Breaking Ground
Who do you consider to be the greatest leader (past or present)? Why?
The Dig
This Sunday, we began our new series Good King, Bad King where we’re exploring several key stories from the Books of First & Second Kings. In particular, we’ll be looking at the lives of several of Israel’s famous Kings as a way to reflect upon how God calls us to understand & exercise our power & influence in the world today.
With this in mind, begin your discussion by reflecting on the concept of ruling or reigning.
What does it mean to rule or reign? Who gets to take part in these activities? How do humans tend to do so (past & present)?
Next, read Genesis 1:26-28. This is the original description of what God intended for humanity to be. As Pastor Mike taught in his sermon, this passage reveals one of the biggest misconceptions about kingship or ruling in the Bible, which is that it’s a task that’s restricted to specific places or people. But, as we see here, the activity of ruling or reigning on God’s behalf is depicted as the primary means by which we fulfill our original purpose of imaging or reflecting God.
After this, Genesis 1 & 2 goes on to define what good kingship or rule looks like for humanity; which is later embodied in God tasking humanity with naming the animals (an intimate, loving task in the Ancient World) & God commanding humanity to, as stewards, care for Creation according to His character & ways.
How does this redefine the task of ruling & reigning in your mind? Who gets to rule & reign? How do we rule or reign well? What activities does this include?
Consider where you have power or influence in the world; including your relationships, friendships, family, communities, nation, environment, etc.
Where are you using your power & influence in a way that produces greater life, love, abundance, & peace? What positive impact is this having on you & the world around you?
Where are you failing to use your power & influence in a way that produces greater life, love, abundance, & peace? Why? What negative impact is this having on you & the world around you?
Where do you need to take a step forward in using your power or influence to help others in the world? How can you do so in this next season?
Getting Out of the Hole
Take time each week to reflect upon the Sunday sermon.
- Read Genesis 1-2. Make note of any key concepts or ideas that catch your attention more than others.
- In this text, we see God depicted as Creator King over Creation. What attributes define God as King? What is His character like? What does He do?
- What does it mean to be human in these texts? How are we called to reflect God’s Kingship in the world?
- Where are you currently using your power & influence to mirror God as Creator in the world? Where could you take a step forward in doing so?
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, October 11th: Join us next week as we continue answering YOUR questions in our Why series!
* Please see mye3.org for details.