DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
How does God’s power in bringing forth a miracle baby give you comfort in times of grief?
How does God’s purpose of bringing forth a miracle baby give you hope in times of uncertainty?
How does the birth of Samson foreshadow the birth of Christ in some way?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Have you ever been hurt or betrayed by someone close? How does this translate spiritually to the way we betray God by running after other people and things instead of seeking Him first?
What effect does worldly jealousy and envy have on us?
How does Christ pursue us in [Matthew 10:34-39]? How can we be found worthy of Christ?
What does it mean for you to take up your cross to follow Christ; and what is the place of suffering in a Christian life?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
How does the history of Israel so far highlight the consequences of following God’s wisdom versus human ‘wisdom’?
How does the rash oath of Jephthah highlight the importance of wise, prayerful promise-making and decision-making?
What does it look like for you to walk in the wisdom of God and not human folly today?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
How is the cycle of Israel’s sin a mockery of God’s grace and redemption of them?
Where in your own life can you see that same mockery occurring?
How does this passage serve as a warning against mocking God with unrepentant sin?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What would it look like to be generous and wise as we steward our finances?
Why is it so important to guard our faith even as we share with those around us?
How does the biblical concept of stewardship reshape your view on what you possess in this life?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
In the story of Abimelech, we see the consequences of unchecked ambition and a thirst for power. How can we as Christians guard against similar pitfalls in our own lives, especially in leadership and career pursuits?
God’s justice eventually caught up with Abimelech despite his initial success. How does this passage challenge or reinforce your understanding of God’s timing and justice, especially when it seems delayed or absent in the world today?
In this narrative, we also see how the actions of leaders can have devastating effects on their community. How can we, as a church and individuals, pursue unity and build healthy relationships within our communities, especially in settings like university, work, and family life?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What do you think motivated the leaders of Shechem to throw their support behind Abimelech?
What desires currently rule parts of your heart/life? What might be some unintended consequences of those desires being met?
How does the lesson of intentions flowing out into consequences challenge you in your faith today?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
How does the manner which a person finishes colour the ‘success’ of their entire career? What are some examples both Christian/non-Christian?
How does the tarnished legacy of Gideon act as a warning to you about the way you finish the race?
What could it look like for you to prepare a good legacy for future generations?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
God reduced Gideon’s army to prevent Israel from boasting. In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on your own strengths/abilities rather than on God? How can you actively combat this?
Gideon’s fear and need for reassurance from God were prominent in this passage. How do you relate to Gideon’s doubts and anxieties in your own spiritual journey?
Gideon was encouraged by God’s Word and reassurances before the battle. How do you seek and rely on God’s Word during challenging times? Can you share a recent experience where Scripture provided you the strength or guidance you needed?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
When was the last time you found yourself in a season of doubt/struggling to trust in God?
How does the story of Gideon’s doubt and God’s faithfulness comfort you in your times of doubt?
How does God using Gideon despite his doubt challenge you in your living for Christ?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Recount God’s faithfulness throughout redemptive history, and then your own life year by year, season by season.
How does God achieving his victories through unlikely people both humble and encourage you in your life of faith and service?
How could the songs of praise throughout Scriptures enrich our understanding of praise in our services today?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Describe the cycle of sin and salvation that we read in the passage; how does this capture the dynamic of living by faith in Christ?
How do the imperfections of the Judges foreshadow the perfect salvation that Christ wins for his people?
How do the stories of the Judges both challenge and encourage you in your battle against sin today?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
In what ways did Israel fail in their mission, and what were the consequences?
What does Israel’s repeated forgetfulness of God reveal about their hearts?
How does Israel’s need for deliverance foreshadow the need for an ultimate saviour?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
How did Abraham follow the plan of God in his life? How do you follow the plan of God for your life?
What was the definition of success in Abraham’s life? How do you define the success in your life?
What was the sign of the promise of God for Abraham? How is the external sign of the promise related to the internal reality?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Why is it so important to build strong Christian friendships as we navigate life together?
How is the friendship between David and Jonathan both an encouragement and challenge to you in your friendships?
Who are the close friends that are in your life right now? Share the journey of the friendships growing.
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
How do we find comfort from the truths of Psalm 23 in both our practical and spiritual needs?
How can we continue to cultivate our confidence in God? Personally?Collectively?
If you’re comfortable sharing, share a time when you’ve been walking through the valley of the shadow of death. How did you get through it? What would Psalm 23 have said to you?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
How does trusting in God’s provision flow over into cheerful giving?
What makes it hard for you to give on a personal level? How can you commit those things to God?
What could it look like to wisely steward our finances as well as giving generously for you?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Trace the story of God’s judgement and salvation throughout the Scriptures following Jude’s writing. How does it relate to today?
What does it look like for you to ‘contend for the faith’ in your life circumstances now?
How has this series encouraged/challenged/helped you to live faithfully in these last days?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What connection is there between the judgement in the flood and the coming judgement of fire?
How could the example of Noah’s faithfulness in an unbelieving generation encourage you today?
What could it look like to wait with patience and hope for the coming of the Lord for you?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What are some examples of the deceptions false teachers sell to lead God’s people astray?
How can we be on guard and protect one another as members of HCC?
What deceptions can feel particularly tempting for you on a personal level?
What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?