Sermon Discussion Guide WHEN YOUR FAITH IS CHALLENGED Thriving Under Pressure – Part 3 Dr. Dewayne Winrow
“Always remember what you have learned. Your education is your life, so guard it well.” Prov 4:13
Most people don’t care what you believe. But there are a vocal few who want to belittle your faith. Daniel gives us an example of someone who was indoctrinated against God’s teaching for three years, yet grew in God’s wisdom and understanding so his advice was ten times better than all the king’s other advisors (see Daniel 1). Proverbs 23:23 (CEV) tells us to “invest in truth and wisdom, discipline and good sense, and don’t part with them.” We need to be lifelong learners and remember that God will reward us. Let’s learn more about how to have an unshakable faith.
Suggestions for This Week’s Study
Icebreaker: Briefly share a time when you stood up for something you believed in.
Goal: Learn how to grow in wisdom and understanding so our faith is strong when we are challenged and need to defend our beliefs.
Pray: Lord, help us grow strong in our faith, so we can attract others to you. Show us how to be more disciplined with our time and use it to draw closer to you. Let us decide in advance to stand for you, to keep learning all our lives, to steep ourselves in your word, to choose believers as our best friends, to stay connected to a church, small group and ministry, and to remember that you will reward us in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen.
Open your group with a prayer. This is only a guide – select the points you want to discuss.
“Start with God - the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.” Proverbs 1:7 (Mes)
1. Starting with God requires that you read the Bible to acquire wisdom and learning. How can you set yourself up to take a stand for God? Have you ever been belittled because of your beliefs and how did defend your faith in God? Please share your story.
“Your commandments give me great understanding. It’s no wonder I can see and hate every false way of life.” Psalm119:104 (NLT)
2. Reflect on a time you encountered the living Christ through the Scriptures. If you remember, share with the group what you were reading at the time. How does Scripture help you know (not intellectually, but in your heart) about Jesus or about yourself? Then, as a group, discuss how meditating on the Bible’s truth could positively change your life and/or how you relate to others.
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)
3. If bad company corrupts good character, then it follows that we should choose believers as our best friends. What poor choices about friends you have made in your life? Share a significant character changing experience with the group.
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, r . . .”Hebrews 10:25a (NIV)
4. Have each member share a time when their faith was strong. What key relationships with other believers kept their faith growing? How does a small group help members hold firm in love, compassion, joy and commitment to the ways of Jesus? Encourage one another by explaining how group members filled you with hope during difficult times.