Faith Goals Part 3
Overcoming the Enemies of Our Faith
- Discussion Question #1 **Fear and Faith**: In the story of Elijah, we see that he was overcome with fear. Have you ever faced a situation where fear affected your faith? How did you handle it, and what can we learn from Elijah’s experience
- Discussion Question #2 Understanding Elijah’s Depression:
- Reflect on Elijah’s experience of depression as described in the passage. What are some key emotions and thoughts he expresses during this challenging time? Have you ever experienced similar feelings of despair and hopelessness? Share if you’re comfortable.
- As the sermon mentions, even great figures like Elijah faced bouts of depression. How does knowing this affect your perception of your own faith journey? In what ways can acknowledging your struggles and seeking God’s help strengthen your faith?
- The Power of Prayer in Times of Depression:
- In Psalm 88, the psalmist cries out to God in the midst of deep despair. How does their prayer demonstrate both faith and vulnerability? Have you ever prayed similarly during a difficult period in your life? If so, what was the outcome?
- The sermon emphasizes that our focus should be on worshiping the God of the Bible, not the people in the Bible. How can this perspective help you navigate your own struggles and faith journey? How might it encourage you to reach out to God in prayer during challenging times
Discussion Question #3 **Self-Care and Faith**: The sermon highlighted the importance of self-care as a way to overcome the enemies of our faith. What are some practical self-care strategies you use to maintain your faith and mental well-being in challenging times?
Discussion Question #4 **Finding God in the Quiet**: When Elijah sought God, he didn’t find Him in the bold demonstrations but in a gentle whisper. How can we apply this lesson to our own lives? Are there times when you’ve experienced God in the quiet moments?
Title: Faith Goals Part 1
Introduction:
– Share a personal experience or testimony related to your faith journey or a time when you had to exercise faith.
– Ask participants to briefly share their thoughts on faith and its importance in their lives.
Transition to Scripture:
– Explain that the discussion will be based on a sermon focused on Genesis 22:1–12, where Abraham’s faith is tested.
– Invite participants to read Genesis 22:1–12 (NKJV) together or summarize the passage briefly.
Discussion Points:
- **Faith Is a Process**
– Reflect on the idea that faith is a process. Share moments in your life when you felt your faith was growing or evolving.
– Discuss how Abraham’s faith journey unfolded from Genesis 12 to 22, with its ups and downs.
– How can we give ourselves grace during the process of developing faith?
- **Faith Is Completed Through Obedience**
– Explore the relationship between faith and obedience. How does James 2:21–22 support this connection?
– Share examples from your life when you had to choose faith over your feelings or circumstances.
– What are some practical ways to choose faith over feelings in challenging situations?
- **Internal Integrity and Growing Faith**
– Discuss the concept of internal integrity in relation to faith. Have you ever felt like a hypocrite in your faith journey?
– Share personal experiences of dealing with the consequences of hypocrisy or lack of obedience in your life.
– How can our faith grow to align with our actions, leading to internal integrity?
- **Faith Is Developed by God**
– Reflect on the idea that God plays a crucial role in developing our faith.
– Share instances where you felt God was your “spot” or support during challenging times in your life.
– Discuss how God challenges and strengthens our faith when it’s time to grow.
Conclusion:
– Ask participants to share any insights, personal takeaways, or commitments they’ve made regarding their faith journey.
– Encourage group members to set their own “faith goals” and share them with the group if they feel comfortable doing so.
– Close with a prayer, asking for God’s guidance and support in each person’s faith journey.
“Trusting Him When It’s Hard” Small group discussion questions
- In the sermon, it’s mentioned that God asked Abraham to do something that seemed contrary to His character and the Word of God. How do you think Abraham was able to discern God’s will in this situation, and what can we learn from his example about discerning God’s guidance in challenging circumstances?
- The sermon highlights the difference between temptation and testing, emphasizing that God tests us with the intention of helping us grow in faith. Can you share an experience from your life where you felt tested by God, and how did you respond? What was the outcome of that test in your faith journey?
- The concept of trusting God with hard things is a central theme in the sermon. Can you think of a difficult situation in your life where you struggled to trust God initially? How did you eventually find the strength to trust Him, and what lessons did you learn from that experience?
- The sermon concludes by emphasizing that God provides what we need to handle challenging situations. How can we apply this principle in our lives today? Can you share a personal testimony or example where you witnessed God’s provision in a difficult circumstance?