Step 2: Reach Up
Selected Scripture
Connect:
Share how you have seen God in the Highs and Lows of your week.
Prayer:
Pray that God would lead your discussion time and bring fresh insight, conviction, and hope through your time together.
Review:
We are in a series looking at the 12 steps from AA through a Biblical lens as we look at the pathway of freedom in Christ and following Him whole heartedly. A phrase we are going to hear over and over is, “If you want to change your life, take it one step at a time (in other words, foundations matter!). This week we looked at the second Step: Reach up to God in the middle of our struggles to overcome strongholds in our lives…
The Grand Tour of the message: Thinking back on what you heard this Sunday…
o What did you learn about God?
o What did you learn about people?
o What did you learn about yourself?
o What do you want to commit to putting into practice?
Reflection:
Personal Experience:
There are some things that a computer just does REALLY WELL!
First, time how long it takes you (with no phone help; use paper or do mental math!) to come up with the answer to the following problem: 5 + 9 -12 + 34 x 4 - 16 +8 = _____.
Now, speak the problem to your phone with “Hey Siri” or “Hey Google” and see how long it takes. Had you gotten the right answer?
DISCUSS: What is the difference between working by yourself and working with a computer? How did it feel, how confident were you, how much energy did you have to expend…. what’s the difference?
Group Discussion:
Why do we seek to live independent, self-sufficient lives? What is the attraction there?
Read the following scripture passages which describe how God uses our limitations to showcase His Own power and sufficiency: DISCUSS: Why is it so important to God that we depend on Him? (Prov 3:5,6, Ps 127:1, 1 Cor 1:27-29, 2 Cor 12:6-10, John 15:5, Rom 8:1-6, Phil 4:13)
Read the story of Peter walking on the water to Jesus in Matt 14:22-33. DISCUSS the following questions:
Why do you think Peter wanted to walk to Jesus on the water?
Peter became afraid of the water he was walking on when he saw the wind and waves, and began to sink! What changed when his fear overcame his faith?
Jesus said, “You of little faith” to the guy who was literally the first human ever to walk on water. Why did He say that?
Jesus asked him “Why did you doubt?” if you were Peter, and had gone through all that, how might you reflect on that question?
Reflect on the story of Gideon:
Read Judges 6:15-16: Gideon asked, “How can I save Israel…?” and God replied, “I will be with you…”. DISCUSS: What changed between “But I am too small” to “But I will be with you”?
Read Judges 7:1-8: DISCUSS: What is the problem with coming out of a battle like this saying “My own strength has saved me?” Why is it so important to God that His people learn to depend fully on Him?
There were 3 footholds of DOUBT that we talked about on Sunday. Which of these resonates most with your life experience / walk of faith, and how have you seen God work there?
We doubt God could save us, sometimes because we equate “God” with “Religion”.
We doubt God would save us, sometimes because we have quenched His Spirit’s work in us.
We doubt God is good, sometimes because we cannot make sense of pain and evil.
Application:
Ask the Lord to reveal to your heart areas where doubt has gained a foothold. Let the Lord reveal Himself to you in that specific area of your life and walk of faith.
Prayer:
Spend some time in prayer confessing your need of the Lord to live in His strength, for His purpose, under His leading. It is the only way we will stand in the struggle, fulfill our purpose and showcase His glory!
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