Called to Obey

Introduction:

James 5:17a - Elijah was a man with a nature like ours.

1 Kings 16:33 - Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him.

How Am I Called to Obey? (1 Kings 17:1-24)

1. By Praying according to God's Word. (1 Kings 17:1)

   See: James 5:17-18, Deuteronomy 11:16-17, 1 Kings 8:35

2. By Doing exactly what God's Word Say. (1 Kings 17:2-6)
3. By Serving as God's Word directs. (1 Kings 17:7-16)
4. By Trusting God's Word no matter what. (1 Kings 17:17-24)

   James 5:16b - The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

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Small Group Discussion
Read 1 Kings 17:1-24

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Does your prayer life seem unbalanced right now? What would it look like to pray big prayers to a big God and expect big results?
   

3. How do we justify or excuse our disobedience to God’s Word? How do you see yourself struggling to obey the Lord in a specific way right now?
   

4. What holds you back from serving others as God’s Word directs? How do you feel called to serve right now?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Resolve to Rest

Introduction:

(Matthew 11:25-30):

1. Recognize who invites you.
2. Respond to the almighty.

   Jeremiah 18:11b-12 - "Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your deeds." But they say, "That is in vain! We will follow our own plans, and will every one act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart."

3. Return to Jesus and find rest.
   1. In Solitude .

      Mark 1:35 - "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed."

      Luke 5:16 - "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."

   2. In Stillness .

      Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God..."

      Psalm 37:7 - "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him."

   3. In Silence .

      Habakkuk 2:20 - "The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him."

      Isaiah 30:15 - "“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength."

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Small Group Discussion
Covering Matthew 11:25-30

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What are some differences between our understanding of rest, and the rest that Jesus says He will give and that we will find?
   

3. What are some differences between a worldly yoke and the yoke Jesus offers?
   

4. Do you take time to be still each day? Why or why not?
   

5. How might not being quiet and still in God’s presence negatively affect your practices of studying scripture and prayer? Conversely, how could being quiet and still have a positive impact on your other practices?
   

6. If you regularly practice silent stillness, describe how it has deepened your friendship with Jesus.

Breakout
Encourage and pray for one another to “resolve to rest” in Christ in 2025.

The Natural Response

Introduction:

The ONLY Two Responses to Christ (Matthew 2:1-12)

1. Reject Christ to worship Myself .
2. Reject Myself to worship Christ .

   John 3:19 - "And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil."

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Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 2:1-12

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Why do most people respond so poorly and negatively to Christ?
   

3. What does it look like to reject yourself to worship Christ? How can you mature in your desire and ability to worship the Lord?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

A Miraculous Entrance

Introduction:

John 8:41 - "You are doing the works your father did." They said to him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father--even God."

Why I believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ (and why it matters) (Matthew 1:18-25):

1. It is the Straightforward Teaching of scripture.
2. It is Certainly Possible with God.

   Luke 1:34 - How will this be, since I am a virgin?

   Luke 1:37 - Nothing will be impossible with God.

3. It is Essential for Salvation.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 1:18-25

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Why do you think the doctrine of the virgin birth of Christ is so consistently denied?
   

3. Why is believing in the virgin birth an important doctrine to embrace? What are the implications if Jesus was just naturally Joseph and Mary’s son?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Are You Willing to Wait?

Introduction:

James 5:11 - Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Why I'm Willing to Wait on the Lord While I Suffer (Job 42:7-17):

1. Because God will have the Last Word . (Job 42:7-9)
2. Because God is Making me through suffering. (Job 42:7-9)

   Philippians 1:6 - And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

   Hebrews 2:10 - For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.

   Hebrews 5:8 - Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

   1. Suffering Humbles me.
   2. Suffering teaches me Perseverance .
   3. Suffering proves if my faith is Real .

      Job 13:15 - Though he slay me, I will hope in him...

3. Because Blessing comes after suffering. (Job 42:10-17)

   Philippians 3:10 - ...that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings

   2 Timothy 2:10 - if we endure, we will also reign with him

   Romans 8:18 - For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

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Small Group Discussion
Covering Job 42:7-17

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. In Job 42:7-8, God says Job “has spoken of Me what is right”. Why would God say this in light of Job making some pretty harsh comments about God in Job 3-31?
   

3. How exactly does suffering build perseverance? What is my part in growing in perseverance while I suffer?
   

4. How does suffering prove whether or not your faith is real? How do we know Job had a real faith?
   

5. Do you think Satan still seeks to afflict believers today? Why or why not?

Breakout
Pray for one another.