DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What are the reasons listed in the sermon for the suffering of the church (or Christians)?
What can the believers do in faith to reduce as much suffering as possible?
What is the reward from God at the end of our faithful suffering?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
When was the last time you suffered specifically for the sake of Christ; just for being a Christian?
What’s the difference between suffering needlessly and suffering for the sake of Christ?
Does the suffering for Christ’s sake feel worth it to you? Why/why not?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
How do people “party” through the ages? How does antiquity compare to this day and age in Sydney, Australia, perhaps amongst your friends?
Compared to “debauchery”, how does “living in the spirit” look different?
How has God gifted you to serve others?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
In what sense is the resurrection of Jesus Christ “rooted in history”? What value is history versus simply a story or a lore or a legend?
What did it take you to “believe” in Jesus and His resurrection?
How should a Christian be motivated to witness and testify of Jesus’s resurrection? What is the connection between belief and the act of witnessing?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
How is each party in the verdict of Jesus’ execution guilty in their own way? Where do you see yourself?
What is the significance of the location and manner of execution?
How does the death of Jesus mean salvation for you? How ought that shape your faith today?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
How are you experiencing suffering, whether presently or in the past? Please share if you’re able.
Of many knowable and unknowable reasons, why do you believe you are experiencing suffering when you do? Which of the many reasons covered in the sermon resonate for you?
In light of the message, how will you now convey the reason for the hope that you have? What is the role of “conscience” in your expression of hope?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
How should the “equation” of the Lord being our portion be considered “both ways”?
How does our giving reflect our heart and attitude towards God as our “first portion”
Of all the ways God blesses you, as mentioned in the sermon on [Psa.16], what rings most true to your own heart?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Jesus conquered the world and won the hearts of His people, but how did He do that according to [1Pet.2:21 – 3:9]? How was Jesus different from other winners & conquerors?
Modern society scoffs at the biblical teaching on the postures of wives and husbands, but why is this the direct application of “following in His steps”? And how is “posture” different from “roles”?
Besides marriage relations, how should all Christians at all times live among the people of this world?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What does it look like for your to live as a ‘sojourner and exile’ in the world today?
How can there be freedom in submission? What does that look like for you today?
Why is it critical to apply verses 11-20 only after the grounding of verses 1-10?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What does it mean for those who believe in the ‘cornerstone’ to not be put to shame?
What does it look like for you to be a part of the chosen race, royal priesthood and a holy nation today?
How could/should the new life you have in Christ shape the way you live life today?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Have you ever been so discouraged by setbacks or failures that you just wanted to give up? Care to share perhaps?
According to the message from [1Pet.1:13 – 2:3], how can Christians continue to pursue God’s holiness and grace even though we are weak, failing and perishing?
What is the value of the blood of Christ? What is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ so unique and powerful?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Looking back, how does saving hope advance through the ages?
Looking forward, how do we anchor our hope in what is to come?
What kind of worship delights God’s heart and bless Him?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon
for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Why is it good and important to know about Peter?
What is the difference between the “man” and the “office”?
What is the Christian function in being the “exiles” and “dispersion” in the world?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Why does “worldview” matter, and how does it affect our lives and actions?
How does the gospel inform our world? How should we see the people around us both near and far?
How can we “go” to the ends of earth literally and personally, as well as through other means?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
When was the last time you were moved to awe by the gospel?
Why is it so important for our hearts to be repeatedly moved to awe, especially as we engage in the life of the Church?
How does the example of the early church’s life together encourage/challenge your engagement with the church today?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon
for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
According to the message, what is the significance of a family in the way God saves
the people of this world? What if one does not have a family or if the family is broken and estranged?
How does a Godly family impact the condition of the church and society? How does it affect your calling and pursuit in life?
How is God’s family composed here on earth and in heaven?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
According to the message, what biblical facts should inform and secure the priority of God in our lives?
How does the Spirit of God operate in creation and in our personal lives [Gen.1:2c; Prov.8:22-31]?
How does the Creator God “re-create” us through salvation in Jesus Christ?
What is the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What has Simeon been waiting for throughout his life? What does he reveal about what the baby Jesus will do?
How would you feel if your life looked similar to the life of Anna? How can we learn from her faith?
What does it look like for your life to be shaped by the peace of the first coming and hope of the second coming of the Christ?
What is the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for
you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
How is your heart responding to the Christmas message this year?
Which reminder was most encouraging for you and why?
How is your posture toward Christ in light of the sermon and in particular the responses from the Shepherds and Mary?
What is the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for
you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
How does a life of service to Jesus bring us more freedom than a life of self-service?
Zechariah’s silence was discipline for not believing God’s word to him. What makes it difficult for us to not believe the promises of God? What are some examples of ways God has moved you from unbelief to belief?
What is the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?