Small Group Discussion Guide
Sermon Series: Way of the Wilderness
Sermon Title: Rule #2 – Don’t Lose Hope in the Wilderness
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?
- What lie is Elijah believing in this moment about himself? (Examples below.)
- 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.
- 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?