Words of Wisdom, Part 5: Dying To Live
July 20, 2025

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Message Review

In Week 5 of Words of Wisdom, Jeremy Pietrocini invited us to consider what it truly means to live fully, intentionally, and awake to the dreams God has placed within us. Too often, we drift through life half-asleep, passively existing instead of actively living. Jesus offers more than survival—He offers true, abundant life. But that life begins with death: dying to self, selfish desires, fear, and passivity. Jeremy reminded us that to live fully, we must live by faith, be known by love, and be a voice of hope.

Main Point: Live by faith, be known by love, and be a voice of hope.

Scripture References: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3; John 10:10; John 12:24-25; Genesis 1-3; Romans 13:11; Ephesians 5:14; Philippians 4:8

Bible Study      

The focus Bible passage from the sermon was John 12:20-26. Before going to the Sermon Discussion Questions, study the passage by reading through it together, then talk through it using the following Inductive Bible Study Method questions that follow:

  • Context: Discuss the context of this passage (Use the Bible Overview to learn the context)

  • Observation: What do you notice in this passage? What words or phrases stick out to you? And why?

  • Interpretation: What was the author’s original intent in this passage? What main point(s) was he trying to communicate, and why is that important?

  • Application: What is one key takeaway or insight you had from this passage? How can or should you apply it to your life?

  • Questions: What questions/tensions do you have from this passage that you want to discuss?

Discussion Questions

  • What were your initial thoughts or takeaways from the sermon?

  • What are some things people say they’re “dying to” do, and what do those things reveal about their priorities or longings?

  • What does “living fully” mean to you? Would you say you’re doing that right now?

  • Jeremy said we often live life “half-awake.” What are some things that make people spiritually or emotionally sleepy?

  • Read John 12:24–26. What do you think Jesus means by comparing Himself and us to a kernel of wheat that must die to produce many seeds?

  • Read 1 Thessalonians 1:2–3. What does it practically look like to live by faith, be known by love, and be a voice of hope?

  • Read Philippians 4:8. In a world full of negativity, how do we train ourselves to “fix our thoughts” on what is excellent and praiseworthy?

  • What might God be calling you to die to—fear, comparison, comfort, control, to truly live by faith?

  • Which of these three feels most challenging for you right now: living by faith, being known by love, or being a voice of hope? Why that one? What might your life look like if you began to grow in that area?

  • Think about your “next step.” What’s one action you can take this week to move from passive existence toward active faith? Share it with your group and ask for accountability.

  • What are you willing to die to, in order to fully live?

To watch or listen to Sunday’s sermon, visit our Sermons page.