Embracing God's Greater Dreams Through Surrender

Summary

Dreaming bigger is not about chasing after what the world calls success, but about opening our hearts to the greater things God wants to do in and through us. Seventeen years ago, I was told repeatedly to “dream bigger,” and at the time, I couldn’t imagine how God’s plans could be any larger than what I already saw. Yet, God’s ways are not our ways, and He often starts with small beginnings to accomplish His greatest works. Sometimes, the path to God’s “bigger” starts with what seems like a step down, or with something that feels insignificant. But God delights in using humble beginnings to bring about extraordinary outcomes, as seen in the explosive growth of a youth group that started with just ten kids and became a movement that changed lives.

The story of Elisha’s calling is a powerful reminder that God’s invitation to greater things often comes when we’re faithfully doing the ordinary. Elisha was plowing a field when Elijah placed the mantle on his shoulders, symbolizing God’s anointing and calling. Elisha’s response was radical: he slaughtered his oxen and burned his plows, leaving no way to return to his old life. This act of surrender is essential for anyone who wants to step into God’s greater purpose. It’s not about abandoning everything familiar for the sake of novelty, but about being willing to do what you’re already doing with a new spirit, passion, and faith.

God’s call to “dream bigger” is not reserved for the elite or the obviously gifted. Jesus said that “anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing, and even greater things.” That includes every one of us, regardless of our background or perceived limitations. The key is not to settle for “good enough,” but to pursue God’s best, even when it means letting go of what is comfortable or familiar. Sometimes, the greatest obstacle to God’s best is our contentment with the good.

Embracing God’s greater dreams requires a deeper surrender—a willingness to burn the plows of our past, our comfort zones, and our backup plans. It means trusting God enough to step out in faith, knowing that He is always working behind the scenes, preparing us for more than we can imagine. The journey to greater things is not always immediate or obvious; sometimes it means embracing seasons of obscurity and hiddenness, trusting that God is shaping us for His purposes. Ultimately, Jesus Himself is the “greater thing,” and as we surrender to Him, we discover that His dreams for us are always bigger and better than our own.

Key Takeaways

- Small Beginnings, Big Impact: God often starts His greatest works in the smallest, most humble beginnings. What may seem insignificant or like a step down in the world’s eyes can be the very place where God’s plans unfold. Never despise small beginnings, for God delights in using them to accomplish what we could never imagine. [03:50]

- God’s Call Comes in the Ordinary: Elisha was simply plowing a field when God called him to a higher purpose. God’s invitation to greater things often comes when we are faithfully doing the ordinary, unseen tasks. The key is to be open and responsive, recognizing that God can call us from anywhere, even from behind a plow. [09:44]

- Deeper Surrender Means Burning the Plows: Stepping into God’s greater purpose requires a willingness to let go of the past, our comfort zones, and our backup plans. Elisha’s act of burning his plows was a declaration that there was no turning back. True surrender means trusting God enough to remove the safety nets and fully commit to His calling, even when it’s uncomfortable or costly. [26:01]

- Don’t Settle for Good Enough: The greatest enemy of God’s best is often our contentment with “good enough.” God calls us to dream bigger and pursue His best, not just what is safe or familiar. Settling for less can rob us of the greater things God wants to do in and through us, so we must be willing to let go of the good to receive the great. [32:24]

- Greater Things Require Passing the Mantle: God’s vision for our lives is generational and communal. Just as Elijah passed his mantle to Elisha, we are called to invest in others and empower them to do even greater things. Insecurity and fear can keep us from releasing others into their calling, but true greatness is found in seeing God’s work multiply beyond ourselves. [29:29]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:37] - The Origin of “Dream Bigger”
[01:54] - Wrestling with Pride and Small Beginnings
[03:06] - The Dodgeball Story: Growth from Small Seeds
[04:48] - The Power of Obedience and Humility
[07:24] - Elisha’s Calling: The Mantle Falls
[08:33] - God’s Three Invitations
[09:44] - God’s Call in the Ordinary
[13:24] - Dreaming Bigger for Our Church
[14:19] - The Mantle Changes Everything
[19:00] - Embracing Hiddenness Before Greatness
[20:40] - The Cost of Deeper Surrender
[26:01] - Burning the Plows: No Turning Back
[27:35] - Experiencing Greater Things
[29:29] - Passing the Mantle and Multiplying Impact
[32:24] - Don’t Settle for Good Enough
[34:00] - Decision Time: Will You Dream Bigger?
[35:58] - Prayer for Salvation and Surrender

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Dreaming Bigger

---

### Bible Reading

John 14:12 (ESV)
> “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”

1 Kings 19:19-21 (ESV)
> So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.

---

### Observation Questions

1. According to John 14:12, what does Jesus say about those who believe in Him and the works they will do?
2. What was Elisha doing when Elijah found him, and how did Elijah call him? (1 Kings 19:19)
3. What did Elisha do with his oxen and plowing equipment after Elijah called him? Why is this detail important? (1 Kings 19:21)
4. In the sermon, what did the pastor say about how God often starts His greatest works? [03:06]

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus said that “whoever believes in me will do even greater things”? What might “greater things” mean in the context of our everyday lives? [05:44]
2. Elisha burned his plows and sacrificed his oxen after being called. What does this act of “burning the plows” represent in terms of following God’s call? [26:01]
3. The sermon mentions that God’s invitation to greater things often comes while we are doing ordinary, everyday tasks. Why might God choose to call people in the middle of their routines instead of during “big” moments? [09:44]
4. The pastor said, “The greatest enemy of God’s best is often our contentment with ‘good enough.’” What are some reasons people might settle for “good enough” instead of pursuing God’s best? [32:24]

---

### Application Questions

1. The pastor shared about starting with a small youth group and seeing God do big things through small beginnings. Is there something in your life right now that feels small or insignificant? How might God want to use it for something greater? [03:06]
2. Elisha was called while plowing a field—just doing his normal job. Where in your daily routine might God be inviting you to something more? How can you be more attentive to God’s voice in the ordinary? [09:44]
3. “Burning the plows” means letting go of backup plans and comfort zones. Is there a “plow” in your life—something you’re holding onto just in case—that you sense God might be asking you to surrender? What would it look like to let it go? [26:01]
4. The sermon talked about not settling for “good enough.” Is there an area in your life where you’ve become comfortable with “good enough”? What would it look like to pursue God’s best in that area? [32:24]
5. The pastor mentioned that sometimes the path to God’s “bigger” starts with what seems like a step down or something that feels insignificant. Have you ever experienced a “step down” that later turned out to be a step toward something greater? Share your story. [02:27]
6. Passing the mantle means investing in others and empowering them to do even greater things. Who in your life could you encourage, mentor, or “pass the mantle” to? What’s one step you could take this week to invest in someone else’s growth? [29:29]
7. The sermon ended with a call to deeper surrender and dreaming bigger with God. What is one practical step you can take this week to trust God more fully and open your heart to His greater dreams for you? [34:00]

---

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for courage to surrender their “plows,” to be attentive to God’s call in the ordinary, and to trust Him for greater things—even when it means letting go of what is comfortable or familiar.

Devotional

Day 1: God Invites You to a Higher Calling
God’s calling often comes when you least expect it, right in the middle of your daily routine, and it may not look like a promotion or a dramatic change, but rather a call to step up with greater faith, passion, and purpose where you already are. Elisha was simply plowing his field, doing what he always did, when God’s mantle was placed on his shoulders, changing everything in an instant. You may feel like your life is ordinary or stuck in a routine, but God is working behind the scenes, preparing you for something bigger than you can imagine. He calls you not just to do more, but to do what you do with a new spirit, a new fire, and a new sense of His presence and purpose. Will you open your heart to the possibility that God wants to use you for greater things, right where you are? [09:44]

1 Kings 19:19-21 (ESV)
So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.

Reflection: Where in your daily routine do you sense God might be inviting you to step up with greater faith or purpose, even if it doesn’t look like a big change on the outside?


Day 2: Dreaming Bigger Starts with Faith
Jesus promises that anyone who believes in Him will do even greater things than He did—not just the “special” or “qualified” people, but anyone who has faith. It’s easy to believe God can do great things in others, but He invites you to believe He can do greater things in you, too. This is not about arrogance or self-promotion, but about accepting the invitation to trust God for more, to dream bigger, and to expect Him to work through your life in ways you never thought possible. The key is not your ability, but your willingness to believe and step out in faith, trusting that God’s power and presence will go with you. [07:24]

John 14:12 (ESV)
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”

Reflection: What is one area where you’ve doubted God could use you for something greater, and how can you take a step of faith to trust Him with it today?


Day 3: Deeper Surrender Means Burning the Plows
To step into God’s greater dreams, you must be willing to let go of what’s comfortable, familiar, or even good, so you can fully embrace what God has next. Elisha didn’t just leave his old life behind—he burned his plows and sacrificed his oxen, making sure there was no turning back. This is a picture of true surrender: not keeping a backup plan or a safety net, but going all in with God. Sometimes the things you need to let go of aren’t bad—they’re just holding you back from God’s best. What plows do you need to burn so you can move forward into the greater things God has for you? [26:01]

Luke 9:62 (ESV)
Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Reflection: What is one “plow” in your life—something good, comfortable, or familiar—that you sense God is asking you to let go of so you can fully follow Him?


Day 4: Don’t Settle for Good Enough—Pursue God’s Best
The greatest enemy of God’s best for your life is settling for “good enough.” It’s easy to become comfortable, satisfied, or complacent, thinking that things are fine as they are, but God calls you to more than just an average or safe life. He wants you to dream bigger, to refuse to settle, and to pursue the greater things He has planned for you. This means not letting fear, compromise, or the opinions of others keep you from stepping into all that God has for you. God’s best often requires you to leave behind what’s merely good, so you can experience the fullness of His purpose and blessing. [32:24]

Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: In what area of your life have you settled for “good enough,” and what would it look like to press on for God’s best instead?


Day 5: Greater Things Begin with Deeper Dependence on God
Experiencing the greater things God has for you isn’t about striving in your own strength, but about depending on Him completely and allowing His Spirit to work through you. As you surrender more deeply, God positions you to receive more of His power, His presence, and His purpose. This is not about earning God’s love, but about opening your heart to all He wants to do in and through you. When you let go of control and trust Him fully, you discover that Jesus Himself is the greater thing, and He will always be enough. [34:28]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Reflection: What is one area where you need to depend on God more fully, and how can you take a practical step today to trust Him with it?

Quotes

Never despise what God can do with small beginnings. It grew and it grew and it grew and it grew. And we started doing it from 10 to midnight. It grew so much. We gave a devotion halfway through the two hour period from 10 to midnight. Kids were getting saved. We had to hire police officers to help police the traffic and keep everybody right. And God said, don't despise what I can do with small beginnings. This is why I brought you here. [00:04:04] (26 seconds)  #SmallBeginningsBigBlessings Edit Clip

God may not be calling you to something different he just may be calling you to do the same thing but do it differently with a different mindset and a different attitude with a greater passion a greater purpose a greater faith maybe not to a different job but to a different spirit at your job maybe not to a different spouse not to a different spouse but a greater love for the one that you already have. Not to a different church, but to a greater joy and commitment to the one you're already in. Because sometimes greater isn't about somewhere new. It's about showing up where you currently are with a whole new fire. [00:12:28] (43 seconds)  #GreaterWithNewSpirit Edit Clip

Many of you right now, you've still got your own life on life support in case this one doesn't work out. And you can go back and revive it. I'm not going back. Burning the plow says, no returns. Jesus is my everything and I'm all in. And the reason some people step out from behind their plow and never burn it because of fear. And they need a safety net. But you can't step into the greater things of God and embrace the good things at the same time. You can't have a plan B because there's no turning back. [00:25:45] (48 seconds)  #BurnThePlowNoReturn Edit Clip

Sometimes you've got to let go of the good to get the great. You'll never regret letting go of something that was good, that was comfortable, that was familiar to chase after God's greatness. [00:26:52] (16 seconds)  #LetGoForGreatness Edit Clip

So the worst part about not burning your plows is holding on to your old lifestyle and not giving God everything. It's not just the sin that's holding you back and the distractions. It's that you robbed yourself of so much greater. [00:32:14] (16 seconds)  #ReleaseForGreater Edit Clip