2/23 - 2/27 Life Group Questions
^ Click “Note” ^ Remember to write down some short notes for each of the questions below before heading to life group.
1.
Share 1 thing that stood out to you about Sunday's Message. (1 minute max please) Also press play button in image above to watch or listen to Sundays message if you missed it or just to refresh your memory. (Each Individual)
2. We Have Permission To Question God
Habakkuk 1:1-4
1 The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw. 2 O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? 3 Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. 4 So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.
On Sunday Pastor Vaughn told us that just like Habakkuk, we have permission to question God and make our complaints known to Him. We were encouraged to do so without arrogance or pride or disrespect and if so, honestly coming to God with questions and confusion is not something Christians should fear. Sometimes God will answer in ways that make us wish we hadn’t asked at all, like He did with Habakkuk. Sometimes God will not answer and just watch to see how we live in the uncertainty. And sometimes God will provide answers & clarity that bring us peace & hope. Pastor Vaughn asked us to take advantage of a relationship with God where we don’t have to be afraid to bring our honest questions and complaints to God.
Share one situation or area where you have brought a serious question or confusion or even anger to God? (These are those why did this happen or why hasn’t that happened type issues with God) Was God’s answer encouraging, difficult to hear, or are you still waiting for an answer? (Each Individual)
3. With Liberty For All
Habakkuk 2:1-2
1 I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. 2 And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.
The tension between living our lives and allowing God to lead our lives isn’t as easy to navigate as some may think. We can easily end up leading our own lives instead of living them AND we can easily do nothing while we wait for God to lead and live for us. On Sunday Pastor Vaughn talked about Habakkuk coming to God with questions and then taking action based on what he heard from God. Habakkuk then went to his “watchpost” to see what God was doing and to listen further to what God would say about his new complaint.
2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Pastor Vaughn said that there is an amazing amount of “Liberty” or “Freedom” in living this way with God. He said that anyone who is willing to let God be God and shift and be humble no longer has to carry the responsibilities that belong to God. He said we have permission to question God BUT then we need to watch and listen and shift so we can come more into alignment with God’s will and when we do there is liberty.
When looking at others, what are some of the things you see that make you feel like God is or isn’t leading their life? How do you know if you or God is leading your life? How do you know if you are living your life and not waiting for God or someone else to live it for you? Are there any areas in your life where you are experiencing the “liberty” of God clearly leading and you clearly living? (Group Discussion)
4. With Judgement For All
Habakkuk 2:4
4 “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.
On Sunday Pastor Vaughn said that this verse was quoted in the New Testament and it was ultimately what the whole bible and world and our lives come down to. He said that Babylon represents every nation and every individual person because we are all “puffed up” (pride) and our souls are “not upright” (sinful) within us. Pastor Vaughn said that judgement would come to all based on remaining in that state or by becoming righteous through faith in Jesus. We looked at the story in Luke 23:32-42 where the two sinners were crucified alongside Jesus to see how judgment for all was and still is a reality. Pastor Vaughn prayed “If the goal of this life is salvation, then God do it through peace and prosperity if You can but if not… do it through death and destruction… but by all means please do it… Save us!!!”
If judgment is coming for all and the only question that matters is have you put your faith in Jesus, how should that impact the way you live and think and live your life? (Group Discussion)
* Remember to pray for each other before heading home from life group and to stay in communication here in the app throughout the week on your life group messaging thread!