Small Group Study Guide– 2/7/10

Sermon: The Signs of the Times (2 Timothy 3:1-9) Theme: The condition of your heart

Overall impressions:

1. What stood out to you in the message this week? How would it look for you to apply it?

2. Did you disagree with or question anything that was said? If so, what?

3. Was there anything said that was new to you? If so, what and what did you think about it?

Discussing the specifics:

1. We live in “terrible times” as evidenced by the condition of peoples’ hearts.

Why is having the attitude that “it’s all about me” evidence we live in “terrible times”?

What’s so bad about viewing life this way?

How prevalent is this view in our society today? Give examples – get specific and personal.

2. Have you noticed any leanings toward thinking this way yourself? Explain what and how as well as how it came to your attention and how you addressed it. Any areas of your life where this attitude is reigning right now?

3. 2 Timothy 3:5 – Paul talks of having a form of godliness but denying its power.

What does He mean by this?

What is the form and how is its power denied?

Can you think of any examples of this?

Have you ever experienced this yourself? Explain.

4. Character and integrity really do matter – the way we know if someone truly has these is if we truly know them. When you get to know someone, who they really are comes out. The heart reveals who we really are and the heart is revealed through intimate relationship.

How many relationships are you involved in that you would say are intimate (in the relational sense, not the sexual sense)?

What does it take for a relationship to reach this level?

Why is this level of relating necessary?

5. Whom do you pattern your life after? Perhaps you may not even be doing it consciously, but you are patterning your life after someone or someones – who would you say those persons would be?

What are you convinced of in life?

How did you come by those convictions?

So What?!?

1. Fight against the attitude “life is all about me”. Remind yourself daily that God is supreme and all of life revolves around Him and is designed by Him, for Him and for His glory.

2. How’s your heart? Choose to believe God and pursue Him, obey Him. Obey Him out of a heart that loves Him, not out of a heart that loves yourself.

3. Pursue others, be willing to be vulnerable. Choose your people wisely, but choose them and pursue them. Come up with at least one name that you can pray about pursuing – then pursue them.