Category Archives: CG Discussion Guide

CG Discussion Guide (Ephesians 2:1-10)

Saved by Grace Alone (Rev. Isaac Lee)
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10
Week of October 5, 2025

Sermon Summary:
Paul describes our condition apart from Christ—we were spiritually dead, enslaved to the world, Satan, and our sinful desires, and deserving of God’s wrath. But then comes the turning point: “But God.” Out of His rich mercy and great love, He made us alive with Christ, raised us up, and seated us with Him. Salvation is completely by grace through faith, not by our works. Through Christ, we are given new life, victory over sin, and adoption as God’s children. As His workmanship, we are created for good works—to display and share the immeasurable riches of His grace and kindness with others.

Sermon Discussion Questions
Getting Started:

  1. What was most challenging, helpful, or troubling in the sermon?

Digging Deeper:

  1. Why do you think so many people today believe that we are “born innocent” or “mostly good by nature”?
  2. The sermon quoted David Wells: “You can recognize the ways of this world whenever sin seems acceptable and righteousness seems strange.” How do you see that playing out in your own heart?
  3. How do we sometimes fall into thinking we have to earn God’s approval? How does understanding grace free you from guilt or pressure in your relationship with God?
  4. The sermon said, “God’s love is not for the innocent, but for the guilty.” How does that truth comfort or challenge you?

Prayer:

  1. Who in your life might God be calling you to share His grace and kindness with this week? Let’s pray for them.

CG Discussion Guide (Ephesians 1:1-14)

Praise God for His Blessing (Rev. Isaac Lee)
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:1-14
Week of September 21, 2025

Sermon Summary:
Paul begins Ephesians with a long sentence of praise, reminding believers of every spiritual blessing in Christ. These blessings reveal our identity and call us to remember who we are. First, God chose us before creation and adopted us as His children—not because of our merit but by His grace. Second, Christ redeemed us through His blood, forgiving our sins and freeing us from guilt. Third, the Holy Spirit seals us, marking us as God’s own and guaranteeing our inheritance. All of this flows from God’s sovereign will, giving us comfort and reason to praise Him in every season.

Sermon Discussion Questions
Getting Started:

  1. What was most challenging, helpful, or troubling in the sermon?

Digging Deeper:

  1. Verses 4–6 talk about God choosing us before the foundation of the world and adopting us as his children. How does the picture of adoption deepen your understanding of God’s grace?
  2. The sermon defined redemption as being freed from slavery through a costly payment. How does that image help you grasp what Christ has done for you?
  3. In what ways do you struggle to live as someone fully forgiven? What difference would it make to believe that God is completely pleased with you in Christ?
  4. Bryan Chapell says, “Belief itself indicates the presence of the seal of the Spirit of God that guarantees we are God’s children because without the Spirit we could not and would not believe.” How does that give you confidence in your faith?

Prayer:

  1. Praise God for his blessings.
  2. Pray for one another.

CG Discussion Guide (Psalm 133)

The Blessing of Unity (Rev. Isaac Lee)
Scripture Reading: Psalm 133
Week of September 7, 2025

Sermon Discussion Questions
Getting Started:

  1. What was most challenging, helpful, or troubling in the sermon?

Digging Deeper:

  1. The psalm begins, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.” Where have you experienced this kind of goodness and pleasantness in your own life?
  2. What images does David use to describe unity? What do these images communicate?
  3. What are some of the biggest challenges to unity in the church today? In our group?
  4. What do you think makes unity so difficult to maintain, even among Christians who share the same faith?

Prayer:

  1. Pray for one another.
  2. Pray for unity in the church.

CG Discussion Guide – How to be in a Small Group

Week of September 7, 2025

Read and discuss the article together as a community group.

  1. How do you usually approach small group—more for what you can get out of it, or for what you can give?
  2. The article says the primary reason for joining a small group is to “love and encourage other people in Christ.” Do you agree? Why or why not? How might this perspective change the way you participate in your small group?
  3. Which of the five “powers” comes most naturally to you? Which is most challenging?
  4. How might our group look different if we all committed to living out these five powers?

CG Guide (1 Timothy 6:11–16)

1. Are there areas of your life where you’ve been spiritually lazy? What temptations might he be calling you to flee from, or what areas/opportunities for growth might he be calling you to chase down?

2. Are there any areas of your life where you have not considered how the gospel applies? What instruction, comfort, or truth about God does the gospel bring to that situation?

3. How does it change how we live, suffer, and strive for holiness when we know that God is transcendent, above all in unapproachable light and that he is in control?

4. Doxology: Express how this sermon helps you understand, appreciate, and worship Jesus more. In what ways has the gospel become more alive to you having read this passage and heard this sermon?

5. Response: Formulate a one-sentence prayer that’s informed by the passage and the sermon. This prayer should articulate what you desire to walk away with and how you want God to apply it in your life. Have a few people share.

CG Guide (1 Timothy 6:1-2a)

Sermon Discussion Questions for 1 Timothy 6:1-2a

1. What, if anything, was particularly clarifying, convicting, or confusing about the passage and/or the sermon? Share insights, reflections, and questions.

2. Which group (working under an unbelieving boss or working under a believing boss) do you feel more represents your working environment today? What are some challenges that you face today as a Christian in your secular workplace / Christian workplace?

3. Christians are ambassadors of Christ in a watching world. Our actions share a testimony about God’s reputation and gospel. What are some practical ways that we can be faithful to God in our workplaces?

4. Doxology: Express how this sermon helps you understand, appreciate, and worship Jesus more. In what ways has the gospel become more alive to you having read this passage and heard this sermon?

5. Response: Formulate a one-sentence prayer that’s informed by the passage and the sermon. This prayer should articulate what you desire to walk away with and how you want God to apply it in your life. Have a few people share.

CG Guide (1 Timothy 5:1-16)

“Care in God’s Family”

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:1-16

Suggested Group Discussion Questions 

  1. Do you personally experience the church as a family? If so, what are the elements/dynamics that help you feel that way? If not, what do you think is missing in the church that prevents you from experiencing it? 
  2. Can you share a time you felt very cared for by somebody else? What did they do that made it so meaningful? What about a time you felt very uncared for? What made it so hurtful?
  3. In order to cultivate a culture of gospel care in the church, we need to first recognize God has cared for us when we were desperate and in need. Can you think of a specific example or instance of experiencing the care of God in your life? 
  4. What are some ways you can begin to move toward others to care for them in their need? What are some areas that you might need to work on?
  5. Doxology: Express how this sermon helps you understand, appreciate, and worship Jesus more. In what ways has the gospel become more alive to you having read this passage and heard this sermon? 
  6. Response: Formulate a one-sentence prayer that’s informed by the passage and the sermon. This prayer should articulate what you desire to walk away with and how you want God to apply it in your life. Have a few people share.

CG Discussion Guide (1 Timothy 4:6-10)

“A Good Servant of Christ Jesus”

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:6-10

Suggested Group Discussion Questions 

  1. Before reading our passage, how would you have defined what a “good servant of Christ Jesus” was? How does this passage redefine what a good servant is? 
  2. What are some ways you can devote yourself more to “being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine”?
  3. Does disciplining and training yourself for godliness sound legalistic? How do we free this from legalism and pursue it with a gospel-centered approach?
  4. Doxology: Express how this sermon helps you understand, appreciate, and worship Jesus more. In what ways has the gospel become more alive to you having read this passage and heard this sermon? 
  5. Response: Formulate a one-sentence prayer that’s informed by the passage and the sermon. This prayer should articulate what you desire to walk away with and how you want God to apply it in your life. Have a few people share.

CG Discussion (1 Timothy 2:11-15)

“Preaching in God’s Church”

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:11-15

Suggested Group Discussion Questions 

  1. What, if anything, was particularly clarifying, convicting, or confusing about the passage and/or the sermon? Share insights, reflections, and questions. 
  2. What does it look for us to learn with all submissiveness? How can we practically sit at the feet of Jesus and grow in his Word? 
  3. How can we practice letting the Word of Christ dwell richly in us and teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom? 
  4. Doxology: Express how this sermon helps you understand, appreciate, and worship Jesus more. In what ways has the gospel become more alive to you having read this passage and heard this sermon? 
  5. Response: Formulate a one-sentence prayer that’s informed by the passage and the sermon. This prayer should articulate what you desire to walk away with and how you want God to apply it in your life. Have a few people share.