In preparation for these questions, please read Psalm 84.

1) In Psalm 84:2, the psalmist writes that they "faint with longing" to be with the Lord. How do the happenings of the world, (pain, suffering, evil), impact your anticipation for Heaven?

2) How has the Lord's strength changed your life? (Verse 5)

3) The author of this Psalm references a "valley of weeping" that believers must travel through to be in God's presence. How can the reality that your story ends peacefully in the presence of God impact you during seasons of "weeping" that you travel through?

4) Read James 4:14. This scripture reveals that, compared to all eternity, our lives are incredibly short. Do you find that this serves as motivation or discouragement for how you have spent your life and the time you have left?

5) On Sunday, we discussed how, as believers, we are headed towards a heavenly home; however, "for now, our responsibility is to bring some of Heaven here." What are some practical ways that you can begin bringing peace and hope to this world? Find someone close to you to hold you accountable for taking these steps!

1) Has there ever been a time in your life when certain events caused you to doubt God's existence, involvement in this world, or His goodness? Were there any valuable lessons or wisdom that this experience taught you?

2) During Sunday's teaching, we described some of God's characteristics; characteristics such as holy, righteous, just, and sovereign. Why is it essential to get to know the attributes of God before making a judgment on how He handles the events of the world?

3) Read 1 Peter 2:16. From the beginning of creation, we see that God has given humanity the freedom of choice - to make decisions between right and wrong. Why do you think that God would grant us this freedom?

4) Romans 3:23 tells us: "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard." This means that even those who do the most evil we can think of are no better than we are! How does this truth change the way you see God dealing with sin in the world?

5) 2 Corinthians 5:17 shows us that God sent Jesus Christ into this world to combat the evil in the world and in us. What does God's patience with evil and allowing His children to change say about who He is?

6) Read Hosea 6:6 and Micah 6:8. What responsibility does this give us, the Church, in fighting against injustice, oppression, and evil in the world? How might our actions change someone's belief about God and how He chooses to run the world?

Read John 1:1-14

1) In the message, it was stated “We don’t need the Bible to know that there is a creation!” - do you agree with that statement? If so, how would you declare the existence of God, apart from quoting Bible verses?

2) Sometimes, Christians see science and faith as exclusively distinct entities, as if there is an unwritten law that presumes that science is all fact-based and that Christianity is all-faith based. How do you see faith and science in agreement with the other?

3) If God is true, (and we believe He is), our relationship with Him should impact and influence how we value all of His creation. How should that influence how we care for His planet? How should that influence how we care for his people?

4) Read 2 Corinthians 5:17. In what ways has your relationship with Jesus caused you to become a new creation?

5) From the reading in John 1, we see that Jesus was full love and forgiveness, and that He was to shine like light in the darkness. As children of God through faith in Jesus, we should allow Him to be in charge of all of our lives so that we can shine as lights in the darkness as well. What areas of your life do you need Jesus to impact and effect so you can shine in the dark like He does?

1) When did you first begin reading the Bible? How old were you and what caused you to begin reading it?

2) Why are people hesitant to read the Bible today? What objections or reservations do they have about it?

3) How important has it become in your own life? Is it helpful to you? Which parts do you find most helpful, encouraging, or motivating?

4) Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17. What does it mean to you that the Scriptures are God-breathed, or inspired by God? How does this affect your approach to the Bible?

5) How does the way we live contribute to the attitude other people might have toward the Bible? In what ways should this motivate us?

Read 1 Peter 1:13-2:4, 9-12

1) Do you think that the church (Christians) have a reputation for being better known for the things we stand against rather than being known for loving the people Jesus died to save? If so, why have we earned that reputation?

2) In Sunday’s teaching, we were told that two of the reasons for hatred and hypocrisy in the church are that we have lost sight of all that Jesus has done for us, and that we have lost sight of what he has called us to. What are some other reasons?

3) What are some things that we should remember that Jesus has done for us? What are some things he’s called us to?

4) Read Matthew 23:13. Can you think of actions or attitudes that you have demonstrated that have caused others to feel unwelcome in the church? How about actions and attitudes that have made you feel unwelcome? What are some things we can do to insure that all are welcome?

5) When thinking about hatred and hypocrisy in the church, it’s easy to excuse our behavior and/or to blame others for theirs. What are some practical ways that we can be the kind of person that makes no enemies, the kind of person who people think is the nicest person in the world, and the kind of person that others naturally want to be around?

1) The Apostle Paul’s conversion reminds us that “you can never out-sin God’s grace”! How does this spiritual truth impact your life?

2) How would you define contentment? What do you think you need in life to be content?

3) Read Philippians 4:10-13. On Sunday, we discussed how “our contentment in all circumstances is found in the goodness of God”. What about God and His character allows us to find our contentment, in any season, in Him?

4) Read Matthew 6:31-33. What does our worry reveal about our trust and contentment?

5) What are some practical ways that you can grow in your contentment with the life God has blessed you with?

Read Matthew 26:36-46

1) One thing that Jesus' uncertainty in the Garden of Gethsemane reveals to us is that even the godliest of people will experience uncertainty. Does this truth bring you comfort or concern? What advantages does our faith afford us during the trials of life?

2) Read Proverbs 24:6 & Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. Why is it important to lean on others and allow them to speak into your life during troubling times? Is there anyone you need to be reaching out to and encouraging right now?

3) Read Psalm 34:18. Have you ever had God reveal His closeness to you during a tough time? What are some practical ways that we can seek God and experience His closeness when our hearts feel broken?

4) On Sunday, we discussed how Jesus' prayer in the garden shows us that “amid uncertainty, we should submit to God’s plan.” What is most difficult about surrendering our preference for our life to God’s plan? Read Isaiah 55:8-9. How can this scripture motivate us to surrender?

Read Genesis 12:1-7 & 17:1-8

1) Have you ever found that getting comfortable with the familiarities of life has kept you from being open or even listening to directions or decisions that God may want you to choose?

2) In Sunday’s message, we were reminded that in the uncertainties of life, that we are no longer in control. How does that make you feel that you are just a passenger? What makes being a passenger difficult for some people?

3) Have you ever chosen to make a major life-changing decision because you felt that God was calling you to? How did that work out? What did you learn through it?

4) Abraham had to wait a long time for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Give an example of a time when your prayer didn’t seem to be answered as quickly as you wanted. How did you feel toward God during the “wait”?

5) Read Galatians 3:6-9 & 26-29. Abraham was given this promise: “All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” How have you been blessed because of Abraham’s faith?

6) In a life filled with uncertainties, what is something that God has been or is calling you to do? Pray about this with others.

1) What’s one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?

2) Read Daniel 1:1-7. Early on in Daniels's life, we see that unexpected and drastic changes come into his life. Has there ever been a time that this has happened to you? What was that time of life like?

3) In Daniel 1:8, we see Daniel take a stand for his faith by refusing to eat the King's food. How can small acts of obedience (or disobedience) affect our faith?

4) In the book of Daniel, we see that the Babylonians do all they can to change the identity of Daniel and his friends. Have you ever felt that Satan is using your past, your failures, your present circumstances, or anything else to tempt you to forget that your identity is in Christ? What does it mean to have your identity in Christ?

5) How can followers of Christ live in such a way to gain credibility and influence with those who do not share their faith? How can they lose credibility?

6) How does it feel to know that the same God who saved Daniel from the lion's den is wanting and willing to be there for you in your times of uncertainty? How can this make a practical difference in your day-to-day?

1) What is one thing that stood out to you about this week’s message?

2) If you were being honest, how do you typically react to uncertainty?

3) Early on in the book of Job, we see that its main character, Job, is someone who experiences a lot of undeserved suffering. Has there ever been a time that you witnessed someone undeservedly suffering? What was that experience like for you and did it have an impact on your faith in God?

4) Read Job’s response to his initial suffering in Job 1:20-22. Why do you think Job was able to worship through his pain, suffering, and loss? What does this teach us about how we can worship amid uncertainty?

5) Throughout chapters 38, 39, and 40 of the book of Job, God is reminding Job of His power and accomplishments. How can focusing on all God has done help us get through what we’re going through?

6) Read 2 Corinthians 4:17. Has there been a time that a trial in your life produced something beneficial that far outweighed the trial itself? What good do you think can come from this season of life we’re all living in?