Message Big Idea

We grow in our relationship with God by growing in holiness.

Scripture

1 Peter 1:14-16, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Ice Breaker & Opening Thought

1. What was the 1st major event you remember attending (concert, play, sports, etc.)?
2. Holiness is different from the other Big Words. Salvation, Atonement, and Grace are all gifts, but holiness is a reflection of the very nature of God. Can we become holy in God’s sight? If so, how?

Bible Discussion

3. Read 1 Peter 1:14-16. What did you notice about this passage? What is the significance of what Peter is saying?
4. Read Hebrews 12:14. What stands out to you in this passage? How can we live and work in harmony with others in a tumultuous world?
5. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. What is Paul’s warning here? How would someone follow his instructions?

Life Application

6. In a 2006 research study, the Barna Group found that while 75% of Americans think a person can be holy, only 25% of Americans feel like they actually are holy. How do you deal with the struggle of pursuing and maintaining practical holiness?
7. The Bible talks about our positional holiness (that we’ve been made holy by Jesus’ sacrifice), and it talks about our practical holiness (which is about our day-to-day living like God). What difference could it make to know this truth about us?
8. Practical holiness is a process. Read the following statement from frontman for U2, and Christ-follower, and discuss how this might help us understand practical holiness:

“Your nature is a hard thing to change; it takes time…. I have heard of people who have life-changing, miraculous turnarounds, people set free from addiction after a single prayer, relationships saved where both parties ‘let go, and let God.’ But it was not like that for me. For all that ‘I was lost, I am found,’ it is probably more accurate to say, ‘I was really lost. I’m a little less so at the moment.’ And then a little less and a little less again.” – Bono

Challenge

This week, let’s practice being holy. We can do this by remembering the acronym HOLY and then asking ourselves a series of questions. Look them over as a group and then discuss how you can help each other and pray for each other this week.
Halt – Stop and slow down
Open – Allowing God to search our hearts
Listen – Search out God’s wisdom
Yield – Follow God’s wisdom.

Searching questions to ask in each situation:
1. Is it helpful– physically, spiritually, and mentally?
2. Does it bring me under its power?
3. Does it hurt others?
4. Does it glorify God?