Bible Reading (ESV)
- Genesis 1:26–27
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
- Romans 7:15–20
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So then it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.
Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
- Luke 3:23, 38
(Jesus) was about thirty years of age when he began his ministry.
…the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
Observation Questions (look closely at the text and the message)
- Genesis says humans are made “in the image of God” and “male and female he created them.” What specific attributes or purposes in verse 26–27 explain why dignity and identity are rooted in design rather than in performance? (see the sermon reading of Genesis) [36:58]
- The Eden portrait includes God walking with Adam and Eve “in the cool of the day.” What concrete details in Genesis 2 (provision, fellowship, work, rest, a clear boundary) show what a God-centered home looked like originally? How does that differ from typical modern ideas of comfort? [46:45]
- Paul’s struggle language (“I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate”) describes an inner conflict. What behaviors or recurring patterns in the group’s experience match Paul’s description, and what does that reveal about the nature of the problem? [49:10]
- Luke’s genealogy intentionally connects Jesus to Adam (ending, “Adam, the son of God”). What is the significance of tracing Jesus back to Adam for understanding why Jesus is called “Emmanuel”—God with us—and what that means for access to God? [55:12]
Interpretation Questions (seek to understand meaning for life)
- The claim “God created you by design” [41:18] affirms intrinsic worth. How should being made in God’s image change the way a person defines success, worth, or identity in everyday life?
- The observation “God was at the center of the house” [46:45] suggests an ordering for family and personal life. In what ways would relocating God to the center practically reorder a household’s calendar, priorities, or decision-making?
- Paul’s statement “I do the very thing I hate” [49:10] portrays moral failure as more than bad choices. How does this language affect the way one understands the relationship between willpower, habit, and worship in responding to temptation?
- The phrase “Jesus ushers us back into the garden” [55:59] frames the incarnation as restorative. How does the link between Jesus and Adam change the group’s view of salvation: is it primarily legal, relational, or both? Explain how that matters for everyday spiritual growth.
Application Questions (practical, specific, personal)
- “There is a throne in your heart.” [52:15] Name three things (good or bad) that often try to sit on that throne in your life. Which of those most often crowds out Jesus, and what is one concrete first step this week to remove its control?
- “You must deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus daily.” [53:21] What does a daily practice of “dethroning self” look like for you Monday–Friday (morning routine, device limits, work boundaries, brief prayer times)? Pick one practice to try this week and report back next meeting.
- “God lets us at any moment invite him back into the chair.” [58:13] If someone wanted to make that invitation visible in their life (so the change isn’t just private resolve), what three concrete changes might show that Jesus now occupies the throne (e.g., call to reconcile, different spending, new rhythms of worship or service)?
- Baptism was named as the next step after deciding to follow Jesus. [01:00:46] If a person has made that decision, what practical barriers might keep them from pursuing baptism, and what help could the group offer to remove one of those barriers in the next month?
- The sermon linked identity to design rather than cultural validation. [41:18] When comparison or cultural pressure makes you doubt God’s design for you, what truth from Genesis 1 could you memorize or say aloud to re-center your identity? Commit now to one short verse or phrase to repeat in moments of doubt.
- The season’s distractions were named as obstacles to experiencing God’s presence. [57:35] Identify one recurring holiday or daily distraction that draws your attention away from God. What is a single, practical limit you can set this season (time, place, person, or tech rule) to protect space for God’s presence?
Closing note for the group leader
- Begin the session by reading the Bible passages aloud. Keep discussion to honest, humble sharing—aim for concrete choices and mutual encouragement. If someone indicates they made a decision to follow Christ, gently point them toward baptism and the prayer team/leadership for next steps.
