Getting to Know You:
· Name one challenge and one encouragement from this past week.
Going Deeper:
· How does the world view appearance? How does this contrast the way God views us?
o Name some ways it encourages you that God often uses ordinary people for his plans and purposes.
o Look up 1 Samuel 9:2 and compare it with 1 Samuel 16:6-7. How is Samuel deceived by appearance? How might we be deceived by appearances?
· David’s character was forged in the pasture. Name some ways God forms character in the “pasture” times of our lives.
· Read Genesis 16:1-14 and discuss how God sees us in our times of need. How does it encourage you to know this?
· Look up Psalm 139:1-4 and discuss how God knows our heart according to these verses. How does it challenge you knowing God knows everything about you?
· Discuss the importance of grieving according to the following verses: Ps.34:18, Matt.5:4, 2 Cor.1:3-4. Why is it important to grieve and to realize it’s ok to not be ok?
o Why is it important to find an end to your grief as well?
o What have you found helpful to bring you comfort in times of grief?
Taking it Home:
· Pick one chapter from Proverbs and read it this week to help ensure you don’t play the fool.
· Spend time this week seeking the will of God for your life in prayer, in reading God’s Word and asking for God’s direction through his people and circumstances. Once you know his will, ask God for strength to do his will!
