Small Group Guide

Small Group Guide: The Doctrine of Sanctification

Based on 1 Peter 1:1-4

Opening Prayer & Icebreaker (10 minutes)

Icebreaker Question: Share one way you’ve changed since becoming a Christian. What’s something you used to do that you don’t do anymore?

Key Scripture

1 Peter 1:2 – “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.”

Main Takeaways

1. Understanding Sanctification

  • Definition: To be set apart from sin, the world, and the enemy
  • Position: We are already saints, holy, and sanctified through salvation
  • Process: We continue to be sanctified daily as we become more like Jesus

2. Four Ways We Are Sanctified

A. By the Voice of the Holy Spirit

  • The Holy Spirit speaks conviction (not condemnation)
  • He convinces us before and after we sin
  • His voice is louder than culture, media, friends, and family

B. By the Word of God

  • The Bible is God-breathed and sets us apart
  • We need sustained, daily intake of Scripture
  • “We are inhaling what the Holy Spirit exhaled thousands of years ago”

C. By Other Believers

  • God uses parents, friends, pastors, spouses, and co-workers
  • “When a lot of great solid people who love you are all saying the same thing, surrender”
  • We must be humble and not defensive

D. By Multiplied Grace

  • Grace is unearned, undeserved favor from God
  • We are holy, saints, and set apart because of His grace
  • This identity should change how we live

Discussion Questions

Opening Questions

  1. What stood out to you most from this sermon? Why?

  2. Before this message, how would you have defined “sanctification”? Has your understanding changed?

Deep Dive Questions

On the Voice of the Holy Spirit: 3. Can you share a time when you clearly heard the Holy Spirit warning you or convicting you about something? Did you listen? What happened?

  1. How do you distinguish between the Holy Spirit’s conviction and the enemy’s condemnation? What’s the difference?

  2. What are some areas in your life right now where you sense the Holy Spirit is speaking to you or “convincing” you to change?

On the Word of God: 6. Be honest: How consistent are you with daily Bible reading? What are the biggest obstacles that keep you from reading Scripture regularly?

  1. The pastor said, “The Bible will keep you from sin, but sin will keep you from the Bible.” Have you found this to be true in your experience?

  2. Read Colossians 3:5-9 together. Which of these sins is the Holy Spirit convicting you about right now?

On Other Believers: 9. How comfortable are you receiving correction or advice from other Christians? Why is it sometimes hard to hear truth from others?

  1. Who are the “solid people who love you” that God has placed in your life to speak truth to you? Do you listen to them?

  2. Have you ever been defensive when someone tried to correct you, only to realize later they were right? What happened?

On Grace and Identity: 12. Do you truly believe you are holy, a saint, and set apart? How does (or should) this identity change the way you live?

  1. The pastor said we have an inheritance that is “incorruptible and undefiled.” How does knowing you have an eternal inheritance affect your daily choices?

Application Questions

  1. What specific sin, habit, or worldly pattern do you need to be set apart from right now?

  2. What’s one practical step you can take this week to become more like Jesus?

Practical Applications

This Week’s Challenge:

Choose ONE of the following to commit to this week:

Option 1: Daily Bible Reading

  • Commit to reading your Bible every day this week, even if just for 10 minutes
  • Start with the book of 1 Peter (5 chapters)
  • Journal one thing the Holy Spirit speaks to you each day

Option 2: Listen to the Holy Spirit

  • Each morning, pray: “Holy Spirit, speak to me today. Show me what needs to change.”
  • When you sense conviction, don’t resist—respond in obedience
  • Write down what you sense He’s saying

Option 3: Receive Correction Humbly

  • Ask a trusted Christian friend or family member: “Is there anything you see in my life that concerns you or that you think I should change?”
  • Listen without being defensive
  • Thank them and pray about what they share

Option 4: Declare Your Identity

  • Each morning this week, look in the mirror and declare:
    • “I am holy”
    • “I am a saint”
    • “I am set apart by God’s grace”
    • “I am becoming more like Jesus”

Memory Verse

1 Peter 1:15-16 – “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.'”

Prayer Focus

Pray together for:

  1. Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s voice – That we would hear Him clearly and obey quickly
  2. Hunger for God’s Word – For discipline and desire to read the Bible daily
  3. Humility to receive correction – That we wouldn’t be defensive when others speak truth
  4. Transformation – That we would become more like Jesus each day
  5. Those who raised their hands for salvation – For the new believers from this service

Closing Prayer

Leader, pray something like this:

“Father, thank You for setting us apart. Thank You that we are holy, we are saints, and we are Your children by Your grace. Holy Spirit, speak to us this week. Convict us, convince us, and change us. Help us to read Your Word daily and to listen when others speak truth to us. We want to be more like Jesus. Set us apart from sin, from the enemy, and from the world. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Leader Notes

  • Be vulnerable: Share your own struggles with sanctification to create a safe environment
  • Don’t rush: Some questions may need more time—that’s okay
  • Follow up: Check in with group members during the week about their commitments
  • Celebrate: Acknowledge when people share victories or breakthroughs
  • Be Spirit-led: If the Holy Spirit is moving in a particular direction, follow His lead rather than sticking rigidly to the guide

For Next Week: Continue reading 1 Peter and come prepared to discuss chapter 2.