Cypress Groups

Group Norms

  • Be courageous, compassionate and connected

  • Be a listener

  • Eliminate judgement, advice giving, and interrupting

  • It’s okay to say “pass” on a question

  • Honor time. Time frame is about 45 minutes (give or take 15). Anything more is “meeting after the meeting”.

Resurrecting Hope

Sunday, May 4

Announcements:

  • This Sunday is Mother’s Day. Our youth group will be hosting a car wash on Sunday, May 11 to bless our mothers.

  • The next Men’s Breakfast is This Sat. May 10 @ 8:30 am. Take a moment to RSVP by texting “I’m In” to (727) 291-4491

  • We are coming to the end of this group semester. Thank you for making a difference and serving those in your group!

Teaching Summary:

This week’s message, Anger Danger, explored how anger is a natural and often justified emotion — but if left unchecked, it can begin to shape who we become. Drawing from Ephesians 4:22–32, we looked at how Paul doesn’t tell us to avoid anger, but to deal with it in a way that reflects our new identity in Christ. While anger can be meaningful — stirring us to act against injustice or harm — it can also become toxic when it festers, leading to bitterness, broken relationships, and spiritual footholds for the enemy. Through the power of forgiveness and the example of Jesus, we’re invited to “choose meaningful over mean,” allowing God to transform our anger into something redemptive and healing.

Icebreaker:

What’s it like to work with or live with an angry person?

Discussion:

Why do you think anger often feels so justified in the moment? How does that affect the way we express it?

Read Ephesians 4:26–27. Paul says, “In your anger do not sin… and do not give the devil a foothold.” What does it mean “in your anger do not sin?”

Why do you think Paul added “do not give the devil a foothold”?

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭31‬ ‭NIV‬‬ How do you do this?

Can you think of a time when your anger was actually meaningful — when it led you to stand up for something important or make a positive change?

Is there someone in your life — past or present — whose actions still stir anger in you? What would it look like to begin surrendering that anger and moving toward forgiveness?

How can you build the habit of choosing anger that is meaningful vs anger that is mean

What was a take away for you based on the teaching Sunday?

Prayer:

Take a moment to invite group members into a posture of reflection and surrender. Then say:

“Let’s take some time to ask God to show us where anger may be shaping us more than it should — and to help us respond with grace, compassion, and forgiveness, just as He has shown us in Christ. If you feel led, pray for one another by name, asking for peace, healing, and the strength to choose meaningful over mean.”

Resurrecting Hope

Retreat & Return - Sunday, April 27

Announcements:

  • This Sunday is Baptism Weekend & Cypress de Mayo. We’ll have activities for kids and everyone can bring their favorite Mexican dish to share.

  • Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Our youth group will be hosting a car wash on Sunday, May 11 to bless our mothers.

  • The next Men’s Breakfast is Sat. May 10 @ 8:30 am. Take a moment to RSVP by texting FEEDME to (727) 291-4491

Summary:

In this week’s message, Retreat and Return, we explored 1 Peter 5:6–11 and what it looks like to bring Jesus into the center of our anxiety. Peter writes to early Christians living under intense pressure and offers not a quick fix, but a path through anxiety—one grounded in humility, trust, and God’s care. We looked at five practices Peter points us toward: Retreat, Rest, Release, Remember, and Return. These steps form a rhythm that not only mirrors the life of Jesus, but help us cultivate a non-anxious presence in a very anxious world. At the heart of it all is this truth: peace isn’t something we achieve, but someone we receive.

Icebreaker:

What’s something small or quirky that tends to stress you out more than it should? (Like losing your keys, traffic, or running out of coffee?)

Discussion:

  • Eric said, “Anxiety is a signal, not a sin.” Have you ever experienced a moment when anxiety actually helped alert you to something important?

  • What kind of impact does worry or anxiety have on you? Or those around you?

  • Read 1 Peter 5:6-7. Peter encourages us to “humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand” and to “cast all our anxiety on Him because He cares.” What does it look like practically to do both of those things? What makes it difficult?

  • Jesus modeled the rhythm of retreat and return. What are some ways you’ve found helpful to retreat—even briefly—in your weekly or daily routine?

  • Discuss the Five R strategy for dealing with anxiety and worry: Retreat, Rest, Release, Remember, Return

  • Which of the five R’s (Retreat, Rest, Release, Remember, Return) do you sense God inviting you to lean into this week—and what’s one specific step you can take to respond?

  • What’s your take away from this teaching?

Prayer:

As we close, let’s take a moment to name the anxieties or burdens we’ve been carrying—silently or out loud—and invite Jesus into the center of those places.

You can use the breath prayer we learned this week to guide your group’s time:

“Jesus, You care for me… I cast my anxiety on You.”

After some silent reflection or shared prayer, close by asking God to restore each person with strength, peace, and hope.

Everyone is Welcome.

Seriously. Every week at Cypress, Christians and non-Christians, seekers and skeptics, fired-up and burned out all come together in search of answers to life’s great questions. There’s always room for more. We hope to see you soon!