Second Nature

SECOND NATURE Study Materials

WEEK 3: START WITH THE HEART

Questions for Group Discussion

Watch the brief message from Pastor Billy, then consider these questions:

1. Open your small group time by reading or reciting together Joshua 1:8.Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

2. This past Sunday, Pastor Billy used the example of trying to deal with a warning light on your dashboard by covering it up with electrical tape. That example is clearly absurd, but have you ever been guilty of focusing more on a particular behavior than on the heart condition behind the behavior? Would you be willing to share an example with the group?

3. Read Colossians 3:1-2. What does it mean to “set your heart” on something? What does it mean to “set your heart on things above”? What are the main “earthly things” you have tended to set your heart on? What are some very practical things you can do to help yourself set your heart on things above?

4. Read Luke 6:45 and then Mark 7:21. What do these verses reveal to you about habitual sins in your life?

5. In some very real way, the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23a) is simply the overflow of the character of Christ in your life. That being so, what are some practical things you can do to cultivate more of this fruit?

6. React to the statement: It’s only really hard not to sin when your heart is bent toward sin; when your heart is bent toward God, sin becomes much less appealing. Pastor Billy said Sunday: “To redirect your heart, you must redirect your thoughts and meditations.” How does one do that?

7. In explaining the devolution of the Gentiles, Paul said, “They did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God” (Romans 1:28). In other words, at some point they just stopped thinking all that much about God. In all honesty, how much do you think about God in the course of your normal day? What are some practical things you can do to improve in that area?