The Sharp Edge of God's Word

Sermon Notes January 28, 2017 I Kings 15:16-19and II Chron. 16:7-9 Short Review Review the main points of the morning message. Some Questions for Discussion: Focus on: God’s promise that He will be found by those who seek Him. 1. What’s the last new thing you got (appliance, vehicle, toy, tool) for which you had to read the manual? Did the manual help? Do you still use the manual? Why or why not? 2. Summarize: what were the two occasions when God’s Word came to Asa; what was the theme of each; what was Asa’s response? 3. What are some of the ‘skills of living life’ which we learn through the years? [Leader: if they can’t think of anything, help them along with a few of these examples – handling money, buying/selling, relationships, work, marriage, parenting, time management etc…] 4. Which skills do you use with confidence now after years of experience? 5. What was wrong with Asa using the skills he had learned from being king for 35 years in overcoming the challenge from King Baasha? Explain what you understand from Hanani’s Word? (II Chron. 16:7f) 6. How do we genuinely “rely on the Lord” (or “seek the Lord”) in circumstances where we are confident in our own skill, experience and knowledge? 7. Asa had victory over Baasha, but what did he lose? (See 16:7b, 9b) How do you apply this to the Christian life today? 8. Why is it hard to hear God’s word when it corrects/challenges us? Is it harder or easier to be corrected by the Word as we get older? Why? 9. Is anyone willing to share an example of how God’s Word changed what you thought of a subject, how you lived your life, how you carried out a responsibility? 10. Read II Chronicles 16:9. What is the promise here? How might we pray in response to this promise? Perhaps close with prayer asking to experience this promise of God?