More Prepared

34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock,

35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.
- 1 Samuel 17:34-35

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.
- Zechariah 4:10

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
*- Luke 16:10 *

There are troubling signs, to be sure. Yet through our past runs a golden thread of providence that has not been snapped by catastrophe, enmity or indifference”
- David Wolpe

36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.

37 The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
- 1 Samuel 17:36-37

What we often call pain or punishment is what God uses as preparation.

8 “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel.

9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you.
- 2 Samuel 7:8-9

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Mixer

Share 1 truth and 1 lie with your group. Let the group choose what they believe is the lie.

Discuss/Reflect

In this week’s episode of As Normal As Weird Can Be, Pastor Jared & Mike Foster talked about understanding codependency.

1.     Do you find yourself desiring feedback in one way or another from people around you?

2.     What is one way you find yourself doing the exhausting work of others?

3.     “You are the beloved.” Speak over yourself, “I am the loved son/daughter of the perfect father.”

Sermon Questions

1.     Before David slayed Goliath, he was faced with lions and bears. Thinking back, how did God prepare you, or the world in general, with lions and bears in advance of Covid?

2.     In Luke 16:10, we are reminded that when God trusts us with very little, we can be trusted with more. Share a time you thought God trusted you with too much, but it turned out to be okay.

3.     Share a time God was preparing you through your pain?

Go Deeper

Read 2 Peter 1:3-8

This past week I was hiking Monserate Mountain. If you have ever hiked this particular trail, you know how absolutely miserable it is. That was my mindset almost the entire way up. I was hot and sweaty and just about every 10 steps I took I was questioning how much further we had to go.

Somewhere between halfway and a long way, God spoke over me: “It’ll be worth it.” 2 Peter 1:3-4 reminds us of God’s promises as He has given us all that we need. Peter goes on to encourage us to add to our faith to stay effective and productive in our knowledge of Jesus.

After making it up what felt like Mt. Everest, I was absolutely blown away by what my eyes were seeing. We often go through life running or looking to what is next. We know God never promised it would be easy, but we often forget to look around us at God’s goodness when we are on the uphill hike. When we add knowledge, self-control, and perseverance to our faith we become more effective followers of Christ (2 Peter 1:5-8).

(Jaden Duncan)

Suggestions to Serve

Good Neighbor Drop-N-Drive | The Church at RB | Thursday 10AM-2PM

Good Neighbor Day | The Church at RB | June 18 8AM-3PM

Prayer

Popcorn pray as a group.

Reminder

If you or someone you know is struggling, our counseling ministry is taking new appointments via zoom to help navigate these unusually challenging days.

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