Question: What can I do to keep my relationship with God from growing cold? Truth: What you stop breathing life into will eventually die. Scripture: Book of Malachi 3 warning signs of a heart that is growing cold toward God: Cold hearts forget reality. Cold hearts allow present circumstances to distort eternal reality. You cannot let what you feel in the moment make you forget what is true. Cold Hearts give God what’s left instead of what He deserves. You cannot build a deep relationship with someone you only give your leftovers to. Whatever gets your attention eventually gets your affection. Cold hearts tolerate what God wants confronted. Most major problems begin as ignored minor problems. What you refuse to confront will eventually shape you. Hard conversations are never as hard when the problems are still small. Ignored problems don’t heal themselves. Questions for discussion: 1. What are some early warning signs that your relationship with God may be growing cold? 2. What currently helps you communicate honestly with God—and what most often distracts you from listening to Him? 3. When you examine your time, energy, and attention, where might God be receiving your leftovers instead of your best? 4. The sermon said, “Nearness does not equal intimacy.” What is the difference between being around the things of God and being genuinely close to God? 5. What unresolved problem, hidden compromise, or neglected area might God be asking you to address before it grows larger? 6. Read Malachi 3:7. What would “returning to God” look like practically for you this week, and how can this group help you take that step? 7. What is one specific thing you need to stop, start, or address this week to breathe life back into your relationship with God—or with your spouse, parent, child, or friend—and when exactly will you do it? Quick Links: theroad.tv/response - Have questions or need prayer? Our ministers are here for YOU! theroad.tv/whatsup - Stay connected with everything happening at TheRoad. theroad.tv/podcast - Find all of our messages available on your favorite podcasting app. theroad.tv/giving - Partner with us by financially supporting the mission and vision of TheRoad.
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August 16, 2026 - Little Books Big Message: Zechariah – When You Want to Quit

Zechariah 4:1–10

Central Truth: Don’t quit because the work is bigger than you—God never intended you to finish it without Him.

Key Thoughts

There are some things you can’t do.

Faith isn’t pretending you don’t have limitations; faith is knowing where to take them.

There are some things you can’t do alone.

Isolation is where quitting grows.

Connection is where endurance grows.

There are some things only God can do.

God’s work is done through human effort but not by human effort.

Don’t make a permanent decision because of a temporary mountain.

God remembers. Even when you can’t see what He is doing, He has not forgotten you.

Discussion Questions

What makes you want to quit?

What kinds of circumstances tend to drain you the most—lack of resources, long seasons of struggle, opposition, disappointment, or feeling that nothing is changing?

What “mountain” are you facing right now?


Read Zechariah 4:7. What situation in your life currently feels too big, too complicated, or even impossible?

Why is admitting “I can’t do this” sometimes an important step of faith?


How can recognizing our limitations move us from self-reliance toward dependence on God?

Who has God placed in your life to help you keep going?


Why do you think isolation makes quitting easier?

What would it look like for you to let someone into an area where you are struggling?

Where are you trying to accomplish something only God can do?


Read Zechariah 4:6 and John 15:5. What is the difference between doing your part faithfully and trying to control the outcome?

What is your “next stone”?


Instead of worrying about finishing the entire journey, what is one small act of faithfulness God may be asking you to take this week?

Weekly Challenge

Identify one area where you have been tempted to quit. Don’t try to solve everything this week. Ask God, “What is my next faithful step?” Then take it.

Quick Links:

theroad.tv/response - Have questions or need prayer? Our ministers are here for YOU!

theroad.tv/whatsup - Stay connected with everything happening at TheRoad.

theroad.tv/podcast - Find all of our messages available on your favorite podcasting app.

theroad.tv/giving - Partner with us by financially supporting the mission and vision of TheRoad.


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· Church Copyright License® License Number: 623228 Expiration: 2/28/2027

· CCLI Streaming License™ License Number: 20075913 Size F Expiration: 2/28/2027

· Multitracks Copyright Licensing: Church Streaming License (Annual) - License Number: 2055 Expiration: 4/20/2027

· CCS WORSIPcast Licensing License Number: WCL932 Expiration: 12/31/26

Central Truth: When God's people put Him first, everything else in life begins to come back into order.

Key Thoughts:

• God blesses surrendered hearts, not neglected relationships.

Discussion Questions:

Have you ever experienced a season when life just felt "out of sync"?

Looking back, what do you think was contributing to that feeling?

Haggai challenged God's people because they had prioritized their own comfort over God's purposes. What are some good things that can quietly become greater priorities than God in our lives today?

Haggai says, "Give careful thought to your ways." Why do you think regular self-evaluation is so difficult?

What are some practical ways we can honestly evaluate our walk with God?

The sermon said, "Money is a wonderful servant, but a terrible savior." In what subtle ways are people tempted to trust money, success, or comfort more than they trust God?

How can we guard against that?

The message emphasized that obedience reignites relationship. Can you share a time when taking a step of obedience brought you closer to God or renewed your spiritual life?

The closing illustration reminded us that when the first button is off, everything else is out of alignment. What is one practical step you can take this week to put God back in first place in an area where you've drifted?

Weekly Challenge:

This week, spend time asking God to reveal any area where your priorities have become misaligned. Choose one specific act of obedience that puts Him first—whether it's spending time in His Word, serving someone, trusting Him with your finances, or simply saying "yes" to something He's been prompting you to do.

Quick Links: theroad.tv/response - Have questions or need prayer? Our ministers are here for YOU! theroad.tv/whatsup - Stay connected with everything happening at TheRoad. theroad.tv/podcast - Find all of our messages available on your favorite podcasting app. theroad.tv/giving - Partner with us by financially supporting the mission and vision of TheRoad.

Streaming Licenses: · Church Copyright License® License Number: 623228 Expiration: 2/28/2027 CCLI Streaming License™ License Number: 20075913 Size F Expiration: 2/28/2027 · Multitracks Copyright Licensing: Church Streaming License (Annual) - License Number: 2055 Expiration: 4/20/2027 · CCS WORSIPcast Licensing License Number: WCL932 Expiration: 12/31/26