Wk 1 // September 17 & 18

Wk 1  //  Binding & Healing: When Everyone Hurts and Everyone is Tired
September 17 & 18, 2022
Small Group Study
 

SERMON RECAP
Spend a few minutes recapping this week's sermon together.
Tap here to view the sermon notes. 

• What was one takeaway from this week's sermon for you?
• Were there any stories, ideas, or points that stuck out?
• Was there anything that challenged you?

INTRODUCTION

• As a kid, what is a time you messed up big and got in huge trouble?
• What is a time you thought you were going to get in huge trouble and it ended up not being as bad as you thought?

We all misstep, mess up, screw up, etc. etc..  Actions have consequences.  If you disagree, jam a metal fork into your electrical outlet and then reassess your position.  God is for us, not against us.  But He affirms that actions have consequences.  His consequences and His perfect nature – combining justice, mercy AND grace – guide us toward His best life for us.  
 

STUDY  [tap on scripture to read]
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ LUKE 15:11-19

• It may not have been nice, but was the son just (within his rights) to ask for his inheritance?  Why or why not?
• Can anyone share a time when you fought to get what you deserve and got it, but it didn’t turn out the way you expected?
• What is a major low point in your life when you can remember snapping back to your senses and recognizing the need for a change?

Sometimes what we think we deserve, what we fight to get or achieve, isn’t actually what is best for us.  When our motivation is on ourselves and/or we are solely relying on our own human wisdom – leaving God out of the decision-making process – we are at high risk for actually getting what we deserve rather than what we hope for.  


HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ LUKE 15:20-24

• What is a time where you had such a difficult apology to deliver that you even rehearsed it?
• The son offers an apology, but the father doesn’t respond to it… why?
• How can God be both perfectly just and yet offer grace?

The gospel of Jesus is the good news that marries justice and grace!  When we are on the moral high ground, we want justice and fairness.  When we are in the wrong, we want grace and mercy.  We as humans are consistently out of balance, but God never is.  Jesus paid the price for our wrongs so that, by accepting Him into our lives, perfect justice is accomplished.  
 

HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ LUKE 15:25-32

• Was the older son justified in feeling that the situation wasn’t fair?  Why or why not?
• What is a time when you felt like other people were getting special stuff that you didn’t get… and God checked you on it?
• How can you celebrate the “wins” of others even when life isn’t going your way?

We don’t always get what we deserve… praise God!  Life isn’t always fair… praise God!  Jesus saves EVERYONE who trusts Him whether they deserve it or not… praise God!
 

APPLICATION

• What is a situation in your life where you are allowing/causing more distance between you and God than there should be?
• Who can you be better about extending grace to this week?

 

PRAYER
Pray that God would show you what justice would look like in your life and that He would overwhelm you with is grace as you reflect.  Pray for His grace to show through in the way you interact with others.