Opening Question:

Share about a time when someone’s kindness, patience, or generosity made a lasting impression on you. What did their actions communicate about the kind of person they were?

Key Takeaways:

• As followers of Jesus, we represent Him through the way we live, speak, work, and treat others.
• We are called to be ambassadors for Christ, helping people find their way back to God through the way we represent Jesus to the world.
• Spiritual growth means having high expectations for ourselves while extending grace to others.
• God can use our kindness, generosity, and patience to open doors for people to encounter Jesus.
• We should make the places and relationships we touch better because of our presence.
• Consistency, kindness, and joy are signs of spiritual maturity that help others experience the character of Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

Part 1: Walking Talking Billboards

1. The pastor said, “You might be the only representation of Jesus that person encounters all week.” What do you think this means? How might it change the way you approach everyday interactions if you remembered that your actions could shape someone’s view of Jesus?

Part 2: Have the Highest Expectations for Yourself

1. The pastor said, “There is grace, but there is also an expectation that there will be growth.” What is the difference between expecting yourself to grow in your faith and expecting yourself to be perfect? Why is it important to understand that difference?
2. The pastor challenged us to be hard on ourselves and easy on others, even though we often do the opposite. Why do you think it can be easier to notice other people’s shortcomings than our own? Where might you need to hold yourself to a higher standard in the way you speak, act, or treat people?

Part 3: Be Extremely Graceful with Outsiders

1. As Jesus was being crucified, He prayed for forgiveness for the people hurting Him. What does this reveal about His character? How does it challenge the way we respond when people are unkind, ungrateful, or difficult to love?
2. The pastor said, “We allow toddlers to be toddlers and we allow sinners to act like sinners.” He explained that we shouldn’t expect people who don’t know Jesus to live by standards they haven’t learned or embraced. How can we hold firmly to what we believe while still treating people who disagree with us with patience, dignity, and grace? What makes that difficult?

Part 4: Make Everything That You Touch Better

1. Think about the places and relationships God has already put in your life. Are there any where you tend to focus more on what you can get out of them than on how you can serve others? What is one practical way you could bring value, generosity, or encouragement to that environment this week without expecting anything in return?

Part 5: Be Uncomplicated and Easy to Be Around

1. Philippians 2:14-15 connects our attitudes and actions with shining like stars in a dark world. Why do you think consistency matters when it comes to representing Jesus? What is one area of your life where you want to become more consistent in kindness, joy, or the way you respond to others?