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Lesson for May 25th, 2013
Habakkuk: Trusting God
Scripture Focus
Habakkuk 1:1-17; 2:2-4; 3; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 11:1-13; Philippians 4:11
Concept
We may not always understand why tragedies occur, but we can trust God no matter what.
Materials Needed
Writing paper, pens
Connecting with the Scripture Topic
- Briefly tell the group about your first pet. How did you react when that pet died?
- Have you ever had a physical ailment that took a long time to diagnose? How did you feel when you finally learned what was wrong?
Sharing and Receiving Scripture
- When you think about living in the time of trouble (Revelation 13:15-17), do you tend to worry about this or fully trust God? Go around the group and ask each person to simply say “Trust” or “Worry.”
- Thought Questions
In the first two chapters of Habakkuk, the prophet makes charges against God which God then answers. Why do you think God answers instead of remaining silent?
- These are serious allegations which God cannot allow to go unanswered.
- Habakkuk said what was on everyone's mind, so this gave God the opportunity to speak to the whole nation.
- The people of Judah were so fed up with the state of things that they would listen to God's reply.
- God liked Habakkuk.
- Habakkuk's comments came from one who truly wanted to know the answer—he wasn't just venting.
- Other...
In Galatians 3:11, Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4 because:
- Habakkuk was his favorite author.
- Quoting Scripture gave his thoughts more authority.
- The Holy Spirit led him to reference Habakkuk.
- People weren't reading the Scriptures, and they certainly weren't reading the book of Habakkuk.
- It's a powerful point that needs to be emphasized regularly.
- Other…
Read Hebrews 11:1-13. In your opinion, what part of these verses is the unseen thing that is hardest to believe?
- The creation
- A flood, when it had never even rained before
- An elderly couple bearing children
- A childless, elderly couple producing descendants as numerous as the stars
- The heavenly city, built by God
- Other…
In chapter 3, how can Habakkuk sing God’s praises after he’s leveled such serious complaints?
- God's answers obviously satisfied him.
- God's answers scared him.
- Habakkuk finally remembered how God had worked in the past.
- Habakkuk learned to move from worry to trust.
- Habakkuk experienced what Paul talks about in Philippians 4:11.
- Other…
Applying the Message of Scripture
Gather in groups of two or three. Choose one of the following options and work on a solution. Report back to your group when your facilitator says time is up.
- Option 1: When someone experiences a terrible tragedy, what is the best thing to say to him or her? What is the best thing to do?
- Option 2: Choose a current issue that seems insurmountable (national deficit, the war on drugs, etc.). Write a few lines of prose (like Habakkuk 3) that express your faith that God will one day solve that problem.
- Option 3: When was the last time your church held a praise-and-testimony service? What would you like to see done in such a service? Do you know anyone with a meaningful testimony to share? Plan to discuss this service with your pastor.
Valuing Scripture in Your Life
- For the next three minutes, consider a problem in your life that seems insurmountable. How much faith do you have in this situation? How can you have more faith?
- At the end of three minutes, those who choose to may share their thoughts. Conclude with prayer.
Next Week's Scripture Focus
Zephaniah 1:14-18; 2:1-3; 3:1-5; Joel 2:1-11; Isaiah 11:4; 62:5; Nahum 1–3
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