LEADER’S Study Guide for the week of April 26, 2020 PDF VERSION
Community Group Study Guide
For the week of April 26, 2020
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CG Social project!
Life Path Hospice of Tampa has caregivers that are extremely strained at this time. We are asking Community Groups to make an encouraging video or posters that can be forwarded on to the caregivers to let them know we are all praying for them and appreciate their hard work. You can send pictures of the posters or video upload to lisaraye17@gmail.com Check out our FB page or Life Path FB page for inspiration.
FOOD DROP OFF – May 1, 11:00am – 2:00pm
3 Ways to Give to the Food Drive:
Drop off donations at our Ballast Point Campus, 5101 Bayshore Blvd.
(Note: Hours have changed: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Fridays only)
Ship Items from Amazon or from a local Tampa business to the Ballast Point Campus, 5101 Bayshore Blvd. Tampa, FL 33611
Go to stfchurch.com to see list of needs. Contact marc@stfchurch.com with any questions.
MY STORY
1. This week Chris mentioned our suffering can bless or help others. Is there anyone in your life who has gone through great difficulty that has encouraged you or given you a better perspective on life?
2. What part of the teaching did you find challenging to your thinking or living?
DIGGING DEEPER
1. This past week, in our series, God is greater than the High’s and Low’s, Chris said that Jesus chose to enter into our pain. Read Philippians 2:5-11. How is God at work in a believer’s life according to verses 6 and 9-11? How does this make you feel about uncertainties in your life?
(Jesus is no stranger to our pain.Romans 5:8 declares, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Despite the sinful nature of the people of this world, God still loves us. Jesus loved us enough to die to take the penalty for our sins (Romans 6:23). If we receive Jesus Christ as Savior (John 3:16; Romans 10:9), we will be forgiven and promised an eternal home in heaven (Romans 8:1). God allows things to happen for a reason. Whether or not we understand His reasons, we must remember that God is good, just, loving, and merciful (Psalm 135:3). Often, bad things happen to us that we simply cannot understand. Instead of doubting God’s goodness, our reaction should be to trust Him. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5–6). We walk by faith, not by sight.)
2. Read Romans 5:1-8. Out of the areas of suffering, perseverance, character and hope, where is God working in your life right now?
(Trials develop godly character, and that enables us to “rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Romans 5:3-5). Jesus Christ set the perfect example. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). These verses reveal aspects of His divine purpose for both Jesus Christ’s trials and tribulations and ours. Persevering proves our faith. “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).)
3. Chris mentioned how tempting it can be to retreat to the middle yet Jesus invites us to take that risk and to trust Him in the process of our suffering. Where in life are you playing it safe in your serving, your hope, and your pain in hopes that it will just go away instead of inviting Jesus into it for a greater purpose?
TAKING IT HOME
1. Read Romans 5:3-5. What incident in your life can you look back on and see the truth of verses 3-5?
2. After a message like we heard this weekend, the challenge is how to make serving more a part of our daily life. What are some ways you can incorporate more serving into your normal life?
3. Are there any trying circumstances in your life you’d like to have a better attitude about? Any areas where you could pray for God to use your trials for his glory?
PRAYER REQUESTS