Small Group Notes Tyler Warner
March 9, 2025

If the Foundations are Destroyed

Overcoming Despair and Standing Firm in Faith

Opening Prayer:

Starting this term, we want to emphasize prayer more in our groups and in our church. Please take time to pray as a group. Pray for our church, for the kingdom, for one another, and for anything else that God lays on your heart. Also, ask God to open hearts and minds to His Word and guide your discussion.

Key Takeaways:

  1. God is still on His throne, regardless of worldly circumstances.
  2. Christians are called to have courage and faith, not despair.
  3. The foundations of creation, religion, family, and truth are under attack, but God is greater.
  4. God sees everything and will judge righteously in His time.
  5. We must remember that God intervenes in our lives and history regularly.

Discussion Questions:

  1. The pastor mentions four areas where foundations are being eroded: creation, religion, family, and truth. Which of these do you see most prominently challenged in our society today? How does it affect your daily life?
  2. How do you typically respond when faced with discouraging news or cultural shifts that seem to go against biblical values? Do you tend towards despair or faith?
  3. The sermon emphasizes that God is still on His throne and in control. How can we cultivate this perspective in our daily lives, especially when things seem chaotic?
  4. Discuss a time when you’ve seen God intervene in your life or in a situation you know about. How did this strengthen your faith?
  5. The pastor warns against “paid prophets” who spread fear and despair. How can we discern between genuine concerns and manipulative fear-mongering in Christian media or teaching?
  6. How does remembering the reality of heaven and hell impact your view on current events and cultural challenges?
  7. The sermon mentions several historical challenges the church has faced and overcome. How can looking at church history encourage us in our present struggles?

Practical Applications:

  1. This week, when you encounter discouraging news, practice immediately turning to prayer and reminding yourself of God’s sovereignty.
  2. Choose a Psalm (like Psalm 11 discussed in the sermon) to memorize as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and power.
  3. Identify one area where you’ve been prone to despair. Write down three ways you can actively exercise faith in that area instead.
  4. Find a historical account of how the church overcame a significant challenge in the past. Share what you learn with the group next week.
  5. Practice encouraging another believer this week by reminding them of God’s faithfulness and the certainty of His ultimate victory.
  6. Evaluate your media consumption. Are you allowing voices of despair to dominate? Make a plan to balance this with faith-building content.
  7. Commit to praying for revival in our generation, as the pastor encouraged, believing that God can and does act in powerful ways.