04.29.07
Small Group Plan - April 29, 2007
“It’s All About God”
Small Group Plan
April 29, 2007
Dear Group Leader…
The following headlines actually appeared in newspapers:
“Study Finds Sex, Pregnancy Link” Cornell Daily Sun
“Subways Dirtier After Cleaning Jobs Cut” New York Times
“Larger Kangaroos Leap Farther” Los Angeles Times
“Alcohol Ads Promote Drinking” Hartford Courant
“Only Rain Will Cure Drought” Westpost Herald-News
“Teen-Age Girls Often Have Babies Fathered By Men” Sunday Oregonian
“Fish Lurk In Streams” Democrat & Chronicle
“Tomatoes Come In Big, Little, Medium Sizes” Charlottesville Daily Progress
We laugh at such an amazing grasp of the obvious. But it’s not so funny when the obvious fact of God’s control meets the celebrated fact of human independence. I can see the headlines now: “Humanity Is Surprised To Discover That God Is In Charge” Heaven Eternal Times.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· What are the strengths of our independent American spirit?
· What are the weaknesses?
· How can wealth and privilege sometimes lead to pride and arrogance?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
It’s not your plan - Romans 9
14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
· When someone says, “God is not fair” what do they usually mean?
· How would you define the “sovereignty of God?”
· Why must God rather than humanity be in charge of mercy?
· How do you answer someone who asks why God doesn’t simply forgive everyone?
it’s not what you think – Romans 10
1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes … 8 “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
· Explain the difference between being in love with religion and being in love with God?
· How can a person be passionate (zealous vs. 2) for God and yet not know Him?
· How is Jesus “the end of the law” (vs. 4)?
· Paul mentions the “heart” four times (Vs. 6,8,9,10). What is the connection between our heart and our salvation?
You’ll never guess how - Romans 11
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
· To visualize the “depth” of God’s “wisdom and knowledge” share how your understanding of God has changed and grown through the years.
· If God’s paths are “beyond tracing out” (vs. 33), what’s the point of study, meditation, or discussion?
· What happens to the pride of human knowledge when it stands next to the wisdom of God?
· Describe the character and personality of the person who would presume to be God’s “counselor” (vs. 34).
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· What is involved in submitting our plans to God’s plans?
· Does this mean we are not supposed to have dreams and pursue goals? Explain.
· How can we be both bold and humble?
· How would you advise a couple wanting to teach their child the balance of spiritual initiative and submission to God?
Close by pledging together in prayer your desire to submit and follow God.