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Print this pageJudges: | Getting Right With God | May 17-18, 2008 |
Growth Group Homework
For the week of May 18, 2008
QUICK REVIEW: Looking back at this week’s teaching on “Getting Right with God” was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged or confused you?
MY STORY
1. If you participated in the tent meetings last week, what are your thoughts and impressions of the evening? (If you were unable to attend, watch for more information in the coming weeks to get a DVD of the evening.)
2. Looking back in your life can you remember a time when you realized the discipline you were receiving from a parent, authority figure, or God was actually a good thing? If so, explain.
3. When it comes to fearing God, how would you describe your understanding of it over the years?
DIGGING DEEPER
1. This week we heard about the importance of a healthy “fear of God.” How could the people’s response to fear in Acts 5:1-11 help them relate to God in a healthy way? How might someone’s fear in this situation take them in the wrong direction?
Acts 5:1-11
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. [2] With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.
[3] Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? [4] Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."
[5] When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. [6] Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
[7] About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. [8] Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?"
"Yes," she said, "that is the price."
[9] Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."
[10] At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. [11] Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. [NIV]
How do the following verses help us understand where a healthy fear
of God can take us?
Psalm 103:11-14
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
[12] as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
[13] As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
[14] for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust. [NIV]Proverbs 16:6
Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil. [NIV]
Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom,
and humility comes before honor. [NIV]
Can you think of any examples in your own life of how your fear of God resulted in similar outcomes or responses to the verses above? Are there any of these that seem difficult to relate to?
2. Throughout our study in Judges we have seen the importance of authentic confession to God and others. How does 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 help us understand what true confession is? How might this kind of true repentance affect your confession to others, and/or God?
2 Corinthians 7:8-11
Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it--I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while-- [9] yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. [10] Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. [11] See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. [NIV]
3. Have you ever thought someone who was confessing or apologizing for something wasn’t really “owning up” to their stuff? Gary Chapman gives us some perspective on this in his book, The Five Languages of Apology. As you read his points below, which one is most important for you to hear from someone when they’ve wronged you?
Expressing regret - “I’m sorry”
Accepting responsibility – “I’m wrong”
Making restitution – “What can I do to make it right?”
Genuinely repenting – “I’ll try not to do that again”
Apology – “Will you please forgive me?”
Is there one that is more challenging for you to do? Do you have any thoughts on why it’s a challenge? How might these languages of apology help you own up to your stuff with God? …with others?
TAKING IT HOME
As you look back at this week’s teaching on what we need to understand about getting right with God, is there anything specific you’d like to put into action?
Prayer Request: