Hello This is a Test

Group Guide

June 5th, 2022
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This Week's City 7:

5. Is the Bible God’s word? Jesus proved He is God by rising from the dead and said the Old Testament was God’s word and gave authority to the Apostles to write the words of the New Testament under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so that all the words of the Bible are God’s Word.
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)

Ice-Breaker:

For those of you with kids, talk about the differences in their personalities and how it changed the ways in which you approached parenting. If you don't have kids, talk about these differences between you and your siblings. What was your parent's parenting style? 

Discussion Questions:

  • David had a lot of enemies. He fought lions and bears as a boy, then Goliath, then Saul and even his own son. Someone was constantly after him, and he always ran to God for help. David cries out to God in his anxiety in Psalm 5. He says, "Hear me!" He is desperate, but also so patient that he tells God that he will wait expectantly. When you are in distress, what is your response? Do you cry out to God for help? If so, do you wait patiently for him to move or do you get impatient and move on to other methods of resolving things? 

  • We usually think of God as merciful and kind. But in verses 4-6 David talks about how much he hates evil. You cannot tolerate sin, you hate evil, you will destroy liars, you detest murderers and deceivers...VERY strong language. Is he merciful and gracious and loving? YES! Is he an infinitely holy God that detests sin and evil and whose wrath burns again them? YES! It's a both/and situation. He has forgiven our sin, but still detests our sin. How much thought do you give God's wrath and hatred of sin? Do you tend to treat your sin casually, like it's no big deal? What might God's thoughts and reactions be when he sees treating sin this way?

  • Then comes the contrast. David talks about God's unfailing love and how he longs to lead us onto the right path. He is so kind and gentle, even when we are being stubborn. Luckily, God doesn't need a leash, wrist restraint, shock collar or reigns to guide us where we need to go. He's given us the Spirit of God that lives in us that he promises will lead us into all truth. He will tell us which path to take. It's important to be on the right path because we have an enemy that wants to take us out. Verse 7 says, "Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me." The enemy wants you so consumed with all the distractions and busyness of life that you are completely distracted from the plan God has for you. This is when your life PAUSES on the path of righteousness. Your salvation is secure but your purpose is paused. You understand the message of the gospel, but you haven’t grown past that. The enemy has distracted you on the path. How many of you have ever found yourself there? Or are there now? What is the distraction that is taking your eyes off him?

  • Or what about seasons where you’ve been detoured?! Maybe you’ve experienced suffering or grief and it has caused you to look other places for satisfaction. Or maybe you’ve just been more concerned with what others think or what the world thinks that you are no longer using the Bible as your filter for truth. We understand the message of the gospel but we have allowed circumstances or worldly influences to divert us from what we know is true. Your salvation is secure but your path is distorted.  You stopped seeking truth.  How many of you have ever found yourself there? Or are there now? Where are you turning for truth?

  • Amber left us with a question on Sunday... Where are you on the path? Do you need to step on the path (salvation), come back to the path (restoration), or press on down the path (sanctification)? And what is your next step to grow in your relationship with God?

    (Talk about some things you guys could start doing together to grow, like going through the Daily Devos, Table Talk, come to City Nights, etc.)

Prayer Topics: 

  • That we would patiently wait for God to move.
  • That we would detest our own sin, just like God does. 
  • That we wouldn't be distracted or detoured from our path. 
  • That we would do everything in our power to grow more like Jesus. 

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