Title: The Foundation of Sanctification
Passage: Philippians 2:12-18
Icebreaker: What is a secret talent you have?
Review: What was the definition of “sanctification” that your group came up with yesterday?
Reflect: What from the sermon stood out to you? What was challenging, comforting, or confusing?
Sermon Questions:
1. The sermon described Christians as wearing Christ's "robe of righteousness"—accepted because of what Jesus has done, not because of their own performance. Why do you think it's so hard for people to believe they are loved and accepted apart from their performance? Where do you see that struggle show up in everyday life?
2. The speaker said that some people feel like Christianity "isn't working" because they still struggle with the same sins and failures. Why do you think Christians can become discouraged when they don't see immediate change? What expectations do people often have about how quickly change should happen?
3. Paul tells believers to "work out your salvation," but then immediately says, "for it is God who works in you." How do those two ideas fit together? When it comes to growth and change, what do you think God's role is and what do you think our role is? Why do people tend to overemphasize one and ignore the other?
4. The sermon said, "A true Christian could do whatever they want—but a true Christian begins to want what God wants." Do you think freedom means being able to do whatever you want, or becoming the kind of person who wants the right things? Why?
5. The sermon asked a searching question: "Do I want to obey Jesus? Do I at least want to want to obey him?" What do you think that question is really getting at? What does someone's desires reveal about what they love, trust, or worship most? How have your desires shaped the direction of your life?
Review: What was the definition of “sanctification” that your group came up with yesterday?
Reflect: What from the sermon stood out to you? What was challenging, comforting, or confusing?
Sermon Questions:
1. The sermon described Christians as wearing Christ's "robe of righteousness"—accepted because of what Jesus has done, not because of their own performance. Why do you think it's so hard for people to believe they are loved and accepted apart from their performance? Where do you see that struggle show up in everyday life?
2. The speaker said that some people feel like Christianity "isn't working" because they still struggle with the same sins and failures. Why do you think Christians can become discouraged when they don't see immediate change? What expectations do people often have about how quickly change should happen?
3. Paul tells believers to "work out your salvation," but then immediately says, "for it is God who works in you." How do those two ideas fit together? When it comes to growth and change, what do you think God's role is and what do you think our role is? Why do people tend to overemphasize one and ignore the other?
4. The sermon said, "A true Christian could do whatever they want—but a true Christian begins to want what God wants." Do you think freedom means being able to do whatever you want, or becoming the kind of person who wants the right things? Why?
5. The sermon asked a searching question: "Do I want to obey Jesus? Do I at least want to want to obey him?" What do you think that question is really getting at? What does someone's desires reveal about what they love, trust, or worship most? How have your desires shaped the direction of your life?