Worship Center
Psalm 68:4-6 NLT
4 Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the LORD— rejoice in his presence! 5 Father to the fatherless, defender of widows— this is God, whose dwelling is holy. 6 God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
1. Defender
God will not abandon you.
2. Author
God has not forgotten you.
Philippians 1:6 NLT
Mark 1:40-45 NLT
40 A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. 41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” 42 Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. 43 Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning 44 “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.” 45 But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him.
3. Healer
God fills every lonely place.
Small Group Outline & Discussion Questions
Connect:
Have each person share a high and low from this past week.
Consider:
God is the hope for the lonely and fills every lonely place.
Choose one or two questions for your group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Do you think there is a greater loneliness in our society today than there was in the past? Why or why not?
▶ Read Psalm 68:4-6. In your opinion, which characteristic of God is most needed today – Defender, Author, or Healer? How have you experienced this in your life?
▶ Read Hebrews 12:2. How can people participate in the offer of God being the Author and Finisher of their faith?
▶ How could friendships contribute to or detract from feelings of loneliness?
Commit:
Spend 1-2 minutes in silence with this question then share your thoughts.
Where is God extending a hand to you to protect or guide you as you “cross the street”?
Care:
Thank God for the highs mentioned earlier and remember the lows in prayer.
Read Philippians 1:6. Pray that God continues to work in our lives and show the world his love through his church.