SCRIPTURE: 1 Timothy 1:15-16, 2:4, 4:3-5, & 6:11-15; John 18:33-40 & 19:19-22

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Why is it important to consider the context and recipients of the letters in 1 Timothy when interpreting its instructions? How can you apply the principles from 1 Timothy to your own life while considering its original context and audience?

2. What are the qualities of a good messenger, and why are they important?

3. Why are your flaws an important part of your ability to be a messenger?

4. Why is your faithfulness an important part?

5. What is your visibility? Who “sees” you on a regular basis… and who/what do they usually see?

6. Why is Jesus considered a self-evident revelation as a messenger? Is it sufficient for us to see our jobs as ultimately to point to Him?

7. What specific actions can you take to contribute to a loving, sincere, and authentic church community?

SCRIPTURE: 1 Timothy 1:15-16, 5:1-8, & 6:1-2

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What makes “living together” with other people difficult for you? What makes it important?

2. Kenny describes a “paradox” in Paul’s theology and counsel: by making ourselves less, we become more fully who we are. Reflect on this and/or discuss it with a friend: do you believe this? Is it really an essential part of Christian belief?

3. The first “key” for living together is allowing ourselves to be corrected by others. Do you have experience with this? What makes it hard? Why is it important?

4. The second “key” is bearing witness to God’s love. What do you think this means? How can the ways we “live together” accomplish this?

5. In light of the passage from 1 Timothy 6:1-2, how can treating each other as equals in Christ lead to positive change and ethical treatment of all people?

6. What steps can you take in your own life to ensure you treat everyone you encounter as equals in Christ?

SCRIPTURE: Mark 12:41-44, Acts 2:44-47, 1 Cor. 16:1-3, 2 Cor. 9:12, & 1 Tim. 6:9

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. How can disciplined giving help Christians combat greed and show gratitude towards God?

2. What are some ways in which Christians today may be in conflict with their culture, and how can we navigate these conflicts while staying true to our faith?

3. Why is it important to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's convictions, and how can we practice this sensitivity in our everyday lives? Are there any parts of your life where you feel you could be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guidance, and how can you work on this?

4. Why is it important for Christians to be patient and gracious towards each other as they work towards being more generous?

5. What does it mean to be Kingdom people and show generosity, and how can practicing generosity impact our communities? How can you personally practice generosity in your community, and what impact do you think it might have on those around you?

SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 36 & Exodus 2-14

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. In what ways can seeing the stories of the Bible as larger narratives about God and humanity deepen our faith?

2. How has your perspective on certain Biblical stories changed as you've grown in your faith, and how can this new perspective impact your daily life?

3. What does the story of the Exodus teach us about God, humanity, and our individual relationship with Him?

4. How does it deepen our understanding of the Exodus story to read from within the context of the Israelites in Exile?

5. Have you ever felt tempted to “settle” into a situation of suffering? What can these stories teach you?

6. How can the message of God's responsiveness and compassion be applied to our interactions with others within our community?

SCRIPTURE: 1 Timothy 1:15-16, 2:4, 4:3-5, & 6:11-15; John 18:33-40 & 19:19-22

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Why is it important to consider the context and recipients of the letters in 1 Timothy when interpreting its instructions? How can you apply the principles from 1 Timothy to your own life while considering its original context and audience?

2. What are the qualities of a good messenger, and why are they important?

3. Why are your flaws an important part of your ability to be a messenger?

4. Why is your faithfulness an important part?

5. What is your visibility? Who “sees” you on a regular basis… and who/what do they usually see?

6. Why is Jesus considered a self-evident revelation as a messenger? Is it sufficient for us to see our jobs as ultimately to point to Him?

7. What specific actions can you take to contribute to a loving, sincere, and authentic church community?

SCRIPTURE: 1 Timothy 1:15-16, 5:1-8, & 6:1-2

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What makes “living together” with other people difficult for you? What makes it important?

2. Kenny describes a “paradox” in Paul’s theology and counsel: by making ourselves less, we become more fully who we are. Reflect on this and/or discuss it with a friend: do you believe this? Is it really an essential part of Christian belief?

3. The first “key” for living together is allowing ourselves to be corrected by others. Do you have experience with this? What makes it hard? Why is it important?

4. The second “key” is bearing witness to God’s love. What do you think this means? How can the ways we “live together” accomplish this?

5. In light of the passage from 1 Timothy 6:1-2, how can treating each other as equals in Christ lead to positive change and ethical treatment of all people?

6. What steps can you take in your own life to ensure you treat everyone you encounter as equals in Christ?

SCRIPTURE: Mark 12:41-44, Acts 2:44-47, 1 Cor. 16:1-3, 2 Cor. 9:12, & 1 Tim. 6:9

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. How can disciplined giving help Christians combat greed and show gratitude towards God?

2. What are some ways in which Christians today may be in conflict with their culture, and how can we navigate these conflicts while staying true to our faith?

3. Why is it important to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's convictions, and how can we practice this sensitivity in our everyday lives? Are there any parts of your life where you feel you could be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guidance, and how can you work on this?

4. Why is it important for Christians to be patient and gracious towards each other as they work towards being more generous?

5. What does it mean to be Kingdom people and show generosity, and how can practicing generosity impact our communities? How can you personally practice generosity in your community, and what impact do you think it might have on those around you?

SCRIPTURE: John 14, Psalm 139, Psalm 69, & Matthew 6:9-13

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What role does prayer play in your daily life? Have you ever “cried out” in prayer? 

2. What do you think it means for the Holy Spirit to intervene in our prayers?

3. How can incorporating structured prayers, like the Lord's Prayer, help you grow spiritually? How might you create a consistent habit of praying the Lord's Prayer to enhance your spiritual growth and connection with God?

4. Why is it important to be part of a faithful community and engage in communal prayer? In what ways can you actively participate in and contribute to a faithful community that encourages spiritual growth?

5. How does aligning our prayers with God's will and character help us in our discipleship process?

6. How can regularly confessing our sins and asking for forgiveness in prayer help in our transformation into better versions of ourselves?

7. How do spiritual disciplines, like prayer, study, stewardship, and service, work together to help us grow in our discipleship? What are some examples of how you've seen these spiritual disciplines work together in your own life or the lives of others to aid in discipleship and spiritual growth?

SCRIPTURE: Luke 23:50-56, 1 Peter 3:17-20, Philippians 2:5-11, & Galatians 5:13-14

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Reflect on the third statement of the Apostles’ Creed: “He descended to the dead. On the third day, he rose again.” What do you think is important to proclaim here? Do you have questions about it?

2. The big question this week is, “why did God choose to do things this way?” Kenny offered several possible explanations the Church has wrestled with historically. What do you think of them?

3. What does Jesus’s example teach us about how God feels about “freedom”? 

4. Why do you think God offers freedom to us? What does He want us to do with it? 

5. What makes this hard for you, personally? What is one area where you are struggling?

6. The challenge from Paul in his letter to the Galatians is “through love [to] become enslaved to one another.” What does this mean? Why is it important?

7. What is one way you can accept this challenge this week?