In the Meantime (1) – The New Normal

Welcome to CROLCC, we are so glad you are here worshiping with us. Last week pastor Neill was with us and he shared about walking in your own unique destiny that God has prepared for you. Do you know what your unique destiny is? I hope you take some time to pray, to learn about yourself, and to try. I believe all three are essential in fulfilling God’s purpose in us. The greatest tragedy in life is not death but life without purpose and a sense of destiny.

Speaking of destiny, what if you are not there yet? What do you do when you don’t even know what your destiny is and don’t know how to look for it? What do you do in the mean time? Today we are starting a new series In the Meantime, what do we do when our circumstances are so challenging there’s no way forward and no way out? We have problems for which there seem to be no solutions. We have questions without answers. During times like these, we’re tempted to run or give up. We’re tempted to even be angry with God. That’s because when life gets hard, it feels like God is absent, apathetic, or angry. But what if he isn’t? Is it possible to hang on to joy, hope, and patience in the meantime?

Moving Forward

Sometimes God is silent. Just because he’s silent doesn’t mean he’s absent, unconcerned, or angry. During challenging times, it’s easy to assume that you’ll never be happy again, no good can come from your circumstances, or there’s no use continuing. Hold on to joy, hope, and purpose by holding on to the truth that God still has the whole word—your world—in his hands.

Changing Your Mind

Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.
Matthew 11:6

Discussion Questions

1. Talk about a season of life—childhood, your teen years, college, early adulthood—that you look back on fondly. What did you enjoy about that season?

2. Have you ever seen someone demonstrate great faith in God despite difficult circumstances? If so, how did that person’s faith influence your own?

3. When have you faced a difficult event or season in life that caused you to feel you’d never be happy again or that no good could come from what you were experiencing? What happened?

4. In this message you heard God loves you regardless of whether it feels like he loves you. How would your life be different if you lived as though you fully believed that truth?

5. Talk about a time when you felt God was absent from your life, apathetic about what you were going through, or angry with you. How did it influence your relationship with him? What did you do?

6. If you’re currently in the middle of difficult circumstances or when you are in the future, what are some practical things you can do to remind yourself that God hasn’t abandoned you? What role can a Small Group play in shoring up your faith when God is silent?