Click here to print.- Who is someone in your life that has stood by you in good times and bad?
- Talk about a time when you or someone you know suffered because of relationships. What happened?
- Read Proverbs 13:20a. Who is a person in your life on whose wisdom you rely? In what ways have you seen his or her wisdom rub off on you over time?
- One of the best definitions of a fool is “someone who knows the difference between right and wrong but doesn’t care.”
- Read Proverbs 13:20b. What is it’s warning about a fool?
- Can you think of examples of this warning coming true?
- Read Proverbs 1:7. Do you know any fools? Do they have an influence on your life?
- Let’s review Troy’s definition of personal Guardrails: A non-negotiable boundary that is a matter of personal conviction. Are there areas in your life where you tend to make foolish choices and therefore you need to put up guardrails? Share with the group.
- Read Proverbs 14:7. Do you have a relationship that could benefit from establishing or re-establishing guardrails? What obstacles will you have to overcome? Discuss the following:
- Can you be yourself with your core group or do you have to pretend you are someone you’re not?
- Do you often feel pressure to compromise the integrity of your guardrails?
- How can your small group support each other?
If time allows, do the Digging Deeper section below the Daily Scripture Reading with your group. Here’s a link to a DIGGING DEEPER “HOW TO” to guide you.
Daily Scripture Readings:
Day 1: Proverbs 1:7; 13:20
Day 2: 1 Peter 5:6-10
Day 3: Proverbs 27:6; 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Day 4: Proverbs 27:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Day 5: Proverbs 4:14-19
Day 6: Philippians 3:7-11
Day 7: Philippians 3:12-16
DIGGING DEEPER
Guardrails keep us focused on the truth of God. They keep us from listening to and believing the lies of the evil one. These verses in 1 Peter will equip us to focus on God’s truth.
1 Peter 5:6-10
v. 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
v. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
v. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
v. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
v. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
ABC’s
Author: Peter – around 67 AD.
Background: It’s intended audience was comprised of predominantly gentile believers residing in the cities of Asia Minor (Turkey), who were suffering persecution. Peter noted that he was writing from Babylon (5:13), but most scholars believe that he was actually in Rome. The reference to Babylon was a common one at the time because Rome’s immorality and idolatry paralleled that of the Babylonian civilization.
Add more info:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Context: The persecution was due to a proclamation by Nero condemning Christ and the followers of the way. 1 Peter was meant to advise and encourage them to persevere in faith in the face of adversity.
Add more info:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
1, 2, 3’s
Step 1 – Observation: What does the passage say?
v.6____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
v.7____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
v.8____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
v.9____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
v.10___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Step Two – Interpretation: What does it mean?
v.6____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
v.7____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
v.8____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
v.9____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
v.10___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Step Three- Application: How does it apply to my life?
v.6____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
v.7____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
v.8____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
v.9____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
v.10___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________