Remember God, Not The Blessings Discussion Guide
Summary
Pastor Fua warned against the danger of becoming self-reliant and forgetting God during times of prosperity and blessing. Using Moses' warning to the Israelites before entering the Promised Land, Pastor Fuad emphasized that the greatest test isn't hardship, but abundance - when we might forget our dependence on God. He shared personal stories, including his experience as a young chef and former athlete, to illustrate how pride and self-reliance can lead us away from God. The message concluded with testimonies from recent baptisms, highlighting God's grace in people's lives and the importance of maintaining a personal relationship with Him regardless of circumstances.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts, acknowledging that You are our good, good Father. As we gather together in this small group, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to what You want to teach us today. Help us to be honest with ourselves and with each other about the areas where we might be relying on our own strength rather than Yours. Lord, we pray that through our discussion, You would remind us of Your faithfulness, Your provision, and Your grace in our lives. May we leave this time with a renewed commitment to remember You in all seasons - both in our struggles and in our blessings. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
What's one trophy, award, or achievement from your past that you were really proud of at the time? How do you feel about it now?
Key Verses
Deuteronomy 8:10-18
Nehemiah 9:19–21
Luke 1:68–75
Questions
Pastor Fua mentioned that the greatest danger isn't hardship, but prosperity and becoming self-reliant. Why do you think abundance can be more spiritually dangerous than difficulty?
When you think about God's provision in your life, what are some specific ways He has provided for you that you might have forgotten to thank Him for?
The sermon emphasized remembering God's power rather than relying on our own strength. Can you share about a time when you tried to do something in your own power versus when you relied on God's strength? What was the difference?
How do you personally guard against the temptation to think 'I achieved this with my own strength and energy' when things are going well in your life?
Pastor Fua shared that God's provision always has a purpose behind it. Looking back at times when God provided for you, what do you think He was trying to teach you or show you?
The message talked about grace - receiving what we don't deserve. How has experiencing God's grace changed the way you view your accomplishments and daily life?
What are some practical ways we can 'remember the Lord' during busy seasons like Christmas or when life is going really well?
The sermon mentioned that true success is 'a rich relationship with God.' How does this definition of success differ from the world's definition, and how can we pursue this kind of success?
Life Application
This week, take time each day to intentionally pause and thank God for His provision, power, and grace in your life. Choose one specific blessing or success you've experienced recently and spend time reflecting on how God was involved in bringing it about. Practice shifting your focus from the blessing itself to the One who gave it to you. Consider keeping a gratitude journal or setting a daily reminder to acknowledge God's faithfulness in both small and large ways.
Key Takeaways
The greatest spiritual danger often comes not from hardship, but from prosperity and self-reliance that causes us to forget God
Remember God's provision - He has been faithful through every season and His provision always has a purpose beyond the immediate need
Remember God's power - True success comes only through God's strength, not our own abilities or efforts
Remember God's grace - Everything we have is a gift from God that we could never earn or deserve on our own
We must intentionally choose to remember the Lord rather than getting caught up in the blessings themselves
Ending Prayer
Father God, thank You for this time together and for the reminder that You are our good, good Father in all seasons. Help us to remember You not just in our times of need, but especially in our times of blessing and prosperity. Guard our hearts against pride and self-reliance. May we always acknowledge that every good gift comes from You. As we go into this week, help us to live with hearts of gratitude, recognizing Your provision, depending on Your power, and resting in Your grace. Keep us close to You, Lord, and help us to remember that our greatest success is found in relationship with You. We love You and thank You for Your faithfulness. In Jesus' name, Amen.