"Making Sense of Evil's Success" by Pastor Tony
Group Discussion Guide
Thriving in Babylon Sermon Series
“Making Sense of Evil’s Success” by Pastor Tony
Choose the best question(s) for your group
September 15, 2019
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: Daniel was a prince of Israel. As a captive and a victim, he learned to live a godly life in the midst of a godless culture. His choice to fear God and not the king as well as his character is to be emulated. He was, nonetheless, respected by the evil leaders he was forced to serve.
This week: Babylon as referenced in Revelation 18:2. The city that in its day, defined evil. A culture defined by satanic religious activity. A city led by Nebuchadnezzar, one of the most cruel, narcissistic rulers in history. A place that was spiritually hostile to Daniel—even forcing him to take another name! Daniel lived and served here.
Texts: Romans 9:14-25; Daniel 2:10-16, 20-47; 3:26-29; 4:34-37
Discussion Questions:
- Spend a few moments re-capping the sermon. What thought, concept, text or phrase impressed you? In what ways is Babylon’s culture like ours today? How do we, as followers of Jesus, live above our culture while living in it as Daniel did? (Please be specific in helping your group understand how you deal with the evil in our culture.)
- Last week our country observed a day of memorial for the 9/11 bombings of the World Trade Center twin towers. Without question, this was one of the most evil events of our history. Why did God allow this? What good, if any, has ever come of it? How could we then say, “God is in control?”
Each one of us are surrounded by people in our sphere of influence, our Oikos, who are watching our responses to situations every day.
- What opportunities do you see to engage your Oikos in conversation about the tragic events of 9/11? (Relationship)
- How could your Life Group get involved in making a difference for those affected by this tragedy or any evil around us? (Mission)
- How could we more effectively use prayer in our Life Groups, as Daniel did, to ask God to reveal himself through the evil around us? (God’s Power)
- What can you share about your personal context (Oikos) that causes you to sometimes struggle with your ability to live like Daniel? How can evil (a hard man’s heart) lead to brokenness (soften our heart) for us?
Pastor Tony’s Three Take-Aways: (Is there one of these concepts that might be more difficult than the others for you? Why?)
- Evil victories will be short-lived. (How does this give us perspective?)
- God’s plan will not be hindered. (What attribute of God is shown?)
- God will be worshipped now or later! (What Bible text comes to mind?)