Groups Discussion Guide

Read Scripture. Go Deeper. Ask Questions. Take Action.

Pastor Justin Jenkins

When It Feels Like The End

Scripture

I Peter 4:7‐11 NIV

7But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Main Idea

Sometimes we are only confident in our relationship with God when things are going well or when we feel like we are doing good things. God loves you the same in both failure and success. You can be confident in your heavenly Father's plan for you and how He sees you no matter what else is going on in your life. God not only wants us to be confident in how He sees us but wants us to encourage others when things aren't going their way. God loves you no matter the circumstances and His love will help us be strong when it matters most.

The truth is we don't know how much time we have and God wants us to be confident in Him and live like He will be coming back at any moment.

The time you have on the clock determines the play you are going to run.

Discussion Questions

  1. What difficult things have you gone through and now can look back to see God's change in you?
  2. How would you act differently if you knew you only had a little bit of time left to live?
  3. What challenges are you currently going through and how can the group best pray for you?

Summary

In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus told Peter He was praying for Him that his faith wouldn't fail. Being tested is part of being a Christian. When Jesus told Peter He was praying for Him, He said "when you return" because He knew Peter had a calling to fulfill in the kingdom. You have that same type of gift and calling from God. When your faith is tested, He is there to help you. We think that we are more "with God" when things are going well for us but God is always with us in tough and great circumstances.

Jesus was excited for fulfilling His mission. Not because it would be pleasant but because He knew the outcome that would result once He completed it. We now have that perpetual relationship with God because of what Jesus did.

When you feel like you are in crunch time or going through difficult things, there are three steps you can do to help.

  1. Focus Your Prayers - be specific to God about the things you need and ask Him what you need to learn.
  2. Find Your People - We are meant to walk this life with people. Sometimes they are meant to encourage and support you and other times you are meant to encourage and support them. I Peter 4:8-9 reminds us that relationships can be messy because we are all flawed. Be gracious and love each other.
  3. Fulfill Your Part - Your gift is meant to be a resource to your current role at work and at church. God gave you those gifts to support the kingdom.

Take Action

  • Ask God to show you the lessons He wants you to learn in your current circumstances.
  • If you aren't part of a group, find one to try so you won't have to go through struggles alone.
  • If you are not serving, find a place to volunteer at church.

Announcements

  • Super Hero Sunday - October 26th
  • Visioneering - October 17th
  • Yoco - 2nd/4th Tuesday of the month - 7-8:30pm