Sermon Study Guide | Series: Goodbye to the Gloss | Sermon: Goodbye to the Gloss | Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 and Matthew 11:28–30 | Date: December 28, 2025

‍

‍

CONNECT - “A Personal Reflection”

This section is designed to help you relate personally to the theme of the sermon. It encourages you to reflect on your own life experiences and how they connect to the message.

Think back on your past year—not just the highlight reel, but the real moments. Where did you feel the pressure to perform, to appear fine, or to hold it all together? Maybe it was at work, in your home, on social media, or even at church. We often put on “gloss”—that polished version of ourselves—to avoid hard conversations or deep honesty. But the invitation of Jesus is to come to Him as we are, not as we wish we were. As we head into a new year, take a moment to share: What burden are you carrying that you don’t want to bring into 2026?

ENGAGE - “Exploring the Scripture”

This section invites you to dive into the biblical passage, discuss its meaning, and apply it to your life through thoughtful questions.

Read 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 and Matthew 11:28–30 as a group

• In 2 Corinthians, Paul says that Christ’s power is made perfect in weakness. Why do you think weakness is the space where God’s power is most visible? 
  
  • Have you ever experienced this to be true in your own life?
    
    
• What’s a “thorn” (limitation or struggle) you’ve been carrying this year that you’ve wanted God to take away? What might it look like to trust Him in it, not just after it?
  
  
• Jesus invites us to take His yoke and learn from Him. What do you think it means to walk at Jesus’ pace in your life?
  
  
• “Gloss has a cost.” What are some ways you’ve seen this to be true in your life? What has trying to appear fine or in control taken from you—emotionally, spiritually, or relationally?
  
  
• What does it look like to “boast in weakness” in a healthy, grace-filled way—not as a badge of shame, but as a step toward healing?
  
  
• The message says, “Formation is always happening.” What kind of formation has your lifestyle (pace, habits, thoughts) been shaping in you this year?
  
  

APPLY - “Putting the Scriptures into Action”

This section challenges us to take what we’ve learned and implement it in practical ways in our daily lives.

• Try this simple prayer this week: “Jesus, let Your power rest on me here.” What specific part of your life do you need to pray that over?
  
  
• What false “yoke” have you been wearing—comparison, control, overcommitment? What would it look like to unhitch from that and receive the rest Jesus offers?
  
  
• Choose one small, concrete practice for 2026 that reflects Jesus’ unhurried, honest way of living. (Examples: Sabbath phone-free time, weekly check-in with a trusted friend, saying “no” without guilt, starting your day with Scripture and silence.)
  
  
• Who in your life might need this reminder: that weakness is not failure, and that grace meets us in real places? How can you gently share that with them this week?

PRAY - “Seeking God’s Guidance”

This section offers a short prayer to help us center our hearts and invite God to work in our lives through his scripture.

Jesus, we release the year we’ve been holding.  We set down the gloss—the pretending, the pressure, the curated versions of ourselves—and we receive your grace.

Where we are weak, display your strength. Where we are tired, restore your peace. Where we are hiding, bring us into the light and meet us there.

Teach us Your way—gentle and humble in heart—so that we would find rest for our souls. We ask this as we step into a new year, ready to walk with you. Amen.