The Joy Of Thanksgiving (Psalm 100)

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SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
Though we are in the Thanksgiving season, everyday is a day of thanksgiving. The key to a thankful heart is a heart that is filled with joy. Such joy is actualized when we (1) offer reverence to God; (2) are in relationship with God; (3) and rely on God.

GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.

1. Briefly share how you and your family celebrated Thanksgiving. Do you have Thanksgiving traditions that you engage in each year?
2. Is your family experiencing difficulties that made it difficult to be thankful this year? Share and discuss.

INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. In 5 minutes or less. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.

2. Read 2 Chronicles 20:12-22:

12 Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you." 13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD. 14 Then the Spirit of the LORD came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly. 15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' " 18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. 20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful." 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever." 22 As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

• Briefly discuss the context of the passage. (2 Chronicles 20:1-12) Upon hearing distressing news, Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah seek God in prayer and fasting. What can we learn from their response to a seemingly impossible situation? What is your immediate response to discouraging news?
• After Jehoshaphat declares the power of God in his prayer, what does he admit to God? (v. 12) Do you ever find it difficult to admit your powerlessness to God, or to one another? Discuss and share.
• What instruction does the Holy Spirit give the people? (vv. 14-17) For what reasons are they instructed not to give in to fear and discouragement? (v. 17) Have you ever heard these words from the Lord during a troubling time? Is the promise of vs.17 real for you today? Read Romans 8:35 and discuss.
• Do you think it is significant that the Holy Spirit speaks through Jahaziel, rather than Jehoshaphat (v. 14)? Why or why not? What is the environment in which God provides direction to the people? Only in community do we see all the gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed – what gifts exist in your small group? How might this encourage you when we are waiting for direction or wisdom from God?
• How do Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah respond to God’s instruction? (vv. 18-19) Do the promises of God lead you toward worship like King Jehoshaphat? Why or why not? What impact does worship have on your relationship with God and your perspective on your own circumstances? How can you increase the quality and quantity of the practice of worship in your life?

3. Some of us find it hard to give thanks because we allow our circumstances to dictate our condition. But when we worship God, we recognize God's presence in spite of our predicaments. Consider the following questions, and take time to seek the Holy Spirit. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you as a group.

• Are there any places in your life where you need to hear the words, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.”?
• Pray that worship and thankfulness would increase in your lives despite life’s difficulties.

When You Finally Deal With Your Sin (Genesis 42-44)

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SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
In Genesis 42-44 we read a story of a family whose lives are in suspended animation. They are stuck and frozen in time because of an incident that happened more than twenty-years before. Jacob is stuck mourning for a son that supposedly he has lost. The brothers are stuck trying to run from their guilt; and Joseph is stuck, to some degree, wondering if his brothers still hate him. Like this family, many families and individuals today are stuck because they have not effectively dealt with their past. In this message, Pastor Rich shares why some of the ways we choose to deal with past sins are ineffective and contrasts these with positive methods we can use to finally deal with our past sin(s) once and for all. We don’t have to be imprisoned by guilt; when we finally deal with our sin, we can be set free through the miraculous power of Jesus Christ!

GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.

1. The experience of shame and guilt is powerful. There are many stories in film and literature that center on this human experience. Can you think of any recent stories or films that deal with guilt and shame? What was your response to the story?
2. Are you aware of personal stories from your own family or circle of friends where someone has suffered because of guilt and shame?

INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. In 5 minutes or less. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.

2. Read Psalm 51:

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. 14 Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. 18 May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

• When David asks for mercy, what aspects of God's character does he emphasize? (v. 1) Why might it be important to focus on the nature of God when seeking relief from our guilt? What images come to mind when you read David's request that God "blot out", "wash away", and "cleanse"? (vv. 1-2) How does this influence the way you think about God's compassion, love, and forgiveness? Discuss and share.
• David isn't trying to cover up his sin, he is truly repentant. (vv. 3-6) Do you feel it is important to openly repent and confess when you've done wrong? Why or why not? What impact does denial and covering up have on us? Have you ever felt that your sin is "always before me"? Discuss and share.
• Discuss David's description of the clean that God can bring, "whiter than snow." (v. 7) How does David describe the feeling of having been cleansed? (v. 8) Have you ever been relieved of a heavy guilt in your life? Describe the experience.
• Describe what living with a "pure heart" and a "steadfast spirit" looks like for you? What about the "joy of your salvation" and a "willing spirit"? Have you experienced these in your relationship with Christ? How do you believe the Holy Spirit is involved in our experience of these? (vv. 10-12)
• Having been cleansed, what does David intend to do? (v. 13) How can the forgiveness that you've received impact others? Are there people in your life that would benefit from hearing about the freedom from guilt and shame that Christ can give? Are there people in your life that would benefit from hearing your honest confession of a wrong you've committed against them?
• What do you think David means when he says, "You do not delight in sacrifice"? Why do you think he focuses on a "broken spirit" and a "contrite heart" instead? (vv. 16-17) When seeking forgiveness, what does it look like when you have a "broken spirit" and a "contrite heart"? Are there outward actions that accompany this inward state? Discuss and share.

3. In his sermon, Rich talked about confession, sacrifice, restitution, and repentance as ways to deal with our guilt and sin. Consider the following questions, and take time to seek the Holy Spirit. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you as a group.

• Have you struggled with prolonged guilt and shame in your life? Is there something that you believe the Holy Spirit wants you to confess to the group, or another brother/sister? Do you need to repent; that is, get off the path you’re on and go in the opposite direction?
• Is God calling you to share your experience of God's compassion and forgiveness with someone else in your life? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how and when to approach this person.


Small group leaders, please be aware that there will not be a discussion guide provided the week of November, 21st, as many groups will not be meeting due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

When God Raises A Child (Genesis 37)

Click here to download the Study Guide in PDF
Click here to download the Study Guide in WORD

SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
In this week’s message, Insoo talks about how to partner with God to raise your children. Based on the story of Joseph in Genesis 37, he talks about how even our best efforts as a parent aren’t good enough, and how sometimes God is up to something that we can’t see right now; therefore we should learn to rely on God and partner with him. He talks about how we need to reshape our understanding of “family” and allow God to move through us even outside of our families.

GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.

1. As a growing child, what were some of the disciplinary measures you argued against and yet now as an adult you agree with? Briefly share.
2. Can you recognize any “failures” or past hurts in your life that molded you into a better person? Do you believe God allowed them to happen? Do you believe he has a purpose for them? Share your experience.
3. What are your thoughts of God as your father? What beliefs or attitudes from your parents have you imposed on God’s character? How has your relationship with your parents influenced your relationship with God?

INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. In 5 minutes or less, briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.

2. Read Psalms78:1-8:

1 My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth with a parable; I will teach you lessons from the past— 3 things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, 6 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.
8 They would not be like their ancestors— a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.

• In verse 2, the Psalmist talks about lessons from the past. What lessons do you believe he’s talking about? How do we learn from our past? What are some valuable lessons that have been transferred from generation to generation in your family? Can you identify any lessons or proof of God moving in your family through the years? Briefly share.
• What is God asking his people to do (v. 4)? What is the reason behind this command (v. 7)? What is the benefit of knowing “the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done”? Have you ever found remembering God’s deeds or works in your life or in others to be helpful? How do you think you would face your problems or difficult situations if you were not aware of “the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done”? Briefly share.
• According to verse 5, what were the Israelites supposed to do with God’s statutes for Jacob and the Law? What can we say was the purpose for the Law (vv. 6 & 7)? Can we as God’s children trust that all of his commandments for our lives are meant as a blessing? Have you ever experienced this? Briefly share.
• Why does God chose to reveal himself to us through human parents? What does that say of our role as parents or persons of influence over someone’s life? What are the advantages/disadvantages to that?
• Should the lessons learned from this Psalm be applied only to parent-child relationships? How do you think this message applies in terms of your responsibilities beyond your immediate family? How about in terms of people outside your family? To the next generation? In light of this passage, what does your responsibility as a Christian look like?

3. ln his sermon, Insoo shows us how the suffering and pain endured by Joseph in his life actually prepared him for life and for what God had in store for him.

• Have you been able to release to the Lord the pain and suffering in your life and allowed him to transform you through those events?
• Have you been able to release the pain and suffering that you have inflicted on others? Pray that God gives you the strength not only to ask that person for forgiveness, but also to forgive yourself for your actions in the past.
• Pray that God will show each person in your small group the purpose behind each painful situation from their past and how to turn it into a blessing and receive his freedom for their life.

Please also encourage persons in your small group to participate in the following Family Mess follow-up seminar:

How to Partner With God to Raise Your Children
Monday, November 15th, 7:30-9pm
Childcare available (ages 1 and up) for $3/child.
For more information contact Staci Rue.
Staci.Rue@vineyardcolumbus.org or 614.259.5390