Main Idea:  Finding God’s favor is truly important, but there is no favor without faith—and that means we have to trust God even when things are not pleasant.

Introduction:  Bad things happen in the world all the time. Some people are more affected than others, but we are all affected. This Sunday, Pastor Zac talked about God’s favor, and how it’s kind of like an umbrella on a rainy day—the rain is all around us, but whether or not to open the umbrella is a choice. We need to remember that having God’s favor does not always mean that everything is pleasant all the time, or that we never experience pain or loss. But, it does mean that the important things in life are taken care of.

Discussion Starter:  What is a good movie or TV show that you’ve enjoyed lately? What was the “big problem” that really got the story going?

Encounter God

Primary Scriptures:  Matthew 5:11-12, Daniel 3:8-27, Psalm 5

Discussion Questions

1. 1. We definitely want to have God’s favor. But having God’s favor doesn’t mean that this earthly life is going to be problem-free or pain-free. Jesus’ life and death demonstrates this perfectly. In Matthew 5:11, Jesus talks about a blessing that may not seem at all pleasant. In your group, consider these questions: How is it that someone could be blessed and have God’s favor, but at the same time experience such painful things? And why on earth would God’s favor involve being in pain like that?
   2. In Daniel 3:8-27, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were fireproof. This wouldn’t have been very noteworthy if they had been at home eating junk food. Instead, they were publicly standing up against evil (literally — they refused to bow), at the risk of their own lives. They had no promise that God would save their lives. They just knew that it was wrong to bow to anything besides God. Probably there aren’t any people threatening to throw anyone in your group into a literal furnace, but what are the “fires” in your lives? What difficult things try to pressure you away from what you know is right?
   3. Continuing in Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were immune to the fire—nobody could even smell smoke on them when they came out of the furnace. But, although they were immune to the fire, they were not immune to falling into the furnace. Discuss with your group how you think the three of them told this story to their friends after it happened. Do you think that they focused on how unpleasant that was or how God kept them safe during that time? ? And further, what do you focus on when you talk to others about the difficult parts of your life? Do you view it as an opportunity to talk about how good God is?
   4. God certainly showed favor to David, who trusted in Him. But David, the writer of Psalm 5, was no stranger to God’s correctional punishment. David often found himself in sin and in need of God’s discipline. However, David showed a pattern of repentance when confronted with his sin. He did not want to live in sin, despite finding himself in it frequently. Like Pastor Zac said, it’s not really possible for us to lead our friends and loved ones to a place that we ourselves are not. There is no room for God’s favor if we are valuing something or someone over God. So the question to talk about with your group is this: How have you spent your time this past week? How much time was there spent in prayer, or in Bible reading, or talking to others about Jesus? Also, how much time was spent watching Netflix, or sports?
      

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Psalm 5 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

Engaging at Faith Promise:  It’s difficult to engage with people right now because of pandemic precautions. Have your group figure out one way that you can check up on others at Faith Promise. There are many core members who have been unable to attend, and would probably love to hear from a fellow Promisor. Contact your Groups/Missions Pastor to see how your group can reach out to fellow Promisors.

Engaging in Community and the World:  Social media right now is in desperate need of the love of Christ. How can your group, on social media, be the “light of the world” that Jesus talked about in Matthew 5:14? How can your group be the love of God through social media outlets?