Connect – use one of these two questions
- Have you ever had a “Here’s hoping” moment in your life? Share with the group OR
- What are some areas in your life where you find yourself saying, “Here’s hoping”?
Discuss
- How do you typically use the word “hope” in your life? Read Romans 15:13 and Jeremiah 29:11. Does your understanding of hope differ from the biblical concept? If so, how?
- Read Micah 5:1-4. Micah prophesied a coming hope in the midst of Israel’s destruction. How does knowing Christ as your “shepherd king” encourage you during difficult circumstances?
- Read Proverbs 3:5-6. Are there areas in your life where you’re hesitant to obey God’s Word because it doesn’t fully make sense to you? How can you practice obedience even when you don’t fully understand?
- When faced with uncertainty or challenges, is your default to trust in God’s sovereignty, or to worry? What practical steps can you take to surrender your worries to God this week?
- Read Hebrews 11:1. How can you grow in your faith to expect great things from your King? How does knowing that Jesus is both the ancient and future King affect your confidence in God’s plan for the world and your life?
- Imagine your life without the hope that Christ provides. How does reflecting on what He has done and what He promises to do motivate you to daily live for Him?
Pray
Take time to pray for one another to surrender to God’s perfect plan, even when circumstances are uncertain. Ask for peace and confidence in God’s promises. Pray also that this may the season where many people place their hope in Jesus as their king through connections with family and friends as well as special church services.
