Groups Discussion Guide
Read Scripture. Go Deeper. Ask Questions. Take Action.
I Feel Used
Scripture
1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”
7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”
8 and,
“A stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Main Idea
When it comes to being used by God, all of us are a significant piece of what God is building and all of us play an important part. However, God's work requires that we prepare for it, pray about it, and prioritize it.
The real pain in our life isn’t when we’re feeling used, but when we feel useless.
Discussion Questions
- Pastor Justin mentioned preparing for God's purpose. What are some practical steps you can take to do that this week?
- Do you pray for God to use you regularly? What are the specific ways you can being to seek God's purpose as we close out the year?
- What does sacrifice mean to you?
- When you think of being used by God what examples come to your mind?
Summary
God is using us to building a spiritual house, but we have to prepare for it, pray about it and prioritize it. We can prepare our heart by removing doubt and self-centeredness. We can seek God's will through prayer and scripture. And we must ensure that our time, energy and focus reflect the right priorities. When we see serving others as significant and our hearts reflect God's purposes we'll experience the blessing of what it means to be used by God.
Take Action
- Make it a habit this week to start and end your day with scripture.
- Reflect on areas in your life where doubt may be holding you back.
- Acknowledge and celebrate the small steps and victories in your spiritual journey.
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