The Cross-Shaped Life

SCRIPTURE: Galatians 2:19-20.

The Cross-shaped life looks like a daily…

• to the .

| Romans 6:6-7 | Colossians 3:9-10 | 2 Corinthians 5:17 |

• against the to .

| Daniel 1:8 | Romans 12:1-2 | Colossians 2:8 | 2 Timothy 3:1-5 | James 4:4 | 1 John 2:15-17 |

• to my life with the rather than seek out a Gospel that aligns to my .

| Proverbs 14:12 | Matthew 7:13-14 | Luke 9:23-24 | John 14:6 | Galatians 1:6-8 | 2 Timothy 4:3-4 |

• : and … OR and .

| Joshua 24:15 | John 8:11 | Romans 6:12-14 | 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 | Galatians 2:20, 5:1 | Titus 2:11-12 | 2 Peter 3:17-18 |

Small Group Questions

What do you think?

Have someone quickly read over the main “fill-ins” from Sunday’s message to jog the memories. From the message, what particular point challenged you, stood out to you, or raised a question for you?

The story of your life.

1. On a scale of 1-10, how easily do you think you are influenced by your surroundings?

2. On a scale of 1-10, how easily influenced would those who know you best say you are by your surroundings?

Digging Deeper in God’s Word.

1. On Sunday, we looked at a “Cross-Shaped Life.” All of us are being shaped by things around us whether we know it, admit it to ourselves, or not. Thus, it is so important that we are intentional about what we allow to form us: namely Jesus through the pages of Scripture. There’s a great story in the Old Testament of a young man who was placed in an environment that could have shaped him away from his faith. Instead, Daniel was intentional to continue to shape himself towards his faith. Read Daniel 1:1-20 and respond to the following prompts and questions.
   1. Have a few members of the group recap the story using their own words.

   2. What do we see about the pressure Daniel was under to conform? What intentional steps did Daniel take to stay close to the Lord?

   3. What does this story tell us about God? People? Our own spiritual formation?

2. In Luke 9:18-27, we see Jesus unpack the Cross-shaped life using serious terminology – His own impending crucifixion. Read it together and respond to the following prompts and questions.
   1. Have a few members of the group recap the story using their own words.

   2. Though it’s a huge concept, have a few people share what they think it means to take up their cross in modern life in 2025. If anyone has a personal example to share, even better.

   3. What does this story tell us about God? People? Our own spiritual formation?

3. What insights do the following verses offer into the Cross-shaped life.
   1. Psalm 51:16-17.
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   2. Romans 8:12-13.
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   3. 2 Corinthians 4:7-11.
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Personal reflection and application.

1. Have everyone share one thing someone else said in this discussion that struck a chord with you.

2. Pray for one another (men with men and women with women if possible).