The Gift of Regeneration

Sermon Discussion Questions: December 14, 2025 The Five Gifts of Christmas: The Gift of Regeneration Advent Candle Lighting: Psalm 89:1-4 – Joy 1. In these verses, Ethan the Ezrahite is celebrating how God's steadfast love is expressed by guaranteeing David's offspring will remain on the throne. If you wrote a Psalm, what aspect of God's nature would you celebrate? Sermon: Titus 3:3-8 I. The Need for the Gift: Corruption of the Old Self 1. The sermon verses present a concise gospel message. Where else in scripture do we see all the elements of the gospel contained in a few verses? 2. If we made Redemption, Adoption, and Regeneration into a Venn diagram, the three circles would overlap. In what sense are they discrete, and what do they have in common? 3. Some people take delight in transformation. There are many You Tube videos on restoring old musical instruments and kitchen appliances. There are TV programs on restoring old houses. What elements of regeneration: a. Have you seen in your life since Jesus saved you? b. Are you hoping to see after your resurrection? 4. The doctrine of total depravity states that all aspects of life have been corrupted by sin. Can this doctrine be reconciled with Paul's statement in Romans 6:14 that sin will not have dominion over us? II. The Source of the Gift: The Kingdom of God Appearing 5. Since Jesus ascended into heaven, how does he provide for the physical needs of his sisters and brothers? 6. How does God's love for humanity differ from his love for the rest of creation? 7. God's gift of salvation is rooted in the _____________ of the giver, not the _____________ of the receiver. III. Substance of the Gift: Regeneration and Renewal 8. Pastor Paul cautioned us that there are limits to using “doing the laundry” as a metaphor for the washing of regeneration. Where does this metaphor break down? 9. Baptists are sometimes accused of not giving sufficient credit or acknowledgment to the Holy Spirit. State whether you believe this is a legitimate criticism. Support your stand with scripture. 10. What is the role of each member of the Trinity in our salvation and sanctification? IV. The Implication of the Gift: Devotion to Good Works 11. Describe a good work, in which you are or were engaged, which you believe God directed you to carry out. 12. AI Question 🤖: How does remembering who you used to be (v. 3) shape the way you treat people who are still living in that same brokenness today? 13. AI Question 🤖: What “good works” (v. 8) is the Spirit prompting you to devote yourself to right now—and what might be holding you back? Prayer Points: • Honestly acknowledge the “old self” and thank God that He did not leave you in that state. • Glorify God for His “loving kindness” that appeared in Jesus, saving you not because of your resume, but because of His mercy. • Pray for the Holy Spirit to renew your mind and heart today, confirming that you are a justified heir of eternal life. • Ask God to show you specific “good works” you can devote yourself to this week, so that your life becomes “profitable” to your neighbors and brings glory to God.