Discussion Questions:

On Summer Break

Discussion Questions:

On Summer Break

Discussion Questions:

On Summer Break

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview

The Spirit helps God's children as we await our glorious future.

Digging Deeper

Read Romans 8:14-27

1. Practically speaking, what does it (or should it) look like for us to be “led by the Spirit of God” (verse 14) in the common, ordinary tasks of life?

2. Romans 8:13-17 expresses three massive changes that happen for people who are “led by the Spirit of God” (v.s 14):

a. From slaves to adopted sons

b. From being afraid of God to being able to call God “Abba” (= Dad)

c. From no future hope (the implication of being a slave) to having an inheritance

Consider these three transformations and comment on the one that lands

on you. Why is it significant for you now?

3. When Paul wrote Romans, being a son meant having a secure identity, legal status, physical/financial inheritance, and an expectation to live in line with your dad’s leadership.

We who have trusted in Christ have “received the Spirit of adoption as sons.” (8:15). What are some of the (sweet) implications of the fact that we have been adopted by God into his family, as his sons and daughters?

4. When Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, he addressed God the Father as “Abba” (Mark 14:36). It expressed closeness, intimacy, and trust, perhaps similar to a child affectionately calling their father “Daddy.” If you’re a follower of Jesus, you get to relate to God in a similar way as Jesus himself. Why should all this blow us away?

5. Imagine waking up each morning deeply knowing that God is your perfect Father who loves you, looks out for you, and welcomes you to call him “Abba.” How might this affect your contentment, peace, or joy?

6. As God’s children, we are heirs - “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (8:17). What is one thing Pastor Brett said about this reality that you found helpful or encouraging?

7. Rom. 8:18 says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (cf. also 2 Cor. 4:17).

What does this mean? Are there moments in your life that you find what this verse is saying hard to believe? Please share.

8. On a practical level, why is it good for us to remember that “the creation was subjected to futility,” but will also “be set free from its bondage to corruption” (8:20)? How does the Bible’s teaching on creation in this verse differ from a secular perspective? Why is it important for us to get this right?

9. Rom. 8:26-27 tells us, “Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Did you find these two verses (and Pastor Brett’s comments on what they teach) encouraging? How so? Please share.

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview

Live out your freedom from condemnation and sin by the power of the Spirit.

Digging Deeper

Read Romans 8:1-13

1. There are many precious and encouraging truths in this passage. Which one do you find most encouraging? Why?

2. What point of application that Pastor Brett made from this text did you find most relevant to your life? Why?

3. If you are a follower of Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit. What is a situation you are facing/anticipate facing where it would be good to keep this in mind?

4. What does “putting to death the deeds of the body” (8:13) mean?

5. God calls us to depend on the Spirit’s power to pursue a righteous life. Is there an area of your life you’d like to see growth in? What would it look like to depend on the Spirit and his power for this area?

6. Our pursuit of holiness is to be done out of a joyful response to what God has done for us. What might that look like for you?

7. One aspect of “putting to death the deeds of the body” by the Spirit’s power has to do with where we set our minds (vv. 5-6). What things occupy your mental bandwidth? What do you daydream about?

8. To what extent is meditating on truth from God’s Word a part of your thought life? How might we grow in this, and help each other in the process?

9. We are to put sin to death, not partially but completely. Is there an area(s) of your life in which you are perhaps seeking merely to limit sin, rather than put it to death (once and for all)? How might you move toward a more killing of sin in your life? What would help you in this?

10. We pursue holiness with the confident hope that those who put sin to death by the Spirit’s power “will live.” Does this reality motivate you? How so?

Discussion Questions:

Sermon Overview

Everyone who believes in Jesus has been born of the Spirit and has eternal life.

Digging Deeper

Read John 3:1-15

1. Ezekiel 36:25-27 reads as follows: “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”

How does this passage help us understand what Jesus is saying in John 3?

2. What is spiritual birth according to this passage?

3. Jesus calls Nicodemus (as well as you and me) to believe in him. What are some of the reasons we should trust Jesus (from this passage)?

4. In John 3:14-15, Jesus points us back to Numbers 21:4-9. How does the story in Numbers help us better grasp the gospel?

5. How is it better that a relationship with God and eternal life are based on God’s initiating new birth rather than something else, like living a good life or being religious, etc?

6. If you follow Jesus, when you reflect on the fact that you didn’t cause your own spiritual birth, how does that affect your gratitude or humility before God?

7. How might we grow in awe, wonder, and gratitude for this unmerited gift of God’s grace?

8. What fears or hesitations do you have about sharing your faith? How does this passage challenge or encourage you?

9. Pastor Brett reminded us that because new birth is something God does, he can save even those who seem hard and far from him! The salvation of others does not depend on our persuasiveness or others' perceived openness. Does this encourage you? Does this spur you in your witness to unbelieving family members, neighbors, or co-workers? Why or why not? Please share.

10. This passage calls those who have not yet placed their trust in Christ to see their need for what he has done, and trust him alone for entry into God’s kingdom. How might you use this story as you interact with those who don’t know Jesus?

11. If someone were to say, “I’m trying to live a good life to get into heaven,” how would you use this passage to respond?

Prayer

Discussion Questions:

On break for the summer

Discussion Questions:

Sermon Overview

Align your life with the real Jesus.

#1: Align your trust with the astonishing power of Jesus (vv. 37-43a)

#2: Align your priorities with the perplexing priority of Jesus (vv. 43b-45)

#3: Align your relationships with the unconventional people of Jesus. (vv. 46-50)

Digging Deeper

Read Luke 9:37-50

1. What circumstances make it challenging for you to trust in Jesus? (e.g., work, family, parenting, health, future, money, etc).

2. What would it look like to deeply trust in Jesus' astonishing power for that circumstance? As a group, consider if there are passages that relate.

3. Since exploring or following Jesus, what has surprised you about who he is?

4. Jesus was compassionate with the needs in front of him without losing sight of his primary mission to save sinners through his death and resurrection. What needs are in the world around you that God may be calling you to address?

5. The priority of Jesus' life was to go to the cross and die. What priority does the gospel of Jesus have in your life? How does it show up?

6. Are there other things in your life that you find can, at times, replace the gospel of Jesus as your first priority? Please share.

7. How can we help one another guard against this?

8. The disciples were seeking greatness by comparing themselves to one another. Jesus offers greatness by means of a relationship with him. Why is the latter avenue for greatness far better?

9. True greatness involves humble service to all out of obedience to Jesus. Does this characterize your life? If so, how? If not, what would it look like to grow?

10. The disciples were hesitant about other people joining their tribe (see vv. 49-50). Are there ways you can feel territorial as you look at other Christians?

11. Do you look at other Christians or ministries or churches with a prideful eye of skepticism? If so, don't name anyone in particular, but share how Jesus' words in verse 50 can be a help to you.

Prayer