Icebreaker
What’s your favorite kind of ice cream?
Background
Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament with only 21 verses. This book was likely written in the 840s BC following an invasion of Israel by the Philistines. Obadiah focuses on the Edomites, the descendants of Esau, who were gloating over the ill fortunes of the Israelites, the descendants of Esau’s brother, Jacob.
Download the PDF: Rulers and Prophets of the Divided Kingdom
Dig In
Read Genesis 25:22-23.
What happened between Esau and Jacob in the womb?
What happened between Esau and Jacob as young men?
How had their adversarial relationship affected the nations of Edom and Israel?
Read Obadiah 1-4.
What was the primary sin called out by Obadiah?
According to this passage, what were the Edomites trusting in?
What was God going to do to them?
Read Obadiah 10-14.
What had the Edomites done when Israel was in trouble?
What were their passive sins?
What were their active sins?
Discussion
What stuck out to you most from Obadiah? Why?
Why do you think pride is often minimized or even celebrated in our culture? How does this contrast with God’s view of pride?
The sermon mentioned that pride is a “root sin” leading to other sins. Can you think of examples where pride might be at the root of other sinful behaviors?
How has pride deceived you in the past? In what ways have you inflated your strengths or deflated your weaknesses?
Have you ever been guilty of standing by and doing nothing when you should have acted?
How can we cultivate a proper view of ourselves, God, and others to combat pride?
How might our view of salvation change if we truly internalized the idea that it is entirely a gift of God’s grace, not our own works?
What’s the difference between spiritual giftedness and spiritual maturity?
How can we ensure we’re using our gifts to glorify God rather than ourselves? How can we cultivate a proper view of our spiritual gifts that neither diminishes them nor leads to pride?
What was Andy’s illustration about ice cream, whipped cream, and the cherry on top? What was his point?
In what ways can worship and adoration of Jesus serve as an antidote to pride in our lives?
Questions for Personal Reflection
These questions are intended to be read aloud to the group, but not necessarily for group discussion.
- How can I steer conversations away from myself and show genuine interest in others?
- What’s an area of my life where pride is an issue? How can I walk humbly in this area?
- Do I truly know that I desperately need Jesus as my Savior?
- How can I “outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10) in my relationships this week?