Why do people drift and “de-convert?”

Two things to know before we dig in…

| 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 | Ephesians 2:2, 6:12 | James 4:7 | 1 John 4:4 | John 13:35 |

• The root of why people drift from God = the influence of the , the , and the .(MULTILINE)
• Once someone is already down the drift/de-conversion rabbit trail, the best thing we can do is and .(MULTILINE)

5 huge reasons why people drift and “de-convert.”

• REASON #1: The problem of and .

| 1 Peter 3:15 |(MULTILINE)

• • WHAT YOU CAN DO: Always be prepared to make a to anyone who you for a for the that is in !(MULTILINE)
• REASON #2: Disillusionment with and .

| Philippians 3:20 | 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 | 1 Peter 1:6-7 | Matthew 7:21-23 | James 2:17 | Ephesians 4:2-3 |(MULTILINE)

2 THINGS YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT:

• • Tie your to , not .(MULTILINE)
  • the , it when you , and others the benefit of the .(MULTILINE)

• REASON #3: Lack of meaningful .

| Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 | Psalm 34:18 | Jeremiah 29:13 | Acts 2:42 | James 4:8 | Hebrews 10:24-25 |(MULTILINE)

• • WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT: Take for your own .(MULTILINE)

• REASON #4: Spiritual without healthy .

| Hebrews 4:12 | Ephesians 6:10-17 | John 15:1-17 |(MULTILINE)

• • WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT: Commit to do something to your back when something it . (MULTILINE)

• REASON #5: THE BIG ONE: Personal and conflict.

| Matthew 7:13-14 | Galatians 1:6-9 | Revelation 12:11 |(MULTILINE)

• • WHAT YOU CAN DO: Commit to continually re- your life to the rather than seeking out a that to your .(MULTILINE)

Small Group Questions

What do you think?

Have a member of the group quickly recap Sunday’s message and read through the fill-ins. What particular point stood out to you, challenged you, or raised a question for you?(MULTILINE)

The story of your life.

Have you ever experienced “drift” in your faith? If so, what were the early signs? Most importantly, what led you to want to come back?(MULTILINE)

Digging Deeper in God’s Word.

1. The church has always had challenges and conflicts. One great facet of the Bible is that these disagreements are made public. In Acts 15 alone, there are two very significant squabbles that had to be settled. A recurring one was the issue of what Gentile believers did or did not have to do to become Christians. Read Acts 15:1-35 and respond to the following prompts and questions. 
   1. Have a few members of the group recap what happened using their own words.(MULTILINE)
   2. What does this story tell us about God? Disagreements amongst believers? Ourselves?(MULTILINE)
2. Immediately after the passage we just read, we see two leaders in the church enter a sharp dispute. Read Acts 15:36-41 and answer the following prompts and questions.
   1. Have a few members of the group recap what happened using their own words.(MULTILINE)
   2. What does this story tell us about God? Disagreements amongst believers? Ourselves?(MULTILINE)
   3. Finally, how does this passage help us better understand the modern church and our issues today?(MULTILINE)
3. How do the following verses help us keep our perspective when it might be tempting to become disillusioned?
   1. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
   2. Jeremiah 29:13.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
   3. Matthew 7:21-23.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
   4. Ephesians 4:2-3.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
   5. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)

Personal reflection and application.

1. Have everyone share one thing that someone else mentioned in this discussion that struck a chord with you.(MULTILINE)
2. Pray for one another (preferably men with men and women with women).(MULTILINE)