Dare to Dream – Part 1 – Has God got your attention?

Today we’ll be diving into how God speaks to us through dreams and visions. Like Jacob, we may find ourselves in difficult circumstances when God decides to speak and get our attention. Our journey today centres around how God used dreams to reveal His promises to Jacob, and how He may use dreams and visions in our lives to direct, guide, and even challenge us to turn back to Him. We’ll also discuss the importance of recognizing God’s voice, trusting His timing, and responding in faith.

Read Genesis 28:10-14, Isaiah 55:9

Discuss

1. How did Jacob’s encounter with God in his dream change his life? What does this teach us about God’s ability to speak to us even in difficult situations?
2. Read Acts 2:17. Have you ever experienced a dream or vision that you believe was from God? What impact did it have on you?
3. Why do you think God chose to reveal His promises to Jacob in such a dramatic and tangible way (the dream of the ladder) in Genesis 28:12? Read John 1:51. What does this dream symbolize, and how does it help us understand God’s desire for connection with humanity?
4. Read Habakkuk 2:1 and James 1:5. In what ways can we ensure we are in the right posture to hear from God when He speaks to us in dreams or visions?
5. Jacob had to leave his family and flee in fear, but God still found him in his distress. How does this reveal God’s grace and pursuit of us, even when we are far from Him? Have you ever had that experience in your life?
6. Read Isaiah 55:9. How can we trust God’s timing and wisdom in our own lives, especially when it doesn’t align with our understanding or desires?
7. In the passage, we see that God’s promises include land, blessing, and His presence with Jacob. Read Hebrew 11:8-10 and Matthew 5:5. How does this land promise fit into the broader theme of God’s promises throughout the Bible, especially regarding the “Promised Land” in a spiritual sense?

Respond

Just as Jacob received a powerful vision that changed the course of his life, God is continually speaking to us through dreams, visions, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit. Take a moment to reflect on how God might be trying to speak to you this week. What is one thing you sense God is challenging you to believe for? Pray for clarity and wisdom in discerning how He speaks to you. Embrace stillness to hear His voice amidst the busyness (Psalm 46:10) and trust His timing.

Dare to Dream – Part 2 – Has God got your attention?

Have you ever felt like your dreams were too big or that you weren’t capable enough to achieve them? Fear and doubt often hold us back from stepping into what God has for us. But the good news is—if you can’t, God can. He isn’t limited by our weaknesses or insecurities. Instead, He works through them to accomplish His plans. A true Kingdom vision is always bigger than what we can achieve by ourselves, requiring faith, obedience and God’s power to bring it to life. If you feel unqualified or afraid, remember—God doesn’t call the capable; He equips those He calls.

Read Genesis 41:14-31

Discuss

1. In Genesis 41:16, Joseph immediately acknowledges that he cannot interpret Pharaoh’s dream—but God can. How does this response challenge the way we handle dreams that seem too big for us?
2. Think about a time when you felt God calling you to something beyond your ability. Did you focus more on your limitations or on God’s power? What would it look like to shift your focus toward Him?
3. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” How does this verse encourage us when we feel overwhelmed by a God-given vision or calling?
4. Jesus says in John 14:27, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” What is one thing causing you anxiety right now, and how can you actively choose to give it to God?
5. Joseph was exactly where God wanted him to be—even in prison before meeting Pharaoh. How does trusting in God’s timing and placement change the way we view our current circumstances?
6. Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” How can we balance planning for the future while still surrendering control to God? What’s one area of your life where you need to release control and trust that God is establishing your steps?

Respond

As we reflect on the powerful truth that God often calls us to dreams and visions that feel impossible, let’s remember that it’s not about what we can do, but what He can do through us. God’s vision for our lives is always bigger than our limitations, and He will equip us every step of the way. As you go this week, think about how you can shift your focus from your limitations to God’s limitless power. Let His promises be the foundation of your confidence and peace. What is one dream you are believing God for? Get together with someone in your group to pray this through.

Dare to Dream – Part 3 – Battling for a dream

In this 3rd part to the series “Dare to Dream”, we start to see how God can turn our fear into faith in the most unexpected ways. A God given dream often comes with challenges, it is not meant to be something that will be fulfilled effortlessly. Sometimes, these dreams can only be fulfilled against all odds, with insurmountable challenges which only God can enable us to overcome. In this way, we will have to acknowledge that these dreams are possible only with God’s help, beyond our own natural giftings and skills. God gets the glory; we are transformed more into his image. What does it take to trust and obey God so that we can reach these dreams? How can we avoid the pitfalls and traps and overcome these challenges?

Read  Judges 7:1-24

Discuss

1. From this passage in Judges chapter 7, what stands out to you about the way God works to overcome a challenge or problem?
2. An angel of the Lord first approached Gideon calling him “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valour!” (Judges 6:12 NKJV) when in fact Gideon was afraid and hiding from the enemies. At what point did Gideon suddenly change his demeanour? (See Judges 6:34). Why is this experience of the Holy Spirit so important?
3. As a child of God today, how does God regard us in Christ, despite out fears, faults, and mistakes? Refer to 2 Corinthains 5:17, John 15:14, 1 Peter 2:9, Isaiah 45:4
4. “Fear is natural, it is not supernatural”. What does this statement mean to you? See 2 Timothy 1:7. How does this promise address fear? Do you (or know of someone who) have an instance where you were able to act in obedience to God despite your fear?
5. Gideon was asked by God to reduce his army down by more than 90%. Yet God can do more with remaining people than with the full army. What does this teach us about trusting God’s methods and not our own? Refer to Psalms 20:7, Proverbs 3:5,6
6. “Brokenness is not a hindrance to serving the Lord, it is a requirement.”What do you think this statement means? What does “(spiritual) brokenness” mean to you? Share your experience on being spiritually broken before the Lord and how God has used this experience. Refer to Hosea 10:12, Psalms 34:18.
7. Have you felt inadequate and experienced an “imposter syndrome” when doing something you felt God led you into? How did you grow out of it? Refer to 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Respond

God qualifies those whom He calls, despite what we feel about our inadequacies and past mistakes. Often, we are held back by our fears with that which seems to be impossible or too hard. What is one thing you feel God is challenging you to step out in faith and obedience, yet you feel unable to respond to? Share this with your group and receive prayer for breakthrough.

Dare to Dream – Part 4 –
Dreaming for miraculous breakthrough

Can God break into the life of someone who is totally antagonistic towards Him, and hostile towards our attempts to share our faith? Dare we dream of a miraculous breakthrough in their life? Today, we see God using dreams and visions to get the attention of people who are far from Him, and to call them to Himself. He calls us to disciple them with courage and self-sacrifice and to be part of what He is doing in their lives.

Read Acts 9:1-22

Discuss

1. Read Acts 9:1-2. How much did Saul hate Christians? Is there someone in your life who seems far from God, or who is hostile to you because of your faith? Do you dare to dream that they could be changed?
2. Read Acts 9:3-6. Jesus came to Saul in a miraculous vision that stopped him in his tracks. How did Jesus speak to Saul? Did He use words of condemnation or words of invitation? Are you surprised that a murderer of Christians would be shown such grace?
3. Read Romans 5:6-9. Throughout his life, Paul reflected deeply on his encounter with Jesus that day. What astounded him most about the grace of God? An old hymn says, “Amazing love! how can it be That Thou, my God, should die for me?” Do you relate to these words? How has this truth changed your life?
4. Read Acts 9:10-14. A disciple named Ananias also had a vision. How did he respond to the directive that God gave him in the vision? Are you comfortable enough in your relationship with God to express your doubts and fears to Him?
5. Read Acts 9:15-17a. What did the Lord say to Ananias? What did Ananias do? German Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who died for his faith, said, “One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons.” Read 2 Timothy 1:7. How might we overcome our fear and live a life of sacrificial commitment?
6. Read Acts 9:17b-22. How did Ananias treat Saul? What impact did this have on Saul and, ultimately, all of us? Read Romans 12:20-21 and Ephesians 5:19-22. How have you seen a word of encouragement change someone’s life? Ananias discipled Saul, and Saul went on to disciple many. Who could you disciple?

Respond

Do you dare to dream that our miraculous God can change someone’s life and turn them around to become a passionate follower of Jesus? Do you pray and believe that the most unlikely person in your life might be ‘stopped in their tracks’ and invited into a new life with Him? Who might this be for you? Keep praying for them! Are you open to responding to dreams and visions from God to go and disciple the most unlikely person? Pray that you might be courageous, full of faith, and obedient to the prompting of God.

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