God’s Will
New Perspective – Part 1
September 3-4, 2022
Luke 22:39-42
- My New Perspective is to Follow God’s Will.
Series Memory Verse:
“Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:6 (p.941)
God what do you want me to do?
“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Luke 22:42a (p.805)
How can I know God’s Will?
- Pause.
- Commit to honesty.
- Pray and fast.
- Watch and listen.
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5 (p.930)
God’s answers can be…
- Act now.
- Wait.
- No, I have another plan.
- Choose.
My Next Step This Week:
______ God what do you want me to do today?
- Become a follower of Jesus.
- Mature my faith
- A specific direction for you.
Discussion/Groups Guide
New Perspective – Part 1
“God’s Will”
Life Groups use this guide in their discussion and study of the Weekend Talk. Use this also as a discussion guide with your family and friends.
Conversation Starters
- Sessions on “Finding God’s Will for Your Life” are typically the most popular at Christian conferences. Why is that? Have you ever attended a session like that? What did you learn?
- Can you remember a time when you were a kid and you did the opposite of what your parents said and you ended up in hot water? Can you share it with the group? What did you learn from the experience? Did you ever repeat it?
Quick Review
Looking back at your Weekend Talk Notes, was there anything you heard in the service that stood out to you, challenged you, or maybe even confused you?
Discussion Starters from the Weekend Talk
Refer to the Talk Notes and Bible verses from the Talk Notes.
Our One Thing: My New Perspective is to Follow God’s Will.
Series Memory Verse: 1 John 2:6 (p.941).
One Voice Bible Story Background: Jesus in the Garden: Luke 22:39-46 (p.805) (Also see Matthew 26:36-46 (p.757) & Mark 14:32-42 (p.775))
- Jesus in The Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-42 (p.805))
- When have you faced a crucial moment when you could have gone either way when it came to obedience or disobedience?
- See Romans 5:18-19 and Romans 8:1-2 (p.862)
- Talk about the impact of verses 18-19 in light of verses 1-2.
- God what do you want me to do? Luke 22:42a (p.805)
- If you make a conscious decision to follow God’s will, what obstacles do you expect you’ll encounter? What will you do about them?
- What percentage of what God wants you to know regarding His will for your life has he already told you through Scripture?
- How can I know God’s Will? James 1:5 (p.930) Romans 12:2 (p.866); Romans 8:17 (p.862)
- Discuss the verses here. What do they say about the reality of knowing God’s will? Do you find comfort or challenge in this truth?
- Take a look also at 1 John 2:5 (p.941), the verse John writes just before our Memory Verse for our Series. Your thoughts?
- God’s answers can be…
- As Dennis said, they can be: Act now. Wait. No, I have another plan. Choose.
- When was a time you went off on your own and got into trouble because you sought to pursue your own desires?
- Is part of God’s will for your life for you to be happy? Unpack your response.
- Sometimes I don’t want to know what God wants me to do! It often requires me to step out of my comfort zone! Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone to live in God’s Will?
Digging Deeper
As we have studied God’s will this week, it is important to realize that although the Bible authors were inspired by God to write their words, they were still humans who faced the same challenges and frustrations we face. Take a look at Romans 7 (p.861-862). It is a famous passage because it contains a very real spiritual battle that Paul, its author, faced. He writes about wanting to do what is right and yet continually managing to do what is wrong (and vice versa). While it is a lament of his human frailty it is actually a great passage of encouragement. Even the apostle Paul had struggles but he held fast to God’s promises and relied on God’s Holy Spirit for guidance.
Take time to read through Romans 7 a few times. Look at what areas in the passage show what God’s will is for us, consider what we can do to be more open to God’s will and how we can encourage each other to live in God’s will.
Perhaps if you don’t have time today, share your thoughts with your life group via text, email, or other means. Keep the discussion going throughout the week!
My Next Step This Week:
___ God what do you want me to do today?
- Become a follower of Jesus.
- Mature my faith.
- A specific direction for you.
This Week’s Life Transformation Bible Daily Reading: God’s Will (p.A80-81)