Sermon Study Guide | Series: Glitch | Sermon: Infinite Loop
Scripture: Romans 12:1-2; 2Corinthians 10:5-6 | Date: May 31, 2026

For this series we’ve developed a Glitch — Resource Guide and curated a list of Mental Health Professionals at menlo.church/mentalhealth

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 about the places where your attention, decisions, or emotions can get pulled into an “infinite loop.” Maybe it is a feed, a notification, a chatbot, an old wound, a recurring fear, or a thought that keeps telling you something about yourself that Jesus never said. Where have you noticed yourself giving away small pieces of your agency without realizing it? What would it look like this week to stop surrendering your agency to something that does not deserve it, and instead use your agency to surrender to God? Share with your group

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 Romans 12:1-2 and 2 Corinthians 10:5-6 together and discuss:

• Paul begins Romans 12 by saying, “therefore,” pointing back to the mercy of God. Why is it important that surrender begins as a response to God’s mercy, not as an attempt to earn His approval?
  
  
• The sermon named this principle: “You’ll either surrender your agency. Or use your agency to surrender.” Where do you see this tension in your own life right now?
  
  
• Romans 12 says we are not to be conformed to the pattern of this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds. What are some patterns in our current world that are shaping us without asking our permission?
  
  
• The algorithm was described as a kind of “pastor” with a discipleship plan. What are some things your digital habits are teaching you to love, fear, avoid, or chase?
  
  
• Paul says to “take every thought captive to obey Christ.” What is the difference between feeling your feelings honestly and letting every thought have authority over you?
  
  
• What is one thought that has been looping in your mind lately that may need to be brought to Jesus instead of believed automatically?
  
  
• Esther was invited to consider that she had been placed where she was “for such a time as this.” Where has God placed you right now that no one else can stand in for you?

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.

• Choose one act of cognitive resistance this week. Write the email without the chatbot, read the full article instead of the summary, pray without an app, or sit with a hard question for twenty minutes before asking technology for help.
  
  
• Continue the System Reboot breath prayer from last week: inhale, “You know me”; exhale, “I am not alone.” Add this week’s breath prayer when a looping thought starts to take over: inhale, “I am not what they say”; exhale, “I am who You made.”
  
  
• Identify one digital habit where you may be giving an agent your agency. Turn off autoplay, remove one infinite-scroll app for the week, set a limit on an app, or ask someone you trust to help you hold the boundary.
  
  
• Write down one thought you need to take captive. Ask: Is this thought telling me the truth, or is it telling me fear, shame, comparison, outrage, or despair? Bring that thought to Jesus in prayer.
  
  
• Ask the “such-a-time-as-this” question: What is one redemptive thing God might be asking me to do in the actual room I am already in—my home, job, neighborhood, friendship, or family?
  
  
• Share one decision with your group or a trusted friend that you are making this week as an act of surrendered agency.

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.

God, thank you that you do not ask us to surrender because you want to diminish us, but because you love us and are remaking us.

Help us notice the places where we have been giving away our attention, our thoughts, our decisions, and our hope to things that cannot love us back. Renew our minds by your Spirit. Teach us to take captive the thoughts that lie to us and bring them honestly to Jesus.

Give us courage to use our agency well—not to control everything, but to surrender to the One who is worthy of our whole lives. Show us where you have placed us for such a time as this, and help us step into that calling with humility, wisdom, and love. Amen.

If you have feedback on this guide or ideas that would help your group engage more deeply, we’d love to hear from you. 

Your insight helps us continue growing as a church that wrestles honestly and walks faithfully together. Contact msummers@menlo.church