07.15.07
Small Group Plan - July 15, 2007
“Light The Fire”
Small Group Plan
July 15, 2007
Dear Group Leader…
The Holy Ghost did not fall upon the Upper Room until they had prayed and sought God for ten long days. Daniel did not receive the outline of Israel’s history from God’s messenger until his twenty-first day of prayer and fasting. Saul, who later became Paul, did not receive sight for his blinded eyes until he had prayed and fasted for three days. There never has been and there never will be such a thing as spontaneous revival. Revival did not come like that in Bible times and it will not come like that today. We may never now who prayed the revival down. But if it comes you can be sure that somewhere a hungry soul sought God.
– James Hamby, Evangel (4/28/75):16
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Our culture says that if you want to change the responsibility is ________?
· Do you agree? Why or why not?
· What does revival mean?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
THE PAST — Vs. 1-3
1 You showed favor to your land, O LORD; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2 You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. Selah 3 You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.
· As a group, list all the words describing God’s action.
· How do they show the two sides of “revival” – His part and our part?
· How does God’s work in the past shape and change your heart?
THE PRESENT — Vs. 4-7
4 Restore us again, O God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. 5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? 6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? 7 Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.
· What kind of heart is behind the request to “restore” (4)?
· Are all the “will you” questions signs of impatience or sincerity? Explain.
· How does “restoration” (4) lead to “joy” “love” and “salvation” (6-7)?
THE REFLECTION — Vs. 8-9
8 I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints — but let them not return to folly. 9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
· What decision and plan do you hear in the Psalmist words, “I will listen?”
· What reputation does “reflection” have in our culture? Explain.
· Are we supposed to be afraid of God? Why or why not?
· If so, how would you describe this fear?
· How can confidence in God and fear of God exist side by side?
THE RESOLVE — Vs. 10-13
10 Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. 11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. 12 The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. 13 Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.
· Notice the word pictures:
· How do His “love” and our “faithfulness” meet (10)?
· How does His “righteousness” result in our “peace” (10)?
· What happens when our “faithfulness” sees His “righteousness” (11)?
· What grows when He “gives” to our “yielded” lives (12)?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· We turn, then He renews. He rains down on us, our lives grow up to Him.
· How has God’s rain nourished your life?
· How have you responded in spiritual growth?
· Why will God not work in our lives against our will?
· How can “believing backward” help us to “believe forward?”
· Pray for deliverance from sin’s penalty and also sin’s power.