FirstSF

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. Where in our culture do we see people prioritizing effectiveness, skills, or results over character? Where are we most tempted to do this in our own lives and in our church? 2. While this passage focuses on elders/pastors, the mission of every member of our church is to lead people to love and live for Jesus. Who do you have the opportunity to lead or influence? What would...

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. Why is it important to remember that salvation is a work of God? How does this bring you comfort? What questions come to your mind when you think about this truth? 2. Paul says that knowledge of the truth accords with godliness. Why are these two components of the Christian life linked together? What is your plan to grow in your knowledge of the truth and godly living this...

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1) Psalm 2 says that the division and pain in our world comes from resisting Jesus’ authority as king. Where in your life do you sense resistance to his rule right now? What would it look like for you to trust His authority this week? 2. This whole Advent series has reminded us that God keeps His promises. What recent news, circumstance, or personal struggle has tested your c...

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. Where are you most tempted to trust in your own abilities, performance, or control rather than trusting Jesus as the faithful Servant who perfectly does the will of God? What would it look like to place your confidence in Him instead of yourself this week? 2. The passage describes Jesus as one who does not break a bruised reed or quench a faintly burning wick. In what area...

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. What realities about creation and humanity does David draw attention to in Psalm 8? How can these realities shape the way you think about yourself, your identity, and your worth? 2. How does seeing every person as crowned with “glory and honor” challenge the way you interact with people you tend to overlook—such as coworkers, neighbors, or unhoused individuals in the city?...

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. Why is a bodily resurrection an important doctrine in the Christian faith? How should this doctrine impact the way we think about life, death, and eternity? 2. When you think about our transformed bodies, what first comes to your mind? Why is it important to remember that we will be free from the presence and effects of sin? 3. Even though death hasn’t yet been swallowed u...

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. Why is realizing the wrong that was done important in the process of forgiveness? Is there a wrong that you’ve done or that’s been done to you that you’ve tended to minimize? What might it look like to realize that wrongdoing? 2. Sometimes it's easy to believe God forgives people in general but harder to believe He looks on you with compassion. Where do you tend to struggl...

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. Do you ever tend to think of the Holy Spirit as a force or an influence rather than a person? How might it change the way you relate to the Spirit if you thought of him as a person? 2. The Spirit’s presence within us should be both a comforting and convicting might remembering that God’s Spirit lives in you affect your decisions, words, or reactions this week? 3. Jesus cal...

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. How does the reality that Jesus’ judgment will be completely thorough shape the way you live each day? In what ways might remembering that Jesus sees everything—both sin and faithfulness—change your priorities, integrity, or hidden habits? 2. Jesus’ judgment is completely fair. Why is that good news? Are there situations where you long for perfect justice? 3. Have you trul...

REFLECTION QUESTIONS 1. Do you feel like Jesus’ ascension often gets overlooked when we speak about the core doctrines of our faith? Why is the ascension of Jesus so important? 2. How is Jesus’ reign as king different from the authority He has always held as God the Son? How does Jesus reigning as king impact the way you view the world? How can you draw hope and peace from His kingship? 3. Do you...

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. Have you ever wondered why Jesus had to suffer and die in the way that he did? What do the physical sufferings of Jesus teach us about the work that he was carrying out in his death? 2. How have you recently felt the pain that comes from living in a broken and sinful world? How does knowing Jesus bore our brokenness bring you hope? 3. In what ways was Jesus shamed in his s...

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. C. S. Lewis said that the incarnation is the central miracle in the Christian. Do you think he’s right? Why is the incarnation so central in the story of redemption? 2. What does this passage teach us about why the incarnation happened? Why are these important truths to know? 3. Jesus set a perfect example for us in his life. But we can’t imitate him if we don’t regularly...

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. What is something that you’re passionate about? What is a topic that if someone brings it up you can easily start talking about it? What are some things we can do to help ourselves grow more passionate about Jesus? 2. Read Colossians 1:15. What does it mean that Jesus is the image of the invisible God? Why is the historicity of Jesus an important component of our faith? 3....

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. What is your experience with the Apostles’ Creed or other creeds? Did you grow up reciting them in church? Do creeds feel foreign or strange to you? 2. Read Romans 10:9-10. Why is both believing in the heart and confessing with the mouth necessary for salvation? What did confessing Jesus is Lord mean for the original audience of Romans? What does it mean for us? 3. Read th...

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. What is different from the way Habakkuk speaks at the end of the book compared to the beginning of the book? Is there anything that is the same? How is this instructive to us on what it looks like to live by faith? 2. Describe the requests that Habakkuk makes in verse 2. What is the heart behind these requests? What would it look like for you to make similar requests to th...

REFLECTION QUESTIONS 1. In what ways does this passage teach us not just about Babylon but about all of the kingdoms of the world? In what ways does it teach us about ourselves? 2. What idols are most commonly worshipped in our culture? Which idols are you most tempted to worship? 3. No matter what kingdom is in power in the world, God is still on His throne. How should this truth impact the way w...

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. What does it mean that the righteous shall live by faith? Why do you think this phrase is quoted multiple times in the New Testament (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38)? What does it look like for you to live out this truth in your everyday life? 2. Habakkuk recounts God’s attributes, but complains that he doesn’t understand how God’s actions match His character in this sit...

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. Why is it good news that God’s ways are mysterious? Why can this be difficult to trust in certain times? 2. Can you think of a time where you couldn’t understand what God was doing in the moment but later on you were able to see that He was working for good? How can thinking of these times help us when we are in the midst of trials? 3. Is it ever difficult for you to see h...