These questions are a guideline for your personal or small group study based on Sunday's sermon passage. Feel free to study and meditate on the passage more deeply. ​​

1. Purposeful suffering: Paul says he rejoices in suffering because it serves others. What’s the difference between “pointless pain” and “purposeful suffering” in the Christian life?

2. Do you have “scar credibility”? Paul doesn’t lead with awards, instead he leads with wounds. In what ways have hardship, grief, or pressure given you credibility to minister to others (or tempted you to go silent)?

3. “What is lacking” confusion test: This passage can sound like Jesus didn’t do enough, but Randy clarified: the cross is complete; what’s “lacking” is the ongoing witness through the body. How would you explain that to a new believer in one minute or less?

4. Stewardship vs. ownership: Paul treats the gospel as a trust, not a title. Where are you most tempted to treat ministry (or your role at church/home/work) like something you own rather than something you manage for God?

5. “Christ in you” rooms of the house: letting Jesus have the whole home, not a guest room. What “room” do you find yourself keeping shut (control, comfort, money, bitterness, secret habits, approval)? What would it look like to hand Him the key this week?

6. Preaching “Him” in a noisy world: Paul’s message is simple: “Him we preach.” What competes with “Him” for your attention and convictions right now (politics, outrage, success, fear, comfort, entertainment)? How do you keep Jesus central without becoming disengaged from real life?

7. Maturity is the goal (not dependency): Paul’s endgame is presenting people “mature in Christ,” not dependent on leaders or programs. What does “mature in Christ” look like in everyday life, and what’s one next step you can take toward maturity (and one way you can help someone else move toward it)?