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February 14, 2010

BETRAYAL – GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD

GETTING TO KNOW YOU….

1. At this point in the winter, for many, it begins to seem like a long, difficult journey. What are you looking forward to most as you get to the end of winter?

2. The old saying goes that ‘Hindsight is 20x20’. As you reflect back on your life and in particular at possible moments of ‘Betrayal’, can you see where God has used what you went through for your good/betterment?

DIGGING DEEPER….

1. The heart of this weeks message and lesson deal with the issue of Sovereignty. The fact that regardless of what you and I may do or have done to us, God is sovereign in controlling the ultimate outcomes of our lives. Read out loud in your group (privately to yourself if you are alone) the following verses, thinking carefully about what they are saying about the issue of God’s Sovereignty in our lives and then commenting about Them… Romans 8:28-29
James 1:2-4
I Peter 4:12-13

2. Pastor Dave reflected on Sunday morning that ‘Betrayal Happens At The Most Decisive Moments.’
a. Has that been true in your experience?
b. Why do you think that is?

3. In The Message, Pastor Dave reflected that ‘Betrayal Is In The Heart Of Every Person’, commenting on John 13:22 when the disciples of Jesus, in response to His commenting that one of them was a betrayer, began to look /stare at one another. Read The Following Scriptures… Reflecting and Discussing What They Teach about The Human Heart… Jeremiah 17:9
Ecclesiastes 9:3
Matthew 15:18-20

4. In the life of a Believer, Betrayal must end in Forgiveness. We must forgive those who have betrayed us… *Read Ephesians 4:32… We Are To Forgive As God thru Christ has forgiven us…. God forgave us FIRST
FREELY
FINALLY

*As you think on these 3 qualities of how God has forgiven us… discuss how they apply and what they mean to you in your life….
5. One of the great statements in the entire Bible is that of Genesis 50:20; ‘But as for you, you meant evil against me: but God meant it for Good,’

*As you reflect back over the story of Joseph (Genesis 37-50):
a. How did Joseph’s brothers ‘mean evil’ against him?
b. How did God ‘mean it for good.?

*Now, reflect in your life…How has God brought Good from that which others may have meant evil towards you in?

TAKING IT HOME

Pastor Dave told the story of the Doberman that had been tied to the park bench and had uprooted the bench…running through traffic… with the bench slamming into and damaging cars sitting in traffic. As you reflect on your life, what baggage is it you are ‘towing through the traffic of life’? Isn’t it time to do something about it…? If you are comfortable, share with your group what they can pray about with you to help you. Get with a good Christian friend to help hold you accountable. Don’t be afraid to come to Pastor Dave and ask him to guide you towards help.