*Due to a technical difficulty, there is no video for the first few minutes.*

// Sermon Application & Discussion //

Even before you get into a sermon discussion -- many in our body are processing and grieving the loss of sweet baby Alia and are sorrowing for the Bryant family (Andy, Sarah, Levi and Lilly). Spend some time allowing the group to process this loss together, ask questions if they have them, and spend some time praying together for the Bryants, Also, please pray for our IK volunteers and parents of kiddos, many of whom are grieving and processing very weighty and difficult life and death matters.

Quickly (like in 5 min or less) review the sermon and set if fresh in your mind. Here was the outline:

Being a Christian means counting the cost of following Christ. There are 4 "basics" to living the Christian life. They are:

• A true Christian life is a life lived under authority.
• A true Christian life is a life lived by faith
• A true Christian life is a life lived in family
• A true Christian life is a life lived in response to mercy.

Consider going through each of these basics, asking these questions:
1. What is challenging to you personally to live a life under authority?
2. What has blessed you and helped you (specifically) living your life under authority?
3. What challenges/struggles are you facing currently in your faith?
4. What ways are you blessed through living out your faith as a part of a family?
5. What things hinder you from living your life more deeply intertwined in God's family (the church)?
6. Describe personally God's mercy to save you. What hinders you from regarding yourself on a daily basis as one who has received mercy and is under God's mercy?
7. What aspects of Christian obedience are you finding to be a challenge presently? How does God's mercy to you help motivate greater obedience?

Hope these questions help you lead discussions and share life together with one another in Christ this week. May the Lord use your gathering to build one another up in our glorious faith!