Icebreaker
Share a time where things didn’t go the way you planned, but turned out good in the end.
Background
Written around 600 BC, just before Babylon invaded Judah, the book opens with Habakkuk looking around at all the violence and corruption among God’s people. So he does what many of us want to do: he calls out to God and asks, “Why aren’t You doing anything?”
God responds—but not the way Habakkuk expects. He says He is doing something… He’s sending Babylon (yes, that Babylon) to judge Judah. That only raises more questions, and Habakkuk presses back: “Wait—how can a wicked nation be Your tool?”
God answers again, reminding Habakkuk that “the righteous will live by faith” (Hab. 2:4), and that in the end, justice will roll, the wicked will fall, and God’s glory will cover the earth like the waters cover the sea.
The book ends not with all the answers, but with a beautiful song of trust:
“Even if everything falls apart… yet I will rejoice in the Lord.” (Hab. 3:17–19)
Download the PDF: Rulers and Prophets of the Divided Kingdom
Dig In
A Problem
Read Habakkuk 1:1-4.
What did Habakkuk see around him?
How did Habakkuk expect God to work?
What do we see around us?
How do we expect God to work?
Read Habakkuk 1:5-6.
What is god going to do?
Why is this a shock to Habakkuk?
What would be today’s equivalent of this?
Read Habakkuk 1:12-2:2.
How did Habakkuk question God? What was his main issue with God’s plan?
Read Habakkuk 2:1-4.
What is God saying to Habakkuk?
Why can it be hard to trust God?
What do we have to remember about God’s perspective? (it’s eternal in scope)
Read Habakkuk 3:17-19.
What stands out to you in Habakkuk’s final words?
How do we move from complaining (ch. 1) to confidence (ch. 3)?
What does v19 mean?
Discussion
Andy read Isaiah 55:8-9 today in his sermon. Why is it freeing to know God’s ways are higher than ours?
Has there ever been a time in your life where you had a plan your kids didn’t understand at the time, but with your perspective it was a better plan than they had for themselves? How can this apply to us and God?
Andy also read 2 Corinthians 1:4-6 today. How have your past struggles positioned you to help someone else?
Can you think of someone whose faith encouraged you because of their suffering?
Why do you think God chooses to use our pain as a pathway to serving others?
Questions for Personal Reflection
These questions are intended to be read aloud to the group, but not necessarily for group discussion.
Where in my life am I waiting on God right now?
What truth from this week’s Scriptures will I cling to during the wait?
Who around me might need the comfort God has given me?