Discussion Guide Content To be Good Called To Be Godly

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1 Discussion Guide Content To be Good Called To Be Godly This book is written to be used in a small group setting and each chapter includes questions that can be used in personal study and then discussed with others. Encourage the group to answer the questions that relate to a particular Bible passage by using the vocabulary found in the passage itself. This will help the answers to be biblically based rather than just personal opinion. Each chapter includes Points to Ponder. These sections are included to help the readers apply the biblical truths to their own lives. The following questions in this discussion guide can be used to supplement those found in each chapter. Small groups provide an opportunity for biblical accountability as well. Colossians 3:16 says, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. God intended for us to teach and admonish one another. This discussion guide includes a section at the end of each chapter titled and will help the group minister to each other and continue to live out the lessons they have learned. Chapter One: Content To Be Good Called To Be Godly 1. In what ways might Satan tempt a Christian differently than a non-christian? 2. Can you describe why positions of church leadership may provide a false sense of spiritual wellness? 3. In what ways can the good become the enemy of the best? 4. Why is the spiritual treadmill an effective temptation for the Christian? 5. What causes our souls to be drained of joy? What causes them to be refilled? Discuss how you can help one another escape a programmed life of treadmill spirituality and continually walk with God. Chapter Two: Do You Recognize the Voice of God? 1. Why is it so important to understand that God speaks to his children? 2. What might cause you to question God s voice in your own life? 3. Why is the Bible key to discerning the voice of God?

2 4. In what ways should listening to God reprogram your schedule? Discuss how you can help one another discern and obey God when he has spoken a truth or a command to you. Then discuss what to do if a fellow Christian believes they are following the word of God, but their belief is not consistent with biblical truth. Chapter Three: Running on Empty? Retreat. 1. Would you consider attending a silent retreat like the one described in this chapter? What are your expectations? Concerns? 2. Do you embrace silence during the week or try to avoid it? 3. What are the greatest distractions to silent time with God? 4. Do you have a Sabbath rest each week? 5. Consider making silence a spiritual requirement for your soul. What will you have to change in order to fulfill that requirement? Plan a time when, as a group, you will experience an extended time of silence for the purpose of prayer and meditation. It is normal to feel uncomfortable with the idea but it is a blessing to pursue silence anyway. Chapter Four: The Power of Priority 1. If someone asked you to describe the difference between wisdom and knowledge, what would you say? 2. What are the benefits of submitting our personal priorities to God s? 3. What are the areas of your life that most reflect godly priorities? What are the areas that God has been denied access? 4. Think about your priorities. What kind of witness do they give to those around you? Are you satisfied that your witness is a godly one or do you need to make a few changes?

3 Discuss how you can help one another establish Kingdom priorities and live under their control. Chapter Five: In the Desert But Not Deserted 1. Take a moment to compose your thoughts and then describe for the group (in three minutes or less) a desert time that God brought you to and through. 2. Why is it important to understand that desert times are a normal part of the Christian journey? 3. How can you encourage and support someone when they are in a desert period? 4. What will you do differently the next time you are faced with a desert period of your own? There are probably people in your group who are experiencing a desert time or soon will. Take time to encourage them with biblical truth, and pray for their needs. Ask God to walk with them, guide them and uphold them with his righteous right hand. And ask him to show you how to be the Presence of Christ to your friends in need. Chapter Six: Clawing Your Way to the Bottom 1. Why did Jesus teach his disciples to see themselves as servants? 2. Consider the people you most admire and those you vote into positions of leadership. Have you valued these people for the same reasons that God would? 3. In what ways do the motivations of this world hinder us from allowing God to inspire? 4. Reread the Erwin Lutzer quote on page 104. How can you know if your ladder is leaning against the right wall? Discuss how redefining success according to biblical truth would change the way you parent your children, view your spouse, coworkers and friends, and select others for leadership positions.

4 Chapter Seven: Are You Influenced or Inspired? 1. What biblical truths are routinely questioned or considered irrelevant by our world today? 2. Why should a Christian be careful to discern the difference between partial truth and perfect truth? 3. Practically speaking, how can Christians have a more effective witness and a stronger influence on our world today? 4. Consider your thoughts and the God who knows every one of them. Are your thoughts more likely to reflect a biblical influence or the world s influence? 5. Are your choices more often influenced or inspired? Describe the people who have had a strong Christian influence in your life. How can you encourage one another to lead inspired lives of Christian influence? Chapter 8: Do You Spend or Invest Your Time? 1. How easy is it for God to interrupt your schedule and call you to a spiritual appointment of service? 2. Describe a moment when you knew you had been called to a place for such a time as this. 3. What are some practical ways to redeem the ordinary moments of life for the sake of Christ? 4. The Holy Spirit is the continued ministry of Jesus in the world today. How does knowing this change the way you view your schedule? How can you limit the demands on your schedule so that God can command it? Chapter Nine: Fight the Pharisee Within 1. In what ways has your definition of Pharisee been changed by what you ve read in this study?

5 2. Galatians 5 lists the fruits of the Spirit. How is acting as a fruit inspector different than judging? 3. Why should we use great caution to be prayerful about the leaders we follow? 4. What should you look for in a Christian leader? What should you expect from them? Never expect from them? In what areas of your Christian life is the Pharisee within most likely to emerge? What will you do to fight the human instinct to wear masks of hypocrisy and choose to have an honest witness instead? Chapter Ten: Simplified and Ready to Serve 1. Do you believe it is possible for Christians to transform their world today? 2. If you chose to simplify your life in significant ways, who would notice? What would they think of your choice? 3. What would a simplified life cost you? What would be gained? 4. Do you know your spiritual gift(s)? Do you try to limit your commitments to those things that you have been called and gifted to do? 5. Is your Christian witness a list of services performed or a peaceful, steadfast spirit? Discuss with your group the ways you can begin the process of simplifying your life. Describe the ways you can help one another to fulfill the call of God and use the spiritual gift(s) he has provided. Pray for one another and encourage each other to never be content with a good life when God has called you to live a godly one.