Digging Deeper

How does God giving his permission invite you to both give thanks for past faithfulness and also contend with past failures? Are there specific things that come to mind?

Where do you need the strength of God’s loving presence to give you courage to act faithfully today?

Does the promise of God’s coming kingdom reshape how you see your present work? If so, how?

When you think of the word obedience what comes to mind for you?

What do you think are some of the most challenging commands of Jesus to obey? In our world? In your life?

Do you find yourself caught up in climbing the first mountain instead of the second? What does climbing the second mountain look like?

How does what Jesus has done in restoring us, energize us to follow him?

When you think about what the church is called to build, what comes to mind? Is your picture of what we are called to build consistent with what God calls us to build?

Where do you see misaligned priorities at work in your own life and in the world around you?

How does the calling to “consider your ways” invite you to rediscover God’s priorities for your life as his child?

Are there particular behaviors that you notice you are quick to condemn when you see them in others? How might Jesus’ response to the woman caught in adultery help you be more gracious toward those behaviors?

Where do you most see a “high anthropology” at work in our culture? In the church? In your heart? How might recognition of our weaknesses lead us to more graciousness toward others?

How does Jesus’ response to this woman shape how you approach God in your own sins and failures?

Which part of these 5 verses is most challenging to you?

What are some common places we are tempted to “house our soul?”

What does it look like for you to deny yourself take up your cross and follow Jesus?

How does knowing your soul is secure in Jesus shape your life now?

What are some doubts people have? Do you have any of those? Have you ever?

Do you find it difficult to express your doubts? Why is that?

Have you ever seen God grow your faith through times of doubt and struggle? How?

What might it look like for your community group to be a place to express our doubts?

What does Paul mean when he says to “take every thought captive to Christ”? What are the effects of allowing thoughts to run wild?

How does worry play out like functional atheism in our lives?

Why do you think Jesus ended His discussion on worry with these words, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble”? How is it meant to bring you comfort?