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CG Study Guide, “Its Not Supposed To Be This Way” for the week of Jan 23, 2022

Jan 22, 2022 | Small Group Lessons

CG Study Guide Its Not Supposed To Be This Way for the week of January 23, 2022 PDF VERSION

 COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY GUIDE

For the week of January 23, 2022

 GETTING TO KNOW YOU

1

Would you rather … 

  • lose your keys or your cell phone?
  • be known as a one-hit wonder for a novel or a song?
  • hear the good news or the bad news first?

2

Which of the two points in the sermon, “He stores our tears” and “He wipes our tears away” in the message this weekend would be most surprising to the average person?

3

Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged or confused you? 

 DIGGING DEEPER 

1

This week we saw through Jesus’s example that being in the middle of suffering may actually be right where God has led us. At times that can be hard to understand. What can we learn from the following passages about how we might benefit from these challenges?

1 Peter 1:6-7 – 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

2 Corinthians 1:3-6 – 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.

Which of the Scriptures above are the most encouraging to you and why? Which one is most challenging?

If you were facing a great difficulty or challenge, what would you want someone to do (or not do) in their attempt to comfort or help you?  

2

It’s reassuring to know that God is still at work in our lives in the midst of life’s challenges (Philippians 1:6). Thankfully God’s word also gives us guidance on the active role we play in the process. What resources do you find in the following passages that can help you cope with, handle, or even grow through a hard season in life?

John 14:25-27 – 25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Philippians 4:6-7 – 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Can you think of any examples of how these resources have helped you? Is there one you tend to forget more than the others? 

 TAKING IT HOME

1

Looking back on this week’s sermon and study, what’s most important for you to remember? 

2

Are there any suggestions from the above passages of Scripture that you feel like you need to add to your life?  

 PRAYER REQUESTS

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TIPS ON GROUP PRAYER

Prayer is an important part of being in Community Group. Over the years we’ve found that group prayer goes better when we follow three simple guidelines.


WE PRAY FOR ONE TOPIC AT A TIME – Anyone in the group is free to introduce a prayer request either before prayer begins or during the prayer time. Once a topic is introduced, the group focuses on that request alone. Once it’s covered, the group moves on to the next topic.


PRAY MORE THAN ONCE – Because the group is focusing on one topic at a time, each person is encouraged to pray several times during the prayer time for those topics they feel most led to pray about. No one is required to pray.


WE KEEP OUR PRAYERS SHORT AND SIMPLE – Group prayer goes better when members keep their prayers short and to the point. When someone prays for a long time, it’s hard for the other members to stay focused and long prayers tend to intimidate those who are just learning to pray out loud in a group. No one is required to pray out loud.