Community Group Questions: December 14th-20th

December 14th, 2025
by Jay Beerley

Isaiah 40:6-8

6 A voice says, “Cry!”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass,
and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers, the flower fades
when the breath of the Lord blows on it;
surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.

Key Takeaways

Human frailty is real: Like grass and flowers, our lives are temporary and vulnerable. Acknowledging this reality is the first step toward finding lasting hope.
God's Word stands forever: Unlike everything temporary in this world, God's promises, His written Word, and the Word made flesh (Jesus) are eternal and unchanging.
Scripture is sufficient: The Bible contains everything we need for salvation, spiritual life, and knowing God's will—even when it doesn't answer every specific question we have.
Jesus is our permanent hope: The incarnation—God with us—fulfilled God's promises and provides our only lasting hope beyond the grave.

Discussion Questions:
Understanding Our Frailty

The sermon compared human life to grass and flowers. How does this imagery help you understand your own mortality and limitations?
In what areas of your life do you tend to place confidence in temporary things rather than eternal things?
How does acknowledging our frailty actually become a source of comfort rather than despair?

The Permanence of God's Word

Pastor Jay outlined four qualities of Scripture: Authority, Clarity, Necessity, and Sufficiency. Which of these four do you struggle most to trust, and why?
Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:20-21. How do these passages reinforce what we believe about the Bible's origin and purpose?
The sermon stated: "In every situation in your life, what is contained in the scriptures is sufficient for you to be able to follow God's will in it." Do you agree? What questions or doubts does this statement raise for you?
How does the sufficiency of Scripture apply to decisions where the Bible doesn't give specific direction (career choices, where to live, whom to marry)?

The Word Made Flesh

How does understanding Jesus as "the Word made flesh" (John 1:1,14) change how you view Christmas and the incarnation?
The sermon emphasized that Christianity is about what God has promised to do for us, not what we can do. How does this truth bring you comfort in your current circumstances?
Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. How does communion connect us to both the historical reality of Christ's sacrifice and the future hope of His return?

Practical Applications:
Choose one of the following to practice this week:

Daily Scripture engagement: Commit to reading God's Word for 10-15 minutes each day, asking God to speak to you through it. Journal one thing you learn about God's character each day.
Memorize Isaiah 40:8: Write it on a card and review it daily. When you face uncertainty or difficulty, recall this promise of God's enduring Word.
Evaluate your investments: Make a list of where you're investing your time, energy, and resources. Are these investments in temporary things or eternal things? Prayerfully consider one change you could make.
Practice biblical decision-making: If you're facing a decision, instead of looking for a "sign," use biblical principles (wisdom, counsel from godly people, prayer) to make your choice with confidence in God's sufficiency.
Share the hope: Identify someone in your life who is struggling with loss, illness, or uncertainty. Share with them how God's eternal promises have given you hope in difficult times.