Oct. 14 - Heavy-Handedness (1 Sm. 5)

First listen to the sermon (posts Sun. afternoon). Then use the ideas below to help you and your group apply what the Lord is teaching you.

Icebreaker idea: What is one thing you are "Gung Ho!" about right now (and why)?

A way to pray: Pray for those we know who are headed toward experiencing God's heavy-handedness – ask God to rescue them and to give us opportunities to share His love with them, as we seek to see 2,000 people by 2022 baptized and growing in relationship with Him through the Word, prayer, and community.

Talk It Over:

• Treasuring God: Read verses 1-4. When has God removed or not allowed something in my life so that I might see Him as more valuable than that thing?

• Being Transformed: In what ways might I be tempted to treat God lightly and other things as more important? What steps can I take to combat this?

• Loving Others: Read verse 11. What are some specific ways we can show God's love to people in our lives who don't really want His presence near them?

• Pursuing Unity: Who can I ask to pray with me that I would not treat God lightly nor be too intimidated to share His loving presence with others? (Do it!)