SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
Like modern-day times, the Bible is filled with stories involving scandal. Even the stories of those in our Savior’s past are affected by it. In this message, Pastor Marlene focuses on David and Bathsheba, a woman in Jesus’ past, and shares several lessons we can learn from a situation saturated by scandal. There are lessons to be learned from Bathsheba; lessons to be learned from David; and most importantly, one primary lesson to learn about God. Our God is a God who can see everything, and work things out for His glory if we put our trust in Him.
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. Can you describe a situation where you were able to learn from the mistakes that you witnessed another person make? How different might things have gone for you without that information? Did that experience change your attentiveness to the failures and successes of those around you?
2. Do you ever feel like the Lord gave you a warning, a check in your spirit, about someone or something and it turned out to be correct? Please share. Are you aware of God’s warnings (signs, words, dreams, impressions, etc) and how do you foster a sensitive ear?
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 1 Corinthians 10: 1 - 13
1 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. 6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry." 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did--and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test the Lord, as some of them did--and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did--and were killed by the destroying angel. 11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
• In preparation for Small Group time, leaders are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Israelite Exodus from Egypt (suggested scriptures include: Exodus 1- 12; Exodus 13: 21-22; Exodus 14; Exodus 16:4; 24-31, Exodus 17: 1 – 7; Numbers 20: 2 – 13) and Corinthians 1 – 9.
• With whom is Paul encouraging the Corinthians to identify? (v. 1) Why do you think Paul calls these persons to the Corinthians’ attention?
• What do you think Paul means by being “baptized into Moses”? ( v.2) How does this relate to being baptized in Christ? ( Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27)
• What is the “spiritual” food ( Exodus 16:4; 14-31) and “spiritual” drink (Exodus 17: 1-7; Numbers 20: 2 – 13) Paul references in vv. 3-4? Why are they characterized as “spiritual”? Are their ways God still sustains us today? Discuss. The Old Testament often refers to God as a “rock” (Genesis 49: 24; Deuteronomy 32:4; 2 Samuel 22:32). With this in mind, what connection is Paul encouraging the Corinthians to make by referencing Christ as the “spiritual rock”? (v. 4)
• In vv. 1 – 4, Paul uses the word “all” four times, to emphasize that all of the Israelites experienced the miracles and blessings of God’s guidance. Yet after all this, most of them rebelled against God and died without ever entering the Promise Land. (v. 5) Why did God allow these things to occur? (v. 6). Also, do you remember how many persons from this generation emerged from the wilderness and entered the Promise Land (Numbers 14:30)?
• What is an idolater? (v. 7) Why is idolatry so serious? Describe some examples of modern-day idolatry.
• How many persons died because of sexual immorality? (v. 8). In what span of time did this occur? Why do you believe God’s punishment was so strong regarding sexual immorality? Much of the idol worship in Corinth focused on ritual prostitution and sexual immorality of all kinds. Considering this, what implications would this historical example have for the Corinthians? For us today? ( See Colossians 3: 5- 8).
• What does it mean to put the Lord “to the test”? (v. 9) In what ways did persons from the Exodus “test the Lord”? What was the result? Are there ways people put the Lord to the test, even today? Share.
• Why do you imagine Paul highlights grumbling for the Corinthians? (See Corinthians 3: 1 – 9). How do you feel when someone grumbles towards and/or around you?
• Verse 11 mentions “the fulfillment of the ages to come.” When Christ came, the ages past reached their fulfillment, and now their lessons are recorded in the pages of scripture. How do you view these lessons in light of God’s mercy and salvation in Jesus Christ? In what ways do such views compare and contrast with Paul’s admonishment in verse 12? Discuss.
• What does Paul tell us to remember? (v 13a)? When faced with temptation, what are we to remember about God? (v. 13b) What are we to look for when facing temptation? Why is it important to look for this?
3. In the sermon, Pastor Marlene shares: (1) that anyone can fall and (2) that our eyes can get us into trouble. Ask members of your small group to take some time to do some self inventory:
• Are there areas of your life where you need forgiveness for having given in to temptation or idolatry?
• Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas in your life where you need to be vigilant against possible temptation. Are there any areas you’re ignoring God’s “warnings” ? (v 11).
Take some intentional time to pray and encourage one another. Additionally, as a point of information, please share the following ministry opportunities with persons who may benefit from any of the following ministries:
Men’s Sexual Wholeness
180 (Men’s Ministry) Monday 7:00 pm
Helping Men recover from sexual sin and return to God. This ongoing small group is open to all men, meets weekly throughout the year and has been successful helping men live lives of purity in spite of years of sexual addictions as well as those simply struggling with sexual temptation. It includes worship, a teaching time, small group accountability, mentoring and healing prayer. For more information please contact: John Doyel, jdoyel@hotmail.com, 740-649-6050
Men Building Integrity (Men’s Ministry) Tuesday 7:00 pm
Redeeming sexual issues over 15 weeks, includes break-outs for young men (18-30 years old) and men over 30. Next cycle begins January 4th.
Contact: Justin Fogt, justin.fogt@gmail.com
Women’s Sexual Wholeness
Integrity.women Preregistration by 1/11/11 required for next session; Tuesday 7:00 pm
Healing for sexual brokenness while finding freedom from addiction, shame and rejection. Next session runs 1/11-3/8. (No new participants can join after the first class.) Future session begins, Monday, May 9.
Contact: Tiffany Baugher, 740-815-1621 or tifer529@yahoo.com
Hearts Restored (Women’s Ministry) 2nd & 4th Mondays 7:00 pm
For women who have experienced sexual betrayal by a partner (i.e., through pornography, affairs, etc.). This is an open group where women can come and share their experience in a supportive setting with other women who are dealing with similar issues. Each meeting begins with a brief teaching time that focuses on each woman dealing with her own emotional and spiritual issues while allowing her husband to deal with his own issues. The goal of this group is to encourage each woman to discover what God has for her and who God wants to make her in the midst of this situation regardless of her husband's future choices and behavior. Contact: Mona Doyel, 614-471-1659 or monadoyel@hotmail.com
Same Sex Attraction
Circle of Love, 1st Monday 7:00 pm
Support group for family, friends, & those affected by same sex attraction.
Note: Jan 3 is a Monday holiday so we will meet again on January 10. For more information, contact:
Fred & Nora Seemann, 614-855-2184 or circle.of.love@sbcglobal.net
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