Impact - End of Week 2

INTRODUCTION
The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.

OPEN QUESTIONS
Share one thing in your life that you never thought you’d be able to accomplish, or others thought you’d never accomplish, but then you did.  What was that like?  What helped you achieve your goal?

HEAD

1. Read Joshua 1:1-5, Hebrews 11:1, Deuteronomy 11:24, Proverbs 16:9 together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading.
2. Knowing how the people revered Moses, what do you think it was like for Joshua to now step into Moses’ shoes, especially with God promising to do such big things through him?
3. In Joshua 1:5, the promise God makes is that He will be with Joshua as He was with Moses.  Do you think this was hard for Joshua to believe? If so, why? If not, why not? (see Joshua 1:9 and how God has to reaffirm Joshua)
4. Joshua must have faith, as described in Hebrews 11:1. What kinds of things are we sure of what we hope for, and what kinds of things are we certain of, that we do not see?
5. What do you think Solomon was really saying in Proverbs 16:9?  Does it not matter what choices we make because God’s purpose will prevail?  If so, how does that work? If not, what are we to do in our journey with God so that His purpose in our lives does prevail?

HEART

1. God promised to give Joshua and the Israelites every place they set their foot.  That meant there was something for them to do (move their feet), and something God would do in return.  What does this look like in our faith journey today?  In what ways are we challenged to move, trusting in God to live up to His end of the promise?
2. How would you describe what faith is to another person who doesn’t know?  What is your faith journey like for you, and what do you think it gives you?
3. Proverbs 16:9 is really about surrender.  It’s about making plans but recognizing that at the end of the day, God is in control.  What are some ways you and I can practice surrender in our daily walk with God?
4. God promises Joshua that he will not fail or abandon us.  But have you ever felt as if God failed you, or abandoned you?  So how do we reconcile those negative feelings we have from time to time in our journey with God?  Just because we feel a certain way, does it mean our feelings are reality?
5. How can you and I persevere in our faith, even in those moments that it feels as if God has abandoned or failed us?  What helps us keep going?

HANDS
Take some time to think about the goals you want to accomplish in your life in the next 3-5 years.  Then, surrender those goals to God, asking Him to help you persevere or let go when and as you need to, trusting that God wants the absolute best for you in your life.  Then share what you learn from this experience with at least one other person.

LIVING WORDS FOR YOUR WEEK
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT