1) On Sunday, we defined lust as a "passionate, inordinate desire for something, often erotic in nature." How do you see the culture around us promoting lust and what damage do you think this is doing?

2) Read James 1:14-15. How can lustful desires lead to sinful actions and eventually to spiritual death?

3) Read 2 Samuel 11:1-4. In this section of the text, we see David give in to his lust and make a grave mistake with Bathsheba. What are some of the ways that David could have avoided this sin? What are some of the steps that you can take in your life to avoid lust and the damage it can have on your life and relationships?

4) In Psalm 51:1-12, we see David's words after his mistake with Bathsheba. What about David's words and response do you think were necessary for God to forgive David (which he did in 2 Samuel 12:13)?

5) David's story is further evidence that lust is not an irredeemable sin in the eyes of God. If you're someone who has struggled with this temptation, take some time to ask for forgiveness and the strength to turn away from its trappings.

For help with overcoming lust, check out the following resources:

Covenant Eyes

Moral Revolution

SheRecovery (support for women)

Also, find a list of terrific reading resources right here.

1) How would you describe how pride can negatively impact our lives?

2) How have you seen relationships in your life negatively affected by pride?

3) Read Proverbs 16:18-19. What relationship does this text show us that pride has with humility? What does this tell us we should focus on to avoid or change course from prideful behavior?

4) In Philippians 2:3-4, the Apostle Paul writes about two different ways to reject pride and treat others with humility: thinking of others as better than ourselves and taking an interest in others. How can these two principles impact relationships?

5) Continue in Philippians 2 and read verses 5-11. In this section, Paul urges us to live with humility in our relationships because of the example Jesus Christ set before us. In what relationship of yours do you need to reflect the humility of Christ better?

Read 1 Timothy 6:1-19

1) Why do you think greed is so difficult to identify in our own lives and relationships?

2) What are some ways you see or have seen greed creating problems in or killing relationships?

3) If greed has damaged your relationships in the past, what were the warning signs that you missed or ignored that might have saved you from some of the struggle?

4) The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. When greed takes up residence in our heart, what are sins and struggles that naturally follow?

5) We must allow Jesus to be Lord of our money and possessions or our money and possessions will become lord over us. How do we make certain that our priorities stay headed in the right direction?

6) We combat greed with contentment, consistency, and care. What are some practical ways that you can demonstrate these virtues in your life and your relationships?

1) As you consider the New Year, what changes do you anticipate making in your life in 2021?

2) Read Matthew 22:34-40. In this section of the text, Jesus reveals his goals for our life. How can you better love God and love others in the year ahead?

3) How can your goals for your life (or the year) move you to love God more deeply?

4) How can your goals for your life (or the year) move you to love others more intentionally?

5) For many of us, as we think about the second chances that a new year brings, we think about God's grace that can allow us to be a better version of ourselves than we've ever been. Read Titus 2:11-14 and consider where you need to accept God's grace as you go into the new year.

Read Luke 2:1-20 & Galatians 5:22-26

1) What are some things that you enjoy during the “Christmas season” that you don’t get to enjoy any other time of the year?

2) In what ways do you find that the “Christmas season” brings out the best in you? What are some ways that you lived-out the “best you” this month?

3) Why is it difficult to express the same level of “Christmas season” care, kindness, consideration, compassion, and generosity throughout the year?

4) The apostle Paul wrote:  “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” (Gal 5:25). How can that become the reality in our own lives? What will the results be if we do?

5) In Luke 2:10 the angel declared: “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.”  If we lived daily showing and sharing the good news of the Savior, how would it impact the lives of those around you? What is keeping you from doing it?

1) What was one thing that stood out to you about this week's teaching?

2) When was a time you struggled to understand God's timing in your life? How was your faith impacted during this time?

3) Read Luke 2:8-20. Like the Shepherds, has there ever been a time in your life when God revealed that He was at work behind the scenes of your life after all?

4) Proverbs 3:5 tells us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” What can you do to actively build trust with God and His timing for your life?

5) Read Psalm 37:7, Lamentations 3:25, and Isaiah 40:31. What are these verses trying to tell us about being patient with God's timing?

In preparation for today's questions, read Matthew 2:1-9.

1) What is one thing that stood out to you about Sunday's message?

2) Over 700 years before the birth of Christ, the prophet Micah prophesied specifically where Jesus would be born and from what family line he would descend from. What does the fulfillment of this prophecy say about the plans of God?

3) "Magi" were known as astrologers who participated in the dark arts that violated Old Testament laws, yet, God appoints a star to lead these very men to the birth of Christ. What does this tell us about the heart and priorities of God?

4) Matthew tells us that when the wise men (magi) got to Jesus, they chose to worship him. What do you need to do this Christmas season to give Jesus more of your worship?

5) The story of the wise men (magi) being guided by a star and coming to meet Jesus shows us that God cares for even the least likely individuals. Who in your life needs to know the love and power of Christ? What can you be doing to guide them towards Christ this Christmas season?

In preparation for this week's Dig In questions, read Matthew 1:18-25
.

1) What do you think of when you think of the Christmas season? Do you think more of cultural pressures and priorities or on the birth of Christ?

2) In the first few verses of the text in Matthew, we see that Joseph finds himself in a difficult position - Mary has become pregnant, (which, to Joseph, seems to be out of unfaithfulness to him). Joseph's priority is then to end the relationship peacefully. Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt wronged, but still treated your offender peacefully and with respect? What was difficult about this and how did you overcome those difficulties? 


3) Matthew 1:20-21 tells us that while Joseph was considering leaving Mary, God changed Joseph's perspective and priorities to be more aligned with His. In what areas of your life do you feel that you need to allow God to change your priorities?

4) What God asked Joseph to do, (marry a woman that the culture would have considered an adulterer), would have made little sense to the rest of the world. As God changes your priorities to reflect His, He may ask you to do things that make little sense to those around you. What do you envision would be most difficult for you in that scenario? How would you overcome those difficulties to live out the will of God for your life? 


5) This week, we closed our teaching with a few points of prayer to consider as we move into the Christmas Season. Spend some time now, and this week, praying through them:

• God, reveal to us what our priorities are as we head into this Christmas season.

• God, show us what Your priorities are for our life during this season - how you would want us to live.

• God, we pray that You give us the courage to make Your priorities ours and act on them.

In preparation for this week's questions, read Mark 5:1-20.

1) What is one thing that stood out to you about this week's message?

2) On Sunday, we discussed our testimonies (our individual stories of coming to Jesus). How have you felt about your testimony? Would you describe it as exciting and eventful, or do you think it is boring and unimpactful? Why?

3) In Mark 5, we read about a demon-possessed man that Jesus healed. Upon his healing, the man wanted to go with Jesus to do incredible things, but yet, Jesus tells the man to stay home and minister there. What are some ways that you can better impact people in your current social circles?

4) Undoubtedly, the formerly demon-possessed man had an incredible testimony, but Mark 5:20 tells us what made his story so great. It wasn't how good or bad he was. It was "the great things Jesus had done for him." Despite how bad or uneventful your life was before Jesus, how does Jesus make your story great?