Sermon Based Small Group Lessons

God, My Protector

Series Title is I-Am Tunes (The logo used in worship let you know that this is a knockoff of Apple’s Itunes)

2008 April 20

Dr. Les Hughes, Senior Pastor

Focus Scripture: Matthew 10:29-31

Meeting Schedule

1. Fellowship time & snacks

2. Share prayer requests

3. Pray (taking turns with short sentence prayers is good if group members are comfortable).

4. Begin the lesson.

a. Share the title (above)

b. Ask the Ice Breaker Question

c. Follow the guide, reading the Scripture and asking the questions.

Ice Breaker Questions

What is a time that you know God was looking out for you?

(New groups: Share your name and….question above.)

Matthew 10:29-31

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Digging for Truth

1. One cold, hard truth is that hard times fall on all of us, believers as well as non-believers. How does that make you feel?

2. The song for today is “His Eye is on the Sparrow”. Read the first verse. The verse talks about longing for heaven. What things make people today long for the end of life?

Verse 1

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

3. Pastor Les stated that “W hen shadows come, many people give up.” Is there a time in your life that you have wanted to give up? How did you handle that then compared to how you’d handle it now?

4. How does it make you feel to know God is watching you?

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth

to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.

2 Chron 16:9

5. Read verse 2 of the song. How can hearing God’s word be a help to us?

Verse 2

"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

6. In Spring 1905, the author of the song befriended a family in which both the husband and wife both had severe afflictions yet were hopeful and happy. When asked the secret, they responded, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” That event inspired the writing of this song.

On a scale of 1 to 10, what kind of inspiration do you believe others receive when watching you go through trials?

7. Remember the story of Shadrack, Meshack and Abednigo. Their faith shown bright when they were in the furnace. In was once said that, “God keeps one hand on the thermostat and his eye on the clock. He’s never going to leave us longer or hotter than we can stand.”

8. Read verse three. This verse discusses our temptation. Pastor Les said, “When trouble comes, we’re tempted to withdraw from God.” Why is it wise to draw close to God when we are tempted?

Verse 3

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

9. Many see their life as random events. Have you ever thought about how God orchestrates events for our benefit? What benefits might we receive from the events orchestrated for our lives? (It might help to picture what we’d want to teach our own children.)

10. Here are four tips for dealing with the struggles of life. Which do you need to remember or act on most?

a. Keep life in perspective.

What difference does five pounds or a dent in the car make a hundred years from now?

The things that will matter are character and generosity, etc.

b. Live your life as an act of worship. We can worry and worship at the same time.

c. Take action when God opens the door.

d. Don’t worry. Believe that God is going to provide what is best for us.

And my God shall supply all you need according to His riches in Christ Jesus

Phil 4:19

11. Here are some other encouraging passages if time allows. Ask how these verses help us deal with trials.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge him,

And he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Closing Thought

Pastor Les shared the story about a father giving his daughter a train ticket just before boarding the train. God doesn’t often provide for us in advance. Let’s walk in faith knowing that He will provide when we need it. Not early, but not too late.

Application

As a result of today’s lesson, what does God want you to change?

Encourage group members to adopt some plan for reading God’s word daily. Some plans are available at www.BiblePlan.org or a reading guide is available in the back of Westwood’s Devotional Book. Pastor Les also has a plan available at www.wwbc.org.