Welcome, Group Leader
Thank you for leading your group through the Start Here journey. Whether you're facilitating a small group, Bible study, couples discussion, family devotion, or one-on-one discipleship, you're doing something beautiful: creating space for believers to understand God's sovereignty more deeply and fall in love with Jesus more fully.
This guide follows the 5-phase Start Here journey. Each session is designed for 60–90 minutes and requires no theological background. What matters most is creating a safe environment where people can ask hard questions, wrestle with Scripture, and experience the freedom that comes when we truly understand God is in charge of our salvation.
For Honest Questions
This study creates space for real doubts and tough objections. Nothing is off-limits; everything points to Scripture.
For Growing Faith
As people see that God is truly sovereign, their confidence in Him deepens. Assurance and joy follow.
For Any Setting
Small groups, couples, families, youth groups, or one-on-one. Adapt the length and depth to your context.
How to Use This Guide
- Before Each Session: Have everyone read the corresponding Start Here phase page. It takes 15–20 minutes and gives everyone the same foundation. This isn't busy work — it sets the stage for meaningful conversation.
- During the Session: Work through the discussion questions together. Don't rush. Let silence happen. Some of the best insights come when people think before they speak. If someone brings up a new objection, chase it down in Scripture.
- After the Session: Encourage people to spend time in personal reflection and read the linked deep-dives on topics that stirred them most. This is where individual conviction deepens.
- Leader Tip: You don't need to answer every question. Your job is to guide people to Scripture and let God's Word do the work. When someone asks something you don't know, say "Great question. Let's see what the Bible says."
Leader Tips for Success
Create a Welcoming Environment: Make it clear that doubt, confusion, and tough questions are normal. Jesus wasn't afraid of hard questions, and neither should we be.
Don't Rush Answers: Some questions are meant to sit with people for a while. "I don't know, but let's think about what Scripture says" is a better answer than a quick theological explanation.
Let Scripture Speak: Point people to the text, not to your interpretation. "What does the verse actually say?" is more powerful than "Here's what I think it means."
Listen More Than You Talk: Your role is to facilitate, not to lecture. The best discussions happen when group members own the questions and wrestling.
Celebrate Conversion: When someone moves from "I've never thought about this" to "Oh, I see what Scripture says," that's a moment to celebrate. God is at work.
The 5-Week Journey
Discussion Questions
- What was your first exposure to Reformed theology? What was your reaction?
- The page describes salvation as "entirely the work of God — from first to last." Does that comfort you or trouble you? Why?
- Read Ephesians 2:1. What does it mean to be "dead in trespasses"? Can a dead person contribute to their own resurrection?
- What's the difference between saying "I found God" and "God found me"? Which feels more biblical?
- The comparison table shows two views of salvation. Which column feels more like what you've been taught? Which feels more like what Scripture teaches?
- Why do you think so many Christians resist the idea that salvation is entirely God's work?
- Read John 15:16 — "You did not choose me, but I chose you." How does this challenge or confirm your current understanding?
- What is one thing from Phase 1 that surprised you?
Discussion Questions
- Total Depravity doesn't mean we're as bad as possible — it means every part of us is affected by sin. How does this change the common objection that "people can't be THAT bad"?
- Read Ephesians 1:4–5. When did God choose His people? What was the basis of His choice?
- Limited Atonement is the most controversial point. Discuss: Did Christ die to make salvation possible for everyone, or to actually secure salvation for His people? What's the practical difference?
- Irresistible Grace: If God's grace is irresistible, are we robots? How does John 6:37 address this?
- Read John 10:28–29. How does Perseverance of the Saints differ from "once saved, always saved"?
- Which of the five points do you find most beautiful? Most difficult?
- How do the five points connect to each other? Can you believe some without the others?
- If TULIP is true, what does it say about the kind of God we worship?
Discussion Questions
- Read Ephesians 1:3–11 together. Count how many times Paul says God is the one acting. What does this tell us about the author of salvation?
- In John 6:44, Jesus says "No one CAN come to me unless the Father draws him." What's the difference between "can" and "will"? Why does that matter?
- Romans 9:11–13 describes God's choice of Jacob over Esau before they were born. How does Paul answer the objection "Is God unjust?" (v. 14–18)? Does he soften the doctrine or strengthen it?
- Read Romans 8:29–30 — the Golden Chain. Notice every verb is past tense, including "glorified." What does this tell us about the certainty of salvation?
- Acts 13:48 says "as many as were appointed to eternal life believed." What came first — their belief or their appointment?
- Ezekiel 36:26 — "I will give you a new heart." Who does the giving? Who receives? What does this say about regeneration?
- Are there passages that seem to teach the opposite? How do we handle apparent tensions in Scripture?
- After looking at these passages, do you think the case for sovereign grace is strong or weak? Why?
Discussion Questions
- "What about free will?" — Read John 8:34 and Romans 8:7. What kind of "freedom" does a slave to sin have?
- Is it fair for God to choose some and not others? Before you answer, consider: Is it fair for God to save ANY sinners? What does fairness actually look like?
- "Whosoever believes" (John 3:16) — does this verse teach that anyone CAN believe, or that anyone WHO believes is saved? What's the difference?
- Read 1 Timothy 2:4 — "God desires all people to be saved." How do we reconcile this with texts that clearly teach election? Discuss: does "all" always mean "every single individual without exception"?
- "If God chose who would be saved, why evangelize?" How would you answer this? (Hint: 2 Timothy 2:10)
- Which objection did you find most challenging? Which answer was most satisfying?
- Have you ever had someone raise one of these objections to you? How did you respond? How would you respond differently now?
- Why do you think people are more offended by God choosing us than by God judging us? What does that reveal?
Discussion Questions
- How does sovereign grace change your ASSURANCE? Read John 10:28–29 — if your salvation depends on God's grip rather than yours, how does that affect your confidence?
- How does it change your PRAYER life? If God is sovereign, why pray? Discuss: does prayer change God's mind, or participate in God's plan?
- How does it change your WORSHIP? When you realize you contributed nothing to your salvation, what happens to your worship?
- How does it change your EVANGELISM? Does election make you MORE or LESS motivated to share the gospel? Why?
- How does it change your view of SUFFERING? Read Romans 8:28. How does sovereignty transform pain from meaningless to purposeful?
- Has this study changed any of your views? Which ones?
- What's one practical way you will live differently this week because of sovereign grace?
- Read Romans 11:33–36 together as a closing prayer/worship: "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!..." How does this passage capture the heart of everything you've studied?
Choose one person to share what you've learned with this month. Remember 2 Timothy 2:10: "Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory."
Leader Resources & Adaptations
Handling Disagreements Gracefully
When someone disagrees, your job isn't to win the argument — it's to point to Scripture. Say: "Here's what I see in the text. What do you see?" Let Scripture be the authority, not your opinion.
Creating Safety for Doubters
Make it clear: "Doubt is not disbelief. Questions are not rebellion." Some of the people in your group are silently skeptical. Create space for them to voice concerns without judgment.
Further Study & Books
Recommend trusted resources for those who want to go deeper. Check out our complete books resource page for curated reading lists.
Adapting for Family Devotions
Shorten sessions to 20–30 minutes. Use 2–3 questions instead of all 8–10. Let kids ask "Why?" as many times as they want. This doctrine is for children too.
One-on-One Discipleship
In 1:1 settings, slow down even more. This is where you can explore specific wrestling points that matter to that person. Let the discussion breathe.
Youth Group Adaptation
Use the icebreakers liberally. Teens respond to honest questions and creative analogies. Connect sovereignty to their real anxieties: grades, identity, future. God is in charge of it all.
Ready to Start Your Group?
You have everything you need. The discussions are thoughtful. The questions point to Scripture. Your role is simply to create space where people can encounter God's Word and let Him transform their thinking.
Don't wait for the "perfect group" or the "right time." Start with whoever God brings. He promises to show up where His Word is opened and studied together.
Remember: You're not the expert who has all the answers. You're a guide who knows how to ask good questions and let Scripture answer them. Trust the Holy Spirit to do the real work.
He will. He always does.