A Curious Person

When people think of Christians, they sometimes picture us as cranky, pious, or stuck in our ways. But that’s nothing like Jesus. So how do we break through those misconceptions and genuinely connect with the people in our lives? In this series, we’ll discover three underrated character traits that can reshape how we live and love. Growing in these qualities will draw us closer to God’s presence, deepen our relationships, and help us reflect his love more clearly to the world around us. Watch Full Service Discussion Guide  Week 1: A Curious Person  Begin your time together with prayer  Introduction  Take a few minutes to check in. How did your week go, and what was it like trying to put last week’s action step into practice?  Connect   Take a few minutes to talk together:  What is something you looked up or asked about recently simply because you were curious?   When has curiosity helped you connect with someone in a meaningful or unexpected way?  Opening  We’re beginning a new series called You 2.0. Sometimes people imagine Christians as cranky, rigid, or stuck in their ways, but that isn’t who Jesus is at all. This week’s message focused on a quality that often gets overlooked but can change the way we live, love, and connect with others: curiosity. When we approach people and situations with curiosity instead of defensiveness, we reflect the character of Jesus. Curiosity opens us up to wisdom, truth, and stronger relationships.  This leads us to our main idea for this week  We should engage the world with curiosity.   Unpack  Read each set of verses out loud as a group, making observations as you go. Afterward discuss each of the connected questions before moving to the next set of verses:  Read   Proverbs 18:2  Proverbs 18:15  What kind of posture or mindset is God inviting us into in these verses?  How does curiosity help us “tune our ears” toward wisdom?  How do these passages help us understand why curiosity matters to God and to our spiritual growth?  Read  1 Thessalonians 5:21  Philippians 2:3–4  Colossians 4:5–6  James 1:19  How does curiosity help us test ideas rather than react quickly to them?  What do these passages show us about the value of taking an interest in others?  How does humility make curiosity possible in relationships?  How can choosing curiosity in our conversations help people see Jesus more clearly?  Action Step   Where in your life do you notice yourself reacting quickly instead of slowing down to understand?  Is there a relationship where curiosity feels difficult for you right now?  What gets in the way of being curious with the people around you?  When has someone’s curiosity toward you made you feel seen or valued?  Let what surfaced in these questions guide your Action Step this week. Take a moment to talk with God about what stood out to you and ask him to help you grow in curiosity.   Identify someone in your life you interact with often but maybe don’t slow down enough to truly understand. Ask one question this week that helps you learn something new about them. Notice what happens in you when you choose curiosity over reaction.  Choose one conversation this week and practice being “quick to listen and slow to speak.” Before offering your opinion, pause and ask one clarifying or compassionate question.   Closing   Growing in curiosity takes time. Most of us will not get it right every time, but God is patient with us as we learn to slow down, listen, and really see the people around us. As you practice curiosity this week, invite God to shape the way you respond and the way you show up in your relationships. Over time, he grows something in us that others can actually see, and it helps us reflect Jesus in simple, everyday ways.  Pray Together  Pray for the Missionary Focus this week, then take prayer requests from your group and conclude your time in prayer for your group.  Missionary Focus – Joseph Bradford III  Joseph launched his nonprofit, B.A.R.E. Truth, Inc., in 2018 to serve individuals and families in Los Angeles facing homelessness, food insecurity, and other critical needs.  Prayer Requests:   For a continual positive partnership with LA county    For the physical and mental wellbeing of the people he serves    Spend a few minutes in prayer for Joseph  Reflection Verse for the Week:  *Read this verse, then encourage the practice of reflection and memorization through the week.  Proverbs 16:16 – “How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!”  **When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us.  Daily Devotional Verses   Use the S.O.A.P. method to reflect on the verses below.  Scripture: Read the verses several times. Reading out loud can be helpful as well.  Observation: What can you see about the scripture you read?  Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do, or feel, based on what you have read?  Prayer: This is a chance to talk to God about what you have read and ask him for help in living out what you’ve learned.  Day 1: James 3:13  Day 2: Proverbs 29:11  Day 3: Proverbs 18:2  Day 4: Romans 15:2  Day 5: John 13:34  Day 6: Philippians 2:3  The post A Curious Person appeared first on Journey of Faith.