Small Group Discussion June 23, 2024

Bible Reading
1. **Matthew 16:24-28**: "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.'"

2. **Proverbs 4:23**: "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

3. **1 Corinthians 3:6**: "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow."

Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 16:24-28, what does Jesus say is required to be His disciple?
2. In Proverbs 4:23, why is it important to guard our hearts?
3. What roles do Paul and Apollos play in 1 Corinthians 3:6, and who is responsible for the growth?

 Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "deny oneself" and "take up one's cross" in the context of discipleship as described in Matthew 16:24-28?
2. How can guarding our hearts, as instructed in Proverbs 4:23, influence our daily actions and decisions?
3. Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 3:6, how can we balance our efforts in ministry with trusting God for the results?

Application Questions
1. **Purpose Through Service**: Reflect on your current life purpose. How can you align your daily activities more closely with serving Christ and glorifying God?
2. **Spiritual Discipline**: Identify one spiritual discipline (e.g., prayer, Bible study, fasting) that you struggle with. What steps can you take this week to practice it more consistently?
3. **The Power of Prayer**: How can you improve your prayer life to better align your heart with God's will? Consider setting a specific time each day for focused prayer.
4. **Fellowship and Accountability**: Who in your life acts as "iron sharpening iron" for you? How can you deepen these relationships to help each other stay centered on your mission?
5. **Trusting God with the Outcome**: Think of a situation where you are trying to control the outcome. How can you release this to God and trust Him with the results?
6. **Discipleship**: Who is your "arrow"—someone you feel called to disciple and guide towards a life of purpose in Christ? What practical steps can you take this week to invest in their spiritual growth?
7. **Evaluating Time Use**: Create a time log for one week. How much time do you spend on activities that glorify God versus those that do not? What changes can you make to better use your time for God's purposes?