Building Character--Lesson 2--Having a Teachable Spirit--Genesis 12-22

Discussion Questions:

1.  What is the correlation between our character and what God is building for His Kingdom? 

2.  Why is it important to note that God didn’t choose Abraham because he was sinless?  How does this help you with your own call from God?

3.  How does it strike you that the more Abraham learned from God and about God, the more he learned about the depth of commitment and love God had for him?  What hope does this give you about your own walk with God?

4.  What is the significance of God changing the names of Abram and Sarai?  What kinds of changes has God spoken about who you are meant to be?

5.  What difference does it make that God goes first and also farther than what He expects from Abraham?  How do you feel about God calling a curse upon Himself if He did not fulfill His covenant with Abraham?  How do you feel about Him then requiring the same thing from Abraham regarding circumcision?  What does this teach you about what the level of your commitment to God should be?

Building Character--Lesson 1--The Character of God--Exodus 34

Discussion Questions:

1.  How do you define character?  How do you know what to aim for in developing character?

2.  Why do you suppose God only revealed Himself as El Shaddai (God Almighty) to Abraham but revealed much more of who He is to Moses?  What does this teach you about the development of character through God’s continual dealing with mankind?

3.  Of the characteristics God uses to describe Himself, which ones surprise you?  Excites you?  Helps you to worship Him and draw nearer to him?

4.  Why is it important to keep a healthy balance between the mercy/forgiveness of God and His judgment against sin?  What happens if you swing the pendulum too far to either side?

5.  How is the Gospel displayed in the way God describes Himself to Moses in Ex. 34:6-7?

I've Got a Peaceful, Easy Feeling--Lesson 8--The Secret of Contentment--Philippians 4:10-23

Discussion Questions:

1.  What is the difference in being self-sufficient and being content?  What difficulty do you have depending upon God or other people?

2.  How have you seen God already at work prior to the situations of your life?  What helps you to be content when things feel out of control?

3.  How does contentment help us keep a sense of wonder and joy?  Tell of something from this past week that caused you to feel wonder, joy, or both.

4.  How does magnifying Jesus help us with contentment?  How does contentment help us with magnifying Jesus?  Which one is easier for you to start with?

5.  What does contentment have to do with generosity?  How are these two things tied together?