TEACHING NOTES

How do you maintain hope in a world that at times seems hopelessly broken?

Hope: The person or thing in which your expectations are centered.

Our hope rests in the things that we lean into that prop us up.

We feel hopeless when the thing we have leaned our ladder against lets us down.

We do not give up hope because our hope is not placed in this world.

Live out kingdom values in a world where there aren’t a lot of happy endings.

Whatever you have placed your hope in will determine whether you are able to remain hopeful in a world where things are hopelessly broken.

Place your hope in the unfailing love of God as revealed through Jesus Christ

TALK IT OVER

INTRODUCTION
Things and people in life will inevitably let us down. Whatever we ultimately place our hope in will determine whether or not we can remain hopeful in a hopelessly broken world. Where do you place your hope?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Describe a time where you placed hope in someone or something, and they let you down.
2. What are some things or people you have placed your hope in?
3. Describe a time when you have felt most hopeless? If you were able to look at that situation through the lens of today’s message, how did you make it through that time?
4. Has there ever been a time where you felt like you were let down by God? If you were able to look at that situation through the lens of today’s message, how can you see that God was with you through it all?
5. Read 1 Peter 1. In what areas of your life do you need to “move your ladder” so that all your hope is placed in Christ?

MOVING FORWARD
One thing is certain, we will always face times of uncertainty. Even in the midst of the uncertainty of our lives, God is certainly with us. He wants us to place our hope solely in him as we live in a word that is hopelessly broken.

CHANGING YOUR MIND

For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope. Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you harmony with one another in Christ Jesus, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.—Romans 15:4-6 (NIV)

NEXT STEPS
• Pray and ask God to give you the strength to place all your hope in Christ
• Trust that God is in control and that He is working out all things for your good.
• Discover how you can serve others on Sunday mornings or Wednesday afternoon for Breakout or Wednesday nights for our youth ministries.
• Get involved in a Community Group as they launch this fall.