AUGUST 7
MISSION
You were created on purpose and with a purpose. A relationship with God allows you to make the most of every good and bad experience life throws at us. Walking by faith is not always easy, but it’s a life most worth living. Discover how setting aside the instant gratification of today can enable us to accomplish a mission that’s far greater than we could imagine.
Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own, and get together with your running partner, life group, or friends and family to talk through what you are learning.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Would you describe yourself as a successful person? Why or why not? What drives you to success?
2. What stood out to you from the message?
3. Read Hebrews 11:8-12.
◦ Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say):
▪ Who is talking?
▪ What is the circumstance?
▪ Any repeated phrases?
▪ What surprised you?
▪ What stood out to you?
◦ Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean)
▪ What questions do you have?
▪ Summarize the passage in 1-3 sentences – what are the main points?
▪ What do you learn about the nature and character of God as you read this?
▪ What do you learn about yourself and your choices?
◦ Now make some applications (what’s my response)
▪ How do you respond to what you are reading?
▪ How does this apply to your life?
▪ What is the central truth that you could put into practice from this?
▪ Who could you share this with for the sake of encouragement?
4. John described faith as “having confidence in God to act on His word, despite the circumstances.” Can you think of a situation in your life, like Abraham and Sarah, when you chose to trust God despite the odds? What was that like for you and what was the outcome of your faith?
5. What are you currently building your life around for hope, comfort, or security? Fill in the blank, “Right now, my faith is in the hope that if ________, then ________. What would it look like to shift your hope to God and trust in the surety of His character instead of these other things?
6. Read Matthew 16:24-26. How does success in the eyes of God look foolish and upside-down to the world around you? Is your view of success in line with what God desires for you? How so or how not? What needs to change to surrender your idea of success to Christ and trust Him more?
KEY SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 11:8-12 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
Matthew 16:24-26 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
TAKE A NEXT STEP
1. Spend time meditating on Ephesians 2:10. In light of all you learned about who God is through this message and discussion, what next steps do you need to take so that you can experience the great adventure God has planned for you? Share these next steps with someone who will keep you accountable.
2. Since trusting God despite circumstances depends on knowing God and believing He will operate according to His unchanging character, consider watching this Character of God series from the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/explore/category/character-of-god-series/