LifeGroup Notes

BIG IDEA
In the beginning, God created… He formed the earth, sea, and sky and gave light to the world He created. He filled the earth, sea, and sky with living creatures and of each thing created, He saw that it was “good.” But God’s final creation was different from all of the rest. He chose to make man in His image, male and female. Then He blessed the man and the woman, and gave them rule over all that He had created, promising to provide for their every need. When God looked at all He had created, He then said it was “very good.” God had a personal relationship with the people He had created.

After the fall of man, we see a much different story. Sin crept in and distorted man’s view. Mankind began to question God’s plan and chose to pursue what was right in their own eyes. They turned away from God and all He had given them. They took to violence and indifference toward others. God continued to pursue them, but they continued to turn away from Him until the day finally arrived for the judgment that awaited them. In this week’s study, we will look at God’s plan to restore His relationship with the people He created and how we are to respond as a result of His provision.

Passages we’ll review:
Genesis 6:5-8; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

OPENING
What stood out to you from the message this week? What led you to really think? Did anything challenge you? Have you ever had to share something that you really loved, something that had immense value to you?

When you got into trouble and needed discipline growing up, did your parents ever tell you, “This hurts me more than it hurts you?” Did you agree with them at the time? Do you agree with them now? Explain.

If your LifeGroup had a night of “Show and Tell,” what would you bring? Why?

READ

Read Genesis 6:5-8

How does the sinfulness of humankind affect God? What does it tell us about His character?

When you see how God felt about the wickedness of the people He had created, does it change how you view God? Does it change the way you think about sin? Explain.

What struggles may people have with this passage? How can you help them work through this?

Genesis 6:9 and Hebrews 11:7 tell us more about Noah. Despite the condition of the world he lived in, Noah found favor in the eyes of God. What characteristics set Noah apart from the others of his day? Was he “perfect?” Explain.

What are some indicators in our lives today that we walk in a relationship with God by faith as Noah did? Where is it hard for you right now in your own faith?

Warren Wiersbe writes: “One of Satan’s most successful devices is compromise. If he can delude God’s people into abandoning their privileged position of separation from sin and communion with God, then he can corrupt them and lead them into sin.” Satan sought to lead the godly line of people to mix with the ungodly, so that they would conform to the world around them rather than stand out. —Editor’s Note

Read Hebrews 12:2-3

How do people who don’t know God find meaning or purpose in their lives?

The writer of Hebrews tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus. What does this mean in our everyday lives? How does it affect our eternal purpose in life?

Why is it so important that we fix our eyes on Jesus rather than ourselves?

How does it help us to remember what Christ endured, so that we don’t “grow weary and lose heart?” Give an example of this in your own life.

DIGGING DEEPER

Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

How does the world define wisdom? How has God “made foolish the wisdom of the world?”

Why does God show His power and wisdom through things that are foolish, weak, or lowly (despised)?

What are some Biblical examples of God using the lowly to do great things and accomplish His will? How does this encourage you?

What does this teach us about boasting? How should we boast?

LET’S PRAY

Consider the following as you pray together:

1. We are called to glorify God. Do you live up to this calling? What areas do you need to work on in your life?

2. Our salvation is much like Noah’s - we found favor, or obtained grace, in the eyes of the Lord. Our salvation is based solely on Him and His willingness to die in our place. What can you do to better live for Him?
   

3. We are told to “boast in the Lord.” How can you put this into practice this week as you share Him with those who don’t know Him?