Wooster Nazarene Podcast

This is why we often say something like this around here … “Keep getting God’s Word in you!!!” This is the only way to navigate what God desires of us in a very dark world.

Let’s determine … by God’s grace … to follow the excellent example of Joseph. We have no idea what God might do through one small step of obedience. Who would have ever imagined the outcome of this story???

Group Discussion Guide — Conversation with Pastor Cindi Deep Discussion Questions

1. Responding to God’s Call Pastor Cindi shared how her call to ministry developed over time — through every small yes, gradual clarity, and moments where God met her unexpectedly. How has God stirred or nudged your heart in certain seasons? What helps you recognize when something is actually a call from God and not just a good idea?

2. The Courage of a “Yes” Pastor Cindi described moments when saying yes to God required courage, trust, and stepping into the unknown. When have you sensed God asking you to take a risk for Him? What fear or barrier tends to hold you back from saying yes?

3. Formation in the “Hidden” Seasons She talked about how God forms us in quiet, unseen seasons long before anything becomes public or visible — similar to Mary’s hidden years and preparation. What “hidden” season are you in right now, or have you recently walked through? What do you sense God shaping in you during that time?

4. Calling Through Different Life Stages Pastor Cindi reflected on how her calling has shifted and deepened as she has grown — not diminished. How has your sense of purpose changed as you’ve walked through different seasons of life? Where might God be expanding or redirecting your calling right now?

5. The Blessing Season She highlighted this time not as “Advent season” but a Blessing Season — a time to watch for God’s activity and participate in it. Where have you recently noticed God at work around you? How could you intentionally join Him in bringing blessing to others this week?

Bonus Questions

1. Ministry Overflowing From Real Life Pastor Cindi shared that ministry isn’t a role first — it’s who you become as Jesus forms you. Where is God inviting you to minister out of your actual life right now (your family, workplace, neighborhood)?

2. Looking Back to Look Forward As Pastor Cindi compared her early journey to where she is now, she noted how God’s faithfulness threads through every stage. When you look back, where do you clearly see God’s hand guiding your path? How does that memory strengthen your faith for what’s ahead?

He is always on time…GOD TIME… NOW is the best time to say YES to Jesus… Even if you haven’t said yes to Jesus before today…I would challenge you to look back over the course of your life… where or when has He been calling you to Himself? He has ALWAYS been there, inviting you into a relationship with Him. There has never been a day, a time, a moment…that He wasn’t in it, calling out to you, inviting you… Who are you today? Are you a child of God? Will you say YES TO JESUS right now?

Extreme Generosity – Love Privilege
Conversation with Pastor Joel

1 John (as referenced in the sermon)

The Rich Young Ruler — Matthew 19:16–22, Mark 10:17–22, Luke 18:18–23

Pastor Joel shared about leaving the security and predictability of the corporate world in order to follow God’s call into ministry.
What part of Pastor Joel’s surrender journey hits closest to home for you?
Where do you sense the Holy Spirit inviting you to trust God with something that feels risky, uncomfortable, or costly?

Pastor Joel talked about how obedience isn’t always logical, but it is always transformational.
Can you think of a moment when following Jesus required a step that didn’t “add up” on paper?
What did you learn about God—and about yourself—through that step?

Pastor Joel described generosity not just as giving from what we have, but giving who we are.
What does whole-life generosity look like for you right now—at home, at work, or in your faith walk?
Where is Jesus calling you to step deeper into that kind of generosity?

In the Rich Young Ruler story, Jesus lovingly touches the one thing the man wouldn’t surrender.
Where do you see yourself in his tension—wanting Jesus, yet holding tightly to something else?

If Jesus asked you the same question He asked Pastor Joel—
“Will you trust Me with this?”
—what would this be for you today?

Don’t go on an APOLOGY TOUR … or GET EMBARRASSED about being BLESSED BY GOD. All BLESSINGS COME FROM GOD! PRAISE Him! THANK Him! He is the ULTIMATE PROVIDER!!! I’ll say it again … NEVER APOLOGIZE for being blessed by God!!!

Here's the BOTTOM LINE … God wants you to SURRENDER YOUR LIFE TOTALLY TO HIM. He wants ALL OF YOU! This is a GOD-PRINCIPLE! The GREAT RETURN is a STAGE WE PASS THROUGH on our way to BECOMING LIVING SACRIFICES. I urge you to MAKE A DECISION and TAKE THE FIRST STEP.

Deep Discussion Questions

1.From Compassion to Action Pastor Sheldon said, “Love acts.” He emphasized that Jesus didn’t just feel compassion—He moved immediately toward the need. When was a time you felt compassion but didn’t act—and what held you back? What would it look like to shorten the gap between feeling moved and moving?

2. Real Generosity vs. “Nice Feelings” Pastor Sheldon said, “We’re pros at noticing feelings, saying nice things, and raising awareness—but that’s not generosity if it costs us nothing.” How do we discern the difference between “performative” generosity and the kind that truly reflects Jesus’ heart? What might it look like for generosity to actually cost us something today?

3. Finishing What We Start Drawing from 2 Corinthians 8, Pastor Sheldon pointed out that Paul urged the Corinthians not just to start giving, but to finish what they’d begun. Where in your life has God prompted you to be generous, but you’ve stalled halfway? What might “finishing the ministry of giving” look like for you personally or for our church community?

Bonus Questions

4. Interruptible Living Jesus often allowed Himself to be interrupted—the leper, the blind men, the crowds—and those moments became miracles. Pastor Sheldon said he wants to be “more ready with his yes.” How interruptible are you? What rhythms or habits could help you stay open to those “divine appointments” he talked about?

5. Planning to Be Generous Pastor Sheldon’s story about the giving jar showed that generosity can be both spontaneous and intentional. How might you begin budgeting or planning so that you can say “yes” when God prompts you to give—without hesitation?