“Hope Killers” by Pastor Tony
Group Discussion Guide
Thriving in Babylon Sermon Series
“Hope Killers” by Pastor Tony
Leaders, please choose the best question(s) for your group
October 6, 2019
If you have questions, contact Pastor Ric,
Below are some discussion questions relating to a recent sermon. These are provided so that your Life Group can discuss what was shared. Previous Weeks’ Discussion Guides and Sermon Notes are available through the Sermons under the Resources menu. Click on the sermon series and then the sermon you are interested in. You will see a paper icon under the sermon title. Click the icon to open the sermon notes. To listen to the sermon, click on the speaker icon.
Context
Last week/Series Summary: Good friends of our hero Daniel, (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) because of their commitment to God, faced death by firey furnace and turned it into a hymn sing! The result of their hope, demonstration of Faith and God’s protection was that the evil King Nebucadnezzar, for the first time, acknowledged Daniel’s God as the, “Most High God!” Incredible heroes of the Faith in their own right, these servants of The Most High God did not waiver from what he had called them to be. Our series is called “Thriving in Babylon” and the over-all focus is on how we can live for God even when the culture around us denies Him and belittles/persecutes those who follow him.
This week: Anxiety and depression are common, even among Christ-followers today. Why is this such a problem for so many? Lack of hope is a huge contributory factor to our struggles. What really kills our hope? From our study in 1 Corinthians and Daniel this morning, Pastor Tony exposed and revealed the stuff that kills our hope. He then concluded with the characteristics that mark a hopeful follower of Jesus.
Sermon Texts: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; Daniel 2:8-11, 27-28; Daniel 3:8-12;
Discussion Questions:
Spend a few moments re-capping the sermon. What thought, concept, text, or phrase impressed you? How will this make a difference in your spiritual journey?
- As a group, take a little poll and try to come to a consensus of your top two or three “hope killers”. What are they? Why are they such a problem? How can they be defeated?
- What should the proper understanding of “fear” be in our culture? How can this lead us to real hope?
- How hard is it for me to take a stand when the culture pressures us to bend? What specific cultural issues should I be taking a stand against?
Each one of us are surrounded by people in our relational world, our Oikos, who are watching our responses to situations every day.
- Could an honest discussion of “hope killers” (when we have our moments of doubt) lead to a spiritual conversation which moves those in our oikos closer to a personal relationship with Jesus? How might this happen?
- If called upon, would I be willing to give up my life for God? (Philippians 1:21)
- If someone in your oikos is currently struggling under a Hope Killer, how can you be of an encouragement to this person? What prayerful response can you provide in service to this person?
The Marks of a Hopeful Person:
- Standing when others bend. (Daniel 3:12)
- Worship is exclusive to God. (Daniel 3:12)
- Unquestioned trust in God. (Daniel 3:17-18)
- Willing to give up your life for God. (Daniel 3:28a)
- Serve one God only. (Daniel 3:28b)