Thomas Merton once wrote, “The biggest human temptation is to settle for too little.”

That is the danger in our spiritual lives — not outright rebellion, but settling for a version of faith that is comfortable, yet far from the fullness of God’s call.

This week, we will reflect on whether we are truly pressing into all that God has for us or if we have unknowingly settled in a place He never intended for us to stay.

1. Warm-Up (10 min)

Begin with an icebreaker:

• Share a time when you quit something too early—maybe a hobby, a goal, or a challenge. Looking back, do you think you could have pushed through?

• Now, think about your spiritual life. Have you ever had a season where you were deeply hungry for God, but over time, that hunger faded? What changed?

2. Scripture Reading (10 min)

Read Genesis 11:31-32 (The story of Terah)
Read Philippians 3:13-14

• What do you notice about these two passages?

• What does it mean to settle in our spiritual journey?

3. Discussion Questions (30 min)

• Terah started a journey toward the promised land but stopped in Haran. What do you think made him settle instead of pressing forward?

• How does his story reflect our spiritual journeys today? Have you ever felt like you stopped short of what God had for you?

• What are some ways we justify staying where we are instead of pressing into more?

• How does unprocessed grief keep us from stepping into God’s promises?

• Do you tend to mistake fear for wisdom? How can we discern when God is calling us to take a risk?

4. Application: Refusing to Settle (15 min)

 C.S. Lewis wrote in The Screwtape Letters that Satan’s greatest strategy isn’t getting Christians to sin outright, but simply to settle for a mediocre faith.

 How do we break free from spiritual stagnation?

Three Steps to Moving Forward (Self Reflection):

1. Recognise where we’ve settled.

• Is there an area in your life where you have stopped believing for more?

• Have you stopped praying boldly, serving passionately, or expecting God to move?

2. Renew our hunger for God.

• What practices stir your hunger for God?

• What can you start doing again that once fueled your passion?

3. Risk stepping out in faith.

• What is one bold step forward you can take this week to refuse to settle?

• Who in this group can help hold you accountable?

5. Closing Prayer (10 min)

• Pray as a group, asking God to reveal any areas where you have settled.

• Ask the Holy Spirit to rekindle hunger, faith, and boldness.

• Invite each person to surrender their fears and step into God’s call.

Optional:
Encourage a moment of silence for people to reflect and respond to God. Allow space for prophetic words, impressions, or encouragement from the group.