Mighty God This week we’re learning about what strength looks like. And we’re learning what impact God’s strength has on our lives and in our communities.
Share Your Story Begin by praying together. This should be a brief, simple prayer in which you invite God to give you insight as you study. You can pray for specific requests at the end of your time together or stop momentarily to pray if a particular situation comes up during your discussion. Then begin your time together by discussing the following questions. • Who is the strongest person you know? • What are different types of strength? • When is strength helpful? WATCH THE VIDEO
NorthlandChurch.net/Studies Afterward have someone read the discussion questions in the “Hear God’s Story” section and start the conversation.
Hear God’s Story and Create a New Story READ 2 CORINTHIANS 12:9-10 Read the passages together, and then discuss the following questions. • Why does Paul delight in his own weakness? • What does it mean that Jesus’ grace is sufficient? How is power made perfect in our weakness? • In the preceding verses, Paul writes about the “thorn in his flesh” that helped prevent him from being conceited. Rather, he says, “I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.” Do you have any weaknesses or “thorns” that can highlight God’s strength? • Verse 10 says, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” How can that apparent paradox be true? • What are areas of your life where you can see God’s strength cover your weaknesses?
Find Your Story in God’s Story
If you feel God is nudging you to go deeper, take some time between now and our next discussion to dig into His Word. Explore the Bible passages related to this session’s theme on your own, jotting your reflections in a journal or in this study guide. Want to go deeper? Select a few verses and try paraphrasing them: writing them in your own words. If you like, share them with the group the next time you meet. Where do you see God’s strength at work in your life and in the community around you?
Give each person an opportunity to share prayer requests.
Mighty God
READ 2 KINGS 6:15-17 (NIV) • Whom did Elisha’s servant see in the hills? Whom did the prophet Elisha see in the hills? What was the reality of the situation in this conflict between the enemy army and the city in Israel? • Are there times you’ve experienced God’s miraculous strength and power in your life through healing, financial provisions or other circumstances?
READ EPHESIANS 3:14-21 (NIV) •O ften we think of power in terms of physical strength. God is the mighty Creator, but we can see here in verses 17-18 that God’s power is also what empowers us to grasp the scale of the love of Jesus. So without God’s power, we’d struggle to fully understand and experience God’s love. What are some other places in life where we need God’s power to fully experience life? •W hat are some things God has done with His might that have exceeded your requests or hopes?
Looking for more questions and reflections so you can keep digging deeper? There’s even more to this week’s study available on Northland’s apps or at NorthlandChurch.net/Studies.
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• Has there been a time recently in your life when, like Elisha’s servant, you’ve said, “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” Who in your groups or community is calling you to open your eyes to God’s strength in your life?
•P salm 136 runs through some of God’s achievements — His great wonders, creation and miracles He’s performed. And at the end of each line, the psalmist writes, “His love endures forever.” How has God’s strength reaffirmed His love in your life?
Welcome
Connect & Grow
• The angels were surrounding Israel’s foes, but not everyone could see them. Elisha helped open the eyes of the servant. When have you seen someone else’s eyes opened to the power of God present in his or her life?
• How is God using your community to reveal His strength? • In Philippians 4:13 Paul writes, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (NKJV). What are some of the things God has done in your life through His strength that would’ve been impossible on your own?
Light has a Name
DECEMBER 9-11, 2017
DIGGING DEEPER
Isaiah 9:2-7 (NIV)
For more information or to get involved as a volunteer, email Hello@NorthlandChurch.net or call 407-949-4000. We are located at 530 Dog Track Road, Longwood, FL 32750.