Use the following questions and directions based on today’s sermon as a starting point for spiritual discussions with your family or a small group of Christian friends this week.

‌Fellowship—Relationship with a Purpose

• What is a setting that makes you nervous? (Ex: roller coaster, public speaking). Who do you want with you in that situation? Who helps you feel more confident? Why?
  

‌Growth—Thinking About Spiritual Matters

• Which type of strength or power do you consider to be most important: physical, emotional, intellectual, or volitional?  Why?
  

• Would you rather describe yourself according to your strengths or your weaknesses? How does 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 challenge or support your answer?
  

• Why should you rely more on the Holy Spirit’s empowerment than on your own strength? Are there practical steps you can take to lean more on Him than yourself?
  

• Share a time when you had to rely on God’s strength in a situation. How did you feel before, during, and after? Have you relied on Him more frequently since then?
  

• What are some of the metaphors used to describe God’s strength and power in Psalm 61? If you had to come up with a modern metaphor of power, what would you compare God to? How would your metaphor communicate confidence in Him?
  

• Read Psalm 61:8. Why does David want God to continue protecting Him? When you ask for God’s protection, is it for your glory or for His glory? Explain your answer.
  

• How does confidence in God enable us to have greater submission?
  

• Does confidence and trust in God mean that we won’t face bad situations? What would you tell someone if they asked why you still trusted God through the bad?
  

‌Prayer – Taking Your Thoughts to God

• Praise God for being your refuge and protection during difficult times. Ask Him to shelter you and protect you. Ask the same for your church and church leadership!