Small group questions.
Use these with your small group or on your own this week.
Connection
- What do you remember most from last week’s sermon?
- How did you hear God’s voice or sense His presence this past week?
- What are you looking forward to most this week?
Reflection
- Summarize this week’s sermon in one to three sentences. What was the main point of the message?
- What did the message say about you, God’s people or the world?
Application
- Pastor Ryan said, “God reconciles us even while we’re still His enemy.” What does that teach you about God’s character? How does knowing God pursued you before you had everything together affect the way you see Him?
Additional reading: Romans 5:6–11 - Colossians says Jesus reconciled us through His physical body and now presents us “holy and blameless.” Why was it important that Jesus actually became human, lived a sinless life, and physically died for us? What does it mean personally to you that God sees you as presentable because of Jesus?
Additional reading: Hebrews 4:14–16 - Where are you most tempted to try to make yourself “presentable” to God through being good enough, religious enough, or getting your life together? How does the gospel challenge that way of thinking?
- Pastor Ryan talked about two Christian understandings of salvation: unconditional security and conditional security. Without turning this into a debate, what passages or experiences have shaped how you understand this issue? What do you think Paul means when he says, “You must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it”?
Additional reading: John 10:27–29 and John 15:1–6 - The sermon ended with a very simple question: “Do you believe?” Beyond simply saying yes, what does believing in Jesus look like in your life right now? Is there an area where you need to trust Him, return to Him, or stand more firmly in your faith?
