April 1, 2014
HOME GROUP QUESTIONS (fifth week in March)
I trust you all had a beneficial time last week in your home group discussing further ‘Why Bad Things Happen To Good People?’ and the probable reason(s) are clearer to you.
Well, this week Danny spoke on….
‘HOW DOES GOD SPEAK TODAY?’
1. Hunger for God
In Matthew, and many other parts of scripture, we see God speaking to his people via angels, dreams, even a burning bush (not in Matthew). These days we might not see that very often and can be sceptical of others when they say “God told me…” In your group discuss how God speaks to us today.
2. Passion for the lost
If someone who wasn’t a Christian said something like ‘I don’t hear God speak…. I don’t even know for sure there is a God’ …. How would you answer them? Rom.1:19-20 could be helpful.
3. Deeper Prayer Life
Some people feel strange about prayer being dialogue. What are your thoughts on prayer being a two-way conversation?
Further points to consider regarding (some extra to the sermon)
‘HOW DOES GOD SPEAK TODAY?’
As you listened to Danny on Sunday there were the three main points he spoke about.
Let’s look further at those points and expand on them so you can discuss them in your group.
1. Who are we listening to?
As a result who did we then follow?
Jesus spoke about false prophets and how we can know them in Matthew 7:15-20. Discuss what he says and how it can help you be discerning as to who you do and don’t listen to.
Read John 16:13-15 where Jesus spoke about the Holy Spirit.
2. What is our motivation?
Have you ever thought about what is REALLY important to you … what your greatest treasure is?
Read what Jesus said about our treasure (what’s most important) and our heart. Matthew 6:21
David wrote ‘Take delight in the Lord and he will give you your heart’s desires.’ Ps.37:4 The second part of this verse can be interpreted in two ways. Which is the correct way?
How do we in practical ways ‘take delight in the Lord?’ See v.5
(Footnote to Ps.37:4-5….David calls us to take delight in the Lord and to commit everything we have and do to him. But how do we do this? To delight in someone means to experience great pleasure and joy in his or her presence. This happens only when we know that person well. Thus, ‘to delight in the Lord’ we must know him better. Knowledge of God’s great love will indeed give us delight.
To commit ourselves to the Lord means entrusting everything….our lives, families, jobs, possessions to his control and guidance. To ‘commit ourselves to the Lord’ means to trust in him (37:5), believing that he can care for us better than we can ourselves. We should be willing to wait patiently (37:7) for him to work out what is best for us.)
How important do you think what we focus on and think about is? See Col.3:2, Phil.4:8, Rom.12:2
3. Whatever we hear must line up with the whole word of God.
Discuss in your group the importance of what we hear lining up with the whole of scripture and the dangers of taking things out of context.
Read Acts17:10-12
What did the Jews from Berea do after hearing Paul speak and what was the subsequent result?
Read how Jesus responded to the devil’s temptation and misuse of scripture in Matthew 4:1-11.
Discuss especially the example of v.5-6 and the possible results (in principle) of someone who didn’t know the scriptures very well.
Read what Paul has to say about the type of people with false teaching we need to be wary of in 2ndCor.11:12-15.
Paul’s message to the Ephesian elders which he knew would be his last included this warning….
‘I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. Watch out….’ Acts20:29-31
How do we guard ourselves? His answer comes in v.32 ‘And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace which is able to build you up….’ God’s word builds us up.
Finally our greatest asset is the Holy Spirit who inspired the scriptures. 2nd Peter1:20-21. He will ….