Small Group Studies

Believe It or Not Week 6 Study

BIG IDEA

“How do I know God’s will for my life? This is a question that many of us have certainly asked or been asked. We all want to honor God with our lives and do His will. Sometimes His will seems like an impossible thing to understand. This can leave us feeling lost and stuck. Friends, we do not have to feel that way. As we read and study Scripture, it becomes obvious that we can actually know God’s will and walk confidently in it.

BREAK THE ICE

When was a time you felt stuck and did not know what to do?

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Bible Study Questions

1.Why do you think so many people are wanting to know God’s will for them?

WATCH SERMON RECAP

2. Read James 1:5. According to this verse, what is one way we can understand God’s will for our lives?

James 1:5

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

3. Read Proverbs 3:5-6. What warning do these verses give us as we consider God’s will?

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

4. What is the promise we receive if we follow this Scripture? How does this give us hope as we consider God’s will?

 Application

1. In the weekend sermon, we talked about several roadblocks that keep us from understanding God’s will: We play games with God’s will, we lean too much on our own understanding, we only pay attention to what we want to pay attention to, and we never ask God about what he wants for our lives. Which of these obstacles do you resonate with most? Why?

2. What are some practical ways we can seek out God’s will today?

3. In what area of your life do you need God’s direction and guidance today? How has the Scripture we have read today given you hope as you seek out that direction?

 MOVING FORWARD

Hopefully now everyone has shared an area of their lives you are seeking God’s will and direction. Now, let’s follow Scripture’s command and pray. Pray for each other. Ask God for His discernment and guidance as you seek out His will. One of the things He wants all of us to do is to know Him and make Him known. As we get closer to Easter, who is one person you need to invite to one of our services?

Going Deeper

When we think about God’s calling for our lives, we often think of His will for us at a personal level. We think about God’s will for the individual decisions that we make every day, and it is true that He is deeply and personally involved in every aspect of our lives, but Scripture teaches that when it comes to God’s will, He sees the bigger picture that we may not. Let’s take a deeper dive into what Scripture teaches about knowing God’s will for our lives. 

Read Romans 12:2.

1. According to this verse, what comes before knowing God’s will?

2. What are some reasons why letting God change the way we think is necessary to understand God’s will?

3. What are some ways that God’s kingdom and the things of the world clash? How does understanding this help you as you seek to know God’s will?

Read Matthew 6:33.

1. What does this verse teach us about setting aside our own will to understand God’s?

2. What is the promise if we seek God’s kingdom above everything else?

Read Matthew 28:18-20.

1. What is Christ’s will for followers of Christ, based on these verses?

2. What promise does Jesus make to His disciples in these verses?

3. What were the results of the disciples obeying this command from Jesus?

Reflect:

1. How does understanding the broader picture of what God is doing in the world affect your understanding of God's will?

2. Is there an area of your life where you need to shift your focus as you think about God's will?

3. What does it look like today to make Christ known by making disciples? How can you practice doing that this week?

Is there an area where you are struggling to understand God’s will? Take some time to share it with your small group. Pray together. Remember that your small group is a gift God has given you to help you make difficult decisions and help you see the bigger picture when you cannot.

MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)

Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.