· The only way to be fulfilled is to let go of her desires.

· 1 Samuel 1: 6-8 - 6 Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 8 Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”

· 1 Samuel 1:9-11 - 9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house.10 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

· 1. Deal in reality.

· 2. Connect the real you to the Real God

· “Father, no matter what response I get, I will stay connected to you.”

· 3. Make your Request

· What do you need ask for, for yourself

· What do you need to ask for?

· 1 Samuel 1: 18 - 18 She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

· 4. Pray until you have Peace

· John 14:27 - 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

· Philippians 4:6-7 - 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

· 20 So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

· Father this is reality

· Father, I will stay connected to you

· Father, this is my request

· Father, bring me peace.

LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE

Starter: Please share a time when God answered one of your prayers. Did it happen immediately or over time? What was the process?

Dig Deeper:

1. Read 1 Samuel 1:1-8

2. In your opinion, why does Peninnah make fun of Hannah?

3. In your opinion, what does it mean when the writer says, “The LORD had closed Hannah’s womb…” What does this teach us about God?

4. Read 1 Samuel 1:9-11

5. Hannah prays in deep anguish. What would make you pray in deep anguish?

6. Notice Hannah’s surrender: “If you give me a son, I will give him to you.” What might be something you need to let go of for God to answer your prayers?

7. Read 1 Samuel 1:19-20

8. Notice the phrase: “The Lord remembered her…” What does this phrase mean to you?

· When you meet Jesus, everything can change.

· Four Deep Needs: I need to understand. I need to be understood. I need to belong. I need to have hope.

· Luke 19:1-10 - Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short, he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”  8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now, I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”  9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

· Deep need – I need to understand my life

· Revelations 3:20: 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

· Reality – Jesus understands more about our lives than we do.

· Psalm 71:1 – In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.

· Second deep need – to be understood.

· Romans 8:26-27 – 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

· Heavenly Father, you understand me better than I know myself. I will trust you, not me.

· Third deep need: I need to belong.

· Lord, I want to belong with you.

· Fourth deep need: I need to have hope.

· Romans 15:13: 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE

Starter: When have you felt you were not welcome or didn’t belong? What was that like?

Dig Deeper:

1. Read Luke 19:1-10

2. Put yourself in Zaccheus’ shoes. What is his typical day like? How do people respond to him when they see him on the street?

3. In your opinion, what does Zaccheus hope will happen when he sees Jesus?

4. How do you think Zaccheus feels when Jesus notices him? When he tells him to come down, what does Zaccheus think Jesus is going to say? For Zaccheus, what does it mean for Jesus to invite himself to dinner?

5. In your opinion, why is there such a turnaround in Zaccheus’ attitude toward money?

6. In v. 10, what is the implication of Jesus saying, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost” for his church?

· When you meet Jesus, everything can change.

· Luke 18:18-23 - 18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”

21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.

22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.

· Are you trying to be in control?

· Will you respect the authority of Jesus?

· John 14:21 - 15 “If you love me, keep my commands.

· Will I take my next step?

· Luke 18:24-20 - 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”

27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

28 Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”

29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”

· Are you missing your purpose?

· Your three purposes: Share your story, share your gifts, share your resources.

· Are you trusting wealth?

· Are you trusting God to do what you cannot do

· I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, not turning back.

LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE

Starter: Do you know someone who trusts in money more than they trust in God? What do you think is the reason for their trust?

Dig Deeper:

1. Read Luke 18:18-23

a. What do you think is the ruler’s motivation for his question to Jesus?

b. Do you think the ruler has really obeyed all the commandments Jesus lists, or is he out of touch? Why did you arrive at your answer?

c. What might be other examples of what keeps people from taking their next step toward Jesus?

2. Read Luke 18:24-30

a. In your opinion, why might it be hard for rich people to trust their wealth instead God?

b. Please share a time when you have seen God do the impossible.

c. In your opinion, what can the church do to deliver on Jesus’ promise of receiving more relationally if you follow him?

You must trust that Jesus will care for you while serving and on mission.

When you meet Jesus, everything can change.

· When you meet Jesus, everything can change.

· Meeting Jesus and following Jesus are not the same.

· Luke 5:1-3 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

· When you meet Jesus, he asks to use what you have.

· You have what God has given you.

· God has given you a story to share.

· God has given you gifts to share.

· God has given you resources to share

· 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

· When you meet Jesus, he asks you to obey before you understand.

· What are you missing because you haven’t obeyed God?

· 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

· When you see God do what only God can do, you realize who you really are.

· Will you let yourself be amazed by what God is doing?

· When you meet Jesus, he invites you to follow.

· To follow Jesus, you must leave something behind.

· Is Jesus asking to use what you have?

· Is Jesus asking you to obey before you understand?

· Is Jesus asking you to follow him and leave something behind?

· When you meet Jesus, everything can change.

LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE

Starter: In your opinion, what is the difference between meeting Jesus and following Jesus?

Dig Deeper:

1. Read Luke 5:1-3

a. Notice the crowd hears the teaching of Jesus, but only Peter lets Jesus use what he has. What does this teach us?

b. God has given us a story to share, places to serve, and resources to give. Which of these is the most difficult to do? Why? Which is easiest? Why?

2. Read Luke 5:4-7

a. Give Peter credit, he obeys even though he questions. Tell about a time when you obeyed even though you did not understand. What was the result?

b. In your opinion, what was going through Peter’s mind when he was hauling in the miraculous catch?

3. Read Luke 5:8-11

a. Do you find yourself frightened when God is work close to you? Why do you think this is?

b. In your opinion, what is the hardest thing for people to leave behind in order to follow Jesus?

· Revelation 22:1-3a -Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse.

· Everything is the way it is supposed to be.

· Heaven has an infinite supply of what you need.

· John 7:37-38 - “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

· The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

· Heaven is not about you.

· John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

· Dallas Willard – “I am thoroughly convinced that God will let everyone into heaven who, in his considered opinion, can stand it. But “standing it” may prove to be a more difficult matter than those who take their view of heaven from popular movies or popular preaching may think. The fires in heaven may be hotter than those in the other place.”

· Do you really want to do life with Jesus?

· 16“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

· What do I need to do to get ready for heaven?

· Video- Lake baptism

LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE

Starter: In your opinion, why do most people want to go to heaven?

Dig Deeper:

1. Read Revelation 22:1-5

a. Read Genesis 2:8-14.In your opinion, what is the significance of the Garden of Eden having the tree of life and rivers and heaven having the tree of life and a river?

b. The leaves of the tree of life are for the healing of the nations. In your opinion, what are sins and wounds of America? What will it mean for Jesus to heal these wounds?

c. Read Revelation 13:16-18. What is the significance of the name of God being written on the forehead of people in heaven?

2. Read Revelation 22:12-17

a. In your opinion, what does Jesus mean when he says “I will give to each person according to what they have done.” How does verse 14 interpret verse 12?

b. In verse 16, Jesus describes himself. What does it mean for him to be the Root and offspring of David and the bright, morning star?

c. In your opinion, does the church do a good job inviting people to discover the free gift of the water of life? Why or why not?

· Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

· Only .5% of people believe they are going to hell

· 11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it.

· The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.

· 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

· The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

· Revelation 21:8 8 But the cowardly…

· the unbelieving…

· the vile…

· the murderers…

· Matthew 5:22 – But I tell you, anyone who is angry with his brother will subject to judgment…. Anyone who says, “You fool” will be in danger of the fire of hell.”

· the sexually immoral…

· those who practice magic arts…

· the idolaters…

· and all liars…

· —they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

· Hard question: What is written under your name in the Books of Deeds?

· There is a road to hell and we are all on it, but thanks be to God, Jesus is the exit ramp.

· Is your name in the book of life?

· 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done

· Romans 14:10 - 10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

· 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.

· 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

· Now decides then.

· Check the book.

· Heavenly Father, Is my name in your book of life?

LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE

Starter: In your opinion, who would most people say goes to hell?

Dig Deeper:

1. Read Revelation 20:11-15, 21:8

2. Everyone will be judged. Imagine you are in that crowd. Who will be standing next you? How do you feel about that?

3. Imagine all your deeds have been read. How will you feel when you hear the record of your sins is revealed? Does this thought lead you to sin less? Why or why not?

4. Consider Rev. 21:8. Without being specific, which of these sins are likely to appear in your entry?

5. Notice this final judgment describes the banishment of death and Hades to a lake of fire – which we call “Hell.” What does this tell you about hell?

6. In your opinion, how will it feel when your name is read from the Book of Life?

· Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

· Will you have hope when time ends for you?

· Matthew 25:46 – Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.

· We are created to be eternal beings

· Two states of existence await you after death: With God or without God.

· Your choices during your life on earth determine what state you will be in when time ends.

· Jesus wins.

· Revelation 20:7 - 7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore.

· Healthy relationships require choosing to attach.

· You are not as spiritually smart as you think you are.

· “Father, deliver me from my own foolishness.”

· 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves.

· But fire came down from heaven and devoured them.

· Choices have consequences.

· 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

· Are you choosing the way of Satan or the way of Jesus?

· What’s your choice?

LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE

Starter: In your opinion, do people take the idea of a real Satan seriously? Why or why not?

Dig Deeper:

1. Read Revelation 20:7-10

2. What does v. 7 teach us about God? What does it teach us about Satan?

3. Note in v. 8 the large number of people who believe Satan’s lies. In your opinion, why are Satan’s lies so attractive?

4. Read Matthew 4:1-11. How might Satan use these temptations/lies on the nations he deceives in Revl. 20:8?

5. Notice in v. 9 God does the fighting, not his people. What can God’s people learn from this today?

6. In your opinion, why does God destroy Satan? What does he allow him to continue to exist in the lake of fire?

Hope Forever