GROUP LEADER RESOURCES
Thanks for leading a group! Everything you need to lead well is right here. We'll continue adding resources throughout the semester, so check back anytime. This is designed to be your one-stop for resources for Houston Church. Email us HERE if you have any questions or if there are any resources you are missing.
WEEKLY DISCUSSION GUIDE
Everything you need to lead this week's conversation. Each Week's Resources Include:
- Discussion Questions
- Icebreakers
- Verse / Background / Context in Message
- Leader Notes
- Prayer Focused
September 6TH | RHYTHMS | Week 1
DOWNLOAD QUESTIONS HERE
Main Section: Romans 4:4-5; 5:1-2
Focus Verse: Romans 5:1 — Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
We treat rest like a prize we haven't earned, something to grab for once the to-do list is finally empty. It never is. This week we look at what Paul says in Romans about grace instead of wages, and why real rest isn't time off from proving yourself, it's stepping off the treadmill entirely. We're kicking off RHYTHMS and sending everyone home with a custom Houston Church Bible to start digging in with us.
Main Section: Romans 4:4-5; 5:1-2
Focus Verse: Romans 5:1 — Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
We treat rest like a prize we haven't earned, something to grab for once the to-do list is finally empty. It never is. This week we look at what Paul says in Romans about grace instead of wages, and why real rest isn't time off from proving yourself, it's stepping off the treadmill entirely. We're kicking off RHYTHMS and sending everyone home with a custom Houston Church Bible to start digging in with us.
September 13TH | RHYTHMS | Week 2
DOWNLOAD QUESTIONS HERE
Main Section: Romans 13:11-14
Focus Verse: Romans 13:14 — Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
Some things we carry once felt useful — even protective. But they've quietly become the thing keeping us from growing. This week, hear a story of what it looks like to finally put something down, then dig into Romans 13 and the idea that release isn't a one-time deep clean — it's a daily choice. Bibles in house. Don't have one? Take one!
Main Section: Romans 13:11-14
Focus Verse: Romans 13:14 — Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
Some things we carry once felt useful — even protective. But they've quietly become the thing keeping us from growing. This week, hear a story of what it looks like to finally put something down, then dig into Romans 13 and the idea that release isn't a one-time deep clean — it's a daily choice. Bibles in house. Don't have one? Take one!
September 20TH | RHYTHMS | Week 3
DOWNLOAD QUESTIONS HERE
Main Section: Romans 8:26-27; 10:12-13
Focus Verse: Romans 8:26 — And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groaning that cannot be expressed in words.
Our minds are loud. Constant opinions, constant noise, constant pressure to have it all figured out — and most of us have no idea how to actually be still. This week we sit with Paul's words about prayer that doesn't need the right words, just honesty, and build a simple daily rhythm to hand our day back over in real time. We'll use the built-in template in the prayer journal to make it stick.
Main Section: Romans 8:26-27; 10:12-13
Focus Verse: Romans 8:26 — And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groaning that cannot be expressed in words.
Our minds are loud. Constant opinions, constant noise, constant pressure to have it all figured out — and most of us have no idea how to actually be still. This week we sit with Paul's words about prayer that doesn't need the right words, just honesty, and build a simple daily rhythm to hand our day back over in real time. We'll use the built-in template in the prayer journal to make it stick.
September 27TH | RHYTHMS | Week 4
DOWNLOAD QUESTIONS HERE
Main Section: Romans 6:1-4, 11-13
Focus Verse: Romans 6:4 — For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
There's a difference between managing what you're ashamed of and actually letting it go. This week closes out RHYTHMS at the baptism waters — where everything we've practiced in the journal all series becomes physical. It's not about graduating from bad habits. It's about burying the old version of you and stepping out clean. Come celebrate with us as our church family gets baptized.
October 4TH | Holy Ghost Stories | Week 1 - The Rising
DOWNLOAD QUESTIONS HERE
Main Section: Ezekiel 37:1–14; John 14:16–17
Focus Verse: Ezekiel 37:5 — This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again!
Some things are hard to explain—and impossible to forget. But what happens when understanding them might interrupt the life we’ve built? We’re kicking off HOLY GHOST STORIES in a valley of dry bones, where everything comes together but still needs life. This week introduces the Holy Spirit as a Person who gives life we cannot manufacture—and invites us to become available to the One who came to dwell within us.
Main Section: Ezekiel 37:1–14; John 14:16–17
Focus Verse: Ezekiel 37:5 — This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again!
Some things are hard to explain—and impossible to forget. But what happens when understanding them might interrupt the life we’ve built? We’re kicking off HOLY GHOST STORIES in a valley of dry bones, where everything comes together but still needs life. This week introduces the Holy Spirit as a Person who gives life we cannot manufacture—and invites us to become available to the One who came to dwell within us.
October 11TH | Holy Ghost Stories | Week 2 - The Vanishing
DOWNLOAD QUESTIONS HERE
Main Section: 1 Kings 8:10–11; Ezekiel 10–11; Acts 2:1–4; 1 Corinthians 6:19
Focus Verse: 1 Corinthians 6:19 (excerpt) — Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?
We all know places that used to feel alive. Returning can leave us wondering where that feeling went—and sometimes we ask the same question about God. This week follows his presence from the temple to the people he now calls home. What changes when we stop treating God’s presence as something we visit on Sunday and start recognizing that his Spirit is with us in the ordinary rooms of our lives?
Main Section: 1 Kings 8:10–11; Ezekiel 10–11; Acts 2:1–4; 1 Corinthians 6:19
Focus Verse: 1 Corinthians 6:19 (excerpt) — Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?
We all know places that used to feel alive. Returning can leave us wondering where that feeling went—and sometimes we ask the same question about God. This week follows his presence from the temple to the people he now calls home. What changes when we stop treating God’s presence as something we visit on Sunday and start recognizing that his Spirit is with us in the ordinary rooms of our lives?
October 18TH | Holy Ghost Stories | Week 3 - The Haunting
DOWNLOAD QUESTIONS HERE
Main Section: Acts 2:1–21; Acts 4:23–31; Acts 1:8
Focus Verse: Acts 1:8 (excerpt) — But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.
You can push yourself to be brave, try harder to change, and promise you’ll handle things differently next time. Eventually, determination reaches its limit. This week explores the wind, fire, and shaking rooms of Acts to discover what the Holy Spirit’s power actually produces: people who help others understand Jesus and find courage to follow him. Where have fear and self-reliance kept you from taking your next step?
Main Section: Acts 2:1–21; Acts 4:23–31; Acts 1:8
Focus Verse: Acts 1:8 (excerpt) — But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.
You can push yourself to be brave, try harder to change, and promise you’ll handle things differently next time. Eventually, determination reaches its limit. This week explores the wind, fire, and shaking rooms of Acts to discover what the Holy Spirit’s power actually produces: people who help others understand Jesus and find courage to follow him. Where have fear and self-reliance kept you from taking your next step?
October 25TH | Holy Ghost Stories | Week 4 - The Mask
DOWNLOAD QUESTIONS HERE
Main Section: Acts 9:1–19
Focus Verse: Acts 9:6 — Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.
For one day, a costume lets you become someone else. But some identities are harder to take off—especially the ones we’ve worn for years. On HOUST-O-WEEN Sunday, we meet Saul, a man certain he was right until Jesus interrupted everything. Through an unexpected encounter and an unlikely welcome, his future changes. We’re closing HOLY GHOST STORIES with an invitation to trust Jesus and become available to the new life and purpose he gives.
Main Section: Acts 9:1–19
Focus Verse: Acts 9:6 — Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.
For one day, a costume lets you become someone else. But some identities are harder to take off—especially the ones we’ve worn for years. On HOUST-O-WEEN Sunday, we meet Saul, a man certain he was right until Jesus interrupted everything. Through an unexpected encounter and an unlikely welcome, his future changes. We’re closing HOLY GHOST STORIES with an invitation to trust Jesus and become available to the new life and purpose he gives.
CHILDCARE REIMBURSEMENT
We never want childcare to be the reason someone can't attend a group. Although we cannot pay for every childcare expense, there are some ways to utilize this well for your families. We wanted to give some guardrails around it as you prepare your group. This is not intended to reimburse the entire amount but to help families have the ability to prioritize small groups.
For the Childcare Reimbursement Form [CLICK HERE]
- For families, we will reimburse $5 towards the first kid, and up to $15 total per small group session (3 Total Hours). For multiple kids in a family needing childcare, we will max out the reimbursement at a total of $30 per small group session.
- If you would like to host a sitter at your house, we will reimburse a total of $30 for 1-2 families needing childcare, or up to $40 for the entire small group session if the group has 3+ families needing childcare.
- Families or Small Groups must use the form below. The reimbursement must be submitted within 3 days of the small group meeting in order to be reimbursed.
- If anyone in your group has extenuating circumstances, please contact us directly to see how we might be able to help.
For the Childcare Reimbursement Form [CLICK HERE]
GROUP LEADER RESOURCES
These resources are designed to help you as you launch your group, continue building your group and to help you know you're on the right track. We'll continue to add resources throughout the year so check back if there's something that could be helpful.
- RIGHT NOW MEDIA [CLICK HERE] | This is a free resource we provide for everyone that attends Houston Church. You can use this as a leadership and discipleship resource for your group. Thousands of resources available for every stage of life.
- FAST START GROUP CHECKLIST [CLICK HERE] | This is designed to help you start your group quickly and on the right track. It's a one-page, quick view of how to start your group well.
- GROUP EXPECTATIONS [CLICK HERE] | Non-negotiable for groups, safety guidelines and best practices.
- CARE + FOLLOW UP [CLICK HERE] | Resources on how to help those in your group.