ENGAGE INSPIRE EQUIP

---

Life Group Sermon Study

On Planning Carefully July 5/6, 2014

Break the Ice:

ENGAGE

(The purpose of these first questions is to help your group open up. Please don’t feel like you have to ask each question. Once you feel like the group is ready, move onto the “Inspire” section.)

• In your family, who is the wisest person you know? • When you need wisdom or guidance, whom do you seek out for advice? • What challenged you from the service this weekend? Prayer: Take some time to pray for God to speak to your group through this week’s study. Questions:

IN SP IRE

(Since the group may need time to process each question, don’t let silence scare you. Try to avoid filling the space with unnecessary explanation or moving on from the question too quickly.)

1. Read Proverbs 16:1-3. • What do you think makes us think our plans are pure and/or wise? • What stops us from asking the Lord to be in control of our plans?

2. Jake said, “If we too quickly forget our mistakes then we may come under the illusion that we know what we’re talking about. We might deceive ourselves into thinking that we don’t need help. God is reminding us at this point: the reason you think your idea is so great is because you came up with it. God wants to be part of our plans because He is the source of true wisdom and has a bigger plan.” • How does hearing this statement impact you? • Share about a time that you had a plan and didn’t ask God to weigh in. • What does it look like to allow God to be in control of your plans? Describe ways you can have God be in charge of your planning. 3. Read Luke 12:16-21. • What does it look like to be rich towards God?

Read Proverbs 11:14, 15:22, and 16:9. • What stands out to you from these verses? • Who are your counselors? Who do you seek out for godly wisdom? • Do you have anyone in your life that is allowed to disagree with you? Who is it and how has that helped you?

4. Read Proverbs 21:21. Jake said, “God wants us to have a plan, and He wants to be a part of it.” • What would it look like if you planned on being used by God? • What would look different about your daily life? Application:

EQUIP

(These questions will challenge your group members to apply the study to their daily lives. It is highly important that you go over this section with your group each week for the group study to be a success. Set aside 15-20 minutes at the end of your study to go over this section.)

Jake gave us three things to think about when it comes to our plans: 1. Get wise advice. 2. Create a fair and honest strategy. 3. Remain open-handed. • Which of these three do you do well already, and where do you struggle? • What is something you’re currently planning towards? Have you asked God to speak into it? Prayer: Take some time to pray over each group member’s identified action steps and life issues. Equip Your Mind: “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9, ESV)