Chapter 1—Mind the Gap
- What comes to mind when you hear the word “holiness”? Are your thoughts primarily positive? Negative? Encouraging? Discouraging? Burdensome? Freeing?
- Growing up, how did your church, family, and friends speak of holiness?
- Is the holiness of heaven a delightful thought for you? Does it equal the delight you have in thinking about heaven as a place of love, peace, enjoyment, and happiness? Why or why not?
- Why does there appear to be a “hole in our holiness” today? Which of the reasons given by the author resonate with your own struggles with holiness?
- What have been the major themes of your Christian life? Has holiness been one of those major themes?
Chapter 2—The Reason for Redemption
- What reasons come to mind when you think about why God saved you?
- What are some passages in Scripture that have impacted your life of holiness? Why do these hold significance?
- Do you find the pursuit of holiness intimidating? Why or why not?
- Does it seem disagreeable to stress personal holiness?
Chapter 3—Piety’s Pattern
- What assurance and confidence does definitive sanctification give?
- Where has the church in previous generations gone wrong in its pursuit of holiness? What errors do you see today? Are some of them present in your own understanding of holiness?
- As you read through the list of virtues and vices in this chapter, what are some of the vices in your life that you need to get rid of? What are some of the virtues you see and need to continue to encourage?
- Of what things in your life would you have trouble saying, “I can thank God for this?”
- Do you know the Ten Commandments? Do they shape your living? How?
Chapter 4—The Impetus for the Imperatives
- Do you delight in the law of the Lord? Do you see the law as an expression of God’s grace? Why or why not?
- What motivations for holiness listed in this chapter are currently the “best medicine” for you?
- Which motivations for holiness have you seldom heard in sermons or within the church? Why do you think that is?
- Think of a sin you are struggling with. Which biblical motivations for holiness provided in this chapter are an encouragement to you to pursue holiness and to mortify this sin?
Chapter 5—The Pleasure of God and the Possibility of Godliness
- Has your pursuit of personal holiness been short-circuited in certain ways? How?
- When you are told that the Scriptures teach that righteousness is possible, that you truly can do good works, and you can please God, what is your reaction? Does it surprise you? Encourage you?
- Do you allow yourself not only to be convicted while reading the Scriptures, listening to sermons, and reading Christian books, but also to be encouraged at the progress and “successes” within your Christian life?
Chapter 6—Sprit-powered, Gospel-driven, Faith-fueled Effort
- Are there areas in your life where you have been resisting, grieving, or quenching the Spirit? What action do you need to take?
- Do you remind yourself who you are in Christ? How does this encourage you in the pursuit of holiness?
- What are some promises of God that are an encouragement to you?
- Why does a “let go and let God” view of sanctification have a strong appeal? Why is it deadly to true growth in sanctification? Has your growth in sanctification been affected with this errant teaching? In what areas?
Chapter 7—Be Who You Are
- Is union with Christ a new concept for you? If so, how might it change your view of sanctification? If you are already familiar with this idea, how has it already shaped your sanctification?
- Is there a difference between aiming at something you’re not and becoming something you are? How does this shape and motivate your pursuit of holiness?
- Read through Romans 6. How would a life lived in knowledge of union with Christ be radically different from the lives of nonbelievers? Is being “in Christ” your identity?
Chapter 8—Saints and Sexual Immorality
- Are you compromising in any area of your sensuality and sexuality? Do you see any evidence of a dulled conscience? Why have you been susceptible in this area?
- What are some of the subtle or not so subtle influences in our culture propagating the idea that our bodies belong to us rather than to Christ?
- Is there another area of your life in Christ in which sin has a foothold? How should union with Christ affect your obedience in this area?
Chapter 9—Abide and Obey
- Does your view of life in Christ include the concepts of communion with Christ and obedience to Christ? How does each guide your living?
- Is there a sin in your life that is currently disrupting your communion with Christ? How might a pursuit of prayer, Scripture, fellowship, and the Lord’s Supper help you in your struggle with this sin?
- Have you underestimated the channels of grace the Lord has given (i.e., prayer, Bible reading, the church, Lord’s Table, etc.)?
Chapter 10—That All May See Your Progress
- Who are some Christians you look up to in the faith? What marks their lives?
- Would those closest to you (your spouse, children, friends, coworkers, parents) say that you have progressed in Christ over the past year? Ask them. Where do they see progress?
- Look back over the past week. Where do you see moments of mere regret and where do you see moments of true repentance? What held you back from moving on to repentance in those moments of mere regret?
