RECALCULATING: How to respond when chaos and confusion take over your life (2 Samuel 6)

Understanding the Text

What was David’s goal in this passage? What was he trying to accomplish?

How did David and the people initially treat the Ark of the Covenant? What went wrong?

Why did Uzzah die? What instructions had God given about carrying the Ark (cf. Numbers 4:15; Exodus 25:12–15)?

How did David respond emotionally and spiritually to Uzzah’s death (vv. 8–10)?

What changes did David make the second time he attempted to move the Ark (vv. 12–15)?

Discerning the Meaning

What does this passage teach us about God's holiness?

Why is it not enough to have good intentions if we ignore God’s instructions?

How do we sometimes imitate the “ox cart” approach in our own lives or churches today?

What does David’s shift from fear to celebration tell us about God's mercy and grace?

Choosing a Response

Where in your life have you been experiencing chaos or confusion? Could it be related to ignoring God's instructions?

Are there any good things in your life (money, relationships, influence) that you’ve been handling in the wrong way?

What would true confession look like for you this week? What’s one thing you need to bring into the light?

How can you better align your life with God’s instructions—starting today?

What encouragement do you find in the idea that God lets us "recalculate" and start again?

Healthy Endings Lead to Healthy Fruit (John 15)

OBSERVATION Questions (What does the text say?)

Read John 1:1-8. Have several people talk about their favorite verse in this passage.

According to verse 1, who is the “true vine,” and who is the “vinedresser”?

What are the two different outcomes for branches mentioned in verse 2?

What happens to branches that do not abide in the vine (v. 6)?

What promises are made to those who abide (vv. 5, 7)?

What is the stated purpose of bearing much fruit (v. 8)?

INTERPRETATION Questions (What does it mean?)

What does it mean to “abide” in Christ? How is this different from just believing in Him?

Why would God prune even fruitful branches? What does that tell us about His character and goals?

What kind of “fruit” is Jesus talking about here—what are some examples of fruit we might bear in our lives?

Why is being disconnected from the vine so serious in this passage?

APPLICATION Questions (How does this apply to my life?)

When have you experienced a season of pruning that later led to growth or fruitfulness?

What’s an area in your life right now where you might be resisting God’s pruning?

What helps you stay connected (abiding) in Christ during painful or unclear seasons?

What is some “fruit” you would like to see God grow in your life right now?

What’s one practical step you can take this week to abide more deeply in Christ?

NOT YET IS NOT NO (Ruth 3-4)

 UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

Give everyone a few minutes to read Ruth 3 and Ruth 4:1-12.

What plan does Naomi propose to Ruth at the beginning of Ruth 3, and why?

How does Boaz respond to Ruth’s request at the threshing floor?

What legal or cultural process does Boaz follow in Ruth 4 to act as Ruth’s redeemer?

Who is the “other redeemer” in Ruth 4:1–6, and what reason does he give for stepping aside?

How does the book describe the outcome of Ruth and Boaz’s marriage, especially in terms of legacy?

DISCERNING THE MEANING

What does Boaz’s response to Ruth tell us about his character and understanding of God’s law?

How does Ruth’s identity as a Moabite make her redemption surprising—and significant?

Why is it important that Boaz followed the proper process, even when it would’ve been easier to skip it?

What does the role of the kinsman-redeemer reveal about God's heart for the vulnerable?

How do the themes of waiting and timing in this story mirror common experiences in our own spiritual lives?

CHOOSING A RESPONSE (Questions 11–15)

Is there an area in your life where God might be saying “not yet”? How are you responding to that?

Are you tempted to pursue redemption or fulfillment in things that cannot truly satisfy? What are they?

What’s one step of obedience or trust that, like Ruth, you need to take—even if the outcome is uncertain?

How does the truth that “Jesus has already redeemed you” impact your waiting right now?

What is one thing you can do this week to stop saying “not yet” to God?

God's Sovereignty and Our Responsibility (Ruth 2)

UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

Give everyone 3-5 minutes to read through Ruth chapter 2 on their own (or read it aloud together).

What does Ruth ask Naomi in verse 2, and what does that show us about her character?

How would you describe Ruth's attitude as she begins to glean in the fields?

What do we learn about Boaz’s character in verses 4–9?

How does Ruth respond to Boaz’s kindness (vv. 10–13)?

DISCERNING THE MEANING

How does God’s control and plan show up in this chapter without being directly mentioned?

What might Ruth’s decision to glean tell us about taking initiative even when things feel hopeless?

In what ways does Boaz "speak blessing" into Ruth’s life? How can our words have similar power?

How did God's plan move forward even through small, seemingly mundane actions?

What does this chapter show us about the relationship between God's control and our responsibility?

CHOOSING A RESPONSE

What do you have (skills, resources, influence) that you could use to serve someone else this week?

Where might God be calling you to “do what you can” instead of waiting for perfect conditions?

Who in your life needs a word of blessing or encouragement right now? Will you commit to speak it this week?

What area of your life feels out of control right now? How can Ruth 2 help you trust God more in that space?

What’s one attitude shift you need to make in order to align your choices more closely with God's plan?

Attitude Determine Altitude (a small group study from Genesis 37)

 Who do you know that seems to always have a good attitude? What do you think is their secret?

What causes you to have a bad attitude?

Use Genesis 37 as a guide to answer the following questions about Joseph’s brothers:

- Why did they dislike Joseph so much?

- Which words (choose as many as apply) best describe how they felt about him? Explain why.

— They were jealous

— They wanted revenge

— They were annoyed by him

— They were offended by him

Why do you think Joseph felt differently about his brothers than they did about him? (This isn’t really in the chapter, so you’ll have to guess and speculate)

Which words describe Joseph well (choose as many as apply)? Explain why.

— Courageous

— Optimistic

— Obedient

— Thorough

— Honest

How do you think Joseph felt when he was in the bottom of the well? How do you think he felt after he was sold into slavery? When have you experienced these kinds of feelings?

Was Joseph in a better place at the beginning or end of chapter 37? Why?

Was God surprised by where Joseph was?

How is this story encouraging for people who find themselves dealing with disappointment? How is this story encouraging for you?

What is one attitude adjustment you can make this week to be more like Joseph and less like his brothers?

God Rejoices Over You (Zephaniah 3:17)

 For this week's study, we're going to focus on one verse from Zephaniah. We'll break it down, phrase by phrase, and see how it impacts us and what it inspires us to do.

Read Zephaniah 3:17. Have each person share which single word in this verse seems most significant to them and why.

(the following questions are from the NIV version)

The first phrase in the verse is: "The LORD your God is with you,"

Is it important that this verse says "your" God instead of "the" God? Why?

How does it feel to be reminded that God is with you?

Are there times you wish God wasn't with you? Or that He couldn't see what you are doing or thinking?

The second phrase in the verse is: "the Mighty Warrior who saves."

What does God save people from?

What has He saved you from?

The next phrase in the verse is: "He will take great delight in you;"

Are there things in your life that cause you to doubt whether God actually takes delight in you?

What action are you inspired to take when you remind yourself that God delights in you?

The next phrase in the verse is: "in his love he will no longer rebuke you,"

You have probably already been thinking about some of the reasons God might rebuke you. This verse is a reminder that Jesus' work secured God's forgiveness.

How should people respond to God's forgiveness? How should you respond to God's forgiveness?

The last phrase in the verse is: "but will rejoice over you with singing."

Why do you think God rejoices over you?

As a group, share 2-3 reasons why God might rejoice over each individual in the group.

What is one thing you will do this week that will give God reason to rejoice over you?

Agents of Reconciliation (Micah 7:18)

Read Micah 7:18. What 3-4 words jump out at you in this verse? Have a few people use 4 words or less to summarize the verse.

How does this verse shape your understanding of God's character and mercy?

What does the term "God's remnant" mean to you, based on your understanding of the Bible verses provided?

Read Matthew 7:13-14. How does this verse describe God's remnant?

Why do you think God has left a remnant on earth? Why do you think He doesn't just take all of His people to heaven immediately?

Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-20.What is the main point of this verse? What is the job that has been given to God's remnant?

What do you think it means to be an agent of reconciliation with your friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, etc.?

God's remnant should look like God. Micah described God as one who pardons and forgives. Why is it hard to forgive the people who have wronged us?

Take some time and share some practical hints with each other to help you forgive others.

God wants us to reconcile with other people and He wants us to help other people be reconciled to Him. How can you help more people be reconciled to God?

Have each person share the name of one person they know who needs to be reconciled to God.

Take a few minutes and pray specifically for each of these people.

Have each person in the group identify one action they can take in the next few days to be an agent of reconciliation.