Discussion Questions for week of 3/16

Ps. 23:6
"Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

1. This week we began by talking about the first word of this verse, “Surely”. David is communicating his sense of confidence in the Good Shepherd. Why is it important for us to have this same confidence in our relationships with God? Read James 1:17 and talk about how this relates to the confidence we can have in God.

2. We talked about several reasons that we can, “face our future with confidence”. These three things were; because God’s GOODNESS & MERCY are working in me, because God PURSUES me with PERSISTENCE & because HEAVEN is WAITING for me. Which one of these three stood out most in your mind? Why do each of these give you confidence as you face your future?

3. Read Romans 8:28 and talk about this promise. Who is the promise for? How does this relate to our lives and how God’s goodness is “following” us?

4. Can you share an example of a time in your life when you were able to experience how God turns all things together for the good?

5. Out of the stories that you know from scripture which one is your favorite example of God’s pursuit? How do you feel about God’s persistent pursuit of you?

6. The last thing Doug talked about this week is our certainty that if we are a follower of Christ heaven is waiting for us. Review: Eccles. 3:11, 2 Cor. 5:1, 2 Cor. 5:6-8, 1 Peter 1:4-6 & Rev. 21:4. After reading these verses what sticks out most in your mind about heaven?

7. At the end of the message Doug said these things,
“Be careful not to act like you are home. Don’t treat this world like it is home. It isn’t! The greatest danger is not to feel far from home when you are, but to feel right at home when you are not. You're not ready to live until you're ready to die. You don't know how to live until you're ready to die. Only a fool would go all through life, totally unprepared for something that everybody knows is inevitable.”

-What thoughts do you have about these statements?

8. Re-read Psalm 23.
-What stands out most in your mind and heart from our time in this great psalm?

Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 4 Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.