084 | How do we develop spiritual grit?

For the greatest impact, invite a few others to go through this Anchor Group study with you.

⌘ Space to Belong | 5-10 minutes

Connect with one another with an ice-breaker.

🏅 What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done—something you really had to grit your teeth to push through? How did you feel afterward?

⌘ Space to Believe | 10-15 minutes

Read and reflect on the scripture.

Mark 7:24–30 (NIV) 24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. 27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” 28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” 30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

What stands out to you? Is there anything new for you to believe or obey?

⌘ Space to Become | 10-15 minutes

A. Familiarize yourself with the sermon.

In this message, Paul talks about spiritual grit—not just the human determination that pushes us through tough situations, but a Holy-Spirit-fueled grit built on faith and reliance on God. Drawing examples from Scripture, we see that people who develop spiritual grit often go through difficult, "pit" seasons. The story of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15 and Mark 7 shows a powerful example of holy grit: she was humble, un-offendable, and relentless, believing Jesus had the power to heal her daughter despite being seen as an outsider. We define spiritual grit by being self-aware, God-aware, and letting faith bridge the gap between our limitations and His limitless power.

B. Discuss one or more of the following questions.

How do you react when you’re in a “pit” season—a season of struggle or frustration?
- Paul’s talk mentioned examples in scripture where people like Joseph, Gideon, and Moses experienced “pit” moments before their breakthroughs.
- Can you think of a difficult season in your life that required Holy-Spirit-fueled grit? How did you navigate it?
What does "being self-aware" look like in your walk with Jesus?
- In the message, Paul said spiritual grit starts with humility and acknowledging our weakness, just like the Canaanite woman who knew her position but still sought out Jesus.
- What area of your life do you struggle to admit your neediness to God? Is pride blocking any breakthroughs you're seeking right now?
Why is it important to be “God-aware” during times of struggle?
- Human grit can achieve a lot of things, but spiritual grit requires believing that God can do the impossible, as Paul highlighted using Ephesians 3:20.
- When you feel stuck, do you find it difficult to believe that God can change your situation? How can an awareness of God's power shift your mindset in those moments?
Can you think of a time when someone’s faith inspired you to keep going?
- The Canaanite woman’s relentless faith in Jesus inspires us—she didn’t let offense or difficulty stop her from pushing forward for her daughter’s healing.
- Who in your life has shown gritty faith that motivated you recently? How did their example influence your own faith journey?
How can we rally around others to help them develop their own spiritual grit?
- There are people all around us—our friends, family, and neighbors—who are walking through tough seasons and need support, prayer, and encouragement.
- How can you come alongside someone in your community who’s struggling in a “pit season”? What support could you offer as they navigate their own spiritual grit?