Holy, Part 1: It’s Not An Option
June 30, 2024

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Message Review

To be holy, we must actively choose to pursue holiness. However, achieving holiness is impossible without the intervention of the Holy Spirit. This week, we discussed that every follower of Jesus is expected to strive for holiness, and doing so demands complete and total surrender to God's will and plan.

Main Point: We cannot do what God must do and God will not do what we must do.

Scripture References: 1 Peter 1:14-19; Romans 6:6-7, 12-14; 1 Corinthians 6:12, 8:13, 10:31

Bible Study      

The focus Bible passage from the sermon was  1 Peter 1:13-19. Before going to the Sermon Discussion Questions, study the passage by reading through it together, then talk through it using the following Inductive Bible Study Method questions that follow:

·      Context: Discuss the context of this passage (Use the Bible Overview to learn the context)

  • Observation: What do you notice in this passage? What words or phrases stick out to you? And why?

  • Interpretation: What was Jesus’ original intent in this passage? What main point(s) was he trying to communicate, and why is that important?

  • Application: What is one key takeaway or insight you had from this passage? How can or should you apply it to your life?

  • Questions: What questions/tensions do you have from this passage that you want to discuss?

Discussion Questions

  • What were your initial thoughts or takeaways from the sermon, and why?

  • What first thoughts come to mind when you hear the word "holy"?

  • God has made it possible for us to walk in holiness, but He doesn’t do the walking for us. Why do we have to take the next steps to walk in holiness? 

    • What do the writers of the scriptures say in this passage about what Jesus rescued us from when he died on the cross? 

    • How does this relate to our need to conduct ourselves in a holy manner?

  • When Jesus died, He shed His infinitely valuable blood to purchase, by a ransom payment, our transfer from futile conduct to holy conduct. What are the different ways that we conduct ourselves in a holy way? 

  • Matt discussed a quote from the book Pursuit of Holiness that stated, “They (Followers of Christ) have more or less given up ever attaining a life of holiness and have settled down to a life of moral mediocrity with which neither they nor God are pleased.” How have you seen the concept of moral mediocrity manifest within the Church and in your personal life?

  • Read Romans 6:6-7, 12-14 as a group. How does Paul's statement in this passage contradict the acceptance of moral mediocrity regarding sin?

  • Matt gave three things we can use to determine what sin needs to be conquered in our lives: 1. Use Scripture, 2. Use the Holy Spirit, and 3. Use your brain. What strategies have you used to avoid letting sin control you?

  • How would your life be different if you put the work in to conquer sin?  

To watch or listen to Sunday’s sermon, visit our Sermons page.