Reversing the Curse
May 8, 2022
Have you ever been overwhelmed by the need? Have you ever felt hopeless because the obstacles just seemed too big to overcome? Have you ever thought, “What difference can one person make?” Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He not only reversed the curse of sin and brokenness, He invited His followers to do the same. But exactly how are we supposed to do that? Join us for part 3 of The Great Reversal where we will learn three important questions we must answer if we are going to reverse the curse.
Passage
Luke 13:10-21
Three Questions to Answer
- Who is hurting that we can help?
- What systems are broken that we can fix?
- Where can we sow kingdom seeds that will grow?
One Practice to live by
Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone.
Small Group Questions
Use this outline for personal reflection, as a couples or family devotion, or with a small group.
HANGOUT
Can you think of a small decision that you made that ended up having a huge effect on your life? What was that decision? How did it impact your life?
HEAR
Read Nehemiah 1.
- What question did Nehemiah ask his brother that resulted in Nehemiah’s discontent?
- Are there questions we avoid asking because we know the answer will disturb our safe and comfortable lives?
- What was Nehemiah’s initial response to the news? How was this response different from simply saying, “I’m praying for you”?
Read Nehemiah 2:1-8.
- Who was hurting that Nehemiah could help? What system was broken that Nehemiah could fix?
- What made Nehemiah a good person to help those people and fix that broken system? How might Nehemiah’s position have kept him from helping?
- Brainstorm ways that the positions held by people in your group might be used by God to help people and fix broken systems.
Read Nehemiah 2:9-20.
- What steps did Nehemiah take to meet the need and fix what was broken?
- What opposition did Nehemiah face (internal and external)?
- Which of these challenges do you currently face in responding to the needs around you?
- I don’t know (or don’t want to know) anyone who is hurting.
- I don’t know how to help those I know who are hurting.
- I don’t know (or don’t want to know) what systems are broken.
- I don’t know how I can fix the systems that are broken.
- I don’t have the resources and/or I don’t believe God has the resources to meet the need.
HUDDLE
Who is hurting that you can help? What system is broken that you can fix? What kingdom seed can you plant that will grow? Talk about it, invite accountability, and take time to pray.
Daily Reading
Identify the small decisions made in each passage and the consequences they had. Ask the Holy Spirit to make you aware of the significance of every decision and how they could have made significant changes for the sake of the Kingdom.
- Day 1: Genesis 3
- Day 2: Genesis 39
- Day 3: Exodus 1
- Day 4: Nehemiah 1 & 2
- Day 5: Esther 3 & 4
- Day 6: Daniel 3
- Day 7: Daniel 6
Think Deeper
- Think of a time when a small act of kindness or generosity on the part of someone else made a big difference in your life.
- What is one big problem in our world that you feel powerless to address?
- Is there one person facing that problem you can help?
Suggested Resources
The Jesus I Never Knew, Philip Yancy
What’s so Amazing About Grace, Philip Yancy
The Hole in Our Gospel, Richard Stearns
How to Be Rich, Andy Stanley
Check out these and other suggested books at https://bit.ly/AspireSMB