Blessed--Lesson 2--How Does the Blessing Work?

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the difference in making a splash and causing a ripple? What makes the ripple so

important in spiritual matters?

2. How have you seen the ripple effect work in your own receiving and passing on blessings?

What would you like the 3rd & 4th generations from you to say about the kind of blessing

you passed on to them?

3. How does walking with God make a difference in the kind of ripple you make? What

struggle do you have with the tension of Hezekiah begging for more time to live with the

result being the birth of Manasseh and the eventual fall of Judah to Babylon?

4. What is the danger of turning God’s blessings into a reward instead of an opportunity?

How well do you do at looking for opportunities with each blessing you receive? What

would help you grow in this?

5. Why is it important that the calling of Abram was a covenant? How does this tie to the

blessings that He pours into our lives?

Blessed--Lesson 1--God Wants to Bless Us

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is it important that we start our theology with original blessing rather than original sin?

How does fear change the way we see God’s activity, whether it is for blessing or cursing?

2. How do the different stages of Moses’ life help you to see the many disguises of God’s

blessing upon our lives?

3. What does it mean that the blessings of God are an investment? How is this counter to a

prosperity Gospel?

4. Do you agree that the blessing of God is about identity and destiny or purpose? How does

this change what you are looking for from the goodness of God?

5. How are you comforted with the fact that there are so many stories in the Scriptures about

God’s presence and purpose turning things into victory and blessings? How does this

help you face difficulties and trials different from the world?

How Do I Respond?--Hosea 1-2

Discussion Questions:

1. How have you seen controversial issues lead to division? Why do you suppose people

who follow the LORD still have struggles with this?

2. How do people who see things from completely different perspectives work together in

unity? What enabled Jews and Samaritans or Jews and Gentiles to find peace and accept

the differences in one another?

3. What do you learn from the fact that God reached a point of issuing a divorce to Israel even

though He hates divorce? Why would He do this while still continuing to call Israel back to

a faithful relationship with Him?

4. How has the quest for the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil continued to

bring consequences in our world? In determining what is right or wrong (good or evil), how

have you seen people take on a role that is only God’s? How does backing away from this

set you free?

5. Why is it important that the love of the LORD which endures forever echoes throughout

history? How does this assist you in determining how to act in the midst of controversial

issues?

6. Are there any fruit and vegetable stands that you have accidentally knocked over? How

can you act in such a way that leads people to see Jesus in you?