Don't Waste Your Resources.

Introduction:

2 Peter 1:3 - His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence...

How Do I Know I'm Heading Down the Wrong Path? (Judges 14):

1. I completely disregard God's Authority (Judges 14:1-4).

   Luke 6:46 - "Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?"

2. I am willing to compromise for a little Pleasure (Judges 14:5-7).
3. I waste time in Worldly pursuits (Judges 14:10-20).

   Colossians 2:9-10 - For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

   Colossians 3:3 - For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Judges 14

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. How do you address someone who calls him/herself a Christian, but doesn’t seem to acknowledge Jesus’ Lordship (believes “Jesus is my Savior”, but “it doesn’t matter how I live”)?
   

3. Why do you think Samson was oblivious to the danger signs of his spiritual decline? Are you able to see them in your life?
   

4. List the resources God has given you in Christ. Are you using them?
   

Breakout
Confession time: what is your biggest time-waster? Are you willing to be accountable in this group to redeem that time?
Pray for one another.

Living Separated to God.

Introduction:

1 John 2:15 - Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

2 Timothy 4:10 - For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.

Three Truths About Separation: (Judges 13:1-25):

Romans 12:1-2 - I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1. Separation is NOT about focusing on External things.
2. Separation is a Reality and a Process.

   Galatians 6:14 - But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

3. Separation was Modeled perfectly by Jesus Christ.

   John 17:15-17 - I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Judges 13

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. In thinking of “separation from the world”, do you tend to be more of a hermit or a chameleon? Why?
   

3. How can you recognize when “worldliness” creeps into your life, that you are “drifting away” in your walk with Christ?
   

4. You can “crowd out” worldliness by filling your affections with the cross of Christ. Specifically, how can you actively do that?
   

5. Romans 12:1-2 tells us to “renew our minds”. Explain what this means, and how you renew your mind.

Breakout
Pray for one another. How can we, as individuals and a church, strive to be in the world but separate from the world?

The Whirlwind

Introduction:

The Whirlwind (2 Kings 2):

3. never leaves. (v15-25)

1. God is with you: Trust His direction. (2 Kings 2:2-6)
2. God is with you: rely on His Power , not your own. (2 Kings 2:7-14)
3. God is with you: know that He Never Leaves. (2 Kings 2:7-15-25)

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Small Group Discussion
Read 2 Kings 2

1. What was your big takeaway from this week’s sermon?
   

2. Did you ever have a difficult time trusting God’s direction? How can we guard our relationship with God during those times?
   

3. Ultimately God is the only one with the power to restore us, but what are ways that we can support or show God’s love to a grieving brother or sister in Christ?
   

4. It is easy for “God is with you” to become a truth that we ignore, or don’t fully absorb. Why is that? How can we avoid trivializing God’s presence, and how could that strengthen us through losing someone?

Breakout
Pray for each other that may see and feel God’s presence from within the whirlwind.

Less is More.

Introduction:

Odds: 4-1

God's 2-Step Plan for Your Victory (Judges 7:1-15):

1. Lose your Self-Confidence . (Judges 7:1-8)

   Isaiah 42:8 - I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other...

God gave 2 tests to Gideon's already way-outnumbered army:

1. Test #1: Are you Afraid ? (Judges 7:3)

   Odds: 13-1

   Duet 20:8 - And the officers shall speak further to the people, and say, Is there any man who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go back to his house, lest he make the heart of his fellows melt like his own.

2. Test #2: Are you paying Attention . (Judges 7:7)

   Odds: 450-1

2. Put your confidence in God . (Judges 7:9-15)

   1 Corinthians 10:12-13 - Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Judges 7:1-15

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. Why did God reduce Gideon’s army? Why do you think He did it in stages (32k to 10k to 300) instead of just doing it all at once?
   

3. Isaiah 42:8 says “I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other…” (See also Isaiah 48:11) How would you respond to someone who says, “Isn’t it egotistical of God to demand all the glory?”
   

4. In Judges 7:9-14, why did God let Gideon spy “if he was afraid” (Judges 7:10)? Since Gideon was obviously still afraid (made clear by Gideon taking God up on His offer), why didn’t Gideon get sent home with all of the other fearful soldiers earlier (Judges 7:3)?

Breakout
Pray for one another, specifically that God would remove all self-confidence and teach us to find all of our confidence in Him!

How (Not) to Know God's Will.

Introduction:

How do I know the will of God for my life?

Matthew 6:10 - Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Ephesians 5:17 - Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Why "fleeces" aren't the way to know God's Will (Judges 6:36-40):

1. Gideon already Knew God's will. (Judges 6:36-37).
2. Gideon wasn't revealing his trust, he was revealing his Doubt . (Judges 6:36-37).
3. Gideon was Telling God what to do. (Judges 6:37-39).
4. Gideon still wasn't Convinced after the first round. (Judges 6:39).

What is God's Will for my Life?

1. Saved

   2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise vas some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

2. Sirit-filled

   Ephesians 5:17-18 - Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit...

3. Sanctified

   1 Thessalonians 4:3 - For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality...

4. Submit to the government

   1 Peter 2:13-15 - Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

5. Sometimes suffer

   1 Peter 4:19 - Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

6. Showing gratitude

   1 Thessalonians 5:18 - give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Judges 6:36-40

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. Why is “fleece-laying”, like Gideon, not the way to learn God’s will? How do we know Gideon didn’t need to do that?
   

3. How do you know someone’s advice is from the Lord or from their own ideas?
   

4. Tell of a time you struggled to know God’s will for something in your own life? How did you ultimately make the decision? Did you feel it was the right one?

Breakout
Pray for one another.