December 4 – 10

Weekly Reading for December 4 – 10

Preparing for Next Week’s Message

Sermon Series: God With Us
Sermon Title: Where Is God When I Am Far from Home

This reading plan will get your heart and mind set for the next message on December 11, 2022:

• SUNDAY: Genesis 37,
• MONDAY: Genesis 39,
• TUESDAY: Genesis 40,
• WEDNESDAY: Genesis 41,
• THURSDAY: Genesis 42,
• FRIDAY: Genesis 45,
• SATURDAY: Genesis 50,

Reflecting on the Most Recent Sermon

Sermon Series: God With Us
Sermon Title: Where Is God When I’m Drowning In My Tears
Delivered On: December 4, 2022

VIEW SERMON NOTES

Memorize and Reflect

1 Samuel 2:2
“There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God."

Prayer Direction

Ask for God to reveal His presence and power to those who are in times of deep pain and suffering (including yourself). Ask the Holy Spirit to grant courage and strength to you and those you love to hold fast to Jesus, even in the hardest times of life.

“Live It!” Challenge

Help Wipe Away Some Tears – Identify one person in your church who is going through a very challenging time in terms of their physical health, infertility, or some other area of physical or emotional struggle. Commit to help bring the grace of Jesus in three ways:
1) Pray for them daily for the next week.
2) Send them a note, text, or email with words of encouragement in the next week.
3) Offer to give some kind of practical and tangible help to them in the coming month.

Small Group Discussion

1. Tell about a time you (or someone you love) faced unexpected and uninvited pain and struggle. It could be physical, emotional, relational, or spiritual. What were some of the ways they dealt with the sorrow and pain?

2. Read: 1 Samuel 1 Read it as a narrative with no breaks. What were some of the pains and sorrows Hannah faced? There are a number of them,

3. How was Hannah an example of strong faith and faithfulness to God as she walked through her pain and losses? What is a lesson we can learn from her example?

4. In this story, we see people (Eli and Hannah’s husband) drop the ball in terms of really caring for Hannah in her pain. How was God near and caring for Hannah?

5. Tell about a time when you faced personal pain and struggle in some aspect of your life. How did God come near, strengthen and care for you?

6. Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. What do you learn about the nature of God in this passage and how have you seen the truth of this aspect of God’s character?

7. Tell about a time you (or someone you love) was facing deep pain and struggle and God sent someone along to bring comfort, care, and encouragement. What did this person say and do? How did the mercy of God flow through the words, actions, and heart of this person?

8. Who is a person in your church that is facing a painful and tear-producing season. How can your small group pray for, encourage, and support this person in the coming week?

9. Read: Psalm 147:1-5. What are some of the lessons you learn about God from this passage? Why should these truths give us peace and lead us to praise?