6/23 - 6/27 Life Group Questions
^ Click Take A Note ^ Remember to write down some short notes for each of the questions below before heading to life group.
1.
Share 1 thing that stood out to you about Sunday's Message. (1 minute max please) Also press play button in image above to watch or listen to Sundays message if you missed it or just to refresh your memory. (Each Individual)
2. AWEsome Transformation
Romans 11:33&36
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Romans 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
On Sunday Pastor Vaughn tied the awe of God that ends Romans 11 to God’s expectation that we will lay our lives down and become living sacrifices as we see when Romans 12 opens. This is a “reasonable service” in Paul’s opinion because if we truly have been forgiven and saved and redeemed and born again and promised eternal life, living for Jesus shouldn’t be too much to ask. Paul says “be transformed” and prove to yourself and prove to the world what the will of God is for humanity AND to prove that Jesus is alive & powerful.
What does it mean to be transformed? What does it mean to have your mind renewed? How do these things actually happen in the lives of believers? Does this always happen in the life of a believer? Why or why not? How does a transformed life “prove” that Jesus is alive & powerful and what God’s will is for humanity? (Group Discussion - Questions above to be considered as part of the discussion)
3. Right On Humility Hwy.
Romans 13:1-4
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good.
Acts 23:1-5
1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
Matthew 23:1-3
1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.
Authority and humility have almost become “bad words” in 2025. While there are legitimate reasons why so many rebel against authority including many forms of bad leadership & abuses, the fact remains that God does not allow those realities to give us an excuse for not submitting or humbling ourselves. We can choose what country to live in or what company to work for or what person to marry or what church to attend but apparently we can not choose if we will submit to their authority once we’ve settled in those places. Humility is developed and refined in these settings and humility is of the utmost importance in our relationship with Jesus. Many Christians think that God is and should be the only authority and one they submit to. However, Pastor Vaughn often says “if you won’t submit to your parents, your husband, your boss, or your Pastor, you would be foolish to think that you are actually submitting to God as you walk with Him.”
Who do you think is more likely to be blessed by God… A humble person under “bad” authority? A humble person under “good” authority? A prideful/rebellious person under “good” authority? A prideful/rebellious person under “bad” authority? Why do so many people position themselves under “bad” authorities and choose not to humble themselves rather than positioning themselves under “good” authorities and humbling themselves under them? Do you struggle with authority & humility? In your opinion, do your friends and family struggle in this area? Why or why not? (Group Discussion - Questions above to be considered as part of the discussion)
4. Left On Act Right Ave.
Romans 12:9-17
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
On Sunday Pastor Vaughn said this expectation is laid out for what life in the church she be like. Pastor Vaughn said that while this has proven almost impossible for many families and friendships, this type of life is available, possible, and expected for the family & friends called “the church”. Apparently God has such high hopes for us as His sons & daughters!
Why does God, and why should we expect more of this type of life in the church than outside of it? Are you experiencing this type of life at The Way? Are you experiencing this type of life in your Life Group? Do you see or experience this type of life more in your “non-church” relationships or within the church community? What can YOU do personally to experience more of this type of life in the church? What do you think the church as a whole (every member of The Way) could do in order to experience more of this type of life? (Group Discussion - Questions above to be considered as part of the discussion)
* Remember to pray for each other before heading home from life group and to stay in communication here in the app throughout the week on your life group messaging thread!