Small Group Discussion Guide
Sermon Series: Blessed
Sermon Title: The Meek
Break the Ice:
- In what ways have you seen the world portray meekness as a weakness?
- Andy described meekness as “strength under control,” or “I can, but I won’t.” What are some examples you’ve witnessed of someone who could, but didn’t?
Transition:
- Say: This past Sunday, we looked at how Jacob spent most of his life wrestling with God. He deceived, manipulated, and self-willed his way through life. During an all night wrestling match the with Lord, Jacob came to a place of brokenness. It was then, in the brokenness, that he could begin to yield his self-will to God’s will.
Bring the Word:
- Read Genesis 32:24-32
- What sticks out to you the most from this wrestling match?
- Why do you think God didn’t end the fight sooner? (Shows his patience toward us.)
- We may love and appreciate God’s patience when it’s directed toward us, but we may question God’s patience when it’s directed toward others. How should we live in relationship with others, knowing that God’s patience may be at work in them?
- Read Jeremiah 5:20-24
- According to verse 20, whose house was this message for? (The house of Jacob.)
- Why do you think Jeremiah refers to them as the house of Jacob (Deceiver) and not the house of Israel (God fights)? (perhaps because they are living in stubbornness rather than submission to God.)
- This passage is about 1,000 years after Jacob lived. Does it surprise you that his descendants are still wrestling with God? What does this tell us about the heart of mankind?
- What question does God ask of them in verse 22? (Do you not fear me?)
- What would you say is the relationship between the fear of God and submission toward God? (We will never submit to God if we don’t first fear Him.)
Bring it Home:
- Say: Before we can truly become meek before the Lord, we must first fear Him. Let’s read together the following verses about the fear of the Lord.
- Exodus 9:29-30
- Leviticus 25:17
- Deuteronomy 6:24
- Joshua 4:24
- 1 Samuel 12:24
- Proverbs 1:7
- Psalm 22:23
- What does it look like for us to fear God in every area of life?
- Let’s pray together and ask the Lord to show us how to live in a healthy fear of Him.