Discussion Questions  |  17 May 2020

SERMON SUMMARY

As we go through life, each of us will experience seasons of ups and downs – from times of hardship, seasons of finding ourselves hidden in the background, and other times where we soar to the heights of celebration and everything going our way. Whatever season we find ourselves in we want to ask the question – what does it look like to really thrive and not just survive in the eyes of God?

Everyone knows what it looks like to run to God when things get tough. But it’s even more important to involve God in every area of our lives when things are going well. King Jehoshaphat was a man after God’s own heart. He feared God, and used his power and resources to serve God’s mission. As a result, God granted his kingdom favour and peace.

However, when Jehoshaphat started taking things into his own hands, he learns a hard lesson about doing things in his own strength. Whether at our heights or at our depths, our experiences, resources, and privileges we are given to us because we are part of God’s bigger plan and mission, and we are to use them for His glory and service. We cannot truly thrive at our heights if we are not at our heights with our God.

DISCUSSION

You can read King Jehoshaphat’s story in 2 Chronicles 17-21.

Discuss one or more of the following questions:

1. Listening to this week’s sermon, what about King Jehoshaphat’s life and story stood out to you? What can you learn about God, people, or yourself?

2. As you go through different seasons in life, do you find yourself drawing near to God when things are tough, or when things are going well? Why?

3. King Jehoshaphat wanted to see the divided kingdoms of Judah and Israel unite so bad, he leaned on his royal position, a strong army, and strategic relationships to make this happen in his own strength without God. What areas of life do you feel like you are leaning on your own strength and competence instead of drawing wisdom from and relying on God?

4. When King Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to go to war with him, there were a number of times when Jehoshaphat knew that things weren’t right, but he chose not to speak up. Have you ever found yourself in a position where you knew something wasn’t right, but you didn’t want to get involved or cause trouble and chose not to speak up? What happened?

5. Jehoshaphat knew the importance of using his power and resources to serve God’s mission. In what way can you use your experience, position, or resources to serve God’s mission?

6. What is one thing you can put into action this week?