The Tennessee God Sees – Week 3 – Discussion Questions
MAIN POINT:
The more we trust, the more we sacrifice, and the more we reap a harvest of what we have sown.
ICEBREAKER:
None of us chooses our own starting point. What do you know about your birth story? Share briefly.
INTRODUCTION:
We all come from different starting points in life, but we don’t get to choose those starting points. Some people are born into great wealth and privilege, while others enter life in poverty and want. This year’s Heart for the Harvest offering will be put toward opening two new prison campuses: Morgan County Correctional Complex and the women’s side of Bledsoe County Correctional Complex. Many of those serving time in these prisons had a rough start to life. A difficult starting point is not an excuse for sin later in life, but our hearts should be soft towards others and offer mercy and forgiveness just as Christ forgave us. The sacrifices that Faith Promisors make during this Heart for the Harvest offering will allow those in prison to hear God’s message of hope and redemption. Jesus said in Matthew 25 “I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” Whatever we do for those behind bars, we are doing for Christ. What will you give to make this happen?
ENCOUNTERING GOD THROUGH BIBLE STUDY:
Read Hosea 10:12.
1. Pastor Chris talked about “breaking up our fallow ground,” in other words, breaking up the hard places in your heart, so that God can plant seeds of righteousness. What are the the hard places in your heart?
2. Take some time as a group to pray through some things that might bind you or hinder you from God’s best in your life. Read the following scriptures and pray as a group.
Read Matthew 6:33 and Matthew 11:28.
Pray that God would loose the chains of busyness.
Read Ephesians 4:31-32.
Pray that God would loose the chains of bitterness. Ask God to help you to forgive those who have wronged you.
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
Pray that God would loose the chains of blame. Ask God to remind you of His redeeming work in you; ask Him to remove any guilt you still feel for past sins; ask Him to help you to release others from blame.
Read Ecclesiastes 5:10.
Pray that God would loose the chains of money.
Read Hebrews 12:1.
Pray that God would loose the chains of baggage. Ask God to help you lay aside anything (past sins, past relationships, past hurts, etc.) that hinders you from following Him with your whole heart.
3. Pastor Chris said “A hesitation to sacrifice comes from a limitation of trust.” Are you hesitant to sacrifice? Where are you limited in your trust? Do you doubt God’s provision? Do you doubt God’s grace? Do you doubt God’s love?
Read 2 Corinthians 9:6.
4. Many times we talk about this verse as it relates to money, but we can sow other things. What are you sowing with your time? What are you sowing with your talents? What are you sowing with words you speak to others?
Read 2 Corinthians 9:7-8.
5. Pastor explained that the word translated “cheerful” in this verse could also be translated “hilarious.” Are you a hilarious giver? Do you know someone who is? Talk about the impact that you have seen generosity make.
Pray as a group that God would give you eyes to see the Tennessee that He sees. Pray for a spirit of generosity in the Heart for the Harvest offering. Pray that in the years to come this offering would produce a harvest of love for others, hope for the future, and faith in Jesus.
LEADER NOTES:
3. Please be careful and kind. Groups are a place to be transparent. Group members should be free to share doubts and problems. Please meet these doubts and problems with love and encouragement. See 1 Thessalonians 5:11.
