
INTRODUCE: Share about a time when you were more than certain you were going to run out of something but “not enough” turned out to be more than enough.
READ: Jeremiah 2:13-14, John 4:4-10, John 10:10
WATCH SERMON
DISCUSS
1. When have you experienced a time of feeling drained by people or life and it seemed like going to church or doing other “spiritual things” didn’t seem to help? What did help (or could have helped) you get beyond that empty feeling?
2. Even tumbleweeds drop seeds as they roll around and seem dead. Thus, they are really being fruitful. What could you look for during “empty” times in your life that would be encouraging…showing you that there is still purpose in your life?
3. How can you know or recognize that you are feeling empty when there is no gauge to tell you that?
4. Quickly examine your life right now. ..your moods and attitudes. Currently, how abundant would you gauge your life to be?
5. In John 10:10, Jesus says He came to give us an abundant life. What is “in abundance” in an abundant life?
6. When you or someone you know seems empty, what steps can be taken to move into a sense of a feeling of abundance?
7. In what areas of your life do you feel that there is scarcity? How do you “deal with” that feeling?
8. In what ways do you see “there’s never enough” playing out in our culture?
9. How could your relationship with Christ or your knowledge of what He is like bring a shift from feeling scarcity in your life to a feeling of abundance?
10. After listening to Pastor Robert’s apology to the congregation, for what was he apologizing and what are your thoughts about it?
11. “With God there is always more.” What are the first thoughts that come to your mind when you hear this? How might those six words change the way you view life?
12. What is happening in your life right now for which you would like to find Biblical promises to claim? What promises in the Bible do you find yourself claiming often? Who can help you find those needed promises that will remind you that “all you have in Him is more than enough?”
FOR FURTHER STUDY
1. Expanding on the idea of going deeper, Brother Lawrence wrote in his book, The Practice of the Presence of God, that “Practicing the presence of God is a single act that does not end. God paints Himself in the depths of our souls and we must merely open our hearts to receive Him and His loving presence.” This book, first published in 1691, gives a picture of a man living in scarcity and how he had a deep relationship with God. It provides instruction on how to be content throughout simple days by knowing God and feeling His presence. Another book along this same line was written by Thomas a Kempis in 1418, and is titled The Imitation of Christ. These books, though old, give insights into developing an intimate, personal relationship with God in order to enjoy abundance in life while living in with few material goods.
2. Pastor Robert presented some of God’s attributes in the sermon. Those mentioned were immutable (unchanging), eternal and infinite. Go tohttps://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/15-amazing-attributes-of-god-what-they-mean-and-why-they-matter.html and read about the attributes of God. Journal your insights into how each of these attributes bring about the abundant life Jesus came to give to you.