Today Pastor John is kicking off a new series titled Big Questions with a foundational question, “Who Can I Trust?” Will I listen to the voice of God or the thousands of voices/messages that are vying for my attention and trust? Words from an older praise song state, “Those who trust in the Lord are like a strong mountain… they cannot be moved,” which comes from Psalm 125. Are you experiencing the “strong mountain” life or the “shaky and shifting sand” (Matthew 2:26) kind of existence? Today, let’s ponder the need to reflect on some deep questions, the devil’s desire to deceive, and our need to trust in the One who loved us with His life and eventual death on a cross - Jesus Christ. 

Genesis 2:4-9

4 These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. 5 When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up - for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, 6 and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground - 7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. 8 And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom He had formed. 9 And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:15-17

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

For Adult Homes and Groups

1. Imagine Jesus sitting across the table from you and you have the ability to ask Him any question. What question(s) would you ask?

2. What kind of questions are being asked today that appear to be creating more doubt and skepticism about the reality or need for God, His Word, or even earthly or spiritual authority? 

3. Why would the question, “Who can I trust?” be a foundational question before tackling other questions? 

4. Read Genesis 2:8-10, 15-17, 3:1-4. Which portion of the serpent’s statements/questions are true and which are false? Why does the devil mix truth with lies? (See also 2 Corinthians 2:11.)

5. Read John 14:1,6. By faith, and because of the good news of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, we are called to trust in Jesus for forgiveness, salvation, and the indwelling Spirit of God which equips us to reflect and discern the difficult questions we and those around us are asking today. In what areas are you challenged to trust/believe in Jesus for today on your faith journey?

6. Share your prayer requests and take time to pray for one another and the areas of trust/belief the group is struggling with. 

For Families with Kids

1. Read and memorize Isaiah 55:8-9 together.

2. If you could ask Jesus any question what would it be and why?

3. God doesn’t always answer our questions in the way we want Him to, but He always answers our prayers according to His perfect ways. How does this Bible passage humble and help you as a family?

4. Pray that whatever questions you have for God, He would answer them according to His will. Bonus: Read Luther’s explanation of the 3rd Petition in the Lord’s Prayer.