Breaking Ground
What is your favorite thing about Fall? Why?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued our series Good King/Bad King by exploring the story of Josiah, King of Judah. Begin by reflecting upon the challenge of leading people through change.
How do you usually respond to major change in your life? Where do you tend to struggle the most with change? Why?
Have you ever led other people or an organization through some form of major change? How did people respond? Where did you & those around you struggle the most with embracing this change (even when it was healthy)? Why?
Next, read 2 Kings 22:1-13 & 23:1-3. Josiah comes to power at just 8 years old &, ultimately, becomes the last good king of Judah. He is best known for rediscovering a copy of the Torah (or God’s Law) after it had been lost for decades. Upon reading it, Josiah responds by immediately humbling himself & launching the most sweeping reform movement in Judah’s history: tearing down all the idols in Judah, celebrating the Passover for the first time in generations (which retells the story of God’s Exodus liberation), promoting justice for the poor, & publicly recommitting all of Judah to their covenant with God.
What stands out to you the most about Josiah’s story? What challenges do you think he faced internally & externally?
During his sermon, Pastor Scott highlighted several key themes from Josiah’s story. In particular, he pointed out that Josiah was a good king because he:
- Knew himself & understood his kingdom (key families, economics, businesses, religious institutions, etc).
- Recognized, learned, & understood both the past & present beliefs & attitudes of his people.
- Identified & took a bold step forward toward a goal; modeling the new behavior, attitudes, & actions he wanted others to adopt.
- United both key leaders & the common people around a common goal & vision of something different.
- Worked hard to bring about that vision over time, while recognizing that there is no finish line for change.
Which of these components speak to you the most? Are there any that you find challenging or unexpected? Why is each component necessary for leading people through major change?
Where are you currently experiencing a major change in your personal life or within an organization that you’re a part of? Where do you see yourself struggling with embracing that change?
How might Josiah’s story help you accept & take part in that process of change in a healthier way?
Getting Out of the Hole
Take time each week to reflect upon the Sunday sermon.
- Read 2 Kings 22-23. Make note of any repeated themes, actions, or ideas that catch your attention.
- How would you describe King Josiah’s reign? What made him a good king? How did he use the power & influence that God had given him for good?
- What lessons can we learn from Josiah’s reign? What successes should we seek to copy in how we exercise our own power & influence?
- Where are you facing a major change in your life (individually or corporately)? How might Josiah’s story help you engage that change in a more Chirstlike way?
Journal, reflect, & pray on how God might be speaking to you through each week’s teaching. Share your experience with your growth group next week!
Additional Resources*
Centered Set Church by Mark D. Baker
Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
TheBibleProject.com
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, November 8th: Join us next week as we continue our series Good King/Bad King!
* Please see mye3.org for details.