I am so proud of you for sticking with us this far! I hope you are enjoying the sweet taste of freedom as we have replaced many of our idols in for deeper intimacy with Jesus Christ! It has been tough at times, but, oh so worth it!

Last week, we wrestled with saying “Good-bye” to our idols and to the many obstacles that stand in the way of our intimacy with God. This week, we are learning how to truly be satisfied with God alone. We will see Him as our Rescuer and the One who removes our shame. He invites us to come and be filled by Him, and when we partake of His living water, we will never be thirsty again!

I will keep it simple this week and close by imploring you to answer God’s call to come and eat. Enjoy the richest of fare! The King James says to “let your soul delight itself in fatness.” I love that!

Come, all you who are thirsty,
    come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
    and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
    and you will delight in the richest of fare.

Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways
    and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will freely pardon. Isaiah 55:1-2, 6-7 NIV

Here is a sneak peak of our small group discussion questions for this week:

Session 7 Discussion Questions

ICE BREAKER: A “guilty pleasure” is something like a movie, book, TV show, artist, or song that you enjoy but is not very popular. It is like a “secret crush.” You like it, but you don’t usually tell anyone about it. What are one or more of your “guilty pleasures”?

QUESTION 1: Meditate on the above verses (Isaiah 55:1-2) for a moment. When we waste our “money” on things that are not bread, that represents our running after idols that can never satisfy us. Why do you think God uses the imagery of choice food, wine, and milk that’s free of cost to illustrate the life He offers us? What does this mean to you personally? (p. 144)

QUESTION 2: (Isaiah 55:6-7)These verses give us four imperatives: Seek the Lord; Call to Him; Abandon your sinful ways and thoughts; and Return to the Lord. Consider and share how you will respond to one, some, or all of these commands. What will be the result? (p. 146)

QUESTION 3: The people of Israel had forgotten about God and all that He had done for them, and they ran after worthless idols. They began seeking fulfillment in “cracked cisterns” that could never hold enough water to quench their thirst. Why do you think it is important to remember all the good things God has done for us in the past? How does this help us move forward? (p. 149)

QUESTION 4: Have you ever struggled with God over something that happened in your life, because you only understood a small piece of the puzzle? How did you overcome this, or how can we pray for you if you are still struggling? (There is no shame here. We may never have all the answers, but we are here to pray with and support each other.) Psalm 46:10 tells us to stop fighting, struggling, or striving, and to know, or trust, in who God is. Are there any areas of your life in which you need to cease striving, give up the fight, and put your trust in the Lord? Explain. (pp. 150-151)

QUESTION 5: Why is shame so devastating to our spiritual lives? How has God helped you overcome this debilitating emotion?

QUESTION 6: Since we began our study together, in what area(s) of your life have you removed idols to begin creating room for God? (p. 156)

Reading Schedule

June 11 – 17: Read Session 8, pp. 167-193; Small groups: Discuss Session 7
June 18 – 23: Catch up and complete study; Small groups: Discuss Session 8

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