1) Why do you think John 3:16 is one of the most memorized verses of all time? What is it about the verse that people value and connect to so easily?

2) While the verse is very well known, do you think it is well understood?

3) If you’ve been born again, do you still sense that you’re growing spiritually in your knowledge of the Lord? If so, does it match up with how long you’ve been a follower of Jesus?

4) Let’s get really serious now - what does it say about the depth of our sin that someone had to die? What does it say about the depth of God’s love that He was willing to sacrifice his only Son and that Jesus was willing to die on our behalf?

1) Do you recall a name others called you when you were a child? Or negative labels you wore as an adult? How did having those hurtful names and labels have a way of shaping your identity?

2) Satan tries to rob us of our true identity; whether it is through labeling us in ways that are vastly different from the labels that God gives us, or causing us to seek our identity through relationships, possessions, or status. How has he sought to steal your identity?

3) When you let God define your identity it changes everything. In fact, you are finally free to give love because you can be secure in who you are! Where have you sought to find your identity apart from Christ? How has God helped to re-shape your identity as you have matured in your faith?

4) What do you think of when you think of the word “saint”? (Allow answers). Being a saint means that as followers of Christ we have been set apart for a sacred purpose. What are some purposes of God that we have been called to?

5) In the teaching it was said that “A real Saint is a Christian who lives a life set apart - not from the world but for God. Is your obedience more motivated out of guilt and religious obligation or motivated out of gratitude to be used for God’s special purposes. Why is that?

1) Read John 3:16-17. We serve a God who is both righteous and just, yet, He willingly and generously chooses to bring His salvation down to us. Has the abundant, unconditional, undeserving, life-changing love of Jesus demonstrated to another person ever left you upset and angry? Why?

2) Have you ever been guilty of picking and choosing which people should be candidates for mercy instead of condemnation…for salvation instead of judgment? (Reasons such as: background, social class, race, nationality, addictions, sins, or other?) Why?

3) Read Luke 7:36-48. The unconditional love of the Savior angered the religious leaders. Why? Do you ever find yourself thinking or acting like the leaders in this way?

4) Read Jonah 4:2. In this verse, Jonah reminds us of the very nature and character of our loving God. How does each of these characteristics give you hope or encouragement in your faith?

5) What is it that you currently love more than the people that God loves? What do you need to do to let go of or move past it?

Read Jonah Chapter 3

1) Do you have an area in your life where you find yourself wishing you had a “do-over”?

2) If there are areas of your life where you have been given a “do-over” or a second chance, how have you taken advantage of the new opportunity to do things differently or do things well?

3) Have you ever felt that the failures of your past have disqualified you from serving God? Have you allowed your failures to limit your love, service, or obedience to God? How do you move past that?

4) Read Matthew 28:18-20. Just like Jonah, we are commissioned to take the good news of Jesus to lost people. In the teaching, it was stated that God is already working in the lives of everyone we meet. How does that make it easier to tell others about him?

5) In the teaching, we were reminded that ministry and mission is a “get to” - that sharing the good news of God’s grace through Jesus is not an obligation - it’s a get to. Why does telling others about Jesus, inviting them to church or small group, seem like an obligation or a “have to”?

6) Read Philippians 1:6. At FCC, we often say that “we are imperfect people chasing after a perfect God”. Do you find comfort in knowing that God is not done with you yet and that He can still use you in spite of your imperfections?

1) Do you remember a time when you were running away from God? What was it that caused you to run from Him?

2) In the teaching, it was said that “While you can run away from God, you can’t outrun God”. When you were running from God, how did He find you and bring you back to Himself?

3) Have you ever found yourself trying to accomplish something to the point of trying every possible way to bring about the desired outcome, only to find yourself saying, “The only thing we can do is pray”?  Why is prayer often our last resort?

4) In the teaching, it was said that “Sin is not just outright rebellion, it is also begrudging obedience. Sin is not just unconditional hostility to God; it is also conditional obedience to God”. Have you recognized those sins (begrudging obedience & conditional obedience) being played out in your own life? If so, how?

5) It can be easy for us to criticize Jonah for not wanting to show and tell of God’s love and salvation to his enemies. How willing are you to show God’s love and salvation to your enemies? How often are showing His love and salvation to your friends? What would God need to do to make you willing to do so?

Read 1 Peter 5:1-9

1) What are some ways that you see Satan at work trying to divide, discourage, and devour the church?

2) In the teaching, regarding the attacks of Satan, we were encouraged to “Stay alert! Watch out! Stand firm!” What are some practical ways that you are putting those commands into practice in your own life?

3) Read Matthew 9:35-38. What do these verses teach us about the way we should love and lead?

4) Showing care to God’s family or “flock” isn’t just for those in paid, elected, or volunteer leadership. How do you show care for the flock that God has entrusted to you?

5) Re-read verse 1 Peter 5:5. How did Jesus clothe himself in humility? How can Christians follow that example of Christ? What is one thing you can do, or not do this week to demonstrate that you are clothed in Christ?

Read 1 Peter 4:1-19

1) Read 1 Peter 4:1-2 again.  How do you arm yourself with the same attitude Jesus had as you live out your faith day to day? 

2) In the message from Sunday Nick said, “Don’t use the hope you have in Jesus as an attempt to escape the responsibility you have for how you live your life right now.”  How can the Hope you have in Jesus, help you take responsibility for how you live for Jesus right now?

3) Read verse 17-18 again. How does the reality that everyone will be judged by God, yourself included, change how you react to and interact with the world around you?

4) What do you think makes the difference between how Christians were treated in the book of First Peter versus how you are treated as a Christian in 2021?  Can you recall a time where you suffered for your faith in Jesus?  Did it discourage you or encourage you in your faith and why?

5) What areas of your life can you identify that you haven’t submitted to Jesus? What is one practical step that you can take toward giving up control of that area to Jesus today?

6) Peter show us that suffering for our faith in Jesus is inevitable, but he wants to encourage us to “be very glad” even when we suffer.  Read verse 13 again.  According to what Peter says in verse 13, how can you be glad even when you suffer? 

7) How can suffering be a measuring tool for the depth of your submission to Jesus?

Read 1 Peter 3:19-21; Acts 2:14-41; Matthew 28:18-20

1) A lot of Peter’s teaching is about submission. Mike said “I can think of no greater form of submission than that which we see in Christian baptism.” How do you see baptism as an act of submission?

2) In the teaching, we were reminded to not forget that moment when the saving power of Jesus’ death and resurrection was applied to us. When you think of your own baptism, what memories or thoughts come to mind?

3) Our human appeal to God does not save us - it simply calls upon God’s saving power which is available to us. How does the resurrection of Jesus Christ give baptism saving power?

4) In the teaching, Mike said, “Remember, you don’t fight in this life for victory but from a position of victory.” What does that mean to you? Does that encourage you?

5) If you have been baptized, what are some obstacles you had to overcome before submitting to being immersed? If you have not been baptized, what obstacles are standing in your way?

In light of this week's message, we encourage you to consider these questions and dig in a little deeper with your personal study, with your family, or with your small group.

Read 1 Peter 2:13-25

1) Why do we tend to live our lives as if our rights or our perceived rights are the most important, or are more important than others?

2) What authority do you have the hardest time submitting to? Why is that? (Try NOT to get political)

3) What generally drives your motivation to submit to authority? Force, people pleasing, fear of punishment, or seeking to please the one who submitted his life in order to save us?

4) We are to submit to authorities for the sake of Christ and because it is the Christ honoring thing to do. How does our submission to authorities enhance the reputation of Christ, his church, and Christianity as a whole?

5) Can you recall an instance where you disagreed with authority yet submitted anyway?

6) If Jesus is our example and we are to follow in his steps, what are you doing to learn more about him so you can become more and more like him?

Read 1 Peter 2:1-12

1) Think about Virgil’s sermon last week, and this sermon. How should our identity in Christ motivate us to pursue holiness AND persevere in the midst of suffering?

2) Peter’s imagery is almost tangible: we are not just individuals, we are living stones, we are priests, we are chosen people. How can we reflect that fact in our lives? How can we reflect that in this group?

3) How often do you go through a full week without reading your Bible? Do you think you “long for the spiritual milk” of God’s word? How can we help each other in that area?

4) Do you desire God’s Word to this degree? What are some things that keep us from desiring the Word the way that we should?

5) Ben talked about the dangers of having an “I’m right and you’re wrong” attitude. What are some examples of ways you’ve seen people share their beliefs in a harmful way? How should we are them in a helpful way?