Pick up Your Mat and Walk

THE TEXT: John 5:1-47.

• Crime #1: a guy on the . (verses 1-15)
• Crime #2: Implicitly claiming with . (verses 16-18)
• Jesus himself and puts his on trial. (verses 19-47)

When doing the right thing lands you in hot water.

| Psalm 37:7 | Proverbs 18:13, 17 | James 1:5 | 2 Timothy 3:16-17 | Hebrews 11:35-40 |

• Try to the beforehand.
• If you’re convinced it’s , keep your on and trust Him with the .

What to do when you’re praying for a significant breakthrough.

| Revelation 12:11 | Exodus 14:14 | Isaiah 40:28-31 |

• REMEMBER: are a key component of every .
• is one of the most powerful ways God .

Small Group Questions

What do you think?

From Sunday’s message, what particular point stood out to you, challenged you, or raised a question for you?

The story of your life.

On Sunday, Pastor Kyle mentioned that waiting is one of the most powerful ways God works. Share a good thing in your life that God made you wait for.

Digging deeper in God’s Word.

1. Expanding on the theme of waiting being one of the most powerful ways God works, let’s look at a critical waiting period in King David’s life. David was anointed to be king in 1 Samuel 16 but didn’t become king until 2nd Samuel 2. In the meantime, David faithfully served Saul, married his daughter, was best friends with Saul’s son, and Saul repeatedly tried to kill David. When faced with the same opportunity, David spared Saul’s life at least twice that we know of. One such example is found in 1 Samuel 24. Read the entire passage together and then answer the following prompts.
   1. Have a few group members recap the story using their own words.
   2. What does this story tell us about God? Waiting on the Lord? People? You?
2. Each of the following verses gives us a glimpse into what it looks like to wait on God and trust Him to work. Read and discuss them one at a time, sharing an insight about seeing God work in the waiting.
   1. Exodus 14:14.
   2. Psalm 46:10.
   3. Isaiah 30:18.
   4. Isaiah 40:28-31.
   5. Matthew 6:25-34.
3. In light of this discussion, is there anything you need to do differently?

Personal reflection and application.

1. Have everyone share one thing someone else mentioned that struck a chord with you.
2. Pray for one another (men with men and women with women if possible).