FirstSF

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. What kinds of “foolish controversies” or distractions are most likely to pull you away from gospel priorities? How can you intentionally guard your heart and speech to promote unity rather than division?

2. Do Paul’s instructions in verses 10 and 11 sound harsh to you? Why are they necessary? What would it look like for a church to live out these instructions in a Christlike way?

3. In what ways are you tempted to approach church primarily as a consumer rather than a contributor? What is one concrete step you could take to shift toward being devoted to good works and serving others in the church or community?

4. Paul highlights meeting “cases of urgent need.” Who is one person or situation God may be placing in front of you right now that needs care, generosity, or practical help? What specific action can you take this week to respond in a gospel-shaped way?

RELECTION QUESTIONS

1. We must never forget that imperatives flow from indicatives. Where are you most tempted to reverse this order? Where do you feel a pressure to behave so that you can belong? How can you intentionally keep the correct order in your life?

2. Paul reminds believers of our past bondage. How does honestly remembering that you were once enslaved to sin change the way you respond to people who frustrate you, disagree with you, or live differently from you?

3. We are to devote ourselves to good works that are profitable for people. What good works is God calling you to? How can you pursue the goodness of others, especially those in need, and not just yourself?

4. Where do you find it most challenging to show perfect courtesy? What gospel truth from these verses help you respond with patient gentleness?

REFELCTION QUESTIONS:

1. Where are you most tempted to be motivated by guilt or greed rather than grace to change your behavior? How might remembering what God has already done for you in Christ reshape your motivation this week?

2. Paul says grace trains us to renounce ungodliness and live godly lives (v.12). What is one specific habit, desire, or pattern that you need to renounce? How can the grace of God train you to renounce this ungodliness?

3. Grace also trains us to wait for our blessed hope (v.13). What hopes or comforts are you tempted to look for in this present age instead of Christ’s return, and how does that affect your daily decisions?

4. God’s purpose in grace is to create a people who are zealous for good works. Are you zealous for good works? How can focusing on God’s grace create a zeal in you? How can the good works God is calling you to glorify Him?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1. Where in our culture do we see people prioritizing effectiveness, skills, or results over character? Where are we most tempted to do this in our own lives and in our church?

2. While this passage focuses on elders/pastors, the mission of every member of our church is to lead people to love and live for Jesus. Who do you have the opportunity to lead or influence? What would it look like for you to be a godly leader?

3. Leaders are called to be above reproach, which doesn’t mean perfection, but it does mean living with integrity through obedience and repentance. This should be a value in each of our lives. Where is God calling you into closer obedience? Is there an area of your life where you need to walk in repentance?

4. When you read the description of characteristics in verses 7-8, what stands out to you? Are any of these characteristics ones that we neglect in our current church culture?

5. Our leaders and our whole church must stay under the authority of the Word by holding onto sound doctrine and refuting false teaching. What are you doing to grow in your knowledge of the Word? What false teachings do you think present the most danger to the Church today (we will see more about the false teachings in Crete next week)?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1. Why is it important to remember that salvation is a work of God? How does this bring you comfort? What questions come to your mind when you think about this truth?

2. Paul says that knowledge of the truth accords with godliness. Why are these two components of the Christian life linked together? What is your plan to grow in your knowledge of the truth and godly living this year?

3. Do you feel like you have hope as you enter into 2026? What can you do to continue to reset your hope in God rather than yourself or your circumstances?

4. Who do you know who needs to hear this message of hope? Who is God calling you to share the good news with? When will you share with them?

5. A gospel shaped church is one that treats each other with grace and peace. What can you do to help our church grow as a gospel community?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1) Psalm 2 says that the division and pain in our world comes from resisting Jesus’ authority as king. Where in your life do you sense resistance to his rule right now? What would it look like for you to trust His authority this week?

2. This whole Advent series has reminded us that God keeps His promises. What recent news, circumstance, or personal struggle has tested your confidence in God’s faithfulness? How can remembering Jesus as the Promised One reshape the way you respond to that situation?

3. In order to follow Jesus, the Shepherd King, we must be humble enough to believe that we are sheep. What makes it difficult for you personally to accept that role?

4. Jesus is our peace. How has knowing the peace of Jesus helped you through different seasons of life? Is there an area of your life where you most long for His peace right now?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1. Where are you most tempted to trust in your own abilities, performance, or control rather than trusting Jesus as the faithful Servant who perfectly does the will of God? What would it look like to place your confidence in Him instead of yourself this week?

2. The passage describes Jesus as one who does not break a bruised reed or quench a faintly burning wick. In what areas of your life do you currently feel weak, weary, or fragile—and how does this picture of Jesus reshape the way you approach Him?

3. Why do you think it can be difficult to come to Jesus empty-handed, admitting need rather than bringing accomplishments or good works? How might truly receiving His rest change the way you live and worship during this Advent season?

4. Jesus does not grow faint or discouraged until He completes His mission. How does His steadfast commitment to bringing justice and redemption encourage you to persevere in obedience, hope, and faithfulness—even when following Him feels costly or slow?