Use this time to get at the heart of the Kingdom of Christ in contrast to the way of a base nature. Power and strength aren't what we learned as kids. There are numerous texts about humility over pride, lowness over loftiness and a pervasive attitude adjustment for those who put their trust into superficial displays of power. See if you can find any relevance to such an archaic idea in the Research Triangle, USA.
(There are some additional texts at the bottom of this study for further reading)
Thaw
- What's something you thought you would have finished at this point in the summer and haven't?
- How can the group help?
- What's the main thing you feel you've learned in this series so far?
- What most stuck with from this last message?
- Did you feel like you could identify with Deborah? Why or why not?
Read
- 2 Chron 26:15-16
- Hebrews 11:34
- 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
- Thoughts?
- How would you describe this theme?
- What's the wrong way to read texts like these?
Leader note: The point of the last questions is to make sure that the group doesn't assume that people of power and influence should feel guilty. God isn't actually on record as strictly using simple minded, unintelligent people for his Kingdom. The 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 and all the passages with similar themes are about an attitude of reversal, where self-confidence is only as meritorious as it's rooted in self-awareness and humble trust of God. Be as smart and as a strong as you want, just don't replace God with it.
Discuss
- What's a time where you felt like you were weak and God showed up in those circumstances?
- What's a time when you felt strong on your own and disconnected from God and others?
- How do you know you're in the midst of one of these times, since they are so much ewasier to recognize in hindsight?
- How do you know you are not in one of those times now?
Read
- Matthew 5:1-13
- Thoughts?
- How is this applicable to our lives when we have so much economically, socially, medically and in terms of our freedoms?
Leader note: It's key to remember that Jesus (despite many sermons and books in support of this idea) isn't saying you must become these things to get blessed. He is, rather, saying that despite what society would teach (i.e. that poor people, persecuted people, meek people...they all have empty existences that should be avoided. It's the people on top that have "blessing") these people have a sacred window thrown open to them. Their simplicity, and their interdependency, prime them for working in tandem with God when the wholes in their lives being filled would actually drive God's Spirit away. This can be realized at any level of influence, resource or class. Poverty isn't a goal for achieving God's favor. Understanding that God's favor is rooted in our admitting reality is the goal. No matter what or who we are, or strength coming from God is a way of keeping our selfish error at bay.
- What is the appeal of an underdog story? Why do stories so often portray a "least likely" to be the protagonist?
- Why don't we want to be underdogs personally, in real life?
Apply
- Does anyone in this group have what they would consider a strong desire to be strong and powerful in some sense?
- What are the pros and cons to achieving this?
- How do you remain aware of when a pursuit of good strength has turned into faith in chariots?
- Who helps you with this?
- Does this group have permission to ask this level of accountability to each other (i.e. allowing others to speak into obsessions with power and strength as they are seen in conversations, ambitions, goals, etc.)?
Additional texts
- Judges 4
- Deut 20:6
- Psalm 20:7
- Isaiah 31:1
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