Group Discussion & Life Challenge
Use these notes as discussion prompts for your group, or in your personal time with God.
Connect:
Get to know each other. Connect, warm up to each other, fellowship.
Care:
Carry each other’s burdens. Share life’s challenges and practice Soul Care. Pray together.
Challenge:
- Aaron talked about “noise” coming from outside of us and inside of us. Which is harder for you to quiet—other people’s voices and expectations, or your own fears, doubts, and thoughts? Why?
- Samuel positioned himself in God’s presence. What are some practical ways you can intentionally “put yourself in God’s presence” this week through Scripture, prayer, worship, or relationships with other believers?
- If hearing God begins with aligning our lives with His priorities, what area of your life right now might He be asking you to surrender to Him (time, money, relationships, work, habits)?
- Spiritual discernment grows over time with maturity. What practices, people, or experiences have helped you recognize God’s voice and direction more clearly? Where do you feel you still need to grow?
- Hophni and Phinehas had constant exposure to God’s presence, but their lives were still shaped by their own desires. How can we make sure our exposure to church and Christian teaching is actually leading us toward a surrendered life with Jesus?
Clarify:
Does anyone need clarity on something? Are there any big God questions you are wrestling with?
Celebrate:
Celebrate life’s successes and God’s provision. Worship God’s presence. Time to brag about God.
BibleApp
Through the Bible in one Year
Join us in reading through the entire Bible in one year. Each day of this plan guides you through passages from both the Old and New Testaments, allowing you to see connections between the history of our faith, and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Readings average four chapters in length, so it is posible to do. When you use the YouVersion Bible App, you can even have the app read the Bible text to you – very useful when you are in the car or otherwise occupied with your hand.
All you need to do is click the link to the Bible Plan, which should lead you straight to the Bible app. Your two options are now (1) to read the plan on your own, one day at the time. Or (2) you can make it more fun and rewarding, by sharing the plan with one or more friends, and then even “Talk about it”.