1.26.20 — From Barren to Fruitful - Step One: Be Honest
Message on Sunday, January 26, 2020
Series - From Barren to Fruitful
Message - Step One: Be Honest
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 2:12-17; 2:22-25; Judges 21:25
Main Theme: Sin; Consequences of Sin; Repentance; Honesty
Guide for Crossroads Community Groups:
Welcome: Read the purpose of your group:
Our purpose is to multiply groups. We do this by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and multiply God's kingdom.
Worship: Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Show a video with the lyrics, such as Do It Again.
Review:
What has God been telling you this week in your personal time with Him?
How did you do with what you wanted to apply from last week?
Who did you share what you learned last week with?
Who did you invite to the group for this week?
Opening Question:
How do you respond when someone corrects you? How do some other people respond?
Introduction: Read the background information below.
Word: Read this week’s scripture aloud together several times.
What key (important) words do you see in these verses?
Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.
What are the details? What details can you add to what others in the group have said?
Discussion: Discuss together the questions below.
Application: For these questions, you may want to divide into two groups for males and females.
Prayer Time:
Pray for an empty chair, representing new people you want to join the group. Think of specific people to pray for by name.
Divide into two groups for males and females to pray for the needs of the members of the group.
For Next Time:
Assign group members who are ready to do different parts of the next meeting as you prepare them (opening question; prayer time; read background info; lead group).
Ask each person the name of someone they will invite to the group for next week.
Background Information
Judges 21:25 gives a summary of what the world was like during the time of 1 Samuel 1-3. It was a time when "everyone did what was right in their own eyes." There was no fear of God. As a result, people and society were broken.
1 Samuel 2: 12-17 and 22-25 gives us a picture of what the church of that day was like, as well as the priests. Eli was the chief priest but he was old. His sons were the priests at the house of God. Note their lack of concern for God. Note their unwillingness to accept correction. Note God's determination to judge them because they will not repent.
In those days the people would bring sacrifices of animals (sheep, goats, oxen) to God to be burned in the fire as prescribed by the law of God at that time (Leviticus 7:29-35). The priests who ministered at the house of God were to be given a portion of the meat after the fat was burned and the sacrifice complete. Eli's sons were taking portions not assigned to them and taking raw meat that the people had brought to sacrifice to God.
Key Verse: His sons, however did not listen to their father's rebuke, for it was the Lord's will to put them to death. 1 Samuel 1:25
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 2:12-17; 2:22-25; Judges 21:25
Discussion Questions
What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?
What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story?
What do you learn about people from the story?
What important lessons for us do you see in this story?
What will you take away from this discussion?
What will you do with what you have learned? (make sure everyone answers this)
As a result of this study what do you need to stop doing?
As a result of this study what do you need to start doing?
Commitment — Obedience — Application
Jesus taught you this today because someone in your life needs to hear it. With whom in your inner circle of relationships will you share what you have learned through this study?
What specifically will you commit to apply in your life from this study?