How to Overcome Fear and Discouragement - The Secret to Victory Part I

 

Study Guide for Week of October 24, 2021 

This Week Reading: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30

Crossroads Community Group Guide:
A. Welcome: Welcome everyone especially new persons and read out loud the purpose of your group
B. Purpose: Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.

C. Worship Time: Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use Set a Fire  (or pick your own on YouTube make sure it has the lyrics on the screen)

D. Announcements

1. Weekly Resources on Crossroads Facebook Page    

        Monday: Listening Room Resources for the week

        Children's resource each week  

2. Daily Devotional Video: The Encouraging Word with Pastor Willie

3. Announcements and Events:  Crossroads Web Site

4. Watch the Sunday service here Sunday 11:45am

E. Review   

1. How did you do with what you wanted to apply from last week?
2. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

F. Opening Question (a simple question to introduce the main theme - called an icebreaker): What affects you more fear or discouragement and why?

G. Read Background Information: 

King Jehoshaphat was a good king of the southern kingdom of Israel known as Judah. The capital was in Jerusalem. He served God with his whole heart. yet he and his people face a vast army coming against them to destroy them. They were fearful and did not know what to do. This incident teaches what actions we can take when we face fear and discouragement. 

Verse Outline: Some Key Points to Discuss 

       I.                 I.            Action One: Turn to God and Listen – verses 1-15a 

Key Concept: When you have no power to resolve a situation you are in miracle territory! 

Key Verse: 1 Samuel 30:6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God. 

Community Group Application: Community group members bring impossible situations to God in prayer together 

 

       I.                 II.           Action Two: Remember God’s Promise to Fight the Battle - verse 15-17

Key Concept: Fear and discouragement are overcome when we remember God’s promise to fight the battle  

Key Verse: Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” 

Community Group Application: Community group members remind each other of the promise of God  

III.   Action Three: Show Up and Stand Firm - verse 18-30

Key Concept: We rely on God’s power, but we must show up and stand firm 

Key Verse:  Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 

Community Group Application: Community group members are overcomers because the show up and stand firm  

     II.    H. Word: - read the scriptures above in portions - break it down into smaller portions to read. Read it in portions aloud together several times. (Goal is that everyone understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words - keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?
2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.
3. What are the details?
4. What details can you add to what others in the group have said?

I. Discuss the following general questions together (Goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion - the leader should not speak more than 30% of the time - let the group discover what God is saying to them).
1. What catches your attention in these verses?

2. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?
3. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story?
4. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

 
J. Commitment - Obedience - Application  (This is the key - have everyone answer this question): 
1. What in specific will you commit to apply in your life from this study? 

K. Prayer Time:                
1. Pray for an empty chair representing new people who you want to join your group. Name names of people specifically. 

2. Pray for your group to multiply.               
3. Pray for the needs of the members of the group. It is best to divide into 2 groups one of male and the other female.

L. For Next time:                
1. Ask each person the name of a person they will invite to the group                                         for next week.