Small Group Discussion Guide

"Being Like Jesus: Pursue Moral Excellence"

Pastor Mirek Hufton

1. SERMON RECAP

Pastor Mirek Hufton opened by grounding the series in Colossians 1:28, emphasizing that God's desire is for every believer to grow toward maturity and completeness in Christ. Drawing from 2 Peter 1:5-11, he walked through the call to "add" to our faith a chain of qualities — beginning with moral excellence, or virtue — explaining that this growth requires genuine cooperation between the believer and God. He challenged the congregation to stop making excuses, identify the three enemies of the soul — the flesh, the devil, and the world — and take practical, Spirit-empowered steps toward a life that truly reflects the character of Jesus.

2. KEY SCRIPTURE

2 Peter 1:5-7 (NKJV)

"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love."

3. ICE BREAKER

Think about someone in your life — whether a family member, coach, teacher, or mentor — who seemed to have genuine moral consistency. What was one quality about them that stood out, and how did it affect the people around them?

4. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Pastor Mirek described moral excellence not as a single dramatic decision but as a series of small, daily judgments about what we allow into our lives. What does that idea of constant "micro-judgments" look like practically in your daily routine, and where do you find it hardest to apply?

2. He drew a careful distinction between God's part and our part in spiritual growth, saying that God cannot bless what we are unwilling to cooperate with. Where in your own life have you noticed that you were waiting for God to act while God may have been waiting for you? What did that season teach you?

3. Pastor Mirek identified three enemies that pull believers away from moral excellence: the flesh, the devil, and the world. Which of the three do you find most personally challenging right now, and why do you think that particular one has such strong influence in your life?

4. First Corinthians 15:33 warns that "evil company corrupts good habits." Pastor Mirek spoke about the powerful pull of association and how the people and media we surround ourselves with shape our character over time. How do you personally evaluate whether a relationship or form of entertainment is building you up or quietly pulling you down?

5. He used the Greek word behind "add" in 2 Peter 1:5 to describe a kind of generous, wholehearted cooperation — like a wealthy patron who funds an entire production. In what area of your spiritual life do you sense God is asking you to bring more of that kind of wholehearted investment, rather than a minimal or passive effort?

6. Pastor Mirek closed by talking about the difference between God's election — what He has already purposed for a person's life — and the individual's call to answer that purpose. How does understanding that God has already placed a calling on your life change the way you think about your daily choices and character development?

5. APPLICATION CHALLENGE

This week, choose one area where you have been giving yourself a consistent pass — whether it is a habit of speech, a media choice, a relationship boundary, or a pattern of behavior — and take one concrete step to address it. That step might mean turning off a streaming service for seven days, going to a trusted friend or pastor to ask for accountability, replacing a morning habit with ten minutes in the Word, or writing a genuine apology to someone your words have hurt. The step should be specific enough that you can report back to the group next week on whether you followed through.

6. PRAYER POINTS

• Pray that each group member would have the courage and humility to honestly identify the area of character that most needs attention, and that they would resist the temptation to give themselves an easy pass.

• Pray for the grace to cooperate fully with what God has already provided through His Word, His Spirit, and His promises, rather than waiting passively for growth that requires active partnership with Him.

• Pray for protection against the three enemies — the flesh, the devil, and the world — and for a heightened sensitivity to recognize their influence before giving ground.

7. MEMORY VERSE

2 Peter 1:10 (NKJV)

"Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble."