Next Steps--Lesson 15--Who's to Blame?--John 5 & 9

Discussion Questions:

1.     Have you experienced times when you felt crippled or blinded by the pain you felt because someone hurt you or someone close to you?  What helped you see beyond your pain and feel healed from what felt crippling?

2.     What role does legalism play in having an unforgiving spirit?  How did the Pharisees display an unforgiving spirit towards each of the people healed in John 5 & 9?

3.     Why did Jesus have to reclaim the Temple and the Sabbath?  What danger do we fall into of Him needing to reclaim us?  How does unforgiveness go against His Kingdom?

4.     Why is remembering we are being transformed an important part of being able to forgive?

5.     How might the hardships in my life be opportunities for God to do His good works?  What can help one remember this when they are debilitated by pain or betrayal or other hard things to forgive?

6.     How does seeking someone else to blame hinder forgiveness?  What methods have you found helpful to offer grace to people instead of judgment?

7.     Is it possible that when we feel bitterness or unforgiveness that we don’t really want to get well?  Explain your answer.

Next Steps--Lesson 14--Live Long & Prosper--Numbers 6

Discussion Questions:

1.     What response do you have to the quote, “I cried when I was born and every day shows why”?  How does living in a world of brokenness, pain and loss help you to see and draw nearer to God?

2.     How does hearing the priestly blessing at the end of service affect you in your walk with the LORD?  What specific promises in the blessing, or which of the three double blessings speak to you most often? (Bless you & keep you; Make face shine upon you & gracious; Lift up His countenance and give you peace)

3.     How does the immediate context of a test for an unfaithful wife and the Nazarite vow help you to better understand how the blessing works in our life?  Why is our response such an important part of receiving the blessing?  How does this tie into the importance of taking the next step with God?

4.     How have you seen God’s blessings be like the atoms in a drop of water?  Tell of a time God overwhelmed you with a blessing that you never saw coming.

5.     How does the imagery of God being a Good Shepherd help you understand His desire to “keep you”?

6.     How is God turning His face towards you Good News?  How difficult do you find it to reciprocate and turn your face towards Him instead of hiding from Him?

7.     Have there been times when you have acted like Jacob and made deals or manipulated receiving a blessing from God?  Why is this not necessary?  How have you experienced God down on your level?

8.     How did hearing Kalap’s, Wayne’s, Jadyn’s experience on trek affect you?  How has your life been like a difficult trek up to a summit?  How would the words of blessing and the promises they hold help you to endure?  How would it help you to rejoice in the struggles?

9.     Is there anything in your life that keeps you from enjoying God’s surprise party and blessings every day?  How can your family, connect group, friends help you with seeing and enjoying more?

Next Steps--Lesson 13--Make It a Double--Isaiah 61 + Various Passages

Discussion Questions:

1.     What kinds of things help you remember the way God has acted in your life to bless you?  What kinds of things would your own Dayenu prayer include?

2.     The breakdown of the Passover Dayenu prayer is first remembering being set free from slavery, and then remembering God’s provision in the desert, and then what God provides to draw us nearer to Him.  How have you seen God do the same kinds of things in your own life?

3.     What does it mean to receive a double portion?  What responsibilities come with being first-born and receiving the double portion?  How does this apply to us today?

4.     Why are the Israelites referred to as “prisoners of hope” in Zechariah 9:11-12?  How is seeing God’s response to the rebellion of the Israelites a source of hope to you?  Is there a rebellion in which we have no hope?

5.     Why would Elisha need a double portion of Elijah’s spirit?  How is God providing it another message of the desire God has to restore us to Him?

6.     How does a double rainbow provide a good image of the double blessings God wants to pour into our lives?  What type of blessings would you say are more visible, and which are not as clear?

7.     How has the empty tomb changed your perspective when things seemed to be crashing around you?  Who or what assists you in remembering the empty tomb when you feel overwhelmed?

8.     How does the double blessing or double portion of God’s provision help you take steps of healing?