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WEEK1 SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR GROUPS

April 27, 2025

Practicing the Way of Jesus Together

Introduction:

Following Jesus as a way of life, or discipleship, means living a life that aligns with His teachings and example, prioritizing His love and service above all else. This includes loving others, serving the needs of those who are marginalized, and pursuing spiritual growth. It’s not just a set of beliefs, but a transformative journey of transformation and love.

Something To Talk About:

Following Jesus is a lifelong pursuit. It is not just an event on a Sunday but a “way” of life in community around the teachings of Jesus.

  1. This takes practice: Following Jesus means aligning one’s life with His teachings and example, which involves more than just Bible study. It’s about embracing His values, letting go of old habits, and prioritizing His needs above all else. Essentially, it’s a transformation that reshapes priorities, actions, and identity. And like anything, to get good at something, you have to practice. Following Jesus means putting His teachings into practice in daily life, such as His words on love, compassion, and forgiveness. It also requires practice to embody His values, such as service, humility, and sacrifice. It takes practice to become more like Jesus in thought, word, and deed, aligning your life with His path. To “practice the way of Jesus” is to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus, to put His teachings into practice in all aspects of your life.
  2. This happens in community: Practicing the way of Jesus in community involves discipleship, sharing life with others, and building a new family of faith, not just a social group. It’s about walking alongside one another, learning from each other, and growing together as apprentices of Jesus. This community can take many forms, and it is where transformation often occurs. Following Jesus is a journey that’s best done with others, learning from each other’s experiences and insights.  Practices like fasting, prayer, and simplicity can be explored within a community setting to help individuals and groups develop new rhythms and habits. Community provides support, accountability, and encouragement as individuals navigate the challenges and rewards of following Jesus.
  3. This happens in Bay County: Think for a moment about the people God has given you. Think about your friends and family. Think about those around you at church whom you feel close to. What would your life be like if you had no one to share it with? The truth is that we need each other: support, encouragement, and help along the way. Christian life is not easy, and there are many hills and valleys along the way. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” God gives us community as a way to become more like Him. There’s something powerful about believers coming together, holding each other accountable, and being a witness to one another’s lives. And God is at work in Bay County.  God is working all around you all the time. In John 5:17, Jesus says, “…My Father is always working, and so am I.” To understand how God is working all around us, we first need to be aware of how God works. Second, we need to be on the lookout for God working in our lives. Next, look for how God is working in others and tell them. There is nothing more important than joining God where He is working. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you see God’s presence in your daily life? 
  2. What role do spiritual disciplines (prayer, scripture, etc.) play in your growth? 
  3. What are some practical ways you are or could be practicing the way of God? What hinders your pursuit of God, and what helps you overcome these obstacles? 
  4. What are some specific examples of how you are living a life that reflects God’s way? 
  5. How has your understanding of God’s “way” changed over time? 
  6. What are your hopes and expectations for growth within this community? 
  7. How do you define your “way” in relation to God’s way? 
  8. How is God inviting you to turn more fully toward Him at this stage of your apprenticeship? How might that help His presence, purpose, or power be released more fully in your life?
  9. What does Jesus want to say to me about my story?
  10. How can we support each other as a community?
  11. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message? What challenged you?

Take one thing home with you:

What do you do when you see God working in somebody? The short answer is to say something. When somebody says, “Hey, I see God working in you,” that’s going to be encouraging. We should do the same thing for others.

It’s hard to see God working in you sometimes because you’re just in the middle of the mess. And when someone else can point it out, it will encourage and strengthen you all the more. So go on a God hunt. Ask God what He’s doing and make a list, mental or otherwise, of all the places you’ve seen God working in your life the last few weeks.  Make a list of all of it and say, “God, I’ve seen you working here and here and in this person and in this and in this way.” And that’s going to help you open your eyes even more to not just individual cases of where God is working, but to God’s incredible masterpiece of work where He continues to work in every area of your life.

God is working. Join Him.