyone who shared vulnerable areas during discussion. A simple text during the week can make a significant difference.
"God will not stop until the repair is complete. But only you can abort the process." - Pastor Jerome White