SERMON BASED SERIES

IN THE MEANTIME
{JEFF HENDERSON}

 

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INTRODUCTION

If God is indeed preparing us while we are in the waiting room, what should we be doing in the meantime? Should we just sit and watch the paint dry? What is my responsibility and what is God's? In this message, Jeff shares how you can make the most of your time in the waiting room.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. Souvenirs are a great way to remember important experiences. Think about a souvenir you brought home from one of your favorite vacations. What specific memories, thoughts, and feelings come to mind when you see that souvenir?

  2. In Genesis 12:7-9, Abram constructs two "altars of gratitude" so that he can remember God's faithfulness. Share about a time when you remember being aware of God's faithfulness.

  3. Jeff mentioned journaling as a way of building "altars of gratitude" in today's world. Has this worked for you? Why or why not? If not, what are some other techniques that might work for you?

  4. Read Luke 11:5-13 and Luke 8:1-8. What do these New Testament passages say about the idea of persistence in prayer? About what in your prayer life are you currently being persistent? Is there anything else that you should be praying about persistently?

  5. Read Genesis 22:1-12. Try to read it as if you are reading it for the first time. What are your feelings as you encounter a God who would have a man sacrifice his own son? What are your feelings about a man who has a faith that allows him to put his son on an altar?

  6. Read Genesis 22:1-12 again. This time read it in the context of a God who is faithful and in the context of a God who has sacrificed his own son. How does this context make the kind of faith Abraham had seem more attainable for you? What in your life needs to be surrendered to God with a similar kind of faith? What is one step you can take this week to start the process of surrendering?

MOVING FORWARD

If we let it, being in a waiting room can wear us down--mentally, physically, and spiritually--to the point of wanting to give up. However, we can avoid all of that if we will leverage the ideas of constructing altars of gratitude, praying with persistence, and surrendering our plans to God's plan. Are you willing to make the most of your waiting time by implementing these principles in your life? Which one will you do this week?

CHANGING YOUR MIND

I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.
Psalm 17:6