Sermon Notes/Community Group Questions Week of 8/23/09

Following Jesus means laying our “good things”
at the feet of the “greatest thing” . . . Jesus.


3 QUESTIONS WE STRUGGLE WITH:

1. Can’t I keep . . . ?

2. Can’t I wait?

3. Can’t I have both?


Worship is treating something as if it is of supreme worth.


Idolatry is taking a good thing and making it a God thing.


Jesus knows that we are created to know and love God. He loves us too much for settle for less than that. In fact, He died to save us from that.


"Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
listen, that you may live. – Isaiah 55:1-3


COMMUNITY GROUP QUESTIONS

Listen to the sermon and take notes. Read Gen. 22:1-19 and answer the following questions.

1. Can you think of a time when you or someone you know had to give up something you loved for God? What were the circumstances? What was the result?

2. What’s one thing from the sermon that you hope we discuss as a group?

3. What are some things that are good things but often can get in the way of what God wants to do in our lives?

4. In verse 2, what is God emphasizing as he describes Abraham’s relationship with Isaac? Why this way of breaking the news?
5. Knowing God waited 25 years before providing a son for Abraham, how would you expect Abraham to react to God’s instructions in verse 2? Why doesn’t Abraham object? What do you learn about Abraham based on his prompt, obedient actions? (vs. 3-10)

6. Do you think Abraham would actually have killed Isaac? (vs. 5, 8-10) Why? (see Hebrews 11:17-19) Why does God wait until the last second to stop Abraham?

7. For whose benefit does God see how far Abraham will go: His own? Abraham’s? Isaac’s? Or the readers? Why do you think so? (vs. 11-18)

8. Where do you sense God is testing you now? How are you doing with the test? What are you learning from it?

9. If the Lord should ask you to give up something, do you think he will provide a replacement – beforehand or afterwards? When have you obeyed and found new reassurance?

10. How do the examples of Isaac and Jesus apply to your current circumstances and your personal faith? Where do you get the strength to say “yes” to God when everything else inside of you says “no”?

11. How can we pray for you?