study guide - week 3
This past Sunday we contrasted Mt Sinai and Mt Zion. Mt Sinai is a physical
place but represents fear, smoke, fire, and punishment. Mt Zion represents
a spiritual place where Jesus is, depicting his grace and an invitation into
relationship with him.
We all grow up with very different ideas of God and what our relationship with
him might include. Describe in a few sentences what your view of God was
as you grew up. What were you taught, what did you think of who God was?
So often it is easier to place our trust and hope in the things of this world rather
than the things of God because we want what is tangible. It is easy to focus
on the things right in front of us. But often times when we place our trust in
this Earthly kingdom, it leaves us wanting unsatisfied, anxious, and constantly
striving for more.
Describe a time in your life when you have placed your trust in something of
this world only to be let down. How did you feel? What carried you through
this time?
Read Hebrews 12:28-29
God is inviting us into a world that cannot be shaken. He is inviting us to put
our trust in him, even when we cannot see. Only the things of him will stand
no matter what, will not crumble, and will not disappoint us. Where is the
hardest thing for you when it comes to placing your trust in something you
cannot see?
Read Ephesians 6:10-12
What do these verses describe as also going on in the spiritual realm? How
does it make you feel to know that our struggle is not against the things of
the world? How does this change how you look at the struggles you face in
your life?
study guide - week 3
Even with the fact that there are spiritual forces of evil, we read in Hebrews
12:28-29 that when we put our faith in God we are entering into a Kingdom
that will not be shaken. The Life Application Study Bible notes say of verse
29, “… a consuming fire is often beyond human control. God is not within our
control either. We cannot force him to do anything for us through our prayers.
He cannot be contained. Yet, he is a God of compassion. He has saved us from
sin, and he will save us from death. But everything that is worthless and sinful,
will be consumed by the fire of his wrath. Only what is good, dedicated to God,
and righteous will remain.”
As we place our trust in the things that will stand forever, even though we
cannot physically see them at this time, we experience security, peace and hope
Share with your group one area where you need to begin to trust in God and
what he wants to do in your life, even though you cannot see it right now.
Close by praying for each other and the areas mentioned above. Pair people up
to encourage each other in this area during the week ahead.