Leaders Guide
Act 16: The Beginning of The End (of the Kingdom of Israel)
Act 16 Big Idea:
Even when things seem hopeless, prayer still makes a difference. Give it a try!
Ice Breaker:
Tell about a time you watched a sporting event that looked like it was over, but a team
that seemed defeated made an amazing comeback. Or a story you like about an
amazing comeback.
Talk About It:
Chapter 16 of The Story covers more than two hundred years. The Northern
Kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrians in 722 B.C. and was never heard from
again. The Southern Kingdom of Judah fell to the Babylonians in 586 B.C. but
had an amazing comeback seventy years later when they returned from
captivity.
1. How do you see God’s patience and commitment to ring his people back
to himself woven through these two centuries of history?
2. The Bible has a lot to say about pride. What do you learn about pride in
the encounter between Assyria and Israel in this chapter of The Story?
What is one way we can avoid pride and grow in humanity?
3. When Jerusalem was surrounded by the Assyrian army and the situation
looked hopeless, Hezekiah prayed and things changed. What are you
facing today that seems too big, overwhelming, or even hopeless, and
how can your group members join you in prayer?
Next Steps:
Read Act 17 of The Story: The Kingdoms’ Fall
This week as you take time to pray, here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Praise Jesus for being the Messiah, the One who brins hope to a hopeless
world.
2. Ask God to take you to deeper places as a person as a person of prayer.
Invite the Holy Spirit to teach you to pray with greater passion.
3. Lift up members of your group who are facing difficult situations and pray
for God’s presence, power, and plan to be unleashed in their lives.