Finding Favor Week 1 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea:  God’s favor is a force already at work.

Introduction: This week we kick off 2021 by beginning our Finding Favor devotional, sermon series, and church wide fast! If you don’t have a copy of the devotional you find links to the kindle copy and the free YouVersion Bible app plan here: https://faithpromise.org/findingfavor. Or, pick up a free paper copy at your local campus.

Discussion Starter: When you hear about God’s favor, do you think you have it? Do you think someone else has it? Discuss.


Encounter God

Primary Scriptures:  Psalm 90:17 (2021 theme verse), Jeremiah 10:10-12, Zechariah 4:6, Matthew 12:36-37

Discussion Questions

    1. Pastor asked us to check our source. What is your source? Where do you find comfort and strength?
    2. Read Jeremiah 10:10-12 and Zechariah 4:6. How is God the source? What do these verses tell us about God’s power versus man’s power?
    3. Pastor also asked us to check our speech. Read Matthew 12:36-37. We all speak “idle words” and words we do not mean. Can you see any common themes in situations where you have regretted your words? Maybe you were tired or hungry? Maybe you listened to someone else trash their spouse or their kids and you followed their example? Being aware of these triggers can help us to be on our guard and guard our tongues in future situations.
    4. Change your source and change your speech: Make a commitment as a group to seek God as your source and speak life with your words.

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Psalm 23 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.


Embrace Others

Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into twos or threes for this section.

Do you have a word for the year, Bible reading plan, or personal growth plan? If so, share with someone in your group and hold each other accountable for seeking God in your life through your word and plans. If not, make a commitment to create a plan this week.


Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise:  Remember that the church wide 21 day fast begins Monday January 4. There are many ways to fast. You can fast a meal, do a Daniel fast, or fast from social media. Remember to redeem the time. Spend the time you would have spent eating or browsing social media in prayer.

Engaging in the Community:  In 2020 we gave over 500 donations (in the name of Faith Promise) to KARM stores. Adult and student small groups also volunteered over 300 hours at KARM.

WHY is it important to give to KARM? What do your donations of household items, clothes, and volunteering do for KARM or Faith Promise?

Every donation or hour volunteered feeds someone a meal.

If you donate or volunteer and say you’re from Faith Promise Church, you get a tax deduction AND our missions office receives KARM gift cards to be used for benevolence and our school partners. The most recent time we were able to help someone was a grandmother who got emergency custody of her 4 grandchildren 3 days before Christmas. She lived in a one bedroom apartment and had nothing for the kids. We were able to give her KARM gift cards for clothes, shoes, household items, bedding, and toys for Christmas.

Click here to find a location to donate or find out about volunteer opportunities!

Engaging in World:  Choose one of Faith Promise’s global partners—410 Bridge, Back 2 Back, Equip, The Timothy Initiative, or Training Pastors International—and commit to cover them in prayer this year. You can read more about our global partners at https://faithpromise.org/global-partners.


Expand God’s Kingdom

This is the time of year when many are ready for a fresh start. Who can you invite to come along on your journey of finding God’s favor?


Leader’s Notes

ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.

– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.

– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.

– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.

– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.