FollowUp 9-6-17

Message Title: The Making of a Heavenly Hero

Series: Heavenly Heroes

Key verses:  Hebrews 11:22

Sermon Notes:

1. If we trust in our gifts and abilities, rather than the giver of our gifts (God), we can become arrogant and proud. Gen. 37:9
2. If we trust in the wrong people we can get really disappointed. Gen. 40:23
3. God is in control of the outcome of events, not man. He alone is absolutely trustworthy. Gen. 41:41
4. The greatest enemy that we have to face is the enemy within. Gen. 42:7
5. To defeat our dark side, we need to put our trust and faith in God.
6. Faith in God allows us to see a reality that the human eye cannot see. Gen. 50:19
7. The greatest waste is for a person to go through so much pain and learn nothing.

Questions:

Icebreaker: Have you ever been deeply hurt by a family member? How did you react to it then? How do you feel about it now?

Note: Joshua’s life was a process of experiencing good and bad, but eventually, God was able to use him because he did not give up during the tough times. Here are some verses for us to meditate on to help us see God in the difficult times of life.

1. Read Romans 8:28-29. Have you been through a traumatic event or a big disappointment in your life and wondered why God allowed it to happen? How did you resolve the answer that question? How can this verse help bring light to the bad things that happen in your lives?
2. Read Proverbs 3:5-8. Bad things happen and when they do, it can bring out the best or the worst in us. Sometimes starting with the worst and if we keep the faith, it brings out the best in us. How can this verse guide you when you go through turbulent times in your life?
3. Even though we have strong faith in God, the pain we go through still hurts. Read Philippians 4:6-8. How can this verse help you process your pain and allow God to heal your heart?
4. When we go through hard times, the temptation is to give up. Read Joshua 1:7-9. How can God’s presence help give you hope when you are discouraged?
5. God put us on earth for a reason, and we can find meaning and fulfillment in life when we live our lives according to God’s will and purpose. Read Romans 12:1-2.  Why is surrender and trust in God necessary before we can see that God’s will is good and perfect?