// Sermon Application //

1. "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord."
Have you ever felt discouraged, burn out, weary in well doing? Describe what that is like for you. How frequently have you felt that way? Are you feeling those ways presently? What's causing it, best you can tell?

2. "Sloth" can take a variety of shapes, forms, and sizes. Describe ways that you can be slothful in your zeal.

3. "...be fervent in spirit..."
Describe times you have been fervent in spirit. What did you do with fervency (hot, boiling)?

4. Pastor Ryan mentioned several common contributing factors that make a person slothful in zeal and lacking fervency in spirit. What were they?

a. Not getting enough sleep/rest. Is this an area that needs attention/adjustment for you? Describe.

b. Prolonged suffering. Describe the suffering and what it's like to "stand in your shoes."

c. Sin. Are there sins that you are currently not repenting of that are piling up and stealing your joy? (See Psalm 32:1-3). What keeps you from repenting?

d. Shallow notions of your own sinfulness. Pastor Ryan described this commonly manifesting itself as lacking categories of thinking that allow for very slow, incremental growth in the Christian life. Are you prone to experience this kind of discouragement? Describe.

e. Taking our eyes off of Jesus/gospel. Not recognizing everything in life, every situation, trial, burden, etc. as a gift from God's hand. Are you prone to take your eyes off of Jesus? What's this like for you? How can you plan this week to keep the gospel at the forefront of your thinking?

5. Which of these 5 categories are the biggest challenge(s) for you? How can you "go after" growth in these area(s)?