Series: The Battle
Sermon: When Do We Stop Fighting?
Passage: Proverbs 20:3; 2 Timothy 4:7
Speaker: Steve Howell (Senior Minister)

Use the following questions and directions based on today’s sermon as a starting point for spiritual discussions with your family or a small group of Christian friends this week.

‌‌Fellowship—Relationship with a Purpose

• On a scale from 1 to 10, how unwilling are you to back down from a fight? Do you wish that your number were higher or lower? Why?
  

‌Growth—Thinking About Spiritual Matters

• What derogatory names are given to someone who surrenders? What role does reputation play in whether we continue in fights?
  

• Consider Jesus’ example while facing crucifixion, especially the words of Isaiah 53:7. Did Jesus need to be silent? What factors kept Jesus from fighting back? What can we learn from His example?
  

• In a “just war,” five criteria must be met to justify continued fighting (last resort, just cause, just goal, proportionate response, legitimate authority). How should a Christian’s position change if any of those criteria are violated?
  

• If conditions warrant an end to a fight, is it enough to stop fighting personally, or do you bear a responsibility to actively push for the end of others’ fighting? Explain your answer.
  

• Why is humility a necessary ingredient for ending conflict?
  

• Are you more comfortable listening to the Spirit or to Scripture when it comes to God stopping your fights? In what ways?
  

• What character qualities and/or spiritual qualities do you need to “fight the good fight?” (2 Timothy 4:7)
  

• What situations make you prone to growing faint in your faith. How can Jesus’ example help you? (Hebrews 12:3)
  

Prayer – Taking Your Thoughts to God

• Pray for discernment to have wisdom on when to fight and when to cease.
  

• Pray for strength to continue “fighting the good fight,” no matter what.