EDWJextra
God’s Best SEP/OCT 2010
Every Day with Jesus group resource
Session 1: God’s will and the problem of suffering 1—10 Sep
Session 2: God’s guidance
Icebreaker Say the Lord’s Prayer together.
Icebreaker As we are considering the subject of guidance, show the group various signs, such as road signs, washing instructions, hazard signs etc. Give a small prize, such as a bar of chocolate, to the person who guesses the most correctly. For the more adventurous, plan a treasure hunt in the garden with various clues and a suitable reward.
Key thought God’s will is the best plan for our lives but we may fail to find it if we try to avoid suffering or a perceived limitation of our freedom. In fact, God can use our suffering to produce a deep empathy and compassionate ministry to others. Key verse ‘… your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven …’ Matthew 6:10 Discussion starters 1. Why may a quest for God’s will be pointless? 2. What are the prerequisites to understanding God’s will? 3. What is the key element of all temptation? 4. Explain the principle of submission to God and to one another (see Eph. 5:21). 5. How do you react to difficult situations? 6. Why can we rejoice in times of trouble? 7. How can suffering help us develop spiritual insight? 8. Why may suffering be good for us? 9. What is the relationship between suffering, sympathy and service? 10 How can grudges arise?
The example of Jesus ‘Then I said, “Here I am — it is written about me in the scroll — I have come to do your will, O God.”’ Hebrews 10:7 Prayer pointers * Pray for wisdom and an understanding of the subject of God’s will. * Pray for those who are suffering that they may be both comforted and be a source of comfort.
Key thought God personally takes responsibility for guiding us through life and will even lead us when we are not aware of His presence. Key verse ‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go ...’ Psalm 32:8
11—19 Sep 7. Does God guide unbelievers? 8. What doors has God closed to open others in your life? 9. How can we reduce the strain of decision making as Christians? The example of Jesus ‘... the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.’ John 14:31 Prayer pointers * Confess and repent of any involvement with false forms of guidance, such as horoscopes etc. * Thank God for His past guidance and pray for His continued leading both knowingly and unknowingly.
Discussion starters 1. Why may people use substitutes for God’s personal guidance? 2. Is a person led purely by circumstance, instinct and logic effectively an atheist? 3. Why may people indulge in astrology and horoscopes? 4. What are the qualities of a good father? 5. Why would God guide an ordinary individual when He has the whole universe to look after? 6. Recount an incident from your own life when God guided you. www.cwr.org.uk/edwjextras
EDWJextra
Session 3: Guidance through prayer Icebreaker Pass a message in Chinese whispers around the group, such that the next person cannot hear what is whispered. One of the most famous starts ‘Send reinforcements, we’re going to advance’ and ends ‘Send three and four pence, we’re going to a dance’. Alternatively, try playing something with interference and ask what it is — eg mistune a radio or play a CD track quietly whilst blowing a trumpet etc. Key thought Prayer enables us to become more receptive to God’s voice such that we will clearly hear even His gentle whispers. We learn to tune in to Him and tune out interference. Key verse ‘... the Lord was not in the wind ... the Lord was not in the earthquake ... the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.’ 1 Kings 19:11—12 Discussion starters 1. What is the difference between a lecture and a tutorial, and how does that apply to knowing God’s will? 2. What may restrict or distract your prayer life? 3. What steps do you need to take to know God better?
God’s Best SEP/OCT 2010
Every Day with Jesus group resource
20—25 Sep
4. How might an evening time of spiritual devotion be better than News at Ten? 5. Discuss the phrase, ‘Guidance cannot be had on the cheap’. 6. How may your spiritual receptivity be diminished? The example of Jesus ‘One of those days Jesus went out to the mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles …’ Luke 6:12—13 Prayer pointers * Spend some time each evening in prayer and worship before going to bed. * Like the disciples, ask God to help you pray and also to show you how to better organise your day so you have sufficient time.
Session 4: Guidance through God’s Word Icebreaker What are your favourite Bible verses and why? Key thought It is suggested that 90 per cent of God’s will for our lives has already been made known to us through His Word. We therefore need to read and apply the principles of Scripture to our daily living. Key verse ‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness …’ 2 Timothy 3:16 Discussion starters 1. Do you have any weak areas of biblical knowledge that should be strengthened?
26 Sep — 4 Oct
The example of Jesus ‘The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”’ Luke 4:17—19 Prayer pointers * Ask God to open your eyes to the wonders of His Word (see Psa. 119:18). * Pray that God will help you identify and correct weaknesses in your character.
2. Why is simply reading the Bible insufficient for us to grow spiritually? 3. How has God led you through His Word? 4. Describe proper and improper uses of the Bible. 5. How can Scripture help us handle large events? 6. Which areas from Colossians 3:12—4:6 do you need to work on? 7. How can we make God’s main interest our main interest? 8. How can churches have the right balance between character and service? 9. Take the ‘Beatitude test’. www.cwr.org.uk/edwjextras
EDWJextra
Session 5: God’s plan and purpose
5—11 Oct
Icebreaker Describe a time when you have made special plans — eg for a holiday, for a birthday, a career choice, for a wedding, for a surprise party etc.
The example of Jesus ‘I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.’ John 17:4
Key thought God is a Person who has purpose and plans to achieve it (see Jer. 29:11; Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:3—12). He not only has a general will for our lives but also a personal one.
Prayer pointers * Pray that you will discover and fulfil the purposes of God for your life. * Pray that you will not be distracted by gimmicks, techniques or formulae.
Key verse ‘“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”’ Jeremiah 29:11 Discussion starters 1. Explain your own view of the concept that God has a plan for each individual. 2. What are God’s general plans for people? 3. Give examples of God’s particular guidance. 4. Is common sense an ally or an enemy of God’s guidance? 5. How may circumstances confirm or confuse God’s will? 6. How may pressure and panic cause us to ignore God’s guidance? 7. How may self-interest cause us to miss God’s best for us?
God’s Best SEP/OCT 2010
Every Day with Jesus group resource
Session 6: Every day with Jesus Icebreaker Describe a time when a friend has given you invaluable advice. Alternatively, blindfold a volunteer and ask a friend to direct them to an object such as a chair (or another bar of chocolate!). Key thought The guidance we receive from others is invaluable, especially when we have blind spots and ‘cannot see the wood for the trees’. Our greatest help comes from our friends with whom we form intimate relationships and our greatest Friend of all is God Himself. We should spend time every day with Jesus! Key verse ‘Jesus answered, “If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him.”’ John 14:23 (Amplified) Discussion starters 1. How can we ensure dynamic daily devotions do not become deadly daily rituals?
12—19 Oct
5. How can we distinguish between godly impression and human imagination? 6. Do you agree that we have largely lost the art of listening to God? How could we regain it? 7. Why do we sometimes miss the ‘blindingly obvious’? 8. Are there any areas in which you need advice? How can we advise without being ‘busybodies’? The example of Jesus ‘... the Son can do nothing by himself; he can only do what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.’ John 5:19—20 ‘… I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.’ John 8:28 Prayer pointers * Pray that you will be able to identify scriptural principles and develop a biblical mindset. * Pray for good and wise friends and that you will be a good and wise friend yourself.
2. Identify key elements of an intimate relationship. 3. How can general principles of Scripture help us in specific decisions? 4. How have scriptural principles helped in your own decision making? www.cwr.org.uk/edwjextras
EDWJextra
God’s Best SEP/OCT 2010
Every Day with Jesus group resource
Session 7: Desires, circumstance and reasoning 20—25 Oct
Session 8: A supernatural conclusion
Icebreaker How have desires, circumstance or reasoning helped you discover God’s will?
Icebreaker What has most impacted you from our studies and how will you change your approach to guidance as a result?
Key thought God can speak to us through our personal desires, individual circumstances and natural reasoning. Although these may often be a helpful form of guidance, none of them are infallible and so we do need to exercise caution. Key verse ‘... it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.’ Philippians 2:13 Discussion starters 1. Why may natural personal desires be a form of God’s supernatural guidance?
The example of Jesus ‘“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”’ Luke 2:49 ‘And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.”’ Luke 22:15 Prayer pointers * Pray for discernment to understand God’s will in the midst of your desires, circumstances and reasoning * Pray that God will give you His desires and like Abraham’s servant, direct your paths to fulfil them.
Key thought God may also occasionally guide us through direct supernatural intervention, such as dreams, prophecies and visions. We may consider, however, that all guidance from God, whether from His Word, His people or His inner voice is supernatural to some degree. To only rely on our natural understanding is to neglect the wisdom God wants to impart and that comes from an intimate relationship with Him.
2. Consider how God guided Selwyn to write Every Day with Jesus.
Key verse ‘If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask of God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.’ James 1:5
3. How should we assess coincidence and circumstance to determine God’s will?
Discussion starters
4. Try to found out more about the life and ministry of Dr Barnardo.
1. How might God guide us supernaturally?
5. Contrast and compare our minds to computers.
3. How should you change your method of making important decisions?
6. What is the difference between natural reasoning and spiritual reasoning?
4. What are the qualities of a person who can be relied on to help others, and which do you need to develop?
26—31 Oct
6. Describe how God has led you in the past as an encouragement for the future. The example of Jesus ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ Luke 22:42 Prayer pointers * Pray for greater intimacy with God and a greater sensitivity to Him. * Pray along the lines of ‘not my will, but yours be done’.
2. Why might God guide us supernaturally?
5. Is hesitation in decision making good or bad?
www.cwr.org.uk/edwjextras