08.12.07
Small Group Plan - August 12, 2007
“A God Who Sends”
Small Group Plan
August 12, 2007
Dear Group Leader…
Sunday, the focus was not on losing but on sending Prentice and Barbara. How do you think Prestoncrest equipped and prepared them for their new ministry in Nashville?
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Is it difficult for you to do something you do not fully understand? Explain.
· Why are “faith” and “trust” good synonyms?
· Have you ever been tapped on the shoulder and given a special job to do? What was the job? How did it feel to be especially chosen?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
Abraham – Hebrews 11:8-10
8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
· How did “faith” help Abraham to “obey” even when there were things “he did not know” ?
· Comment on the words describing Abraham’s response to being sent – “obeyed” “went” “made” “lived” “looking forward.”
· What about Abraham’s style of life do you admire?
· What about Abraham’s style of life would make you uncomfortable? Explain.
· How would you help someone to look forward to something they have never seen?
Moses – Hebrews 11:24-27
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.
· Why did Moses refuse his Egyptian heritage?
· Why would someone choose mistreatment to follow God?
· What overcame Abraham’s “fear” (Vs. 27)?
· How would you help someone see the “invisible”?
Jesus – Matthew 3:16-4:3
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him.
· What had Jesus decided in his baptism?
· Do you think Jesus really needed God’s affirmation? Explain.
· How vulnerable to temptation was Jesus?
· How would you describe the “desert” today?
· Describe the power and influence of the “voice from heaven” (Vs. 17)?
Paul – Acts 22:6-10
6 “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’ 8 “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. “‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. 9 My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. 10 “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked. “‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’
· Paul told his story instead of preaching a sermon. Why is this often the best kind of message?
· What is the significance in Paul’s question, “What shall I do, Lord?” (Vs. 10)
· Looking over Paul’s life, how would describe what he had been “assigned to do” (Vs. 10)?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Why did each of these people respond to God’s call?
· What commons motivations do you find woven through their stories?
· What is the most power affirmation from God you have received?
· What helps you overcome temptation?
· Have you ever felt called by God, but resisted? What did you do? How did it feel?
· How can the group pray for you in your areas of opportunities and temptation?