Spiritual Warfare – Part 7 - Dr. Dewayne Winrow
(CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE DISCUSSION GUIDE IN PDF FORM)
Goals for this Week’s Study
Icebreaker: In retrospect, what is the most ridiculous complaint you have made to God?
The primary goal of this lesson is to learn how to turn to God with the mounting problems and pressures in our lives by studying how Jeremiah did so.
The personal goal for this week is to get alone with God and enact a change in your life. God is in control, but he needs you to be a participant! Change is possible with Christ by your side!
One of the challenges of living in a broken world is that it will fall apart on us at some point. Consider the world Jeremiah lived in: He lived during the economic collapse of his nation. His land was terrorized by a ruthless enemy. His people became slaves to another country. He witnessed horrific inhumanities and suffering. His people were out of work and starving. You could say that Jeremiah’s world was in pieces. Jeremiah’s frustrations resulted in the Book of Lamentations as he brought his complaints directly to God. Let’s learn how we can rebuild our lives by studying Jeremiah’s cries to God.
OPEN YOUR GROUP WITH A PRAYER. THIS IS ONLY A GUIDE – SELECT THE POINTS YOU WANT TO DISCUSS.
1. UNLOAD ALL MY FRUSTRATION ON GOD. According to Lamentation 3:1-10, Jeremiah tells God exactly how he feels, trusting that God can handle it; why do you think it is important for believers to be authentic with regard to their frustration with God?
Why do you think it is important for believers to talk out their frustrations with God? What is the impact on our emotional health when we keep it all inside?
2. TURN MY FOCUS FROM MY PAIN TO GOD'S LOVE. Our spirit is depressed when we constantly think of our pain; when does our hope return according to Lamentation 3:19-26?
Why do you think it is important to "focus on what's left, not what's lost"?
What are some of the benefits of remembering God's unfailing love and mercy?
3. GET ALONE WITH GOD AND WAIT! According to Lamentation 3:28-29, what should we do when life seems heavy and hard to take? How can we wait for God? What are some practical ways to eliminate distractions and focus our attention on him?
4. CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN CHANGE. What is the purpose of self-evaluation, Lamentation 3:40?
What are some examples of things that might be a barrier to honest self-evaluation? A key to being faithful is facing the facts without being discouraged. What are some ways that people can remain hopeful when they walk through challenging times?
5. ASK GOD TO RELIEVE MY FEARS. In Lamentation 3:53-57, note what God told Jeremiah to do when he was in the dark hole he couldn’t get out of? What are some of the emotions people may experience when their world is falling apart? What are some ways one might ask God for help with fear. What does God deliver David from in Psalm 34:4?
If truth, love, and faith are the antidotes to fear, how can someone use these to replace fear?
6. EXPECT JESUS TO RESTORE MY LIFE! What does Jeremiah ask God for in Lamentation 5:21?
What restorations have you seen in the lives of believers?
What role does God expect us to play in the restoration of our lives?
Review any assignments or commitments made during your previous meeting.