Art of Relationship Series Groups are launching next week!
Here’s what you need to know…
- Regular Flow Questions will be on pause. You must sign up here to receive special Art of Relationship group questions.
- We are encouraging all groups to open up to new members during this 6 week series.
- All groups are encouraged to register and join us for our Life Group Launch with Kenton Beshore on Thursday, January 21st. Join us at the event for a chance to win one of two iPad Mini’s!
Get more info here on Art of Relationship Series Groups or contact our team directly.
Lean In // 5 minutes
You just won the 1.5 billon power-ball! What do you do?
Leader Note: People were in a frenzy this past week as the lottery hit an historic high of 1.5 Billion! Have fun with this question. What would you first purchase be? Would you work still. What do you spend, what do yo save?
Transition your group to the passage by saying something like this… “one thing we know for sure is that there were plenty of people praying to win this week! Let’s look at the passage and see what we can learn about prayer.”
Look Down // 10 minutes
What do you learn about the Judge?
Sample answers may include…
- He has power
- People come to him for help
- He doesn’t know God
- He is compassionless
- He is neither just nor does he care for people or what they think about him
- He is motivated to action by his own selfish desires, he gave justice just to get the widow off his case
What do you learn about the widow?
Sample Answers May Include…
- She’s in a desperate situation where someone is opposing her
- She has nowhere else to turn for help
- She is extremely persistent
Commentary: Widows are identified throughout scripture as hopeless, vulnerable, and poor. They stand in isolation without rights, with no advocate or anyone to provide for them. (Exodus 22:2-24, Isaiah 1:17, 1 Timothy 5:3, James 1:27)
Look Out // 20 minutes
What is the difference between this judge and our God?
Leader Note: The judge has no honor; he is unrighteous and lacks compassion. He appears to be annoyed with her request, has no time for her. He finally acts but only to appease himself. While he has power to “fix” certain things he does so in a disengaged and self-seeking manner.
God on the other hand is involved with us. He is compassionate, righteous, kind and full of love. God is more than a “problem fixer.” He is someone that we can trust in. He is quick to act, gracious and just. God doesn’t not view us as desperate, annoying people only out to get something. He see’s us his loved children whom he invites into relationship with himself.
Why is it important to understand the difference?
Leader Note: If we view God as a (this) judge we may conclude that He doesn’t have time for us and that He only answers our request when He has something to gain by it. We may also come to believe that God can be persuaded by our hopeless begging versus our prayers that our full of faith. This judge is distant and is viewed as someone that we get something out of while our God is near and is someone we come to know. God is not a means to an end for us. He is our creator and sustainer and He desires to give good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:7-11).
Look In // 25 minutes
What in your life are you currently concerned about?
Where are you turning to with those concerns?
How could this passage shape your prays with God?
Live It Out // 10 minutes
How might this passage shape your prays for others?
Click here for Life Group Serve Opportunities
Learn More About Flow Questions: Check out Kenton Beshore’s book Ask in the Irvine Campus Bookstore for more on the Flow Question model.
