When you have passed, do you think you will carry on your passions? Is there a community of people who care about the same things as you?
Verse 3-4: What are some sacrifices soldiers make when they sign up (or are conscripted) for military service? What parts of civilian life do they have to leave behind? What is the purpose of a soldier?
In what way is becoming a Christian like being in the military? What purpose do we inherit? What do we give up?
Verse 5-7: Have you ever watched small children play a game of soccer? What might you observe in such a game?
What’s the difference between children’s city leagues soccer versus professional soccer?
Are you satisfied playing for a participation award in your Christian walk or are you playing to win? What’s the difference? What are we hoping to harvest?
Verse 8-13: How did the perspectives and attitudes of the disciples change from before Christ was crucified to after they saw him resurrected? Why did that happen?
What did the early Christians have to endure? How could they possibly endure such hardships?
Why do you think enduring hardships is so inextricably linked to the Christian lifestyle?
Verse 14-19: Have you ever been in a legal or contractual dispute? Did that dispute make your relationship with the opposing party better or worse?
What are some theological ideas worth debating? How should Christians engage in healthy debates? Who should we debate? How do we know the appropriate time to speak and then listen?
Verse 20-21: Paul is telling us that we are vessels and we need to be careful what we fill ourselves with. We can either be flower pots or chamber pots. Do you have any struggles today where you are filling your heart with dishonorable things and not leaving room for honorable things? How do we ensure we are useful to God?
Verse 22: What are youthful passions? Why would we want to flee from them?
Verse 23-26: God clearly cares not only about the content of our speech, but how we present it. Why isn’t it good enough for us to be right in what we say? What’s the difference between telling and teaching?