Will We Be Transformed?--Lesson 1--Why Do We Want a King?

Discussion Questions:

1. Why do we say we want change until it means we have to be the ones who do the

changing? What makes change difficult?

2. Why did Jacob think his pole peeling was being successful? What kinds of things have you

seen done or done yourself trying to manipulate success?

3. Why does transformation need to involve God? How does one develop a new heart?

4. Why are the people not deterred when God spells out for them the cost they will pay in

having a king? If explaining the cost doesn’t deter someone from harmful actions, what

strategies should we use in guiding loved ones through important decisions in their lives?

5. Why did God approve their request for a king when He saw their faulty manipulations and

the struggles they were setting themselves up to experience? Do you think He does the

same thing with us today? Explain why knowing this is important.

Thankful for God's Involvement--Thanksgiving Sermon

Discussion Questions:

1. What kinds of things cause you to forget all that the LORD has done on your behalf? How

does Satan use sin and trials to hinder our recollection of all the LORD has done for us?

2. The writer of Psalm 111 praises at least six ways that God has been involved in our history.

As a group come up with at least five of these ways and then discuss which ones cause

you to be full of thanks and praise towards the LORD, and why they cause you to feel this

way.

3. How does viewing what God has done in the past help you with situations in the present

and maintaining hope for the future?

4. So many of the stories referred to in Psalm 111 are examples of victory. What personal

stories do you have to share in which God has helped you to have victory over something?

5. What does it mean to fear the LORD? In what sense is fear of the LORD the beginning of

wisdom? How does remembering what God has done help you to understand how life

works along with the best ways to live?

When You Pray--Lesson 12--If I Was the Devil ...

Discussion Questions:

1. What kinds of things have you seen the devil do to diminish the power of prayer? Why is

he so successful with his tactics?

2. How have you seen prayer work against division and covering up from. The LORD and/or

one another?

3. Why is the example of Samson’s prayer life so discouraging? How might his legacy been

different if he was not so independent and more inclined to humility in prayer?

4. Why does starting off praying with God’s words to us have more power and impact than

starting with human needs and perspective? How can you grow in this in your own prayer

life?

5. How important is alertness in prayer? What kinds of things move you towards sleepiness

in your time with God, instead of alertness? What kinds of things help you to be invested

and alert?