Sermon-Based Small Group Lessons
Frazzled: Stop Whining
Les
Hughes
December
28, 2008
Coming soon… “Make it Personal” Emphasis
and building plans revealed in 2009.
Focus
Passage: Philippians
2:1-13 (New International Version)
14 Do
everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure,
children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which
you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life—in
order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for
nothing. 17 But
even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and
service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with
me.
The Lesson
Briefly share a time you have whined this week. If you can’t think of a time,
share
Memory Verse: Philippians 4:6-7
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.
1. Les talked about our expectations from
God when we whine. How do you think
God hears and receives our whining?
2. The story of Job teaches
us a lot about our attitude and about God’s response. Name some of the things you know that Job
had to whine about?
Job
said, “Why
do the wicked live on and increase in power?” What does that phrase mean in our day
and time?
God
gave Job a Clint Eastwood answer, “Brace yourself like a man.” God also said, “Where were you
when I laid the earth’s foundation?” (meaning “I’m
God and you’re not.”)
Is
it surprising to you that God would respond in this way?
How
does that change our taking our concerns to God?
3. Job’s final
words to God were “I know that you can do all things…. No plan of
yours can be thwarted.”
(chapter
42) Job finally
understood that he could trust God’s plan.
4. Another example is
Moses during the Exodus experience.
What did Moses have to whine about?
What did Moses learn?
5. God hates it when
we don’t trust Him. Why do
you think this is true?
Have
you ever had your children express lack of trust in you?
6. The third example
is Simon Peter, who denied knowing Jesus three times. Jesus told him, “If I want him (another
disciple) to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” John 21:23
Jesus
was basically telling Peter, “What I do with other people is none of your
business!”
How
do you feel about that?
7. Read 1 Peter 4:1-14
and see what Peter learned about suffering. What are some results of our suffering?
See
James 1:2-5 and answer the same question about the results of our suffering.
8. Discuss this
statement (true/false): God is displeased
when we complain, murmur or whine.
This
statement is true when the whining is a result of a lack of faith.
9. Wisdom also
questions the wisdom of God. Have
you ever seen times in your life when you saw that God’s wisdom was
greater than ours?
What
does Proverbs 3:5-6 say about our understanding?
10. Whining reveals
ingratitude. Have you ever felt
that as a parent? (How many hours
has it been?)
11. Phil 4:6-7 tells
us how to handle our problem situations.
What part of this verse do you most need to hear or practice?
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.
12. Les also said that “Whining hurts
our witness.” Can you think
of some ways this is true?
13. It’s easy
to whine when we get things out of perspective. What are some ways we manage to get
things out of perspective?
Here’s
a verse to help us keep life in perspective:
What
is more, I consider everything a
loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for
whose sake I have lost all things. I consider
them rubbish,
that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8
14. Here are some truths about whining. Which do you most need to hear and why?
a. Complaining doesn’t change our circumstances.
b. Don’t
complain if we have the power to change things.
c. Whining makes
our frame of mind worse.
d. Grumbling
shows dissatisfaction with God.
Realizing
that our whining reflects a lack of trust in God, questioning His wisdom, and
is a negative witness, what are some positive things we can and should do when
we are tempted to whine?
Close
by reading Philippians 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs
according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.