Sunday 27 October 2013

Gods Auto Correct - Discernment in Face of Deception



Small Groups – Week of October 27, 2013

1. This is a children’s game, so you’ll need to lay aside your dignity for a few minutes. Play three rounds of broken telephone.

2. Have you ever received and acted upon a message (email, text, phone call, etc.) that was intended for someone else (but you thought was for you)? Describe this experience.

3. Read Jeremiah 23:9-40.

4. How do you know when God is speaking to you? How do you personally discern whether a message you receive (from someone else, a voice in your mind, a nudge, etc.) is from God?

5. Pastor Bill said that in a true messenger from God there is hunger to know God. What are the marks of someone who hungers to know God?

6. Pastor Bill said that a true messenger of God will be affected by the message. What is a message from God that has impacted you deeply in the past few months?

7. Pastor Bill said that the character of a messenger of God is a big deal. Is this true in society in general? Defend your opinion.

8. Pastor Bill said that a true messenger of God will be marked by godly fruit. What are some examples of godly fruit?

9. Do you actively seek to hear from God? If so, what listening disciplines do you utilize? Share an experience or two of when you believe God spoke to you.

10. In pairs share about an area of your life where you need God’s wisdom. Pray that God would speak clearly into each other’s lives.

Tuesday 15 October 2013

God's Autocorrect - Dependence rather than being self-made



Deuteronomy 8:10-20

1.Why is this question (v. 17) such an important issue for us?  What is at the root of it?  What are we forgetting when we make such claims?
2.What are the marks of the 'self made' person, from this passage?  How does this thinking arise?  What does it lead to?  What is that person blind to?
3.Any examples you wish to share from your own life where you struggle taking credit for what is not yours?
4.What is at stake (18-20) for those who push that system of thought?
5. What does the text say is key to acknowledging God as our source? 

6.How can we more openly live acknowledging dependence on God? 

7.John 3:21.  Read it.  Celebrate God as your source. 

Friday 11 October 2013

God's Autocorrect - True Vision for Myopia



Jeremiah 33:10-11

1. Can you think of any movies, novels or sports matches that seemed devoid of hope but things turned around? Share.
2. Read Jeremiah 32:1-33:13 (long but helpful - Sunday's passage was 33:10-11).
3. Do you think it significant that Jeremiah received the word of God while he was shut up in the court of the guard? Why or why not?
4. Pastor Bill said that we need to live out of the vision that God gives us. Are there any visions of hope that keep you going (biblical)? Has God ever given you a message of hope? Share. What can keep us from clinging to the word of God?
5. Do you pursue any disciplines that help you listen to God? How have these disciplines helped you in the pursuit of God?
5. In pairs, share one situation in your life for which you need God's hope and power. Pray for one another with this need in mind.

Wednesday 2 October 2013

God's Autocorrect - Renewal for Discouragement



Isaiah 40:27-31

1. When you are feeling down or tired, what is your favourite thing to do to be refreshed?
2. What are some core theological concepts that you cling to? How do these truths impact your daily living?
3. Is there any example from your life when you allowed difficult circumstances to negatively impact your view of God? Please share this with the group. How did you overcome this struggle?
4. Look over the convictions Isaiah points out concerning the greatness of God. If need be, take some time to explain what each of them means. How might knowledge of these convictions help someone who is going through a difficult time?
5. Have you ever experienced or known someone to experience a divine renewal of energy or a divine change of strength? Describe this. What was the person like before the experience? How about after?
6. What does it mean to wait for God? Has waiting for God been an easy or difficult practice for you? How have you personally benefited from waiting for God?
7. What is one struggle in your life for which you need God's energy? Pray for each other, that God would meet you in your troubles.