Dropout – Discussion Questions
MAIN POINT:
Endurance-the capacity of something to last or to withstand wear and tear. Those who endure till the end of life’s race will be saved.
ICEBREAKER:
When was a time in your life, or the life of someone whom you are close to, for which you had to build up endurance?
INTRODUCTION:
In this series we have been discussing drop outs: those who accept Jesus into their hearts and somewhere along the long the way become doubtful or decide altogether that they don’t want to have anything to do with God. We know that following God is not an easy race. If it were, Knoxville would not be at an 81% dropout rate. In Matthew 10:22, Jesus tells us that the world will hate us because we follow him. He also states that those who will endure to the end will be saved. In Matthew 13, we also find the story of the sower. Jesus describes four different settings into which the sower’s seeds can fall and the outcome. Some of the seeds don’t even enter the race, others are give-up too soon, some get injured and never return, and others not only finish, but produce followers. What is the difference between those who drop out and those who endure to the end of the race?
ENCOUNTERING GOD THROUGH BIBLE STUDY:
Our theme verse this year at Faith Promise is Hebrews 11:6- Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
1. What does God want his followers to do? What do we know God does for those who trust in Him?
Read Matthew 13:19-22.
2. This verse describes three different types of people, or “seeds,” who hear God’s message and Satan manages to separate them from God. Have you ever experienced a time in your life where your worries outweighed your faith, even for a moment?
3. How about a time when you did not understand the word or something that God was directing you to do?
Read Proverbs 21:16.
4. What does this passage say about those of us who wander from His understanding?
5. Can you think of ways to safe guard and strengthen your faith?
Read Hebrews 10:25 and James 2:14-24.
6. From Hebrews we see that God wants his people to be an assembly or a family, doing what for one another? How have you seen this demonstrated in your life?
7. In James we see that faith is perfected through works. Think about the current works in your life that demonstrate your faith. In what ways could your group demonstrate or perfect their faith this time of year?
8. How can you work on building faith within your family and the next generation?
Dropping out is easy. We must make sure we have faith to endure the race. Read Romans 1:17.
9. Everyday faith is constant, continuous, and enduring. It is not forced or coerced. How frequently do you think we must exercise your faith to endure to the end?
10. What are ways that you can work on building our faith throughout the year? How can you demonstrate your faith on a daily basis?
