GOODNESS

Was there anything from last week's message, small group questions, or prayer requests that you want to follow up on before we jump into this week’s content?

Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
We all want to live the good life, but what actually makes our life good? We’ll discover we often settle for our version of the good life and miss out on the good life that God created us for.

Question 1 - Ice Breaker
If you won $30 million in the lottery today, other than a beautiful Nissan Ultima, what would be the first thing you’d buy?

Question 2 – Next Step Question
We were challenged this week to read the narrative shift card out loud a few times each day and to dwell on God’s truth. Have you tried the exercise, and if so, has God revealed anything to you that has started to change your heart or mind? If you haven’t, what is your plan to start this week?

Question 3
When you hear the phrase “the good life,” what comes to mind? Has your definition of the “good life” changed over the years?

Question 4
Abraham Shakespeare thought the good life was just five lucky numbers away. Have you ever thought that achieving “one thing” (money, a job, a relationship, etc.) would finally make your life good? What happened when you got it (or didn’t)? Did it live up to your expectations? Did it last?

Question 5
Read Psalm 14:2-3 and Romans 3:23. We are reminded that we are not inherently good. How does acknowledging our own brokenness and lack of goodness help us better understand our need for God?

Question 6
In Mark 10:18 Jesus states, “Only God is truly good.” According to theologian A.W. Tozer, the goodness of God, “disposes him to be kind, cordial, benevolent and full of goodwill toward men. He is tender-hearted and of quick sympathy and his unfailing attitude toward all moral beings is open, frank and friendly. By his nature he is inclined to bestow blessedness.” What does it mean that goodness is an attribute of God? How does His goodness shape our view of life, ourselves, and others?

Question 7 – Going Deeper
Read Galatians 5:16-23. How does the fruit of the Spirit compare to the fruit we produce on our own? Why do you think chasing after our desires leads to “bad fruit” and chasing after what the Holy Spirit desires leads to “good fruit?” What good fruit or bad fruit do you think others notice in you? What good fruit or bad fruit do you notice in yourself? What fruit do you want more or less of?

Question 8
Read Exodus 34:15-19. The sermon mentioned that God’s goodness is inextricably linked together with God’s glory. This means that the fruit of the Spirit on display in our lives in the manifestation of God’s glory to the world around us. Does this affect the way you see the fruit of the Spirit? Would you say the fruit of your life tends to reflect more of your glory or of God’s glory? Why?

Question 9 - Application
The sermon looked at three narrative shifts:
#1 I want to be comfortable; God wants me to be desperate.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33
#2 I want to be in control; God wants me to be obedient.
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges, he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Philippians 2:6-8
#3 I want to be happy; God wants me to be holy.
So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 1 Peter 14-15
Of these three; comfort, control and happiness; which one have you struggled to believe the most? Why?

Question 10
The sermon challenged us to move from seeking “our version” of the good life to seeking God’s version. What are some practical ways you can shift your focus this week from your version of the good life to God’s version, the “God Life”? How can your small group practically help you take those steps?

Question 11
Other than the three mentioned in the sermon, what other narratives might you believe that are not aligned with God’s version of the good life? (ie. I want to be lazy, but God wants me to be productive….I want to be selfish, but God wants me to show mercy…I want to be angry, but God wants me to forgive….etc.)
PRAY for one another, and consider planning a time to just hang out and have fun!