Z’s Best Day

Sometimes it just seems like God has forgotten or is not paying attention.

Big Picture Theological Framework

• God keeps .

| Deuteronomy 7:9 |(MULTILINE)

• God works in and my .

| Daniel 2:21 | Psalm 22:28, 47:8 | Jeremiah 29:11 |(MULTILINE)

• God’s goal in history is .

| Luke 19:10 |(MULTILINE)

Z’s Day and Mine

You may be surprised at God’s timing

You may be surprised at God’s choice

• God works in my life to and His Kingdom.

| Luke 1:25 | Philippians 1:6 | Romans 8:28 |(MULTILINE)

• Even if you don’t :
  • Commit to faith and obedience.

                       | Proverbs 3:5-6 | Colossians 4:2 | Galatians 6:9 | Luke 6:46, 18:1-8 |(MULTILINE)

HOPE is Coming

• We are living on the side of God’s promise so your hope .

| Luke 1:4 | 1 Peter 1:3-4 |(MULTILINE)

Small Group Questions

What Do You Think?

1. Have someone quickly read over the main “fill-ins” from Sunday’s message to jog your memories.(MULTILINE)
2. From the message, what particular point challenged, stood out to you, or raised a question?(MULTILINE)

The story of your life.

1. Share your favorite moment from Thanksgiving weekend.(MULTILINE)
2. On Sunday, Pastor Willie shared how we are often surprised by God’s timing and His choices. Tell about a time when God surprised you with His timing (either positively or negatively). How did you see the Spirit of God work in that situation?(MULTILINE)

Digging Deeper in God’s Word.

1. Pastor Willie shared how God’s goal in history is redemption, with the goal of seeking and saving those who are lost through our lives. In Luke 19:1-10, we see a perfect example of this in the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector seeking to come to Jesus. Read it together and respond to the following prompts and questions.
   1. Have a few members recap the main tenets of the story using their own words.(MULTILINE)
   2. What does this story tell us about God? People and ourselves?(MULTILINE)
   3. How might God be surprisingly using your story to reach someone right now?(MULTILINE)
2. Zacchaeus is a great example of someone Jesus did not give up on, though believers did. Now go back a chapter to Luke 18:1-8 where we see the story of the persistent widow. Read it together and respond to the following prompts and questions.
   1. Have a few members recap the main tenets of the story using their own words.(MULTILINE)
   2. What does this story tell us about God? People and ourselves?(MULTILINE)
   3. Who might you be giving up on that God wants you to persistently show love to, even if they are undeserving?(MULTILINE)
3. As we head into the Christmas season, people tend to be more open to the Gospel and especially to an invitation to church. Have everyone in the group put one person in their mind who needs Christ. Once everyone has that person in their mind, read the following verses. What insight do these verses offer in terms of sharing Christ with them this Christmas season.
   1. Daniel 2:21.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
   2. Jeremiah 29:11.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
   3. Proverbs 3:5-6.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
   4. Colossians 4:2.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
   5. Galatians 6:9.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
   6. In light of all these insights, is there anything you need to do differently?(MULTILINE)

Personal Reflection and Application.

1. Have everyone share one thing someone else said in this discussion that struck a chord with you.(MULTILINE)
2. Break up into smaller groups and pray for one another (preferably men with men and women with women).(MULTILINE)