Small group leader guide

Walk Faith in Motion together, one stop a week. Twelve stops, one for each part of the book.

How to use this guide

  1. Before you meet, everyone reads the section named under "Read before you meet."
  2. Open with the key verses and the book line.
  3. Pick two or three questions. You do not need to use them all.
  4. Close by having each person name one step for the week, then start the next meeting by asking how it went.
  5. Private answers stay private. No one has to share what they wrote in the app.

Each person can walk the same stop in the free Steps app.

Open the Steps app

How Group walks work

Why walk together

Every chapter of the book ends the same way: bring one answer to a trusted believer this week. Fear thrives in private, and steps come easier when someone you trust is walking too.

A group walk gives a few people a simple way to keep each other moving, one stop at a time.

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 15:22 (ESV)

Start a group and invite

One person starts the group and becomes its leader. The leader shares an invite link or a six character code, usually by text. Up to 12 people can join.

Everyone signs in with their email, so the group can see their progress on any phone.

What your group sees

Only three things: the first name you choose, which stop you are on, and a check when you take your step.

Never your answers, never the words of your step, and never your email. There is no chat and no comments. Talk in person, and let the leader guide carry the questions.

Leave anytime

You can leave a group with one tap, and your progress disappears from it right away. The leader can make a new code, remove someone, or close the group for everyone.

Open Group walks in the app

The twelve stops

  1. The Great Christian Standstill
  2. Faith Is Not a Standstill
  3. Saved by Grace, Unto Good Works
  4. The Mandate of the Talents
  5. When God Says, "You Do It."
  6. Purpose, Not a Perfect Map
  7. The Spirit Empowers Action
  8. Wisdom Is Not Unbelief
  9. Fear Wearing Faith's Clothes
  10. Action in the Fog
  11. Steward What's in Your Hand Today
  12. A Life in Motion

Stop 0 · Introduction: The Great Christian Standstill

The Great Christian Standstill

Read before you meet

Introduction: The Great Christian Standstill, The whole Introduction

Key verses

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

James 2:17 (ESV)

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV)

From the book

we baptize that freeze with holy language.

Discuss

  1. In these verses, what does God do? What do you do?
  2. Where have I used holy language, like "I'm just trusting God" or "He'll open the door," while a clear duty was already in front of me?
  3. In one honest sentence, what is my Great Christian Standstill right now?
  4. What fear is under it? Uncertainty, public failure, cost, or just easier to consume than to practice?

This week's step

Next time, ask

Then read

Introduction: The Great Christian Standstill, This book will not scold you into frantic busyness

Stop 1 · Chapter 1: Faith Is Not a Standstill

Faith Is Not a Standstill

Read before you meet

Chapter 1: Faith Is Not a Standstill, Screen Motion Is Not Obedience; I've Lived This Kind of Delay

Key verses

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.

Genesis 12:1 (ESV)

From the book

You do not need another tab.

Discuss

  1. What did God say to Abram? What did Abram do?
  2. Where have I used "I'm trusting God" to postpone a duty God already made plain?
  3. Which faith verb is missing from my current "trust"?
  4. Waiting check: Has God already made the next obedience clear in His Word? Would I wait this long if the cost of delay fell on someone I love? Have trusted believers confirmed this wait, or am I keeping it to myself?
  5. Is my phone helping me obey, or helping me feel busy while I freeze?

This week's step

Next time, ask

Then read

Chapter 1: Faith Is Not a Standstill, What Faith Is Not

Stop 2 · Chapter 2: Saved by Grace, Unto Good Works

Saved by Grace, Unto Good Works

Read before you meet

Chapter 2: Saved by Grace, Unto Good Works, Ephesians 2:8-10 in Plain Sight; Created for Good Works

Key verses

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

Romans 4:3 (ESV)

From the book

Grace is not a parking space.

Discuss

  1. Say it in your own words: what's the difference between earning and fruit?
  2. When I think about obeying God this week, does my heart drift toward earning His love, or toward ignoring hard obedience because I'm already accepted?
  3. Which half do I forget more: "not a result of works," or "created in Christ Jesus for good works"?
  4. Where has "resting in grace" become a soft word for unused gifts?

This week's step

Next time, ask

Then read

Chapter 2: Saved by Grace, Unto Good Works, Living Faith Versus Empty Talk; What Changes When Grace Launches You

Stop 3 · Chapter 3: The Mandate of the Talents

The Mandate of the Talents

Read before you meet

Chapter 3: The Mandate of the Talents, What Jesus Told Them; The One-Talent Excuse, and Comparison as a Shovel

Key verses

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

Matthew 25:21 (ESV)

From the book

Small means start here.

Discuss

  1. What does the master reward in this verse?
  2. What gift, opportunity, or trust have I been protecting underground and calling wisdom?
  3. What fear is hiding behind my caution? What story is it telling me about God?
  4. Where am I burying something while looking busy?
  5. Where am I confusing hustle metrics with faithfulness to the Master?

This week's step

Next time, ask

Then read

Chapter 3: The Mandate of the Talents, "Well Done" Is About Faithfulness, Not Fame; Platforms Are Tools, Not Proof You Are Holy

Stop 4 · Chapter 4: When God Says, "You Do It."

When God Says, "You Do It."

Read before you meet

Chapter 4: When God Says, "You Do It.", "Why Are You Crying to Me?"; Pray, and Post a Guard

Key verses

The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground.

Exodus 14:15-16 (ESV)

From the book

Keep praying. Also pick up the staff.

Discuss

  1. What did God tell Moses to do with what was already in his hand?
  2. What clear "You do it" step has been sitting on the table: a conversation, application, apology, build, or act of service?
  3. Am I waiting for perfect conditions, or for courage to move with what I already have?
  4. What's the "lunch in my bag" I keep overlooking?

This week's step

Next time, ask

Then read

Chapter 4: When God Says, "You Do It.", What This Is Not

Stop 5 · Chapter 5: Purpose, Not a Perfect Map

Purpose, Not a Perfect Map

Read before you meet

Chapter 5: Purpose, Not a Perfect Map, Struggle Is Not Always a Detour; Tuesday Morning: When the Map Is Still Blank

Key verses

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105 (ESV)

From the book

You need today’s mile.

Discuss

  1. Has God given me light for the next step? What is it?
  2. In my hard season, am I practicing formation ("Father, use this") or excuse?
  3. Can I name the door I'm waiting on, or only the fear?
  4. What map am I demanding before I'll take today's mile?

This week's step

Next time, ask

Then read

Chapter 5: Purpose, Not a Perfect Map, Fruit After First Steps, Not Perfect Conditions; What This Is Not

Stop 6 · Chapter 6: The Spirit Empowers Action

The Spirit Empowers Action

Read before you meet

Chapter 6: The Spirit Empowers Action, God Works in You, As You Work; How Dependence Looks on a Tuesday

Key verses

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

John 14:16-17 (ESV)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 1:8 (ESV)

From the book

Weakness is not the opposite of the Spirit’s work.

Discuss

  1. What does Jesus say the Spirit will do in these verses?
  2. When I say "I'm waiting on the Spirit," is the wait specific and tied to His Word, or vague until I feel safe?
  3. Where do I need both halves of Philippians 2:12-13 this week?
  4. After praying for help, what small obedience have I postponed while calling the pause spiritual?

This week's step

Next time, ask

Then read

Chapter 6: The Spirit Empowers Action, Fleshly Hustle Is Not the Same as Spirit-Empowered Action; Filled for Obedience, Not for Display

Stop 7 · Chapter 7: Wisdom Is Not Unbelief

Wisdom Is Not Unbelief

Read before you meet

Chapter 7: Wisdom Is Not Unbelief, Planning Under Providence; Nehemiah: Prayer, Plans, and a Guard

Key verses

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

James 4:15 (ESV)

From the book

You plan. God establishes.

Discuss

  1. What plan needs open hands this week, held loosely and still acted on?
  2. Which am I this week: the anxious planner, or the frozen "truster"?
  3. Where have I spiritualized delay and called it trust while today's clear duty waits?
  4. Where has planning become a rival god for me?

This week's step

Next time, ask

Then read

Chapter 7: Wisdom Is Not Unbelief, What This Is Not; Plan as a Steward, Trust as a Child

Stop 8 · Chapter 8: Fear Wearing Faith's Clothes

Fear Wearing Faith's Clothes

Read before you meet

Chapter 8: Fear Wearing Faith's Clothes, Opening story; How Fear Borrows Christian Vocabulary

Key verses

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Proverbs 9:10 (ESV)

From the book

Fear wore the clothes of calling, and I called the freeze faithfulness.

Discuss

  1. Which kind of fear has been running my decisions lately?
  2. Which costume fits me most right now?
  3. What is my fear's real name under the religious phrase?
  4. Would a wise believer say I'm waiting, or hiding?

This week's step

Next time, ask

Then read

Chapter 8: Fear Wearing Faith's Clothes, Guardrails: What This Is Not; Toward the Fog, and What's in Your Hand

Stop 9 · Chapter 9: Action in the Fog

Action in the Fog

Read before you meet

Chapter 9: Action in the Fog, Fog Is Weather, Not Always a Verdict; Concrete Practices for Foggy Days

Key verses

for we walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)

And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

Exodus 13:21-22 (ESV)

From the book

More browser windows are not the same as more light.

Discuss

  1. Am I asking for wisdom, or demanding stadium lights before I move?
  2. What fog am I treating as a permanent stop sign, when I already have lamp-light for the next inch?
  3. While I wait, am I keeping today's faithfulness?
  4. Which clear duty have I been postponing?

This week's step

Next time, ask

Then read

Chapter 9: Action in the Fog, Guardrails: What Fog-Faith Is Not; Toward What Is Already in Your Hand

Stop 10 · Chapter 10: Steward What's in Your Hand Today

Steward What's in Your Hand Today

Read before you meet

Chapter 10: Steward What's in Your Hand Today, What's in Your Hand?; A Practical Inventory: Name It, Then Use It

Key verses

The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.”

Exodus 4:2 (ESV)

From the book

Small offered is different from small buried.

Discuss

  1. If God asked me, "What is in your hand?" what would I say?
  2. Which domain needs open hands most this week: time, gift, relationship, work, money, influence, or the phone itself?
  3. Where is someday-dreaming canceling today-obedience?
  4. What have I been calling "nothing"?

This week's step

Next time, ask

Then read

Chapter 10: Steward What's in Your Hand Today, Guardrails: What Stewardship Is Not; Fear Unmasked, Fog Navigated, Hand Opened

Stop 11 · Conclusion: A Life in Motion

A Life in Motion

Read before you meet

Conclusion: A Life in Motion, A Pastoral Charge; Live a Life in Motion

Discuss

  1. After this book, what is my Great Christian Standstill in one honest sentence?
  2. Which guardrail do I need more: against hustle, or against passive "trust"?
  3. Compare my standstill sentence from Stop 0 with today's. What changed?
  4. What will "trust as a child, steward as a servant, walk on" look like on Monday morning?

This week's step

Next time, ask

Then read

Conclusion: A Life in Motion, Live a Life in Motion

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Used by permission. All rights reserved.