Reading Plan for next week’s message
Sunday - 1 Chronicles 16:8-36
Monday – Psalm 138
Tuesday – Proverbs 13
Wednesday – Psalm 111
Thursday – James 3
Friday – 1 Corinthians 2
Saturday – John 14:1-14
Memorize/Reflect: Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21)
Prayer Direction: Search your heart and commit to follow God in any and every situation no matter what others do and say. Thank God for being the one and only true God!
“Live It!” Challenge: - When in the past have you failed to stand for God? What were the circumstances that influenced your actions and how would you change that? Identify an upcoming situation in your life where you will have a chance to stand up for God. Commit to stand strong, like Elijah. Ask a Christian friend to pray for you to have courage and to check in and see how you did.
Small Group Discussion:
- What are some of the ways people turn their backs on God in today’s world? How do you think God feels when we do things like this?
- Read: 1 Kings 18:16-19 What do you learn about the boldness of Elijah? What is one area of faith you need to be more bold, direct, or verbal about?
- Read: 1 Kings 18:20-21 When the people “said nothing” what do you think this tells us about the condition of their hearts and faith in God? What are some of the ways Christians should be standing up but we often “say nothing”? Why is this dangerous?
- Read: 1 Kings 18:36-39 How did the people’s attitude change when God won? Why is it important for us to stand strong and be bold in our faith (Like Elijah) even when we don’t yet see the victory of God?
- What is one area of your life where you really need to stand strong, but you have not yet seen God show up and win the victory? How can your group members support and pray for you in this time of waiting?
- The test that God led Elijah to do was very public. Do you think God cares about you being public and unashamed of Him? What is one way you can be more public about your faith and love for Jesus in the coming month?
- Elijah felt outnumbered and overwhelmed. But, he still stood up and fought. How can Christians still speak up for God even when we are often outnumbered?
- Elijah did not realize that he was not alone, but there were still many godly people who had not bowed down to the idols of their age. Why is it important that we realize we are not alone and that we draw strength from other Christians? How can we do this more and more?
Reading Plan for next week’s message
Sunday - 1 Kings 16
Monday – 1 Kings 17
Tuesday – 1 Kings 18
Wednesday – 1 Kings 19
Thursday – 2 Kings 2
Friday – Matthew 17:3-13
Saturday – Acts 6
Memorize/Reflect: “Impress them (God’s Commandments) on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:7)
Prayer Direction: Pray for parents to offer spiritual leadership in their homes. Pray for Shoreline’s Children’s Ministry, all of our volunteers, and Pastor Roy as he leads. And, ask God to help the church and families at Shoreline to be great partners in ministry.
“Live It!” Challenge: Say It! - If you have children, offer spiritual leadership in some way this week. You might ask your child, “Can I pray with and for you?” Then, pray with them at that moment. You might have a Bible study with your child. If you don’t know where to start, use the questions below.
Small Group Discussion (I Know What Color God Is):
- Who was/is one significant influencer on your spiritual life and faith and how has God used this person as a spiritual parent as you have grown in faith?
- What is the role of the local church, pastors, youth leaders, Bible study leaders, and others in helping people grow in their faith?
- What is the role of parents and family in helping a child, teen, or grown adult go deeper in faith? What can parents and grandparents do to help faith become a core value and part of the family members lives?
- How can we help younger people who are “sons and daughters” in the faith grow to know and love Jesus more?
- Read: Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Read: Deuteronomy 4: 9-14 .What does is look like when we are really seeking to love God with all of our heart, soul and strength in the context of our family?
- What does is look like when we are really seeking to love God with all of our heart, soul and strength in the context of a local church congregation?
- What are some ways we can “Impress” God’s commands and truth on the next generation in a way they will be accepting and receive this truth?
- Read: Deuteronomy 11:18-21 What are some ways we can grow in faith, and help the next generation grow in faith, by “fixing God’s truth in our hearts and minds”? How do we keep the truth of Scripture in our hearts and minds when there are so many other things crying for our attention and devotion?
- How can the partnership of church and home become a powerful tool in the hands of God when it comes to raising children who love and follow Jesus with their whole hearts
- If you have special needs or concerns for a child right now, share these and commit to pray for each other.
Reading Plan for next week’s message
Sunday - Deuteronomy 4:1-40
Monday – Deuteronomy 6
Tuesday – Deuteronomy 11
Wednesday – Exodus 12
Thursday – Psalm 145
Friday – Ephesians 5:21-6:4, Colossians 3:18-21
Saturday – Deuteronomy 4:1-40
Memorize/Reflect: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” (Malachi 3:10)
Prayer Direction: Thank God for the material gifts and blessings He has given you. Pray that you will understand that every good gift is a gift from Him. (James 1:17)
“Live It!” Challenge: Say It! - Take time in the coming week to make a list of 20 material things you have. A car, where you live, clothes, “toys,” and other things. Go through this list a few times in the coming week. As you read each item, say out loud, “This is a gift from God. I am thankful for it and I offer this back to God for Him to use for His glory!”
Small Group Discussion (God Wants More than Ten Percent!):
- What is one material thing that you are truly thankful for? How do you see this item as a gift from God and how can you express thanks to God for it?
- What makes it hard to give, be generous, and live with open hands (willing to share what God has given you)?
- What helps you grow in generosity and become more free and joyful as you learn to give and share what you have? How can the very act of giving bring you joy? Tell a story of a time you felt led to give something away or share something with a person in need. How did God show up and bring joy through this experience (to you and the person who received the gift)?
- Read: Deuteronomy 14:22-29 and Malachi 3:6-12 . Why does God want his people to give ten percent back to Him? How is this ten percent a picture of giving even more to God (our whole lives)?
- If we refuse to give God the first ten percent, and don’t surrender all of our life to God, what does this say about our faith and trust in God? How is giving a sign of trust in God’s power, provision, and presence in our lives?
- Read: Deuteronomy 26:1-15 . How does a tithe help bring ministry of compassion to the broken, outcast, and often forgotten? What are ways that the gifts given at Shoreline Church are extending care and mercy to people in our community who are broken and struggling?
- Read: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 . The apostle Paul uses an agricultural image and reality about sowing seed and reaping a harvest. What are some of the agricultural principles that transfer over to the practice of giving?
- When it comes to giving, attitude matters. What kind of attitude does God want us to express as we give? How does the condition of our heart impact how we give?
- How can our generous giving actually bring praise and thanksgiving to others? How does it bring joy to God’s heart?
- What can we do to grow as givers and find greater joy as we increase in generosity? How can thankfulness for what we have grow our heart for giving?
Reading Plan for next week’s message
Sunday - Deuteronomy 12
Monday – Deuteronomy 14
Tuesday – Deuteronomy 26
Wednesday – Malachi 3
Thursday – 1 Timothy 6
Friday – 2 Corinthians 9
Saturday – Proverbs 11, Proverbs 19
Memorize/Reflect: “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19)
Prayer Direction: Praise God for the many blessings He has given you. Pray for strength and wisdom to choose the way of blessing and not the way of cursing.
“Live It!” Challenge: Honest Evaluation - – Take time to identify one area of your life where you are choosing to do something, or hold on to an attitude, that you know is unhealthy. Write down what this action or attitude is. Then, write down how God would want you to live and think in this area of your life. Next, prayerfully write down a specific change you can make that will lead you toward God’s will and blessing in your life. Finally, take this action step, do it! As you do, watch for the blessing of God.
- What are some thing people do that they know are unhealthy, dangerous, and generally lead to a less blessed life? Why do people do the very things they know are unhealthy and unhelpful?
- Read: Deuteronomy 27:16-18.God is deeply concerned about justice and how we treat those who are marginalized. How do you see the loving heart of God for those who are oppressed and hurting in these curses?
- Why do you think God is concerned about property lines, blind people, orphans, widows, and those who are far from their home?
- What are acts of injustice and oppression that exist in our culture today and how can Christians fight against this and bring blessing and care to those who are often forgotten? What are some of the community outreach ministries at Shoreline (you can check our website at www.shorelinechurch.org for more information). How can you get involved in these and bring care for the hurting, lonely, and forgotten?
- Read: Deuteronomy 27:20-23. Warning! These verses and curses are not pretty. Reading them could make you do a double take! How does our current culture of sexual freedom and “anything goes” push people away from God’s blessing and toward a life of pain, brokenness, and cursing?
- How can followers of Jesus become a model of holiness and purity in how we conduct ourselves as men and women?
- What are the ways that culture and media are trying to entice us to engage in sexual and moral lifestyles that will bring curses and pain?
- What can we do to resist these temptations? How can we turn off the constant flow of unhealthy ideas from entering our minds?
- Read: Deuteronomy 28:1-11. What are some of the blessings we will experience if we follow God with our whole hearts and seek to live as He calls us to live?
- What is one action you can take in your life that will lead to blessing and obedience to God? How can your group members pray for you as you seek to take this step and follow the path of blessing?
Reading Plan for next week’s message
Sunday - Deuteronomy 27
Monday – Deuteronomy 28
Tuesday – Deuteronomy 29
Wednesday – Deuteronomy 30
Thursday – Malachi 1
Friday – Malachi 2
Saturday – Malachi 3-4
Memorize/Reflect: “Therefore, take care to follow the commands, decrees and laws I give you today.” (Deuteronomy 7:11)
Prayer Direction: Praise God for giving His Word, the Bible, that gives us clear direction for living and following Him. Pray that you will walk in increasing obedience to God’s Word and will for your life.
“Live It!” Challenge: Time For Honesty - – Prayerfully ask God to show you and convict you of one area of your life where you are living in ongoing disobedience to His will and Word. When the Holy Spirit places this area of disobedience on your heart, do three things: 1) Confess this sin to God, asking Him to break your heart over it. 2) Repent, walk away from this pattern, behavior, lifestyle, or attitude. 3) Get help and accountability to stay on the right road in this area of your life. Allow strong Christians to help you stand strong and obedience to God’s Word.
- Read: Deuteronomy 7:1-4. What different responses could you expect from the people when they heard these commands? How do you think you would respond?
- Tell the group of a time that you were asked or told to do something that you did not completely understand or agree with. What was your response?
- Have you ever asked someone to do something that they did not agree with? How did you convince them that it was the right thing to do?
- Read: Deuteronomy 7:5-6. What did God command the people to do? Why was this necessary?
- What idols in your life have the potential to lead you away from God?
- What will you do to eliminate these idols from your life?
- What is one area of your life where you know you need to be obedient, but are not?
- Read: Deuteronomy 8:17-20. What can we be tempted to do in times of success and prosperity?
- How can we protect ourselves from falling into this temptation?
- What are one or two specific steps you will take this week, to walk more faithfully in obedience? How can your group specifically help you with this?
