Sermon Study Questions 5.3.26

Icebreaker Questions

1. Are you more of a “thermometer” (reactive) or a “thermostat” (steady)?  What are some of the things that tend to "set you off" and steal your joy?

2. Who in your life best exemplifies "defiant joy" in all circumstances?  What do you think makes joy last instead of disappear quickly?  

Diving Deeper

1. Read Philippians 1:9.  What does it mean that our love should abound "more and more?"  How does adding knowledge and discernment change the way we love people?

2. Read Philippians 1:10.  The sermon said:  “We don’t drift toward excellence—we drift toward distraction.”  What distractions compete most for your time?

3. Read Philippians 1:11.  How does living for comfort, success, or approval impact joy?  Why does living for God’s glory create deeper, more stable joy?

Life Application Questions 

1. Which area from this passage do you need most right now: (1) Growing love, (2) Better priorities, (3) Inner purity, (4) Deeper connection with Christ, or (5) Living for God’s glory?  Depending on which one you chose - what's a practical step you can take this week to grow?

2. Living life for the glory of God is something that sounds great but is hard to practically walk out.  How can your life point others toward God’s glory—not yourself?  What are some ways we can seek this goal?