Reading: John 4:1-9

Devotional: Jesus "needed" to go through Samaria—not because of geography, but because of divine appointment. While others took the convenient route to avoid discomfort, Jesus surrendered to the Father's plan. His obedience led to a life-changing encounter with the woman at the well. Today, ask yourself: What uncomfortable path is God calling you toward? Divine necessity isn't always convenient, but it's always purposeful. God orchestrates moments that lead to divine discoveries. When you surrender control and follow His leading—even through unexpected territories—you position yourself for encounters that transform not only your life but the lives of others. Trust that God's route is always the right route.

Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-14

Devotional: Solomon declares that everything God does endures forever—nothing can be added or taken away. God is drawn to your journey, not just your destination. Joseph's pit led to the palace. Israel's wilderness led to the promised land. Esther was positioned "for such a time as this." The journey builds character, forms faith, and draws you closer to God. Your participation determines how you arrive—the journey can renew you or reroute you. Stop fighting the process. God uses everything—the detours, delays, and difficulties—to prepare you for what He's prepared for you. Surrender the wheel. His sovereignty orchestrates outcomes you could never engineer through your own control.

Reading: Proverbs 3:5-8

Devotional: We struggle with control because we believe the lie that we need it for life's best outcomes. But as worshipers, we cannot be fully surrendered to the Father and somewhat in control simultaneously. An unrenewed mind says, "If I'm not in control, I'm unsafe." A renewed mind declares, "If God is in control, I can rest in the journey." Control is counterfeit peace—it feels secure but leads to anxiety and missed opportunities. Surrender leads to divine safety. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will direct your paths. Release your grip and experience the genuine peace that comes from resting in His sovereignty.

Reading: John 4:10-26

Devotional: Many Jews passed through Samaria, but only Jesus stopped. Geography explains the route; God's sovereignty explains the encounter. When you're in control, you plan for efficiency—avoiding the messy, protecting your reputation, taking the shortest route. But God plans for transformation—mastering the messy, stopping for the sick, looking for the lost. Sometimes God will have you stop at a place everyone else passes through. That uncomfortable conversation, that unexpected delay, that person everyone else ignores—these are divine appointments. Jesus didn't protect Himself; He trusted the Father. The result? A woman transformed, a city revived, many souls believing. What divine encounter are you missing because you're too focused on your destination?

Reading: Romans 8:28-39

Devotional: God works all things together for the good of those who love Him. His sovereignty doesn't mean life is easy; it means nothing is wasted. Every circumstance, every challenge, every unexpected turn—God is orchestrating something beautiful. Things in your life aren't delayed because Jesus is figuring out how to work them out. Your destination is certain, but holding the wheel causes you to miss divine encounters and potentially arrive at the wrong place. God has supreme authority and power. He divinely orchestrates seasons by steering moments. No cap—God is in control! Surrender isn't weakness; it's wisdom. Trust His timing, embrace His route, and watch Him turn your journey into a testimony of His faithfulness and love.

Sermon: NO CAP, God is In Control

Scripture: John 4:1-4

Opening Prayer & Icebreaker 
Icebreaker Question: Share a time when you took a detour or unexpected route that led to something surprisingly good. How did that experience make you feel in the moment versus looking back?
Key Sermon Premise
"Every lie we believe creates a spiritual ceiling, but truth removes the cap!"

The Central Lie Addressed: For life's best outcomes, you need to be in control.
The Truth: God's sovereignty orchestrates our outcomes. We cannot be fully surrendered to the Father and somewhat in control at the same time.

Scripture Reading & Context 
Have someone read John 4:1-4 aloud.
Quick Context: Jesus intentionally chose to travel through Samaria—a region Jews typically avoided due to racial and religious tension—because He had a divine appointment with a woman at a well. This wasn't about geography; it was about obedience.

Discussion Questions 
Part 1: Recognizing Our Need for Control

1. Self-Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle most with surrendering control to God? (Career, relationships, finances, health, etc.)
2. The Journey vs. The Destination: The sermon stated, "We struggle with the need of control because we buy into lies about destinations, but God is drawn to the journey." Why do you think God is more focused on the journey than the destination?
3. Personal Testimony: Can you share a "But God" moment in your life—a time when only God's sovereignty could explain the outcome?

Part 2: Jesus' Model of Surrender

4. Divine Necessity vs. Convenience: Jesus "needed" to go through Samaria, even though it was uncomfortable. What might be a "Samaria" in your life right now—something God is calling you to that isn't convenient?
5. Reputation vs. Obedience: Jesus risked His reputation by stopping in Samaria. When have you had to choose between protecting your image and obeying God? What happened?
6. Missing Divine Encounters: The sermon warned that "trying to control the journey delays the encounter." What opportunities or divine appointments might you have missed because you were trying to maintain control?

Part 3: Renewed Mindset

7. Two Mindsets:
   • Unrenewed mind says: "If I'm not in control, I am unsafe."
   • Renewed mind says: "If God is in control, I can rest in the journey."
8. Which mindset do you naturally lean toward? What would it take to shift your thinking?
9. Control as Counterfeit Peace: How have you experienced control giving you a false sense of peace? What was the result?

Key Takeaways 
Review these three main points from the sermon:

1. Divine necessity is not always convenient – God's appointments often disrupt our plans.
2. Control avoids discomfort, but calling surrenders to sovereignty – Jesus didn't protect Himself; He trusted the Father.
3. Trying to control the journey delays the encounter – Holding the wheel can cause us to miss divine moments and arrive at the wrong destination.

Question: Which of these three points resonates most with you today? Why?

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge:
Choose one of the following to practice this week:
Option 1: Identify Your "Samaria"

• Pray and ask God to reveal one area where He's calling you to go through your "Samaria"—an uncomfortable but obedient path.
• Write down what that is and one small step you can take this week.

Option 2: Release Control Exercise

• Each morning this week, physically open your hands and pray: "God, I surrender control of [specific area] to You today. I trust Your sovereignty over my need for control."
• Journal about what changes in your perspective or peace level.

Option 3: Look for Divine Appointments

• Ask God to make you sensitive to divine appointments this week—unexpected encounters or "detours" that might be God-ordained.
• When they happen, choose obedience over convenience.
• Share your experience with the group next week.

Prayer Focus 
Group Prayer Prompts:

• Pray for surrender: Ask God to help each person release control in specific areas of struggle.
• Pray for divine appointments: Ask God to open eyes to see opportunities for obedience this week.
• Pray for renewed minds: Ask the Holy Spirit to replace lies about control with truth about God's sovereignty.
• Pray for courage: Ask for boldness to go through "Samaria" when God calls, even when it's uncomfortable.

Closing Declaration: "No cap, God is in control. His sovereignty sets the conclusion. We choose to trust the journey and surrender the wheel."