Date: August 16, 2026
Session Title: An Outward Focus
The Point: Bring glory to God by seeking the welfare of others.
Podcast—Bible Studies for Life: Adults
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Additional Teaching Options
Optional teaching ideas that incorporate current news, cultural trends, and real-world illustrations to help your group engage more deeply and view today’s issues through a clear biblical lens.
Getting Started
Read after discussing Getting Started—Question 1:
On July 25, 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams was filmed saving a boy from drowning. Ten-year-old Nathaniel was standing in shallow water and was tossed around by the nearly ten-foot-tall waves. Williams noticed Nathaniel fall and raced into action. Nathaniel had lost consciousness by the time help arrived, and the rough surf made Williams unable to use a flotation device. Another lifeguard, Aaron Bohnen, was able to get to the pair and aid the rescue. Once Williams and Bohnen got Nathaniel to shore, they were able to properly assess him and reunite him with his family. Nathaniel’s father said that [Williams] fought the ocean to save his son, and he was grateful.
Nathaniel’s rescue was one of thirty-four rescues in the Santa Cruz district that weekend, though Williams is the only one who’s become famous for his efforts. Though fame can be nice, that wasn’t why he saved Nathaniel. Williams said that he loves his job and it’s his job to keep people safe. He wasn’t seeking to glorify himself, but to do his job well. Not everyone has the training to save a child from drowning or put themselves in harm’s way to save another. But believers all should seek to glorify God by seeking the welfare of others. This means doing your best daily and putting aside your own needs to show the love of God to the world.
To read more about this article, search “Ryder Williams lifeguard rescue.”
Study the Bible
Read after discussing Study the Bible—Question 5:
What does it look like practically to do everything for the glory of God?
Over the summer, the IMB sent almost sixty young adults to work alongside IMB missionaries across Central America. The young adults, called Summer Sojourners, learn from the missionaries and participate in missions, being trained to turn every opportunity into a gospel opportunity.
In Peru, Emma Kate Taylor’s group couldn’t get onto the university campus in Lima, so she grabbed a whiteboard and offered to practice English with passers-by. One of the many students who stopped to talk was Mateo, who came to Christ on the last day of their eight-week trip. In Mexico, Lee Lawson and several other young men did regular prayer walks around the city and ended up in an alley full of drunken men. Lawson and his group introduced themselves as missionaries and two men left the drunken crowd and invited the missionaries to their homes so they could hear more about Jesus. In Argentina, Katherine Garcia spent time with other believers at a local church and helped inspire a young woman to attend seminary in Argentina and work to evangelize her city.
Each of these young adults chose to find ways to share the gospel or encourage other believers to grow in their faith by doing everyday things for the glory of God. There are mission fields in local workplaces and grocery stores that are just as reachable as ones in Latin America if you choose to do everything for the glory of God and share Him in your everyday activities.
To learn more about this article, visit IMB.org and search “College students see God at work during 8 weeks with IMB.”
Study the Bible (Option for the Daily Discipleship Guide)
To illustrate sacrificial love for another’s welfare, show the clip from Beauty and the Beast where Belle gives up her freedom for her father. Ask the group to watch for what she surrenders and what the other person gains. Afterward, discuss what it looks like for believers to put others first—especially those who don’t yet know Christ. Challenge participants to name one relationship and one specific, tangible way they can act with sacrificial love this week.
Live It Out (Option for Adult Leader Guide)
In advance, play a song exalting God for His compassion. Invite the group to reflect on how we can likewise show compassion and seek the welfare of others.
The week’s writer for Extra is Emily Duncan. Emily is a Southern California native who lives in west Georgia with her husband and daughter. God saved her from Wicca when she was sixteen while at a youth retreat. Emily’s a member of Midway Church in Villa Rica and mentors young women as they transition from high school to college.
[Linked material and sources serve as background illustration only and does not imply endorsement beyond our biblical application.]
Additional Questions
Optional, thoughtfully crafted questions designed to warm up group conversation and guide engagement throughout each Bible passage—helping your group think critically, connect personally, and process Scripture through a clear biblical lens.
Icebreakers
- Do you prefer to accomplish things alone or with a group?
- What does it mean when a person is “looking out for #1?”
- What’s one way someone has made your day better?
1 Corinthians 10:23-24. Do what is beneficial to others.
- What are some things that are permissible for you but not helpful?
- How can a believer balance personal freedom with responsibility to care for others?
- What could happen in our world if the church lived by these verses?
1 Corinthians 10:25-30. Don’t offend others unnecessarily.
- What are some modern-day equivalents to the “meat sacrificed to idols” dilemma?
- How do we handle social situations in which our faith convictions might conflict with cultural norms or expectations?
- How should a believer’s freedom in Christ influence interactions with nonbelievers?
1 Corinthians 10:31-33. Seek the benefit of others and the glory of God.
- What can we learn about worshipping God by Paul’s exhortation to eat and drink for His Glory?
- How can we be sensitive to others’ backgrounds or beliefs without compromising our convictions?
- How can we develop Paul’s attitude of seeking the good of many rather than our own?
This week’s podcast was your best ever.
Thank you both.
Martina, Thank you for listening and for commenting. We appreciate the encouragement and hope your group time was helped by this podcast. May the Lord bless you as you study His Word. Thank you. —Ryan
Ryan, I won’t take you to task as much as the woman in your soda story but something you said during that concerns me. We have taught our children and grandchildren that we are not to use God’s name flippantly. That includes the phrase “Oh my God” which you used during that story. Maybe you see it differently, but I am sure many listeners, myself included see that as disrespectful to Him. What bothers me most is how easy it came out indicating it maybe it is something you use regularly. As the lesson says, you have that right, but personally I was offended and disappointed. Check out the first commandment.
Rick, Thank you for reaching out and for bringing this to my attention. I’m sorry and I can understand why hearing me use that phrase was disappointing and offensive to you. I do not make it a point to use God’s name flippantly. In fact, I teach my own kids not to use that phrase for the reason you mentioned. I appreciate you calling it to my attention. I’ll pay closer attention. I certainly don’t want to offend listeners, and more importantly, I don’t want to treat God’s name casually or contribute to making that kind of language seem normal or acceptable. Thank you again for taking the time to write and for listening.
I can’t get to Leader Extras for NEXT week – August 23. Is it not available or am I not doing something right?
Good morning, Jim. Please refresh or clear your cache and check the page again. It should be working for you. —Ryan