(10.1 - 10.4) Session 3

Find your people!!! 

Monday Night // 6:30 pm
West Group
Julie w/ the Kelly's
19612 Wyndham Lakes Dr
Odessa, FL 33556

Tuesday Night // 6:30 pm
East Group
The Friedman’s
20439 Lace Cascade Rd
Land O’ Lakes, FL 34637

Thursday Night // 6:30 pm
Central Group
Bob w/ the Michehl’s
3602 Fyfield Ct.
Land O’ Lakes, FL 34638

M.S. & H.S. Group // 6:30 pm
Wednesday Night
Brian & Cheryl
2938 Mingo Dr.
Land O’ Lakes, FL 34638

• Watch the teaching video BEFORE group. 
• Take notes from each video here on your study guide. 
• Look over the group discussion questions and answer them.
• Show up for group ready to discuss and learn :-)

VIDEO TEACHING

The following are a few key thoughts to note as you watch the teaching.

Have you ever been shocked by your soul or surprised by your feelings? That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The writer of Psalms 42 - 43 addressed this very topic.

How do we find stability and sanity and clarity in life? This artist addresses his own soul and says, “hope in God” (Psalm 42:5). God is the only sure source of hope and stability for souls.

When emotions run high, we need to be intentional about directing our souls to hope in God.

There are only two real options when we are going through hard times: Either concluded there is no God and life is meaningless, or believe there is a God and our lives are the result of his plan. If God put us here, then he is God enough to know about and care about our every day lives. 

Even when our souls are in upheaval, God still in control, and he has a plan and purpose for a lives. 

God is a personal God: He is “my salvation and my God” (Psalm 42:5-6). His face is toward us; he is paying attention to our needs. That gives our souls hope.

God is greater than our feelings. He is greater than our souls. That means even when we feel discouraged or condemned, we can hope in him. He loves us, he cares for us no matter what we are going through.

GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1.  Describe a time when your soul felt hopeless or overwhelmed. What did you do to get out of that emotional place?

2.  Are the emotional ups and downs of the human experience a bad thing?  Why is it important to evaluate your thoughts and emotions in the light of God‘s love and faithfulness? 

3.  On a practical level, how can you direct your soul to “hope in God?” What does that mean to you? 

4. How does knowing that God is aware of your needs and that he cares for you help you navigate the turmoil your soul sometimes faces?

5.  Do you ever have trouble believing God cares for you? Why or why not?

6.  What does 1 John 3:20 mean to you: “whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything?” 

WEEKLY CHALLENGE

How do you tend to react when you face strong internal turmoil? Take a moment to think about it, and then write your answer down below. (You might say things like: escape such as through sleep, alcohol, vacation, or hobbies. Be in denial, panic, be indecisive, or try to control my environment.) It’s important to note that many of those things aren’t necessarily wrong; however, they might indicate your soul is looking for hope in the wrong places. 

When my soul is overwhelmed, I tend to:

_________________________________?

This week, pay special attention to your reactions when your soul starts to feel overwhelmed. Instead of automatically responding, be intentional about placing your hope in God. That could mean taking a moment or two each day to remind yourself God loves you, knows what you’re going through, and has a plan for you. If you feel comfortable doing so, come to next week‘s group prepared to share how hoping in God changed how you reacted in difficult moments.