Connect

Main Idea: When people seek autonomy from God to define what’s best, it results in a world of tragedy and death.

Introduction: This week, Pastor Chris takes us to the world of Jurassic Park; a place where John Hammond and his team of scientists have taken life into their own hands…and everything goes terribly wrong. Like John Hammond, we try to control our lives and the world around us; often never stopping to ask ourselves if we should do the things we do. Without Christ at the center and guiding us, we should expect frustration and confusion.

Discussion Starter: In your world, what do you wish you understood more?

Grow

Primary Scriptures: Genesis 11:1-9, Matthew 6:25-26

Discussion Questions:

1. This weekend, Pastor Chris asked, “Have you ever found yourself so preoccupied with whether you could do something, you never stopped to ask if you should?” When has taking matters into your own hands made things worse?
2. Read Matthew 6:25-26 Are you easily content? What are the obstacles to you being restful, at peace, and content?
3. No one knows you, this world, and the universe better than the Creator. Knowing that God knows you better than you know yourself, how do you seek Him and His Will for your life?
4. Key themes of Jurassic Park are the power of creation and the illusion of control. In his book, “Counterfeit Gods,” Tim Keller proposes that power and control are idols; which he defines as “anything more fundamental than God to your happiness, meaning in life, or identity.” More broadly, anything we place in that ultimate spot that only God can occupy. Where do you place the pursuit of power and need for control in your life?
5. What is one concrete step you can take to pursue God instead of that idol? For example, if you place a high value on your time and have your calendar full, could you empty some of those time blocks to make room for quiet time or a Bible study with a friend?

Protect

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

What is God asking you to do? What would happen if you were obedient to do it?

In Jurassic Park, the scientists seeing dinosaurs in person was drastically different than studying the fossil remains. Our God and His Word are alive, not dead, old, and dusty. Read 1 Peter 1:23 When you read God’s Word, how can you read and experience it as alive? What is the most recent Scripture that God used to meet you where you were at? Make a plan to check in this week and keep each other accountable for reading God’s word.