Galilee - Next Steps

Message Summary

We live in a sinful, broken world and bad things happen to good people and God heals whom he chooses to heal. But sometimes God does a special work in our lives even when we don’t ask for it. When we’re honest, we sometimes don’t know what we need, but God does. When God does a special work in our lives, we should give him the glory. Job, health, family, spouses, kids, church, resources and friends are all things to be thankful for. Believers should live lives of praise, thanking God for all that he has done, even if we didn’t specifically ask for it. If we don’t praise God daily for all He’s done for us and in us, then we need a closer look at our lives.

1) What typically is your first reaction when something bad happens to you? What would you like it to be?

2) What is your first reaction when something good happens to you? What should it be?

Consider This

In his Galilean ministry, Jesus taught about the nature and purpose of God’s Kingdom. He proclaimed the Gospel, that God’s kingdom was near, that His sovereign purposes in history were finally being realized. As well as teaching and preaching, Jesus healed, a sign that God’s kingdom had come. Jesus healed to validate the authenticity of his message.

1) Jesus had compassion for the widow from Nain. Do you think he has compassion for you? (Matthew 6:30, 1 Peter 5:7)

2) The widow from Nain didn’t ask for or expect help from Jesus. But when help came, what did she and her friends do (Luke 7:16-17)? What was the effect?

3) According to Psalm 50:23, what is giving thanks? What is the result?

4) Read Colossians 3:17. What is your reaction and what is the reaction of others when you verbally give God credit for something in your life?

a. How can you develop a habit of giving God the credit daily?

5) According to Romans 1:21, what is the result when people don’t worship God and give him thanks? Do you think this can happen to believers sometimes?

6) Read Philippians 4:6. When bad things come your way, what three things should you do?

7) What is the result according to verse 7? (Philip 4:7)

8) How do you then keep a positive attitude going according to verse 8-9 (Philip 4:8-9)? List some practical applications of these principles.

Moving Forward

This week be intentional about praising God for everything he has done for you even if you didn’t ask for it. “Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about his glorious acts” (Psalm 107:22).

This week read Psalm 92

1) Consider verses 1-3. What does it mean to you to proclaim God’s unfailing love in the morning and faithfulness in the evening? How could you do that today?

2) Consider verses 4-5. Can you sing to God for joy today?

3) Read verses 6-9. Could you explain these truths to someone today?

4) Read verses 10-13. Do you think this is talking about physical strength and blessing, or spiritual strength and blessing, or both? What does verse 12 mean to you? Could you share these principles with someone today?

5) Read verses 14-15. Again, how do these blessings apply to you? Why can these believers make the declaration of verse 15? Could you declare the Lord’s goodness to someone today?