Getting Started:

Q: Have you ever been totally unplugged for an entire day (social media, cell phone, computer, TV, radio, whatever)?

  • What was that experience like for you?

WATCH A CLIP FROM SUNDAY'S SERVICE

See the full message HERE

READ 1 Kings 19:11-13 NCV

“The Lord said to Elijah, ‘Go, stand in front of me on the mountain, and I will pass by you.’ Then a very strong wind blew until it caused the mountains to fall apart and large rocks to break in front of the Lord . But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a quiet, gentle sound. When Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his coat and went out and stood at the entrance to the cave.”

  • How do you expect God to speak?

    • What are some characteristics/ways you would look for?

  • PC said, “it starts with stillness.”

    • When was the last time you were truly still and present?

  • Someone once said, “we, in the West, cannot stand silence, because in silence we are forced to deal with ourselves.”

    • Have you ever made things like busy-ness, surround sound, or work an escape from your regular life?

we get to choose which voices we listen to

QUESTION:

What is your favorite time saving device?

READ: Matthew 4:1-10 NCV

Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil. Jesus fasted for forty days and nights. After this, he was very hungry. The devil came to Jesus to tempt him, saying, “If you are the Son of God, tell these rocks to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written in the Scriptures, ‘A person lives not on bread alone, but by everything God says.’” Then the devil led Jesus to the holy city of Jerusalem and put him on a high place of the Temple. The devil said, “If you are the Son of God, jump down, because it is written in the Scriptures:

‘He has put his angels in charge of you.
They will catch you in their hands
so that you will not hit your foot on a rock.’” Psalm 91:11–12

Jesus answered him, “It also says in the Scriptures, ‘Do not test the Lord your God.’” Then the devil led Jesus to the top of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and all their splendor. The devil said, “If you will bow down and worship me, I will give you all these things.” Jesus said to the devil, “Go away from me, Satan! It is written in the Scriptures, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”

  • Have you ever been tempted to go for the quick fix when you knew there was a better or safer or more legitimate alternative?

    • What was the outcome?

  • What are your thoughts on suffering, as it pertains to being a Christian (someone who is trying to be Christ-like)?

    • What happens when we’re always trying to avoid pain?

  • What happens when we spend all of our time trying to fix the people around us instead of working on ourselves?

    • Could this be the most impacting way to “love God, and love others”?

Prayer is not a substitute for work, it’s a supplement

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

Spend a couple minutes of quiet together as a group. Don’t make it awkward, just give everyone a chance to breathe and turn off their minds. Challenge each other to set aside just a couple of minutes a day to simply be quiet.