February 29, 2016

Read:  James 3:1-2, Proverbs 10:19, 18:21, 20:9, Ecclesiastes 7:20-22, Romans 3:11-14, 7:18-8:2

Whether you are a formal “teacher” or not, what is James 3:1-2 saying? How might this apply to your area of influence?

What do all of these passages highlight? How do you feel knowing that we can’t be perfect with our words?

Is there anybody that you need to go back to to confess a “stumble”? Is there an area you should take more “caution” in?

February 27, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:18, Acts 13:13-52

What does Romans 12:18 imply about always being able to reconcile a broken relationship?

In what way did this play out in Paul’s life? Why is this an important truth to keep in mind?

What is the only biblical condition? (c.f. Rom. 12:9) How can this provide peace regardless of the outcome?

February 26, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:18, Matthew 5:9, 23-25

What does Jesus promise to peacemakers? (Mat. 5:9) What does this imply about your broken relationship?

Why is proactive reconciliation important? How can faultfinding justify an avoidance posture?

What struggling relationship do you need to pursue? What steps will you take? Pray about it right now.

February 25, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:18, Ephesians 4:1-3, 1 Thess. 5:23,Hebrews 12:14-15, James 3:17-18

In what way are Christians responsible for challenging relationships?

What is the difference between peace and truce? Why is this an important distinction to make?

What is required in order for peace to take place? How does this challenge your current relationships?

February 24, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:17, Mark 15:1-5, 1 Peter 3:13-17, James 1:19-20

How did Jesus model Romans 12:17 in His response to Pilate? How did Pilate respond? Why?

What does this imply about a Christian’s response being countercultural? How can this be misinterpreted?

How is this a challenge for you? Ask God to show you how He wants you to be less defensive.

February 23, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:17, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Galatians 5:20-24

How can Christians know if they are having a sinful or godly encounter with another person? Be specific.

Why is this important to recognize when it comes to handling opposition? Give an example.

What type of perspective adjustment will help? (Rom. 12:17b) How do you need to step into this truth?

February 22, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:17, Proverbs 15:1, 18, 1 Thessalonians 5:15, 1 Peter 3:9-12

How should Christians respond when facing personal opposition? Why? What is at stake?

How can sinful responses be rationalized in the name of defending oneself? What will be the result?

What pushes your defensive button? Why? How does God want you to adjust the way you react?

February 20, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:13-16, Luke 10:25-37

What principle was Jesus trying to teach in Luke 10:25-37? How does it relate to Romans 12:13-16?

Where do you see yourself in the Samaritan story? Why? What does this reveal about your Christian walk?

What are some ways you become more like a Samaritan? Be specific. Ask God to help you step into them.

February 19, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:16, Ephesians 4:1-3, James 2:1-13

What does Romans 12:16 warn against? Why? How does this relate to the context of love?

In what way can this actually creep into the church in the name of righteousness? Give an example.

How can you fall into this trap? How can relating to another person’s feelings help? How about today?

February 18, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:15, Matthew 19:16-22, 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

How does Romans 12:15 actually reflect the type of love described in Romans 12:10? Give an example.

What is required in order to love this way? How will this make Christians different than non-Christians?

How can being a good listener help? How does this challenge your approach to love? What will change?

February 17, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:14, Luke 6:28-36, 1 Corinthians 13:1-7

Describe the type of love non-Christians typically show one another. How is it different than God’s love?

How should this impact the way Christians express love? How can the principle of “fair” be a hindrance?

How is this a challenge for you? How do you need to step into a more godly approach to love? Be specific.

February 16, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:13, Genesis 18:1-8, Hebrews 13:2, 1 Peter 4:9

How did people show hospitality in the ancient world? How does this compare to hospitality today?

What seems to have changed? Why? What does this imply about our “Christian love” today?

How would you rate your hospitality toward others? What are some things God wants you to change?

February 15, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:13-14, 5:8, Ephesians 2:3-9, Titus 3:3-5, 1 John 4:7-19

What type of love do Christians experience when trusting Christ as their Savior? How does “grace” relate?

Why is this important for Christians to remember when showing love to others? What is the risk?

How is this a challenge for you? Why? What does God want you to do differently this week? Be specific.

February 13, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:9-12, John 13:1-8

Why did Jesus wash the disciples’ feet in John 13? What is the connection between loving God and others?

In what way is this now a model for Christian living? How will this be countercultural thinking today?

Why is this important to remember when serving at PCC? How will you keep this perspective in place?

February 12, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:11-12, Ephesians 5:22-33

How does Jesus and the church provide a model for marriage? (i.e. authority, submission, etc.)

In what way does division in marriage or a church highlight the same problem? How can this be avoided?

What does this imply about your role within the church? How does this perspective help you at PCC?

February 11, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:1-2, 11-12, 1 Peter 1:13-25

What should be the motivation for every Christian when it comes to serving in the church?

Why is this critically important? How can this get turned around? What will be the outcome?

How would you rate your current “serving” motivation level at PCC? Why? Take time and pray about it now

February 10, 2016

Read:  Romans 8:16-17, 12:10, Galatians 4:7, 6:10, Matthew 12:46-50

How is a Christian described in Gal. 4:7? Why is this important when it comes to Christian relationships?

What does “brotherly affection” imply about the way you should relate to Christians? Give an example.

How does this challenge the way you relate to Christians now? What changes do you need to make?

February 9, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:9-10, 1 Corinthians 12:14-26, 13:1-13

What was the problem being addressed in the Corinthian church? Why would this be offensive to God?

How do you see the same thing happening in churches today? What is the solution? Be specific.

How can you fall into the Corinthian trap? In what way does Romans 12:9-10 help?

February 8, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:9-10, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 14:12, Philippians 2:3-7, Matthew 22:36-40

What is the primary goal in all Christian relationships? How will using your spiritual gifts relate?

Why is this an important perspective when serving at PCC? What can happen if this is missed?

How does this challenge the way you have measured spiritual fruit? What is God currently showing you?

February 6, 2016

Read:  Ephesians 4:11, Acts 21:8, 2 Timothy 4:1-5, Matthew 28:19

What specific spiritual gift is being described in all four passages?

Describe how a spiritual gift can also be a general calling for every Christian. What is the difference?

Explain how this relates to Timothy and Philip. (i.e. gift vs obedience)

February 5, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:3, 1 Corinthians 12:14-26

What sin was Paul addressing in the Corinthian church? Why was this offensive to God?

What becomes the focus when spiritual discrimination takes place? Give a real life example.

What is God teaching you about your value to PCC? What steps is He prompting you to take?

February 4, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:6-8, Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Peter 4:10-11

Why does God give Christians spiritual gifts? How can this get confused with self-fulfillment?

What does the Parable of the Talents imply about using your spiritual gifts? Why is this important?

How can you do a better job of using your gifts at PCC? What steps will you take? Be specific.

February 3, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 28, Ephesians 4:11

Compare and contrast the three lists of spiritual gifts by stating what is the same and what is different.

What does this teach you about spiritual gifting? (i.e. limits of a list, needs of the church, etc.)

Can you identify your spiritual gift on any of the lists? If not, how would you describe your gift?

February 2, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:3, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Ephesians 4:4-7, 11-13

What type of sin was Paul addressing in Romans 12:3? Why is this important regarding spiritual gifts?

What does a spiritual gift imply about God’s grace? How can personal insecurities blur this truth?

Take some time and list your strengths and weaknesses. How do you see God’s grace in the results?

February 1, 2016

Read:  Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12:12, Eph. 1:22-23, 4:4, 5:23, 29-30, Colossians 1:24-26

How does scripture describe church? How is this different than the way culture views church?

How does a cultural view foster a consumer mindset? How does the body metaphor correct this view?

What does this imply about a Christian’s role in church? How does this challenge your approach to church?