Grow Groups 4/24/24
/ JamestownFirstAssemblySomething to Talk About
April 21-27
Grow Groups Sermon Discussion Guide
Missions Service with the Rea’s twins
Jeremiah 17:5-8
INTRODUCTION:
What does it mean to trust?
What are some things that people struggle with that makes it hard for them trust?
What are some reasons why people have a hard time trusting in the Lord?
How has God provided for you as you have put your trust in Him?
Read Proverbs 3:4-5. How do we put these verses into practice in our walk with Christ?
What are the things or steps that it takes to build trust in any relationship?
Text:
Jeremiah 17:5-8 5This is what the Lord says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. 6They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. 7“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. 8They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.
This portion of scripture is written to Judah who through the Old Testament had a very rocky relationship with God.
And there is a reason we read all of this…it’s because it is supposed to be a lesson for us on what not to do with our relationship with our God and what to do. We are supposed to use scripture and the stories we read to reflect on our spiritual walk and to listen to what God is saying to us.
With this in mind, what stands out to you in this passage of scripture?
Two areas to consider about trust:
1. WHERE WE PUT OUR TRUST MATTERS
Jeremiah 17:5-6 5This is what the Lord says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. 6They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land.
Where have most of the people in this world put their trust?
How was secular society defined? Why does the worship of self, make people so miserable?
Margot Rea said, “They have put it in a creation of the creator expecting them to be as powerful as the creator and get mad and jaded when they can’t.
No human will ever live up to the love and power of God and yet we really expect them to give us the peace and hope only found in Jesus.
What we as Christians are to share with people the only true hope and that is in Jesus.
Having No hope for the future looks like what we are seeing now…decisions being made for what feels good now ignoring consequences or how the decisions made impacts other people.
That is why Jesus is needed and why I am called and why you are called. God has chosen His church (you and me) to be his hands and feet to this world and it is important to Him.
Where are you putting your trust?
If it is anything other than Jesus, then you will be discouraged and hopeless.” How do we share this hope as His hands and feet with those that are hopeless?
What does Jesus what us to do with His message?
Do we do it? Or do we just give lip service to the message of hope is only found in Jesus?
Margot Rea said, “Being honest is hard but worth it and this life will never be perfect and you and I will never be perfect. Trust in Jesus brings life and fullness only found in Him. A PEACE THAT WILL GO BEYOND UNDERSTADING AND CIRCUMSTANCES. That is what we are called to share with this world….”
What are your thoughts here?
Margot Rea said, “The last words Jesus said before going to heaven is GO-Make disciples! I will give you everything you need to do this request. The Christian walk is exactly that. So, there is hope and a hope that is breathtaking and eternal.”
What brings hope to you?
2. TRUST IN JESUS IS ETERNAL
Jeremiah 17:7-8 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. 8They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.
What does it take for trees to stay healthy, green and to never stop producing?
What does it take for a fully devoted follower of Christ to stay healthy, green and to never stop producing?
Read Psalm 1. What is the Psalm writer’s take on trees and their root system?
Margot Rea shared the story about Ms. Mary who copied books of Scripture to remind herself of who she is in Christ. What are some ways that we can do the same? What does Scripture say about who we are?
Margot Rea said, “Putting trust in the Lord makes us strong and when life comes at us we can thrive and grow and love on those around us and bring LIFE to dead places! That is what we all called to do! We bring the love and light of Jesus wherever we go.”
How do we bring the light and love of Christ to all those around us? Get practical—how can we show the light and love of Christ in practical ways?
Margot Rea said, “It is when we are rooted in Jesus that we can grow and we can flourish and we impact the world around us in beautiful ways! A flourishing tree brings beauty and life to this world and we as followers of CHRIST can impact this world in beautiful ways. And no matter what comes our way we are not destroyed! The church/Christians can sometimes forget where their strength comes from. We need to be aware and ask ourselves from time to time where we put our trust and where we are getting the strength to do what we are called to do.”
What situation in your life are you looking for something or someone to hold onto and to thrive?
Margot Rea said, “I am challenging us and me to look beyond what we feel and know to the TRUTH that God loves you and wants what is best for us and that WE need to decide who and where our strength comes from. I am praying that in our impatience and pride we do not miss the truth and power of Jesus! He wants and longs for us to thrive! And He longs for Scotland to repent and thrive through Him!”
What will it take for you to thrive in Christ in the season you are in right now?
PRAYER:
For souls to be reached in Scotland!
For each other and the Church… that we develop a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.