Preached at AM Worship Service, 15 September 2024
Reflective Questions on the Sermon “Humble Servants and Apostolic Suffering” 1 Corinthians 4:6-13
On Humility and Unity
1. Self-Examination: In what areas of my life am I tempted to be “puffed up” or prideful? How can I intentionally cultivate humility instead?
2. Church Unity: Are there any divisions or factions within our church that I have contributed to, whether knowingly or unknowingly? How can I work towards fostering unity and reconciliation?
3. Building Others Up: How can I more effectively encourage and build up my fellow believers in love?
On Gratitude and Dependence on God
4. Recognizing Gifts: What are some specific gifts or blessings in my life that I have received from God? Have I taken these for granted?
5. Daily Gratitude: How can I incorporate more expressions of gratitude into my daily routine?
6. Dependence on God: In what ways do I struggle to rely on God, and how can I grow in my dependence on Him?
On Suffering and Endurance
7. Expecting Challenges: Do I truly expect to face challenges and suffering for Christ’s sake, or do I assume my Christian walk should be free of difficulties?
8. Christ-like Responses: When faced with hardship, do I respond with blessing, endurance, and entreaty, as the apostles did? How can I better emulate their example?
9. Strength in Trials: What steps can I take to prepare my heart and mind to endure suffering with a Christ-like attitude?
On Understanding Success
10. Redefining Success: How have I been influenced by worldly definitions of success, and how can I realign my understanding of success with biblical principles?
11. Serving Others: In what ways can I serve others more selflessly, following the example of Christ and the apostles?
12. Spiritual Growth: How can I focus more on my spiritual growth and faithfulness to God, rather than on achieving comfort, status, or self-sufficiency?
Personal Application
13. Practical Steps: What specific actions can I take this week to live out the principles of humility, gratitude, endurance, and true success?
14. Accountability: Who in my life can help hold me accountable to these commitments and encourage me in my journey?
15. Prayer Focus: What areas of my life do I need to bring before God in prayer, seeking His guidance and strength to apply these truths?
Reflect on these questions prayerfully, asking God to reveal areas in your life that need transformation and to grant you the grace to grow in these virtues.