8:30PM OPTIONAL CO-ED, BIBLE STUDY, POTLUCK, FILM, THE ILLUSION OF CONTROL AND THE FREEDOM IN SURRENDERING TO CHRIST
Scripture Study
PROVERBS 19:21
"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."
JAMES 4:13-15
"Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'"
MATTHEW 6:25-27
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"
PSALM 46:10
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
2 CORINTHIANS 12:9
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
ISAIAH 41:10
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
LUKE 9:23-24
"Then he said to them all, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.'"
PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
ROMANS 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
MATTHEW 11:28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Key Notes on the Study
We all struggle with the illusion of control. The belief that we can map out every detail of our lives—our careers, relationships, futures—is often driven by a mix of fear and pride. The Bible, however, continually reminds us that surrender is not about loss but freedom. God's sovereignty is steady when our plans crumble. Through the scriptures, we see a pattern emerge—where control fades, trust deepens. Each verse highlights God's call to stop clinging so tightly to our plans and lean into His will. His path is beyond what we can imagine and rooted in love, grace, and purpose. When we release our grip, we allow His peace to flood the spaces we once filled with anxiety.
Unpacking these truths requires vulnerability. Sharing where we feel the need for control invites both the Spirit and community to work in us. Taking notes during this study isn’t about gathering answers but reflecting on how God is asking you to trust Him more—perhaps in your job decisions, relationships, or moments of unknown ahead.
Group Questions
Which of the scriptures spoke to you most personally, and why?
What are specific areas of your life where you feel the strongest need to maintain control?
How do your plans sometimes overshadow seeking God's will?
Reflect on a time when a plan of yours fell apart. What did God teach you through that experience?
Why do you think surrendering control is so hard for us as humans?
How does anxiety play into our desire to take control of situations?
What does being "still" before God (Psalm 46:10) practically look like in your daily life?
How does trusting God’s sovereignty bring peace, even in uncertainty?
Who in your life models surrendering to Christ well? What can you learn from them?
What steps can you take to remind yourself that God's plans prevail over your own?
How does “taking up your cross daily” (Luke 9:23) challenge the idea of leading our lives on our own terms?
What role does gratitude (Philippians 4:6-7) play in surrendering control?
What lies do we believe when we think we can control everything?
How can community help in moments when we struggle to surrender control to God?
Reflect on the phrase "His grace is sufficient for you.” How does this shift your perspective on control versus trust?
What practical practices can help you rely less on your own plans and more on God’s?
How does knowing God works all things for good (Romans 8:28) give you confidence in the unknown?
What are simple ways you can start your day by giving control to Christ?
Share a moment where surrendering to God led to something greater than you could have achieved alone.
When considering Matthew 6, what would life look like if we trusted God fully instead of worrying?
The idea of surrender is counterintuitive in the world we live in today. Society glorifies self-sufficiency and independence, but Christ calls us to pick up a cross, not a crown of control. Group participation is essential here—not just because others may relate to your shared struggles, but because our stories of surrender are often what God uses to open the hearts of others. Listen actively, share honestly, and leave space for Him to move.
Post-Bible Study Potluck and Movie Night
After the Bible study, we’ll come together for a casual potluck to enjoy fellowship over some great food. There will be plenty of American classics to choose from—think fresh salads, pizza, burgers, and healthy drink options. For those in a time crunch, feel free to bring your favorite takeout meal. It's all about spending time together, sharing stories, and connecting in a relaxed atmosphere.
Once we’ve eaten and settled in, we’ll watch “Gamer,” a thought-provoking movie that dives into themes of control, freedom, and the ethical dilemmas of advancing technology. Set in a near-future world, the movie follows Kable, a man imprisoned and forced to participate in a deadly real-life video game controlled remotely by players. Beneath its high-octane action scenes, "Gamer" raises deeper questions about agency, exploitation, and community, offering plenty of material for group reflection.
Discussion Questions
What parallels can you draw between the themes of control in the movie and the concept of surrender we discussed in the Bible study?
How does the movie challenge our understanding of freedom?
What role does community have in both the movie and in our lives as believers?
Were there moments in "Gamer" that reminded you of biblical perspectives on justice or mercy?
How do you feel about the ethical issues of technology portrayed in the film?
What does the main character’s pursuit of freedom teach us about perseverance and faith?
How can the messages in “Gamer” reshape how we view the influence of media and culture?
Did the movie make you think differently about how we exercise control in our own lives?
What comparisons can you make between the movie’s portrayal of second chances and God’s infinite grace?
How does this movie emphasize the importance of human connection despite a world dominated by digital interfaces?
We look forward to lively conversations after the movie that tie together the spiritual truths we’ve explored with the broader questions raised by the film!