Study Guide for Week of June 12, 2022
This Week's Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-58
Crossroads Community Group Guide
A. Welcome: Welcome everyone, especially new people, and read aloud 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: Come Now is the See a Victory (or pick your own YouTube video that shows the lyrics.)
E. Upcoming Events: Crossroads Website
F. Review:
- How did you do with what you want to apply from last week?
- Who did you invite to the group for this week?
G. Opening Question (an icebreaker - a simple question to introduce the main theme):
- What would change in your life if you said yes to God 100%?
H. Background Information for this study:
Most people have heard of the story of David and Goliath. It is actually a true story. You can go to the valley in what is now Israel and see the hill that the Philistine army was on and the hill on the other side of the valley that the Israeli army was.
The Philistines worship idols and false gods. They practiced religious prostitution and at times child sacrifice. They were seeking to destroy God's people the nation of Israel. This is a foreshadowing of the battle that is being fought against God's people today in our world and in our lives.
From this study we will seek applications we can apply to our lives and families and churches and our world.
Man Up in this study means to say yes to God's call and to fight God's battles in a broken and lost world.
There are 3 Keys to Winning the Battles of Life
Key Number One: The Battle is Won First in Your Heart – verse 1 – 33
Key Number Two: Key Number Two: Remembering small victories gives you faith for bigger victories – verse 34-40
Key Number Three: You must first recognize and win the spiritual battle. Verse 41 – 58
I. Verse Outline: Key Points to Discuss
1. Key Number One: The Battle is Won First in Your Heart – verse 1 – 33
- Key Concept: Life is a series of challenges, adventures, and yes, even battles. There will always be giants to subdue and dragons to slay. I have already decided to die with my sword in my hand. You are strong enough for the battles ahead. - Erwin Raphael McManus
- Key Verse: Deuteronomy 20:1 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you.
- Community Group Application: An essential strategy for keeping your heart strong is meeting weekly in church and in community group
2. Key Number Two: Remembering small victories gives you faith for bigger victories – verse 34-40
- Key Concept: Each small step of faith you take, relying on God’s strength, builds your spiritual strength and prepares you for the battles head.
- Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 1:10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,
- Community Group Application: As we take small steps of faith our faith grow
Key Number Three: You must recognize and win the spiritual battle. Verse 41 – 58
- Key Concept: Beneath every battle we face in life is a spiritual battle
- Key Verse: 2 Chronicles 20:15 and 17 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. 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.’”
- Community Group Application: We inspire each other with our faith and commitment to God
J. Word: Read the scriptures above. Read it in smaller portions aloud together several times. (The goal is for everyone to 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 jumps out at you and catches your attention?5. What details can you add to what others in the group have said?
K. Discuss the following general questions together. (The goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion. The leader should not speak for 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?
L. Commitment - Obedience - Application
(This is the key - have everyone answer this question.)
M. Prayer Time: Break up into smaller groups of 3-4 - groups of the same sex
- What specifically will you commit to apply in your life from this study?
M. Prayer Time: Break up into smaller groups of 3-4 - groups of the same sex
- Pray for your group to multiply.
- Ask each other how you are doing spiritually.
- Pray for the needs of the members of the group.
N. For Next time: Ask each person the name of someone they will invite to the group for next week.
No comments:
Post a Comment