Small Group Discussions March 10, 2024

**Bible Reading:**

1. Jeremiah 18:1-6 (ESV)
"The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 'Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words.' So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. Then the word of the Lord came to me: 'O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.'"

2. Romans 3:23 (ESV)
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

3. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

4. Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV)
"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

**Observation Questions:**

1. In Jeremiah 18:1-6, what does the imagery of the potter and the clay represent in relation to God and His people?
2. How does the potter's action of reworking the spoiled vessel reflect God's transformative work in our lives?
3. According to Romans 3:23, what is the universal condition of humanity, and how does this relate to the need for transformation?
4. Reflecting on 2 Corinthians 5:17, what does it mean to be a new creation in Christ?

**Interpretation Questions:**

1. What might be the significance of God asking Jeremiah to go to the potter's house to receive His message?
2. How does the process of the potter reworking the clay into a new vessel parallel the Christian experience of sanctification?
3. Considering that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," how does this truth challenge the idea of self-sufficiency in spiritual transformation?
4. In light of being a new creation, how does one's identity and purpose change when they are in Christ?

**Application Questions:**

1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt like the 'spoiled clay.' How can you surrender to God's reworking in that area of your life this week?
2. Identify a habit or thought pattern that may be hardening your heart like clay. What step will you take to soften your heart to God's guidance in this matter?
3. Choose one aspect of your life that you have been trying to improve on your own. How can you instead rely on God's transformative power in this area starting today?
4. Think of a relationship that may be influencing you away from God's will. What boundaries can you set this week to protect your heart from hardening?
5. Consider the good works God has prepared for you. What is one specific action you can take this week to live out your new identity in Christ?