FirstSF

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1. What realities about creation and humanity does David draw attention to in Psalm 8? How can these realities shape the way you think about yourself, your identity, and your worth?

2. How does seeing every person as crowned with “glory and honor” challenge the way you interact with people you tend to overlook—such as coworkers, neighbors, or unhoused individuals in the city?

3. Where do you see evidence in your life that Jesus is already restoring you to bear God’s image—your relationships, habits, or decisions? And what area still needs His restoring work?

4. Consider Christ’s loving pursuit of you. How should Jesus’ incarnation and death shape the way we think about God and ourselves? What is one concrete way His love can shape the way you show love to others?

5. Psalm 8 begins and ends with praise. What practices or rhythms help you keep God’s majesty at the center of your daily life? How could you strengthen one of those rhythms this Advent season?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1. Why is a bodily resurrection an important doctrine in the Christian faith? How should this doctrine impact the way we think about life, death, and eternity?

2. When you think about our transformed bodies, what first comes to your mind? Why is it important to remember that we will be free from the presence and effects of sin?

3. Even though death hasn’t yet been swallowed up in victory, the sting of death has been removed. How have you experienced comfort because of our victory over death? How can you help comfort others in the face of death?

4. How can the reality of the resurrection encourage you to be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord? What does it look like for you to apply verse 58 in your life this week?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1. Why is realizing the wrong that was done important in the process of forgiveness? Is there a wrong that you’ve done or that’s been done to you that you’ve tended to minimize? What might it look like to realize that wrongdoing?

2. Sometimes it's easy to believe God forgives people in general but harder to believe He looks on you with compassion. Where do you tend to struggle with receiving God’s mercy personally?

3. Those who recognize the amount they’ve been forgiven respond with love and worship. How could you make space this week to respond to God with gratitude and love?

4. Forgiveness is costly. How have you felt this in your own life? How has God absorbed the cost of your debt?

5. Those who truly grasp God’s grace extend that grace to others. Who is God calling you to extend mercy and grace to? How can you reflect God’s heart to others this week?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1. Do you ever tend to think of the Holy Spirit as a force or an influence rather than a person? How might it change the way you relate to the Spirit if you thought of him as a person?

2. The Spirit’s presence within us should be both a comforting and convicting might remembering that God’s Spirit lives in you affect your decisions, words, or reactions this week?

3. Jesus called the Spirit our Paraclete—our Helper, Advocate, and Defender. In what area of your life do you most need the Spirit’s help, comfort, or correction right now? How can you make space to listen and depend on Him in that area?

4. The Holy Spirit teaches us through the Word He inspired. How can you approach Scripture reading this week as a relational moment with the Spirit rather than just a task or routine? What practical steps might help you slow down and listen for His voice?

5. Jesus promises that the Spirit empowers obedience and gives peace the world cannot give. Where do you feel weak, anxious, or afraid—and how might the Spirit’s power and peace meet you there? What would it look like to yield to His power instead of relying on your own strength?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1. How does the reality that Jesus’ judgment will be completely thorough shape the way you live each day? In what ways might remembering that Jesus sees everything—both sin and faithfulness—change your priorities, integrity, or hidden habits?

2. Jesus’ judgment is completely fair. Why is that good news? Are there situations where you long for perfect justice?

3. Have you truly accepted Jesus’ invitation to be cleansed and forgiven, or are you still trying to “earn” your way in? What does it look like in your life to rest in grace rather than striving for approval?

4. Do you live with a real sense of urgency about Jesus’ return? How might a deeper awareness of Christ’s imminent coming change the way you relate to God, share your faith, or invest your time this week?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. Do you feel like Jesus’ ascension often gets overlooked when we speak about the core doctrines of our faith? Why is the ascension of Jesus so important?

2. How is Jesus’ reign as king different from the authority He has always held as God the Son? How does Jesus reigning as king impact the way you view the world? How can you draw hope and peace from His kingship?

3. Do you ever wish that Jesus still lived on earth? Why is it better that He has ascended to heaven? Do you feel His presence in your life? How is the sending of the Spirit connected to this?

4. Read Hebrews 4:14-16 and 7:24-25. What do these passages teach us about Jesus’ role as our priestly mediator? How should we live in light of Jesus being our priestly mediator?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1. Have you ever wondered why Jesus had to suffer and die in the way that he did? What do the physical sufferings of Jesus teach us about the work that he was carrying out in his death?

2. How have you recently felt the pain that comes from living in a broken and sinful world? How does knowing Jesus bore our brokenness bring you hope?

3. In what ways was Jesus shamed in his suffering and death? What are some ways you seek to deal with your shame? How does knowing Jesus bore our sin and shame give us freedom?

4. Jesus died to remove the sting of death and to ensure that we will never experience true death. How should this reality impact the way we live each day?