Thank God I Didn’t Quit

Acts 18:1-23 – Paul’s time in Corinth and the end of the 2nd Missionary Journey.

Whenever you want to quit…

• Resist the of and ().

| Acts 18:5-6 | Matthew 14:30 | 1 Corinthians 10:13 | 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 | Hebrews 12:1-2 |

• the regular of the through His and His .

| Acts 18:9-10, 2:42 | Psalm 119:18, 50, 133:1 | Isaiah 40:8 | Colossians 3:16 |

| 2 Timothy 3:16-17 | Hebrews 10:23-25 | 1 John 1:7 |

• in God’s and His .

| Acts 18:18-21 | Matthew 6:10 | James 4:13-15 | Isaiah 55:8-9 | Jeremiah 29:11 |

• on God’s and your .

| Acts 18:22-23 | 1 Corinthians 1:9 | Philippians 1:6 | James 1:12 |

Small Group Questions

What do you think?

Take a moment to re-read Sunday’s message points to jog your memory. Then share something that struck a chord with you from Sunday’s message.

The story of your life.

1. On Sunday, Pastor Kyle talked about the temptation we often feel to give up on something or someone too soon. What strategies help you “keep on keeping on” when you want to give up too soon?
   1. Getting away.
   2. Talking it through with a key friend/mentor.
   3. Researching online.
   4. Stories of people who have overcome it.
   5. Any specific Scriptures? If so, mention them.
   6. Other?
2. Tell about a time when you stuck something out and God blessed you for it.

Digging deeper.

1. One tragic biblical story of a group of people who gave up too soon is found in Numbers 13-14. As a backstory, the Israelites had been delivered from slavery in Egypt but most complained constantly, asking to return to Egypt. In the midst of their wilderness wandering, God tells Moses to send twelve spies to inspect the Promised Land and see what may lay ahead. Read Numbers 13:1-14:12, followed by 14:20-25 and answer the following prompts/questions.
   1. Have a few members of the group recap the story using their own words.

   2. What does this story tell us about God? Perseverance? Us and ourselves?

   3. In light of this, is there anything you need to do differently?

2. Now turn to Luke 18:1-8. In many ways, it’s a story with a simple point. However, Jesus included it in Scripture for us to internalize and live that point.
   1. Have a few people recap the story using their own words.

   2. What does this story tell us about God? Perseverance? Us and ourselves?

   3. In light of this, is there anything you need to do differently?

3. The following verses offer examples of how God wants us to persevere as Christians. Share an insight on perseverance from each one.
   1. Galatians 6:9.

   2. Matthew 7:7-8 AMP.

   3. James 1:2-4.

   4. Philippians 3:12-14.

Personal reflection and application.

1. Have everyone share one thing someone else said in this discussion that struck a chord with you.

2. Pray for one another (preferably men with men and women with women).