Discussion Questions

Do you tend to celebrate the good fortune of others (Good for you!)? Or do you find satisfaction more often over someone getting justly punished (Take that!)? In the Kate Middleton story, were you happy about where she ended up or did you feel more contempt for her oppressors?

The Holy Spirit puts a spotlight on our sin. Describe a recent time when this happened? Are you grateful for such moments or do you just feel guilty and bad? Have you repented lately – how exactly did you turn around?

How we treat people matters. Is there someone in your life who the Holy Spirit is revealing to you now that you treat less than important? What would personal repentance look like with that person?

Along the same lines, do you have an active, personal relationship with God, or is it more functional? Are you more challenging, disconnected, or even hostile with God?

Explain a time when you surrendered control of something to God. Were you blessed by this decision, burned by it, or still waiting to see?

Now think about any spiritual joy in your life, or any joy for that matter. Is that part of your life flourishing due to a moment where you repented or released something that was truly hurting you?

What did you need to hear in the sermon?

Gospel: The bullied One Who ended up in the palace is inviting you in with open arms. (Romans 5:8; Luke 15:31-32)