February 2 – 8

Weekly Reading for February 2 – 8

Preparing for Next Week’s Message

Sermon Series: Navigating Life's Surprises
Sermon Title: Surprised By Conflict and Resistance

This reading plan will get your heart and mind set for the next message on February 9, 2020:


Reflecting on the Most Recent Sermon

Sermon Series: Navigating Life's Surprises
Sermon Title: Surprised By the Call of God
Delivered On: February 2, 2020

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VIEW SERMON NOTES

Memorize and Reflect

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. - Nehemiah 1:4


Prayer Direction

Thank God for how He has been with you and led you through surprising times in the past. Invite the Holy Spirit of the Living God to whisper, lead, and nudge you so that you are ready to follow His call wherever He leads. Ask for courage to follow the next time you have a clear (biblically affirmed) sense of God’s calling.


“Live It!” Challenge

Paying Closer Attention – Most of us have a sense of ways God has been calling, leading, and trying to direct us. There are areas of sin where God has been calling us to repent. There are next steps forward in faith that the Holy Spirit is drawing us toward. Take time to prayerfully ask God, “What is an area you have been calling and seeking to lead me, but I have not been ready to respond?” Ask God to lead and commit to follow this time.


Small Group Discussion

  1. Tell about one of the best, most fun, most delightful surprises you ever experienced.

  2. Tell about a time you felt God call or lead you and you followed. What came from your step of faithfulness?

  3. Read: Nehemiah 1:1-4. When Nehemiah heard about the situation and the desperate needs of his people, he did a number of things that helped clarify his call. How can each of these things help clarify if God is leading and directing us?

    Weeping and mourning…
    Fasting…
    Praying…

  4. If you have ever prayed and fasted while seeking God’s direction for your life, share about this experience.

  5. Read: Nehemiah 2:1-5. Why do you think Nehemiah dared to show his emotion in front of the king (something that was punishable by death in the ancient world) and also make such a big request of the king?

  6. Tell about a time God surprised you with his timing being different than yours. How did you navigate the waiting process?

  7. Tell about a time God called you to do something that was clearly beyond your abilities (but not beyond God’s power). How did God show up in this process?

  8. Tell about a time God called you to something that cost you more than you would have imagined or dreamt. When you look back, was it worth the cost? Explain.

  9. How can paying attention to our emotions and identifying when God is speaking through our feelings help us hear and follow God’s call?

  10. How does following God’s call and leading, even when it means real sacrifice, make us more like Jesus? How might we miss a chance to become more like Jesus if we fail to follow Him when things look costly?

  11. Tell about one of the best, most fun, most delightful surprises you ever experienced.

  12. Tell about a time you felt God call or lead you and you followed. What came from your step of faithfulness?

  13. Read: Nehemiah 1:1-4. When Nehemiah heard about the situation and the desperate needs of his people, he did a number of things that helped clarify his call. How can each of these things help clarify if God is leading and directing us?
    Weeping and mourning…
    Fasting…
    Praying…

  14. If you have ever prayed and fasted while seeking God’s direction for your life, share about this experience.

  15. Read: Nehemiah 2:1-5. Why do you think Nehemiah dared to show his emotion in front of the king (something that was punishable by death in the ancient world) and also make such a big request of the king?

  16. Tell about a time God surprised you with his timing being different than yours. How did you navigate the waiting process?

  17. Tell about a time God called you to do something that was clearly beyond your abilities (but not beyond God’s power). How did God show up in this process?

  18. Tell about a time God called you to something that cost you more than you would have imagined or dreamt. When you look back, was it worth the cost? Explain.

  19. How can paying attention to our emotions and identifying when God is speaking through our feelings help us hear and follow God’s call?

  20. How does following God’s call and leading, even when it means real sacrifice, make us more like Jesus? How might we miss a chance to become more like Jesus if we fail to follow Him when things look costly?