Week 5: Snow Day

sleep in

Week 4: 2 Kings 1-7

David's sermon focuses on the story of Namaan and the healing of his leprosy (2 Kings 5). He uses this story as an illustration of the dangers of 'achievement addiction.' Where do you see evidence that people in our culture struggle with the addiction of achievement?

David points to 4 symptoms that may indicate 'the achievement addiction' might be present in your life:

1. Anger

2. Critical

3. Demeaning

4. Mockers

If we are honest, all of us can see these symptoms present in our life. With your group, talk about which of the symptoms are observable in you. In what settings do they show up?

In spite of our best efforts, it is the Gospel of Grace that offers the ability to break this addiction to achievement. Read the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28 (The Message)

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Talk with your group about your reaction to this passage. It is incredibly powerful. How is grace the remedy to the achievement addiction (David addresses this link in his message)?

David mentions 3 qualities of personality that indicate and understanding of grace:

1. Thanksgiving

2. Giving

3. Worship

Which of these qualities can you see present in your own life?

Big Idea: increased experience of God's grace erodes the influence of our addiction to achievement.

Week 3: 1 Kings 15-22

A Legacy of Courage

In his sermon, David uses the life of Rosa Parks as an example of courage; defining courage as 'knowing that an action will bring an undesired outcome but continuing to move forward, down a path, because we believe fervently in a cause.' (if you missed his sermon, click here to watch it)

Elijah's life is a picture of one man confronting the status quo of a corrupt society. In addition to Ms. Parks and Elijah, what modern examples can you identify that reflect this demonstration of courage?

In considering these examples, what moves you about each of these stories?

It is impossible to recognize the evil in the kingdom of man unless you are even more connected to the righteousness of the kingdom of heaven. In what ways does our culture resemble the culture that Elijah confronted?

What areas of society stick out as the most evident areas of evil?

Elijah's courage was the fruit of his closeness with God. His awareness of God's power was more present in his mind than his awareness of the power of King Ahab. How might you cultivate closeness with God in your life?

As courage grows in you, coming from your closeness with God, how could you engage those areas of our society that stick out as evident areas of evil?

Big Idea: Spiritual courage is only realized as it is exercised in confronting evil in the world.

Week 2: 1 Kings 8-14

Leaving a Legacy: worship and relationships

Solomon's legacy was as a man who gained favor and wealth in the eyes of God and man. As his years passed, however, his disobedience of God brought suffering to his people. What other historical figures can you call to memory, living or not, who have shared a similar fate (starting well and ending poorly)?

1 Kings 11 presents a picture of a king whose wives turn his heart from his God to other gods. If you haven't yet, read the story. For those of you who are married, how might this temptation present itself in your marriage?

Married or not, this temptation is a reality with all who seek to worship God. What are some of the gods in your relationships (friendships, dating, or marriage) that might compete for the worship of your heart?

1 Corinthians 11:1 records Paul instruction to those who looked to him as a spiritual example. He says, 'you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.' Solomon's demise could be linked to the absence of a spiritual example in his life. As you consider the people in your life, who are a couple people you might seek to use as an example?

What would it look like for you to spiritually 'imitate' someone you respect?

What is a step you can take today to begin to follow the example of that person? (conversations, observations, etc)

Big Idea: a lasting legacy is one built on worshipping God with the significant people in your life.

Week 1: 1 Kings 1-7

Solomon: Wisdom leads to Investment

1 Kings 3:7-9 presents Solomon as a man who felt ‘like a little child who doesn’t know his way around (NLT).’ Talk about a time in your life when you had a similar sense of being in ‘over you’re your head.’

If God granted you the answer to one request as he did Solomon in 1 Kings 3:5, what would you have asked for in that moment?

In his sermon, David discusses the difference between knowledge and wisdom. (Watch his sermon online if you missed it). What is one example from your life that demonstrates the distinction between knowledge and wisdom?

Solomon’s request for wisdom was spurred by his acknowledgement of his need (see 1 Kings 3:9). To be a ruler that brought honor to God, Solomon needed a greater ability to apply the knowledge he received as a son of King David. In his sermon, David listed several wise sayings of both Solomon and of his own Father, Howard.

1. Put God First Always (Proverbs 1:7, 3:5-6)

2. Choose Your Friends Wisely (Proverbs 13:20)

3. Manage God's Money Wisely (Proverbs 3:9-10, 22:7)

4. Use Your Words Wisely (Proverbs 18:21)

5. Manage Your Anger Wisely (Proverbs 14:29, 15:1)

6. Always Work Hard (Proverbs 26:14)

7. Resist Pride and Seek Humility (Proverbs 18:12)

8. Always Protect Your Name (Proverbs 22:1)

9. Avoid Envy (Proverbs 14:30)

10. Always Prioritize the Poor (Proverbs 14:31)

Which of the ten wisdom sayings will you commit to adopt in this New Year and why?

Solomon's gift of wisdom positioned him to be more effective in his role as political and spiritual leader of Israel. How would implementing one of the wisdom principles listed above position you to be more effective in your vocational, spiritual, or other context?

Big Idea: When we seek God’s wisdom, it will allow us to be a part of building His Kingdom, which is a great legacy.

Puzzle Pieces

Over the last three years, Forest Hill has asked you, the attendee, to join with us in reading through the Bible. Since this is quite a daunting task, we have tried to help by providing schedules, an online blog, a workbook (new for 2010), and occasional studies for LifeGroups to do together. We have generated so much material, a reasonable person might wonder how to use all of it. This document seeks to answer that question.

1. Read the scriptures outlined in the Bible Reading Plan. Every day brings a new passage so try to keep up. If you miss a day here or there, do not worry; you can jump back in at any point.

2. Read 'The Post'. It is a blog on each week's reading written by Robbi Fischer, a Forest Hill pastor, and David Chadwick, Forest Hill’s senior pastor.

3. Come worship with us on the weekend. David will use a passage of scripture that you read and studied during the week as the content for his message. If you miss a week, you can always watch the video of the sermon here.

4. On Sunday afternoon, we will post a series of sermon-based discussion questions for your LifeGroup to explore together. The questions will allow you to incorporate what you have gathered from your daily readings, the blog, and that week’s sermon. Wrestling with all of this content together ensures you get much more out of it than if you tried to go it alone.

We believe God uses scripture to shape and grow. We have seen it in our own lives and invite you to join with us over the coming months. You will not be the same.