Rule #2 – Don’t Lose Hope in the Wilderness

Small Group Discussion Guide

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Sermon Series: Way of the Wilderness
Sermon Title: Rule #2 – Don’t Lose Hope in the Wilderness

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Break the Ice:

• What is your favorite fruit?
• “Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys.” – Billy Graham
• Do you agree or disagree with Billy Grahams assessment? Why or why not?

Transition: 

• In the message, Andy detailed the life story of the powerful, praying prophet Elijah. After a great victory on Mt. Carmel defeating the false prophets of Baal and Ashram, Elijah slumps into a season of doubt and depression.

Bring the Word: 

• Read 1 Kings 19:1-8
  • What lie is Elijah believing in this moment about himself? (Examples below.)
    • “I’m a failure.” –> Actually, he was successful in all he did.
    • “I’m the only one who cares.” –> Actually, God had 7,000 others.
    • “Everyone is out to get me!” –> Actually, it was just Jezebel.
  • What lie is Elijah believing in this moment about God? (Examples below.)
    • “God has abandoned me.” –> Actually, God was with him.
    • “God is done with me.” –> Actually, God still had some work for him to do.
  • Why do you think we are so quick to believe the lies of the enemy?
  • How did God refresh Elijah during his moment of hopelessness? What does that reveal about God’s character?
  • Read 2 Timothy 2:13. What does this teach us about the faithfulness of God?

• Read Daniel 6:3-16
  • What are some similarities between Daniel’s story and Elijah’s story? (Example: Both were hated because the lived for God. Both were living during a time when people rejected God. Both of their lives were threatened.)
  • What are some differences between Daniel’s story and Elijah’s story? (Example: Elijah, driven by fear, ran for his life. Daniel, driven by faith, continued to pray as he had done before.)

Bring it Home: 

Just like Elijah and Daniel, we also live among a people who consistently reject God, and the pressure to conform to the pattern of the word is strong.

Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

• What does it mean that, “our outer person is being destroyed?”
• How is our inner person being “renewed day by day.”
• What do these verses tell us to focus on, and why would that help us not lose heart?
• In the message, Andy said, “God can turn your give up into a get up.” Can you share a time or circumstance when this has been true for you?
• What “fruit” is God growing in you right now?