Discuss Together
- Starting in early 2020 there have been many opportunities for division, disconnect, and fatigue. How have you encountered these in your life as you have interacted with others? Share a moment where you exercised restraint or offered grace when it was difficult to do so.
- Cindy mentioned a quote from Tim Keller: “These verses aren’t just talking about private life. It is talking about your public life: being law-abiding, working for peace in society, showing a humble servant attitude toward all people—all beliefs, all races— working for peace with all the groups out there, and mostly, ready to do whatever is good.” What resonates with you or challenges you about this quote? What do you think it means to be “ready to do whatever is good”?
- We all struggle to respond in kindness regularly, especially with someone who just rubs us the wrong way. Where do you most find yourself struggling to respond with “good”? Is it with a difficult family member or coworker, on social media, or maybe interacting with people who believe something different than you do? You can keep this broad or specific. How can you change how you respond and show love and Jesus to that person the next time you interact with them?
- Read Titus 3:3-7. Why do you think Paul reminded the believers in Crete who they used to be before Jesus died for their sins? What do you need to be reminded of through these verses?
- Do you ever feel like you’ve “arrived” as a Christ follower? How are you continuing to grow and mature in your spiritual journey?
- If you are a parent or were ever parented, you probably heard or used the phrase, “Because I said so.” Thankfully Titus 3:4-5 gives us the “why” we should do good to others. What is the “why”? (Hint: it is not “because I said so”.) Why is it easy to forget about they “why”?
- Take a moment to think about this point from the message: God did not save us from the world to escape it, but to impact it. How do you see yourself as an active participant in the world around you? What is most challenging about this statement? How can you make an impact this week?
Next Steps
As a church we are all about being Here For Good. This is not just about Chase Oaks, it is about each person deciding to be here, on this earth, for good. Doing good in the world can be so many things to so many people. If you are looking for an opportunity within Chase Oaks to jump in, please check out chaseoaks.org/serve to find a place where you’d like to make a difference. Another great challenge this week is to journal each day how you are intentionally doing good around you. It could be as simple as bringing a meal to a friend or neighbor in need or as extreme as showing grace to someone who may not deserve it. No matter how big or little, your light can shine in the world around you which is what we are on mission to do.