STAY GROOVY
Where Humor Meets the Soul
Where Humor Meets the Soul
week 1: Starting Groovy (STORIES 1-5)
1. What stood out most to you in these stories?
2. What were the fun and/or challenging parts about where you grew up?
3. What positive (and not-so-positive) experiences do you remember from elementary school?
4. What “milk truck” type escapade did you experience that you can safely admit now that the statute of limitations has expired?
5. What TV shows were you fully invested in as a kid?
6. Where were the hints of God’s presence in your life growing up?
- Did a line or scene grab your attention, and what made it vivid—humor, nostalgia, surprise, or something deeper?
2. What were the fun and/or challenging parts about where you grew up?
- What made your neighborhood unique, and how did that environment shape you in ways you appreciate now?
3. What positive (and not-so-positive) experiences do you remember from elementary school?
- Who or what shaped your early confidence or identity, and how do those early memories still influence the way you see the world?
4. What “milk truck” type escapade did you experience that you can safely admit now that the statute of limitations has expired?
- What motivated that moment—curiosity, mischief, or courage—and what did it reveal about who you were becoming at the time?
5. What TV shows were you fully invested in as a kid?
- Which characters or stories captured your imagination, and what does that reveal about your personality back then?
6. Where were the hints of God’s presence in your life growing up?
- Are there moments or people who now feel significant, and how has your understanding of those early “God moments” changed over time?
week 2: becoming groovy (Stories 6-10)
1. Which story stood out to you the most?
2. Describe a fun memory from Halloween.
3. Who is someone famous you either grew up with or ran into at some point in your life?
4. What cartoons did you watch as a kid?
5. What do you remember about learning how to drive?
6. What outside-the-classroom activities (sports, clubs, hobbies) did you take part in during high school?
7. Ever feel like life itself is relentless, exhausting, never letting up?
8. Can we truly hide behind a fresh start, a new city, or well-crafted excuses?
9. What happens when we fail—and the cost is higher than we imagined?
- What made that story rise above the others this week? Was it the humor, the emotion, or the connection to your own life?
2. Describe a fun memory from Halloween.
- What costume did you wear that still makes you smile? Was there a moment—spooky, silly, or chaotic—that became legendary?
3. Who is someone famous you either grew up with or ran into at some point in your life?
- What was the moment like? How did it feel to see someone known by the world cross paths with your everyday life?
4. What cartoons did you watch as a kid?
- Which characters shaped your imagination, humor, or childhood play? What did those shows reveal about who you were back then?
5. What do you remember about learning how to drive?
- Did a parent or mentor give you long lectures, rules, or “whatever you do, don’t do this” speeches before letting you behind the wheel? What stands out most from your driving test—the nerves, the mistakes, or the relief when it was over?
6. What outside-the-classroom activities (sports, clubs, hobbies) did you take part in during high school?
- Which ones shaped your identity the most? What did they teach you about friendships, competition, winning & losing, or yourself?
7. Ever feel like life itself is relentless, exhausting, never letting up?
- When anxiety or depression presses in, where do you instinctively turn? What would it look like to trust someone—rather than something—to bring real relief?
8. Can we truly hide behind a fresh start, a new city, or well-crafted excuses?
- When have you realized that running didn’t actually fix what was underneath? How do you respond to the idea of being fully known and still fully loved?
9. What happens when we fail—and the cost is higher than we imagined?
- How do you usually handle regret: hide it, justify it, or face it? What difference would it make if your worth were anchored in someone who never fails?
week 3: Totally groovy (STORIES 11-16)
1. What grabbed your attention in this set of stories?
2. Have you ever been in a water fight—or a food fight?
3. What was a dream you had as a kid or teenager— or one you still have today?
4. For those who were Scouts (or in similar groups):
5. Seminary: Louis Talbot's biography is titled, "For This I Was Born!"
7. Vail (Part 2)
- Was it a moment, a theme, a detail, or an emotion? Why do you think that was the part that stuck with you?
2. Have you ever been in a water fight—or a food fight?
- What made it unforgettable—chaos, surprise, laughter, or unintended consequences? What does that moment say about who you were at that stage of life?
3. What was a dream you had as a kid or teenager— or one you still have today?
- What do you think that dream revealed about what was happening inside you at the time? Do you think dreams help us understand reality, or do they sometimes confuse it? Why?
4. For those who were Scouts (or in similar groups):
- What scary, fun, or memorable achievement stands out — and how did that community shape you moving forward in life?
5. Seminary: Louis Talbot's biography is titled, "For This I Was Born!"
- Do you know why you were born? Not just your job or career — but your deeper purpose? The Bible says, “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for” (Ephesians 1:11, MSG). How does that land with you today?
- When did you first begin sensing God drawing you toward Himself? Was there a moment, a place, or a person that made God feel real?
7. Vail (Part 2)
- Look for God in unexpected places. When has God shown up for you in a way or place you never would’ve predicted? What “breadcrumbs” — small, subtle moments — have nudged your heart toward faith?
- Expect people to help you in your spiritual journey. Who helped you move one step closer to Jesus? What was it about their presence that was so meaningful?
week 4: staying groovy (STORIES 17-21)
1. Which story lingered with you the longest?
2. What was the Fourth of July like for you growing up?
3. For those who are married: “If there’s one thing I’ve learned about marriage, it’s this…”
4. In the Trader Joe’s stories, which moments or images felt most relatable to you?
5. Grace doesn’t reward the perfect run—grace carries the believing heart to a finish line it could never reach alone.
6. “Grace fills the gaps. Patience keeps the rhythm. Forgiveness keeps the light on.”
- What moment or line stayed in your mind after the reading? Why do you think that story stuck with you?
2. What was the Fourth of July like for you growing up?
- Fireworks? Parades? Backyard BBQs? What moment from those summers still feels vivid to you? How did those traditions shape your sense of community or family?
3. For those who are married: “If there’s one thing I’ve learned about marriage, it’s this…”
- What do you appreciate the most about your spouse right now? What is one lesson you learned the hard way—but are grateful for today?
4. In the Trader Joe’s stories, which moments or images felt most relatable to you?
- Was it the frenzy, the laughter, the chaos, or the unexpected humanity? What does that moment reveal about how you navigate everyday stress or silliness?
5. Grace doesn’t reward the perfect run—grace carries the believing heart to a finish line it could never reach alone.
- How does this picture of grace speak to your own story? What does “finishing the race” look like to you?
6. “Grace fills the gaps. Patience keeps the rhythm. Forgiveness keeps the light on.”
- Describe a time when grace filled a gap you couldn’t close on your own. When did your spouse's patience soften your heart or change your response? How has forgiveness kept “the light on” for you when you didn’t deserve it?
week 5: Living groovy (stories 22-Epilogue)
1. Which story got inside your soul?
2. Have you ever lived in a van—or somewhere other than a traditional home?
3. What has been your experience with the Olympics?
4. Who is the “Dave” in your life?
5. Did you ever have a favorite pet?
6. God doesn’t wait for you to have it all together.
7. Epilogue — How did Matthew’s story speak to you?
- What line, moment, or emotion stayed with you long after reading it? Did it stir gratitude, sadness, conviction, hope, or something else?
2. Have you ever lived in a van—or somewhere other than a traditional home?
- What circumstance led you there—adventure, necessity, or something in between? What did that season teach you about simplicity, survival, or creativity? Looking back, what do you treasure about that time?
3. What has been your experience with the Olympics?
- Was there a favorite athlete, event, or inspiring moment that moved you? Have you ever dreamed of competing, or admired someone who did? What do the Olympics stir in you—pride, hope, nostalgia, unity?
4. Who is the “Dave” in your life?
- Someone who helped you understand God more by how they lived and what they said. What qualities make them a quiet hero in your story? How has their presence shaped your life?
5. Did you ever have a favorite pet?
- What made that pet unforgettable? What season of your life did they walk through with you? Did they teach you something about loyalty, comfort, joy, or grief? What memory of them can still make you smile?
6. God doesn’t wait for you to have it all together.
- When has God met you in an unexpected or imperfect moment of your life? What “in-between place” has become a spiritual turning point for you?
7. Epilogue — How did Matthew’s story speak to you?
- What part of his journey echoed something in your life? Did it spark questions about purpose, calling, loss, legacy, or faith?