Next Steps--Lesson 3--Memorial Sunday--Sharing What God Has Done--Genesis 3 & Luke 4

Discussion Questions:

1.  What did you see in the memorials that moved you and helped you see God’s involvement in the lives of our church family?  How did seeing people’s stories encourage you in your faith? 

2.  How does ruling over the earth and subduing it play out in our time today?  What is the significance of the serpent being in the form of a serpent?  Is it really possible to rule over the serpent?

3.  What are the steps the serpent takes to deceive the woman?  (Isolation; Raise questions based on desires; Step away from God and redefine good & evil for yourself)  How have you seen him use these steps in your own life?  How can you overcome these lies and acts of aggression?

4.  Why is the advice to follow your heart a foolish endeavor?  Is this true after God gives you a new heart—a heart of flesh instead of a heart of stone (Ezekiel 36:26)?

5.  In what ways is Jesus the 2^nd Adam?  Why is He referred to this way?  How does Jesus show us the way to live that we forfeited through our rebellion and being deceived by the serpent?

6.  How is Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness parallel to the fall of mankind in the Garden?  How is it very different? 

7.  Why did Jesus overcome what the devil threw at Him?  What practices did Jesus have that enabled Him to be victorious rather than succumbing to His flesh?

8.  How has Jesus helped you get your place and your calling back?  How does the memorial of communion help you to remember this?

Next Steps--Lesson 2--Memorials & Moving Forward

Discussion Questions:

1.     How have you seen God’s desire to be actively involved in your life?  What kinds of things has He done to let you know He is with You and wanting to share life with you? 

2.     How has God provided the same type of things He gave to the Israelites as they walked through the wilderness?  What struggles do you have with not noticing or forgetting what God has done for you?

3.     Are there any markers or memorials you have established so your children can ask what they mean and give you the opportunity to tell how God has actively led you or rescued you?  Are there any you should establish so they will not be forgotten?

4.     What role has covenant played in your walk with God?  What kinds of things help you to reaffirm your covenant vows to God and grow in your bond of intimacy with Him?

5.     Are there times you have experienced Ichabod (no glory) due to trying to handle things by your own wisdom and strength?  How have you seen God change times of Ichabod (no glory) into times of Ebenezer (stone of help) in your own life? 

6.     How fitting for this fallen world is it that the Philistines would attack during a time of worship and devotion to God?  How have you seen this take place in your lifetime?  Why did they experience victory in this instance versus when they tried to take the ark of God into battle a few chapters earlier?

7.     Why is it important to build memorials?  Why is it important to recognize that we must continue to move forward from the situation that caused us to build a memorial? 

8.     What struggles have you seen with living in the past instead of moving forward?  How does one have a healthy balance of remembering the past, but not getting stuck in it?

Next Steps--Lesson 1--We Have a Calling--Genesis & Hebrews

Discussion Questions:

1.  What does it mean to be fruitful, multiply, fill and subdue the earth?  What does this look like in the world of 2026? 

2.  In what ways does your life bring order to the chaos around you?  Why is it important to be aware of this purpose for your life?

3.  How would you evaluate your walk with God?  What areas need some improvement?  Where do you feel distracted or off course? 

4.  Which do you find yourself doing in your walk with God: taking your own path as long as it winds up where He does; walking the same path as God, but at different paces; or walking together with Him at His pace and in the direction He leads us?  What kinds of things hinder you from going at His pace and staying on the path He sets?

5.  What do you think a good next step would be for you to focus upon for growth in your bond with God and your service to His Kingdom for 2026?  What might hinder you from taking this next step?

6.  What fears do you have about where God might lead you if you choose to walk with Him?  How has fear caused you to settle for less than what God wants for you?

7.  Why does God take Enoch from the earth?  What role did faith play in Enoch’s life after Methuselah was born?  What should we learn from this example given to us?

8.  How has believing God exists and that He rewards those who seek Him made a difference in your life?  Do you see yourself as an heir of righteousness?  How does this help you deal with the trials and challenges that come up in a walk with God?