Sermon Discussion Guides

Discussion Questions Though his circumstances had not changed, and though he was told the situation would only get worse for the time being, Habakkuk sings a song of praise to God. How do you think Habakkuk was able to do this? What shifted in his mind? In 3:3-7, Habakkuk reflects on how God helped his people in the past by delivering them from slavery in Egypt. How ...

Discussion Questions How was Habakkuk able to "rejoice in the Lord" even though his circumstances continued to get worse? What would your own version of these verses sound like? "Though ____ should happen/not happen, yet I will rejoice in the Lord." What would go in that blank for you? How can you "rejoice in the Lord" even if those undesirable circumstances come upon ...

Discussion Questions Paul had a resum that would have been quite impressive in certain circles. According to Philippians 3:4-6, what does that resum consist of? How does Paul identify himself to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 1:1-2? Why doesn't he list the things he had mentioned in Philippians 3:4-6? (See Philippians 3:7-14) Paul viewed himself in terms of his re...

Discussion Questions How have you seen God comfort you during a time of affliction? How has God used trials and afflictions in your life to make you look more like Jesus? How has God used trials and afflictions to equip you to minister to others? Who is he calling you to comfort right now? Questions for Preschool Q: How many persons are there in God?A: There are t...

Discussion Questions Habakkuk asks God "How Long?" and "Why?" What is going on in Habakkuk's world? What does he see in his society that troubles him? From Habakkuk's perspective, what does it seem like God's reaction is to all this? (See also Psalms 10:1; 22:1-2; 44:23-24; 74:1; 88:14) When in your own life has God felt distant and disinterested? How do you respond i...

Discussion Questions What was Habakkuk's original complaint (1:2-4)? How did God respond (1:5-11)? What does Habakkuk complain about now (1:12-17)? How did God's response intensify Habakkuk's confusion and frustration? As Habakkuk prepares his second complaint, he rehearses many of God's names and attributes (1:12-13). Why is it important to remind ourselves of what Go...

The author’s aim in this passage is to remind his readers of just how privileged they are. They needed this because the difficulties of living the Christian life was taking its toll on them, and returning to their former life of Judaism was sounding appealing. ...

The author has pleaded with his audience not to “grow weary or fainthearted” at God’s discipline, but to endure it, knowing it proves they are his children and that he does it “for our good, that we may share his holiness.” (Hebrews 12: 3, 7, 10) The need for endurance and holiness converge again here in this brief encouragement and warning. ...

It’s easy to begin something. Finishing something, however, is hard. That’s because finishing what we begin requires us to endure the setbacks we face along the way. ...

Forty years before the walls of Jericho fell, God had brought the nation of Israel to the brink of the land of Canaan. Most of the spies who scouted out the land had returned in despair, saying the land’s inhabitants were too strong for them (Numbers 13:25-14:4). In response, the people refused to enter, and God in turn punished them by causing them to live in the wilder...