$kub@lon!
October 22, 2023
Perhaps you grew up singing, “Jesus loves me, this I know,” but do you believe that? Would you care so much about what others think of you if you did? Would you work so hard to impress your boss, your girlfriend, or your parents? What drives you to achieve and accomplish things? What is behind your insatiable appetite to consume? Join us for part 8 of Philippians: Relentless Joy, where we will explore the two ways to live.
Passage
Philippians 3:7-11
Principle
Two ways to live: Life in the ##Flesh## and Life in ##Christ##.
Practice
Identify and ##eliminate## all the ##Skubalon## in your life!
Small Group Questions
Use this outline for personal reflection, as a couples or family devotion, or with a small group.
Hangout
When was the last time being in a hurry caused you to make a mistake that cost you more time and money than you might have saved by hurrying? To dive deeper into this subject, read chapter 4 of An Unhurried Life by Alan Fadling.
Hear
Read Genesis 12:1-4 & 16:1-6.
- Was Sarai’s decision to give Abram a child through her handmaiden reasonable? Why or why not?
- Have you ever been tempted to help God fulfill His promise? If so, what happened?
- “God helps those who help themselves.” True or false?
Read 1 Samuel 13:5-14
- How much pressure was on Saul to begin the attack? How long did he wait for Samuel before taking matters into his own hands? Was this reasonable? Why or why not?
- What was Samuel’s reaction? Was this reasonable? Why or why not?
- Put yourself in Saul and Sarai’s situations, what would you have done?
Read Luke 4:1-12
Alan Fadling says that Satan used three specific schemes to call God’s care into question and provoke a rash reaction from Jesus. Discuss each temptation. Apply them to the two Old Testament stories we just read. When have you faced these temptations? How can we overcome these temptations?
- Temptation #1: Grab what you need (v. 3-4).
- Temptation #2: Take charge (v. 5-8).
- Temptation #3: Prove that God cares (v. 9-12).
Huddle
How are you currently being tempted to rush God and His plan? Talk about it, invite accountability, and take time to pray together.
Daily Reading
As you read, pay special attention to how individuals in each passage waited or failed to wait on God. What happened to those who failed to wait? How good are you at waiting on the Lord?
- Day 1: Genesis 16
- Day 2: Genesis 22
- Day 3: Exodus 2
- Day 4: 1 Samuel 13
- Day 5: 2 Samuel 11
- Day 6: Matthew 26
- Day 7: Luke 4
Think Deeper
- What defines you? What determines your worth?
- How satisfied are you with your life? What would increase your satisfaction?
- Do you doubt that God loves you? If so, why?
Suggested Reading
What’s So Amazing About Grace, by Philip Yancey
Abba’s Child, by Brennan Manning
An Unhurried Life, Alan Fadling
Check out these and other books from our suggested reading list at https://bit.ly/AspireSMB.