Revival Week 3 – Discussion Guide
Getting Started
Main Idea:
God revives the humble in heart, so those who seek revival must seek to humble themselves to God.
Discussion Starter:
What has God taught you this week during your Bible reading and prayer time?
Introduction:
This week, Pastor Micah reminded us that pride and humility are polar opposites. They can’t exist in the same place, ever. He demonstrated that when we have pride enough to hold on to our burdens (especially the burden of sin), it will weary us. And when we have the humility to admit our weakness and need, God will give us rest.
Watch this brief intro together with your group (click picture below):
Encounter God
Primary Scriptures: 1 Peter 5:5-7, Proverbs 3:34, Psalm 55:22, Isaiah 57:15, Matthew 11:28-30, Ephesians 2:8-9
Discussion Questions:
- Why would God dislike pride at all?
- In several of the passages, God talks about giving things to people (as opposed to them earning or deserving something). How could pride (or humility) affect someone’s ability to receive a gift?
- How is it that the most loving thing that God can do to a proud person is… resist them?
- Re-read Isaiah 57:15. What does revival have to do with someone’s grief over their own sin (that is, “contrition”)?
Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read 1 Peter 5:1-7 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.
Embrace Others
Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into dyads or triads for this section.
Getting to know you: Can you think of a time that God gave you grace? Can you think of a time that God resisted you? Additionally, who is into being both raw and real tonight? (Seriously. This is hard to share, but…remember that bit in 1 Peter 5:5? This is part of being clothed with humility.)
Getting to know them: Humility has a lot to do with approachability. What’s something you could say to your mini-group that would make you more approachable?
Getting to know Him: In Isaiah, God says that He doesn’t just inhabit eternity, but that He hangs out with those who are “contrite”, i.e., appropriately grieved by their sin. Every time you pray this week, just make a mental note about how you feel about your sin and how revived you feel. See if you can spot a relationship.
Engage the World Around Us
Engaging at Faith Promise: Submit yourself to fellow Christ-trusters. That is, take care of each other, and be gentle about it.
Engaging in Community: Be approachable by being humble. That’s going to matter during the Halloween season. However you celebrate (or don’t), the most important thing for your neighborhood is that they know you care about everyone’s well-being.
Engaging the World: Pray for Christ’s missionaries to not be discouraged. Scripture is clear that our prayers matter for those in dangerous places.
Expand God’s Kingdom
Can you think of anyone who might need to hear that God is clear about His stance on pride and humility? Or might want to talk about it?
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.
