Getting Started

• What has God been showing you in the last few weeks? Where do you see Him at work in the midst of this crisis?

• Almost half of the respondents to a Pew Research survey believe this pandemic is a wakeup call from God. What might God be waking us up from? Can you describe it? What would it look like to be spiritually awake? Be as specific as possible.

Getting Into Scripture

Read Ephesians 5:21-6:9. In this passage, Paul addresses husbands, wives, children, parents, employees, and bosses. Thinking through the principles laid out in this passage, discuss the questions below.

• What roles mentioned above apply to you specifically? What are the principles Paul is teaching specific to the roles that apply to you?

• The passage doesn’t directly mention siblings, neighbors, clients, or coworkers, but how might we apply the principles in this passage to those or other relationships?

• What are you learning about interpersonal relationships within or outside of the family during this coronavirus pandemic? How does God’s Word address the stress family, friendship, and working relationships are under right now?

Getting Into Life

• What are you learning about God during this pandemic? What are you learning about yourself and your faith?

• What are you discovering through this crisis about your priorities in life? What were they prior to COVID-19? What are they now in the midst of the storm? What should they be when we emerge from this pandemic?

• Let’s pray for the leaders of our nation and nations around the world who are working to lead their people during the current crisis. Let’s pray also for those directly impacted by COVID-19 cases in their families.

Spiritual Inventory

Someone (who wishes to remain anonymous) shared this quote and a spiritual inventory from Dr. Jim Denison with me (Pastor Andy) this week. I found it to be personally edifying, and wanted to share it with you. Here’s the quote:

“There are only two kinds of men, the righteous who think they are sinners and the sinners who think they are righteous. —Blaise Pascal

1. Set aside a few minutes to be alone with God.
2. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind anything in your life that displeases your Lord.
3. Write down on paper what comes to your mind, specifically and honestly.
4. Confess these sins, one by one, with a repentant heart.
5. Claim God’s promise to forgive all you confess (1 John 1:9).
6. Burn, shred, or otherwise destroy the paper as a sign that your sin has been crucified with Christ and no longer holds power over you.
7. Claim your heavenly Father’s grace and walk in His secure love the rest of the day.