Lesson Five: Discussion Guide for Group or Individual Use (click more)
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for this time you have provided for us to come together to hear from you and have fellowship in your Word and to learn and apply your Word to our hearts. We need you, Lord. We need your grace all the time. We praise you for your goodness and your love and mercy. Please open our hearts to you and to one another and lead our discussion. Help us not to fear, but to put all of our hope in Christ. Help us to remember there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. May you be glorified in all our thoughts and words and deeds. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I. LECTURE
Will someone share how the Lord used the lecture to speak to your heart? Did anyone have any questions or concerns about the lecture? If you ever have a question or something is unclear, please let us know. We want to serve you in any way we can!
II. PLEASE READ THE MAIN POINT FROM THIS WEEK’S HOMEWORK
The Light came to shine light in the darkness. The Way came to lead the lost. The Truth was sent to confront the lie. The Life was sent not only to overcome death, but to die to conquer it. However, our eyes see so dimly that we are unable to see the Light for who He is. The light has dawned, and we sleep in. We need the Lord to touch our hearts and give us a new desire to walk in the light He shines on our path. When we ask, He will answer. He will open our eyes, and He will give us light to see. As we respond to that light, He will give us more light. The Light of life will dawn anew in our hearts, and we will be filled to overflowing with the light of life Himself!
III. QUESTIONS FROM THE HOMEWORK
Go through the homework, occasionally calling on women. Read scriptures aloud. After asking a question, remember to allow a brief period of quiet “wait-time” to give women a chance to think before answering. After pausing, if no one shares, go ahead with your answer, rephrase question, and/or move on.
DAY ONE Devotion: The Light Dawns
1. Would someone please share what spoke to your heart from Day One?
DAY TWO
2. Quiet Moment - Read Matthew 4:12-16. What does it mean that the people were dwelling in darkness? How did the light shine?
3. Going Deeper Question #1- What do you believe Jesus is asking you to lay down?
4. Question #2 - Where does your life seem most out of control, out of balance, or out of sync?
5. Question #3 - When you receive the light of His truth in your life, how can you be more of a dawning light in the world around you-in your home, your neighborhood, your school?
DAY THREE
6. Quiet Moment - What are your regular, customary spiritual disciplines? If you do not have any, what is the first thing you want to get into place?
7. Going Deeper Question #1- How do you respond to the sermon preached on Sunday morning? What do you do with the message preached to you?
8. Question #1 – How are you doing submitting to the authority of God’s Word?
9. Question #2 – What was Christ sent to do? What have you been saved to do?
10. Question #4 - What kind of attitudes do you encounter at church? Have you been measured by some human standard? Do you measure others by the same?
DAY FOUR
11. Quiet Moment – Read Luke 5:1-3. When you are pressed upon, how do you respond? What did you learn from Jesus’ example?
12. Going Deeper Question #1 - what did Jesus ask Simon Peter to do? What was Peter’s response to Jesus?
13. Question # 3 - Would someone share their thoughts and feelings when you were instructed to imagine yourself in Peter’s shoes?
14. Question #3 - Will someone share a time when you saw God so clearly that it caused you to worship?
DAY FIVE
15. Quiet Moment – Read Luke 5:12-15. What have you witnessed Jesus doing in the lives of those around you, even in the past few weeks?
16. Going Deeper Question #1 - What do you think true faith is? What does it look like? When do you find it most difficult to walk by faith?
17. Question #2 - Are you living as though you were saved from eternal destruction by your Lord? What do you need to do to more brightly shine the light of Christ in your world?
IV. PLEASE RECITE YOUR SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSES TOGETHER
V. TAKING THE TRUTH TO HEART TIME
We will now focus on taking God’s truth to our hearts and bringing it to life. James 5:16a states; “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” And 1 Peter 2:24 says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”
Please turn to your Taking the Truth to Heart and Bringing It to Life page. We will each have 3 minutes so that every woman will have a chance to share. Please record one another’s confessions on the Taking the Truth to Heart Guide on the following page so you can pray for one another throughout the week. Leaders, please set the example by going first.
VI. PLEASE CLOSE IN PRAYER
