SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:17-28, John 3:1-3

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

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. How do you feel when you read what Jesus says it will take to “enter the Kingdom of Heaven”?

2. Kenny talks about how trying to be better or fixing our flaws is like trying to perfectly sand a wall: why isn't “trying harder” enough to meet God's standard of righteousness? 

3. In what areas of your life have you been trying to “sand down the rough edges” rather than allowing God to help you start fresh? 

4. In Matthew 5, how does Jesus reframe the commandments “You shall not murder” and “You shall not commit adultery”? Why is this distinction between merely not harming and truly honoring others so important? What does it reveal about us and what we’re made for?

5. How do you typically handle anger or conflicts with others? What would it look like to truly honor them as image-bearers of God?

6. The sermon compares trying to become righteous through our own efforts to “carving a tree from a block of wood”: What makes being “born again” (John 3:1-3) such an important concept for understanding Christian growth?

7. What areas of your life might need to be approached with a “growing from a seed” mindset rather than a “chiseling into shape” mindset?

8. Do you believe Jesus’s righteousness really can become your righteousness? What might change in your life if you could?

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:13-16

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

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus calls his followers 'salt of the earth' and 'light of the world.' How might these metaphors relate to our purpose as Christians in today's world?

2. The sermon suggests that formation is not about becoming someone different, but rather about revealing who we truly are. How does this perspective challenge your understanding of spiritual growth?

3. What 'baskets' might be hiding your true identity in Christ, and what steps can you allow Jesus to take to remove them?

4. How might the sermon's explanation of salt being mixed with sand help us understand the difference between our true identity and the things that dilute it?

5. What are some 'sandy' elements in your life that might be diluting your effectiveness as a follower of Christ?

6. Kenny shares Kate's story about being light in dark places. How can being different from the world actually create opportunities for ministry… rather than isolation? What fears do you have about standing out as a Christian, and how might God use those differences for His purposes?

7. The sermon suggests that being salt and light isn't just another thing we do, but might be 'the thing.' How would this shift in priority change how we approach our daily lives?

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 1

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

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Have you ever read through the book of Psalms before? What have your past experiences with these verses been like?

2. Kenny described the psalms as “emotionally earnest.” How might this characteristic help you connect with them? What does it suggest about the Bible that poems like these are included?

3. What emotions have you experienced in your own spiritual journey that you've been hesitant to express to God, and how might the Psalms help you voice these feelings?

4. Looking at Psalm 1, how might the metaphor of a tree planted by streams of water challenge our typical view of the restrictiveness of God's laws/rules? Have you ever experienced God's guidance as life-giving rather than restrictive?

5. The sermon mentions different types of psalms, including laments, thanksgiving, praise, royal psalms, and words of wisdom. Which of these are you most drawn to in your current season of life?

6. When have you experienced a disconnect between your expectations of God's plan and what actually happened? How did you respond?

7. Are you interested in accepting the challenge to read 5 psalms each week this year? Who might you be able to share your experiences with?

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 1-4

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

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. The sermon describes two key components of spiritual formation: the mystical experience of God and practical obedience. Which of these do you find more challenging? Why?

2. In Ephesians 2:1-10, Paul describes Christians as being “created in Christ Jesus for good works.” How might this perspective change the way we think about doing good things for others? 

3. The sermon compares maintaining our relationship with God to maintaining other important relationships. What are some practical ways we can keep our relationship with God fresh and vibrant? How can we “dwell” more intentionally in God’s love for us (and our love for Him!)?

4. How might viewing spiritual formation as a journey with Jesus as our companion (rather than a solo mission!) change our approach to spiritual growth?

5. As an example of “practical disciplines,” Kenny emphasizes the importance of complete honesty in relationships. What makes telling the truth consistently so challenging? What positive things (or “fruit”) might come from it, if you could commit to this?

In this series, we have looked at many of the reasons people avoid the “formation journey.” What is one reason why someone might want to take it? Right now, what is your level of interest in it?

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?