Small Group Discussion April 14, 2024

**Bible Reading:**

1. Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

2. Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

3. Matthew 16:24-27 (ESV)
"Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.'"

**Observation Questions:**

1. In Romans 12:1-2, what does it mean to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, and how is this related to spiritual worship?
2. What contrast is drawn in Romans 12:2 between being conformed to the world and being transformed by the renewal of the mind?
3. According to Proverbs 3:5-6, what are the conditions for God to make our paths straight?
4. Reflecting on Matthew 16:24-27, what does it mean to deny oneself and take up one's cross in the context of following Jesus?

**Interpretation Questions:**

1. How does the concept of a living sacrifice challenge our understanding of worship and service to God?
2. What are some practical ways we can avoid conforming to the patterns of this world and instead be transformed by renewing our minds?
3. In what situations might we need to trust in the Lord rather than rely on our own understanding, and how does this trust affect our decision-making?
4. Considering the call to deny oneself, what might be some of the 'crosses' we are expected to bear as followers of Christ?

**Application Questions:**

1. Identify a daily decision you face that could reflect whether you are living as a living sacrifice to God. How can you approach this decision differently to honor God?
2. Think of a pattern in your life that may not align with God's will. What is one step you can take this week to begin transforming this pattern?
3. Choose one area of your life where you have been relying on your own understanding. How can you actively trust God in this area this week?
4. Reflect on a recent situation where you chose self-interest over following Jesus. What can you do to make a different choice if a similar situation arises?
5. Consider the concept of losing one's life to find it in Christ. What is one thing you can 'lose' or give up this week to better follow Jesus?