You Promised – Part 1

Our theme at Crossway for 2023 has been prayerfully discerned as being “You Promised.” This is a theme that we will be pressing into over this year, as we seek out God’s word and share together all the many different ways that God has made and kept his promises to us. These promises are both to his church, and to each individual disciple. We will also look at the promises that He has made to us that are yet to be fulfilled, and that we can eagerly anticipate in the coming age. In Scriptures there are over 31,000 verse, and almost a quarter of all these verse are in some way a promise from God. The challenge that we need to be willing to embrace is what are we going to do with the promises of God, and how will they affect how we live out our everyday lives?

Read: Heb 6:18.

Further References: Joshua 23:14, Mark 1:15, Luke 24:49, 2 Cor 7:1, 1 John 2:24-25, James 1:12, 2 Peter 1:4-7, Heb 10:23. Prov 3:5-6.

Discuss

1. Think of a time when you have either kept a promise that you have made; or when someone has broken a promise to you. Share this with each other. What impact did this promise have on you?
2. What do the words “I Promise” really mean to you? What can influence the depth of meaning that these 2 words carry?
3. Read Heb 6:18. What level of trust can we have in God to keep his promises? What gives you this level of trust? What could change this for you?
4. How does the level that we trust God impact the way that you live your everyday life? What could you do differently to increase this level of trust? What would need to change? How might this impact the way that you live?
5. Why can it be a challenge to fully trust God? What is the risk of us doing so? What can hold us back from this?
6. Read 2 Perter 1:5-7. What part does the bible play in increasing your level of trust in God, and what part does your own personal experience help or hinder this trust?
7. What is a bible verse that you can lean on when you do not feel that you can trust in God’s promises to you?

Respond

We can all live a life that has a greater hope for what the future may look like, and an expectation of what it is that God has yet to fulfill in his promises to us. The challenge we need to face is what is the next step in our journey that God is calling us to take in trusting in Him? What will it take for us to make that step? This week seek out what it is that God is calling you to do as a next step, and make a commitment to take that step forward. Share this with a friend and ask them to keep you accountable to actually do it.

You Promised – Part 2

The first initiative is always with God. He saves us from the grip of sin and promises He will keep us firm to the end. We know He is faithful, even when we fall short and are influenced by experiences, people and circumstances. How can we be faithful to the end, where we can confidently say (with Paul) that we have “fought the good fight, finished the race, and remained faithful”?

Read: John 10:28-29, 1 Corinthians 1:8-9, Philippians 1:6.

Discuss

1. First initiative is always with God, and our part is to respond. Can you remember your first experience in responding to God? How was it?
2. Based on the three main readings above, what are the promises that God has for us? Is it possible for these truths to cause some hearts to struggle? Why?
3. Read Hebrews 3:12-13. In what ways have you seen someone turn away from the living God? How can we encourage each other to stay faithful to God?
4. Who do you allow to speak into your life? Whose life do you speak into?
5. Pastor Dale teaches that patient endurance is fostered by being honest with God about our doubts, fears and failures. Do you find it easy or hard to be honest in front of God? How can we make being honest with God into a spiritual habit or a lifestyle?
6. Is there anything else we could be doing as a group in order to keep one another accountable and on track spiritually?

Respond

Most of us already have too many things on our plate each week, such as work commitments, relationships, Life Group, other social groups (friends, sports, church, etc), to name a few. However, in your engagement with the promises of God, it is important to make space for God’s timing and His agenda. What is one thing you can carve out this week so you can prioritise God?

You Promised – Part 3

Whilst all the promises of God are “Yes” and “Amen” in Christ, many of God’s promises require believers to maintain faith and obedience. The Bible teaches this clearly and provides multiple examples and biblical principles of this. This does not mean we have to earn God’s favour. By keeping to God’s principles, we are simply being obedient and faithful in our walk with Him. As Pastor Dale teaches, “Your faith is the key that unlocks God’s faithfulness.” The Bible contains many promises of God, our part is to be obedient to His calling and His principles.

Read: Exodus 23:22, 1 Kings 9:4, 2 Timothy 3:16.

Discuss

1. According to the verses in Exodus and 1 Kings, what principles should God’s people keep in order to experience God’s blessings? How are these principles relevant to us today even as New Testament believers?
2. Read 1 John 1:8-9. Identify the promise and principle in this verse. Why are these parameters so relevant and important for this promise?
3. Read Matthew 6:14-15. What is the principle stated here and why is this condition so important for our own wellbeing? Share an example of forgiveness that you have experienced, as the forgiver
4. Forgiving an offence is hard, but how does unforgiveness hurt us even more? How do you know when you have truly forgiven someone, even though you have not forgotten? Note: Forgiveness does not mean overlooking abusive behavior. In such cases, the abuse needs to be address and confronted, and if necessary, reported.
5. Read Philippian 4:6-7. What is the promise and principle associated with this Scripture? Can you share an example of how you have experienced this?
6. Read John 16:13, Galatians 5:16, Proverbs 3:5-6. What is the promise and principle associated with these Scriptures? Can you share an example of how you have experienced this?

Respond

Unreconciled situations challenge our trust. We move in and out of trust.” What are you trusting God for in 2023? In what way do you need to say “Yes” to God right now, regardless of the conditions His promises might entail? Share this with the group and pray for each other in this area.