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?

I've Got a Peaceful, Easy Feeling--Lesson 7--The Peace of God--Philippians 4:1-9

Discussion Questions:

1.  How unshakeable would you say your faith is?  What makes it so, or hinders it from being so? What kinds of desk chairs have you stood upon, reaching for more in this life?

2.  What reasons do you have to rejoice in the LORD?  How does rejoicing in the LORD lead us to the peace of God?

3.  How much division is caused by not being gentle?  Since being gentle is counterintuitive when facing anxious situations, what reminds you to be gentle?  How did knowing where He came from and where He was going play into Jesus’ actions?  Where have you come from and where are you going?

4.  When you are feeling anxiety, how often do you turn to worship of God and prayer, including supplication and thanksgiving?  Share the benefits you receive from these.

5.  Why do we have a difficult time being satisfied with who we are and what our station is in life? How did Paul’s example in a Philippi jail show that he practiced what he preached?  What influence do you think this action had on how the Philippians heard his teachings?