SCRIPTURE: John 6:28-29 & Luke 10:25-28

YOU CAN ALSO READ KENNY’S MANUSCRIPT FOR THIS SERMON HERE!

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. The sermon contrasts two different stories of trust: one involving immediate surrender during a crisis, and another involving an anxious journey through an airport. How do these two stories represent different “visions” of our spiritual formation journey? 

2. When in your life have you experienced both types of trust with God: immediate surrender in crisis… or uncertain following, despite your doubts?

3. In John 6:28-29, when the disciples ask Jesus what they must do to do God's works, Jesus responds that they must 'believe in the one he has sent.' Why might this answer have been challenging for the disciples to understand and apply?

4. What areas of your life do you try to 'solve' or control rather than trusting God's guidance?

5. The sermon compares spiritual formation to taking a long journey with someone you're getting to know. How does curiosity play a role in deepening our relationship with Jesus? What questions would you like to ask Jesus as you journey with him?

6. What is the connection between our minds, hearts, and actions in the process of spiritual formation?

7. In what ways have you seen your actions change as a result of knowing and loving Jesus more deeply?

SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5 & Romans 8

YOU CAN ALSO READ KENNY’S MANUSCRIPT FOR THIS SERMON HERE!

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. The sermon today begins with the claim that love is always transformative. How have you seen love change someone's life? Have you experienced it in your own?

2. What specific areas of your life do you think would change if you more fully embraced God's love for you?

3. The sermon discusses how freedom isn't about 'doing whatever we want' but rather about pursuing what we're made to do. How does this perspective challenge common ideas about freedom?

4. Looking at Galatians 5:13-15, how does Paul's connection between freedom and service challenge our conventional understanding?

5. In what ways might serving others actually make you feel more free rather than more constrained?

6. What makes it difficult to 'toggle the switch' and rely on God's Spirit rather than our own strength? What signs might help you recognize when you're trying to operate on your own power instead of God's Spirit?

7. How does viewing surrender as a lifetime process, rather than a one-time decision, change your approach to spiritual formation?

8. What small step of surrender could you take this week as part of your ongoing formation process?

SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 5:1-17 & John 17:1-11

YOU CAN ALSO READ THE MANUSCRIPT FOR THIS WEEK’S SERMON HERE!

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Kenny discusses his personal fear that spiritual formation might mean losing his identity. Have you ever wondered about this? Why might some Christians struggle with this fear of transformation?

2. What aspects of your own identity do you feel hesitant about changing as you grow spiritually?

3. How does Jesus's example of never being truly alone challenge our own understanding of rest and restoration?

4. What's the difference between being physically alone and being spiritually isolated? How do you experience each in your life?

5. What unique qualities do you possess that you believe God might want to develop rather than remove?

6. How might trusting God's process of formation actually be easier than creating our own process? What gets in the way of this kind of trust in your own heart/life?

7. The sermon outlines three key aspects of formation: relying on loving company, seeking uniqueness, and trusting the Spirit's guidance. Which of these do you find most challenging? Why?

8. This week, let’s start with loving company! Who might be willing to walk with you this year as you explore the idea of spiritual formation? Can you start a conversation with them this week?

SCRIPTURE: Acts 22-28

YOU CAN ALSO READ KENNY’S MANUSCRIPT FOR THIS MESSAGE HERE!

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. In Acts 22, Paul reveals his Roman citizenship to avoid flogging, which changes his entire journey. How do you think Paul felt about his story taking such a different path than Jesus's story?

2. When has God redirected your life in an unexpected way, and how did you handle the change?

3. How does Paul's experience on Malta (healing Publius's father and others) demonstrate that sometimes our 'detours' can become significant moments of ministry?

4. Can you think of a time when what seemed like an interruption in your plans became an opportunity to serve others?

5. How does Jesus's own life demonstrate the value of small, ordinary moments of ministry rather than just dramatic, high-impact events?

6. What areas of your life do you find most difficult to surrender control over to God?

7. What 'common' or ordinary aspects of your life might God be using for His purposes that you might be overlooking?

SCRIPTURE: Acts 20-21

YOU CAN ALSO FIND KENNY’S MANUSCRIPT FOR THIS SERMON HERE!

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. In Acts 20:22-24, Paul says he is “captive to the Spirit” and knows persecution awaits him in Jerusalem… yet he continues anyway. What might this teach us?

2. The sermon contends that Christianity isn't about “outside-in” behavior modification but rather “inside-out” transformation. What's the difference between these two approaches to following Jesus? 

3. In what areas of your life might you be focusing too much on external behaviors rather than internal transformation?

4. How does Paul's journey (particularly the way he handles the disagreements about what the Spirit is or is not calling him to do) demonstrate the difference between unity and uniformity in the Christian community?

5. How do you typically handle disagreements with other Christians about important spiritual matters?

6. The sermon identifies three key elements in Paul's life which contribute to his Christlikeness: radical humility, compassionate community, and being enraptured by the Gospel. Which of these do you find most challenging? Why?

7. How might a shift from asking “What Would Jesus Do?” to “Who Does Jesus Say I Am?” change our approach to Christian living?

8. What aspects of your identity in Christ do you struggle to fully believe or embrace?

SCRIPTURE: Acts 16

YOU CAN ALSO READ KENNY’S MANUSCRIPT FOR THIS MESSAGE HERE!

SCRIPTURE: Acts 13-15:1-31

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. In Acts 15:19, James says 'we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.' What are some ways churches today might unintentionally make it difficult for people to turn to God?

2. What specific practices or attitudes in your own life might create barriers for others seeking to know God?

3. Matt shares that “belonging is not a reward for behavior; it is the ground on which transformation happens.” What do you think this means? How might this perspective change the way we welcome people into church community?

4. Think of a time when you felt truly welcomed despite your imperfections. How did that experience impact your spiritual growth?

5. What practical steps could you take to build bridges with people who have different beliefs or backgrounds than you?

6. How can you practice “staying at the table,” as Matt describes it? When is this difficult for you? How can you challenge yourself this week?

7. What does it mean to “trade assumptions for stories”?  Why is this important for building unity in the church?

8. Do you sometimes struggle to “choose love over comfort”? What might growth look like for you in this area?