Discussion Questions
Choose the questions for your group; no pressure to use all of them.
Start Off
- What is one word to describe how you are feeling heading into the Christmas holidays?
- This week’s DNA statement is “We Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff,” and Eric mentioned some popular Reddit topics online that cause a lot of sweat and argument: do pineapples belong on pizza, should toilet paper go over or under, is cereal a soup, etc. What’s a small, trivial hill you’d be willing to die on?
Reflect on God's Word
- Read Titus 3:9–10. What kinds of “foolish controversies” do you think divide people in churches today?
- How can division in the church distract us from our mission as a church?
- Read 1 Corinthians 1:11–13. How do you see this kind of allegiance to a spiritual leader or church show up today, and why is it dangerous to make spiritual leaders or personalities more important than Christ?
- Read Titus 3:1-8. What does this passage highlight as things that are considered the “big stuff”?
Go Deeper
- This week’s DNA statement is “We Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” - We focus on our common mission and core Biblical beliefs. We refuse to allow secondary issues to divide our church.
- One way to see if something is worth sweating is if it anchors us to the love of Jesus. What would it look like to anchor our lives in what Jesus has done for us on the cross, and how would that impact how we treat others?
- When we disagree with one another over an issue, what are some practical ways we can build each other up instead of tear each other down?
- Instead of focusing on the small stuff, what would it look like for our group/church to spur one another on toward loving others and focusing on our mission?
- Take turns reading the practices in the “Put it Into Practice” section. What is one thing (or two) you could do to focus on our common mission?
Share and Pray
- Take some time to share things you are thankful for, as well as prayer requests. Go around in a circle and pray for the person on your left.
Verse to meditate on and memorize this week:
Avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. – Titus 3:9
Put It into Practice (Between Meetings)
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Anchor In the Big Stuff - This week, spend intentional time returning to the core of your faith: what Jesus has done for you.
- Read Titus 3:3–8 once each day.
- In prayer or journaling, reflect on one phrase that anchors you (“he saved us… because of his mercy,” “renewal by the Holy Spirit,” “heirs with the hope of eternal life,” etc.).
- If conversations or worries start pulling you into “small stuff,” pause and repeat: “What matters most is already finished at the cross.”
- Build Up Through Your Words - Paul emphasizes gentleness, peaceability, and refusing to slander. This week, proactively choose speech that builds others up. Try one or more of these:
- Encourage someone (text, note, or short conversation) specifically for how you see Christ shaping them.
- Catch yourself once before saying something snarky, superior, or dismissive about another Christian, denomination, or church. Choose humility instead.
- Practice the “tone check”. Before addressing disagreement—whether at home, work, or online—ask: “Is my intent to build up or just to win?”
- Spur Someone on in the Mission - Jesus redirected the disciples away from speculation and toward the mission. Do something this week that puts energy toward what matters most. Examples:
- Invite a friend, coworker, or neighbor to Christmas at the Movies.
- Serve someone in a tangible way that brings God’s kindness into their day.
- Share one story in your group about where you’ve recently seen God at work—then celebrate it.
- If you’re stuck in a relational disagreement, ask: “How can we move forward together toward what God wants?” rather than “How do I prove my point?”