Relationship Goals Small Group Questions: Week 1

Relationship Goals — Week 1: Christ-Centered

Scripture References

• 1 Thessalonians 5:17
• James 5:16
• Philippians 4:6

Overview

Week 1 of the four-part “Relationship Goals” journey calls every couple, family, and friend group to become Christ-centered. What dominates the center of your life shapes what you believe, how you behave, and the impact you make. After honestly naming what actually sat at the center of the past seven days, the group is challenged to move Jesus to the middle through daily prayer—together and individually.

Context

The session opens with gratitude for life-group hosts and an outline of the series: Christ-centered, Mission-driven, Devil-kicking, and Covenant-keeping. To break the ice, members share lighthearted stories about “funniest fights” before turning to deeper self-evaluation.

Main Points

1. Four Relationship Goals Set the Road Map

• Week 1: Christ-centered
• Week 2: Mission-driven
• Week 3: Devil-kicking—standing strong against a real enemy.
• Week 4: Covenant-keeping.
• Life groups are meant to practice these goals together so every relationship grows stronger in Christ.

2. Whatever Sits at the Center Directs Your Life

• Every person orbits something—kids, career, money, self-image, hobbies.
• The center determines three expanding circles:
  1. Beliefs
  2. Behaviors
  3. Influence on others
• Honest assessment: looking at calendars, thoughts, and conversations from the last week reveals what actually held first place.

3. Moving Jesus to the Center

• Desire: “Love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love our neighbor as ourselves.”
• Ask daily: How can I put Christ first in every decision and interaction today?
• Practical starting point for married couples: pray together every single day. Singles and friends: commit to daily personal prayer.

4. Prayer Is the Foundational Habit

• Frequency: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 answers “How often should you pray?”
• Power: James 5:16 shows prayer is effective and life-changing.
• Content & Anxiety: Philippians 4:6 directs what to pray about and how to trade worry for peace.
• Self-rating exercise: On a scale of 1–10, where did your prayer life land this past week?
  • Story: The speaker put his own week at a “6,” admitting busy ministry moments turned prayer into quick “help them” requests instead of intimate time with God—fueling his resolve to raise the number.

Key Truths

• The true center of your life is revealed by last week’s habits, not intentions.
• Shifting to a Christ-centered life begins with seeking Him in daily prayer.
• Praying together knits spouses, friends, and groups closer to one another and to God.
• Scripture promises that frequent, faith-filled prayer has real power and replaces anxiety with peace.

Response

• Identify what practically occupied first place in your last seven days.
• Repent of any rival centers and invite Jesus back to the middle.
• Schedule a specific daily prayer time; if married, pray aloud together every day.
• Memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:17, James 5:16, and Philippians 4:6 to guide your conversations with God.
• Encourage someone in your group this week by praying for a need they shared.

Closing

The session ends with a call to honest self-evaluation and a simple but life-shaping assignment: pray every day. As each person moves from casual to consistent, intimate prayer, the presence of Jesus will reshape beliefs, behaviors, and the impact of every relationship.

“Life is better together when we serve Jesus with each other.”