FirstSF

Sermon Discussion Questions
For the Week of May 23, 2021

Sermon Information:

The Mind of Christ
Philippians 2:1-11

The call for unity.
The need for humility.
The example of Christ.


Discussion Questions:

In you experience, what are the issues or situations that have brought disunity in a church?

Read Ephesians 4:1-6. Compare this passage with Philippians 1:27-2:4. What do these passages teach us about unity in the church?

When you think of humility, name one person that comes to mind (preferably not someone in your group). What qualities or actions demonstrated their humility most clearly to you?

When you read Philippians 2:6-8, what questions do you have? What thoughts first come to your mind as you read about and consider the humility of Christ?

Do you think we as Christians think of and speak of the exaltation of Christ enough (those truths found in Philippians 2:9-11)? What comfort can we draw from Christ’s exaltation?

How will you apply the truths of this passage in your life this week?

Sermon Discussion Questions
For the Week of May 9, 2021

Sermon Information:

To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain
Philippians 1:12-26

When the gospel is the center of your life, obstacles become opportunities.
Places become mission fields.
People become partners in the gospel or those in need of the gospel.
Life is for enjoying God and making Him known.
Death only increases our joy as we dwell with God forever.


Discussion Questions:

Fill in the blank: “To live is _______.” I know the Christian answer is supposed to be Christ, but what are you most likely to replace Christ with in that blank?

What in your life are you likely to view as an obstacle? How could putting the gospel at the center of your life change that to an opportunity?

Read Acts 17:26-27. How do these verses speak to the thought that the places where God puts us are mission fields? How can you begin treating where God has placed you as a mission field?

Can you think of an example of when you naturally shared with others about something you enjoyed? Does this ever happen with your relationship with God? What can you do to help grow in your enjoyment of God?

How should Christians think about and talk about death? Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. How do these verses contribute to your answer?

Sermon Information:

Rejoicing in Prayer
Philippians 1:1-11

Let’s pray with the affection of Christ for FirstSF to be sanctified in Christ.

The Affection of Christ
We are partners in the gospel.
We have a common need of God’s grace.

Sanctified in Christ
Pray for growing love.
Pray for Christlike character.

Discussion Questions:

How often do you think of Christ’s affection for you? How often do you think of Christ’s affection for others? How could you remind yourself of both more often?

One of the keys to loving others in the way that Christ loves them is remembering our common need of God’s grace. How can consider God’s grace towards us both humble us and encourage us?

What do you think it would look like for someone to abound in love, with knowledge and discernment? What would this look like specifically in your life?

Read Romans 8:28-30. How do these verses connect with Philippians 1:6? Why might it be helpful for you to keep these verses in mind as you pray for the sanctification of yourself and others?

Will you commit to praying with affection of Christ for the members of FirstSF to be sanctified in Christ? Develop a plan/strategy that will help you be intentional in prayer.

Sermon Information:

The True Vine
John 15:1-11

We only receive spiritual life through our union with Christ.
We only bear fruit because of our union with Christ.

What is fruit?
The external result of an inward reality.

How is fruit produced?
Abiding in Christ through the Word, prayer, and obedience.
Pruning by God.

Discussion Questions:

What misconceptions have you had about living the Christian life? How can this teaching from Jesus help guard us from these misconceptions?

Pastor Ben described fruit as the external result of an inward reality. Do you find that we as Christians often focus on the outward rather than the inward?

Read Galatians 5:22-23. Notice that ‘fruit’ in v. 22 is singular. How might that affect the way we read these verses? In what ways have you seen the fruit of the Spirit grow in your life?

When it comes to abiding in Christ through the Word, prayer, and obedience, how would you say you are doing? Which of those three areas is the greatest struggle for you?

Read Hebrews 12:4-11. Can you think of an example of God “pruning” or “disciplining” you? Did your season of pruning lead to more fruit? Is there something that you need to let God prune from your life right now?

Sermon Discussion Questions
For the Week of April 11, 2021

Sermon Information:

The Way, The Truth, and The Life
John 14:1-14

What words of comfort does Jesus offer his disciples?

He tells them of a place.
He reveals the path.
He promises power.

Discussion Questions:

Pastor Ben mentioned how a child’s dad coming home could be both “good news” or “bad news” for the child. Can you think of another phrase that could be both good news and bad news?

Jesus spoke these words to offer comfort to his troubled disciples. What has been troubling you? How does this message from Jesus offer you comfort today?

In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis wrote, “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” Have you found this to be true in your life? What does this tell us about the place that Jesus is praying for us?

How would you respond to someone who says that claiming Christianity is right and every other religion is wrong (or that Jesus is the only way to heaven) is arrogant or close-minded? Is there a way that you could respond to this that would keep the conversation going rather than it just shutting down?

Read John 14:13-14, 15:16, 16:23-24. What does it mean to ask in Jesus’ name? How can we practice this in our prayer lives?

Sermon Discussion Questions
For the Week of March 28, 2021

Sermon Information:

The Good Shepherd
John 10:11-30

The Character of the Good Shepherd
Sacrificial love

The Activity of the Good Shepherd
He pursues
He protects

The Call to the Sheep
Hear His voice and follow Him

Discussion Questions:

This is a week where focus on the sacrificial love of Jesus. What is something you can specifically do to remind yourself of the Shepherd’s ongoing love for you?

Can you think of a time when it was clear that God was pursuing you? Maybe it is when you first trusted in Jesus or another time when you needed to be called back to Him.

Pastor Ben mentioned the doctrine of the security of the believer. What questions or thoughts do you have concerning this doctrine? Read John 6:37-39, Ephesians 1:13-14, Philippians 1:6, and 1 Peter 1:3-5 and discuss how these verses contribute to this doctrine. Do other verses come to mind?

How much time do you think you spend listening to God’s voice? Do you feel like you know the voice of the Shepherd and can distinguish it from other voices? What can you do this week to hear God’s voice?

Pastor Ben said that we are supposed to be like shepherds who point others to the Good Shepherd. Are you doing that? Is there a “lost sheep” that God is calling you to reach out to? How could you improve in the area of making disciples?

Sermon Discussion Questions
For the Week of March 21, 2021

Sermon Information:

The Door
John 10:1-10

It is only through Jesus that we can experience salvation.
Jesus offers eternal life and abundant life.
Following others will only end in death and destruction.

Discussion Questions:

What do you think it was like to grow up with Jesus as a big brother? Do you think it is significant that Jesus’ own family members believed in Him as the Messiah?

Read John 9:18-34. Compare the different reactions from the man who had been healed, his parents, and the religious leaders.

What is the difference between Jesus claiming to be the shepherd and Him claiming to be the door? Why was it important for him to make both statements?

What do you think abundant life in Jesus looks like? Specifically, what would it look like for you to experience life abundantly? What can you do this week to experience the abundant life that Jesus offers?

Jesus says the thief comes steal, kill, and destroy. Read Ezekiel 34:1-10 to see how God described the false shepherds in the Old Testament. How can we guard against the thief/false shepherds?

Sermon Discussion Questions
For the Week of March 14, 2021

Sermon Information:

The Light of the World
John 8:12-30

The Claim of Jesus

The Call to the World

The Contention from the Pharisees

The Consequences of Unbelief

The Cross of Christ

The Converts to the Light


Discussion Questions:

When you think of Jesus as the “light of the world,” what is the first thought that comes to your mind? Does knowing the context in which Jesus made this statement change your view of the metaphor at all?

Can you think of a time when your trust in Jesus as the light has allowed you to ‘see in the dark’ (gave you hope during a difficult time)?

Read Matthew 5:14-16, John 12:35-36, and 1 John 1:5-7. Consider these verses in relation to what Jesus says in John 8:12.

If Jesus warned others about the consequences of unbelief, shouldn’t we do the same? How can we warn others without sounding overly condemning or judgmental?

Do you truly believe that others can believe in the gospel when you share it just as they did when Jesus preached? Who can you share the light with this week?

Sermon Discussion Questions
For the Week of March 7, 2021

Sermon Information:

The Bread of Life
John 6:25-35

What was Jesus teaching about Himself?
He is the true and greater Moses.
He is the true and greater manna.
He alone is the sustenance we need.
He alone is the satisfaction we desire.

Why did many grumble at this teaching?
They focused on the sign rather than what it pointed to.
They focused on the physical rather than the spiritual.

How can we receive the bread of life?
Believe that Jesus is the bread of life, not just one who can give you bread.


Discussion Questions:

Robert Murray McCheyne said, “For every look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ.” What do you think is your ratio of looks at yourself to looks at Christ?

Consider the fact that Jesus revealed himself as the true and greater Moses and manna. How should this shape the way we read the OT and NT?

Can you think of a time when you found the things of the world to not offer lasting satisfaction? Read Matthew 5:6 and John 6:35. What do these verses teach us about experiencing satisfaction?

Why do you think we are so prone to focus on the physical rather than the spiritual? What can you do this week to turn your attention to spiritual matters?

How will you ‘feast’ on the Bread of Life this week?