Lighthouse Baptist Church
and Christian Academy

1. ASK GOD FOR HELP.
[Group Objective: Help the group to realize depending on God is an act of worship.]

Read 2 Chronicles 20:3. What did Jehoshaphat do when he was afraid?

• When we are afraid what is our natural tendency? How can we exchange our fear for faith in God?
• Why is depending on God an act of worship?

In the next verse (2 Chronicles 20:4) how did the nation of Judah unite to find help?

• What are some situations where we need the Lord's help?
• How can we go about seeking Him as a community of believers?
• Why is it good to thank the Lord when he answers our prayers? What are some ways we can do that?

Fellowship (Membership) - When we become believers, we are automatically granted fellowship with the Father and with the Son [I John 1:3]. Most of us know how to ask another person for help when we need it. How can we take that next step that involves asking a Person we cannot see for help? Follow the example of the Judeans right now and take time as a group to go to God in prayer, asking for his help in your greatest area of need.

2. BELIEVE GOD CAN HANDLE THE SITUATION.
[Group Objective: Discover that God can handle whatever the situation is.]

What example did Jehoshaphat set in 2 Chronicles 20:5b-6a?

• Discuss situations where you have seen someone take the lead the way Jehoshaphat did. What was the situation and how did the individual show their belief in God?

When we are overwhelmed, we need to do two things:

REMIND MYSELF WHO GOD IS

What redundant question did Jehoshaphat ask of God in verse 6?

• How would reminding ourselves in prayer of who God is be of help in believing God can handle the situation? What are some ways we can be reminded of who God is?

REMIND MYSELF WHAT HE'S DONE

How did Jehoshaphat reinforce his faith in God in verse 7? What act of God is he remembering?

• Give examples of situations in which it would be important to remind ourselves of what God has done.

Discipleship (Maturity) - Belief in God's abilities grows stronger over time as we see God at work in our lives and learn to have faith in Him. During this week, consciously seek God in any situation where you feel scared, nervous, or overwhelmed. As you get together next week, discuss how seeking God first made you feel about the problem or situation at hand.

3. CONFESS MY INADEQUACY.
[Group Objective: Realize the importance of admitting God is God, and we are not.]

In 2 Chronicles 20:12, what did Jehoshaphat tell God about the army of Judah?

Why was it important for Jehoshaphat to confess his powerlessness to God?

• What keeps us from confessing our inadequacy to God? How can we change our attitude about humility?
• Discuss a few ways to encourage each other in our walk towards growing in humility.

Ministry - We minister to one another when we encourage each other to seek dependency on God. Knowing that humility attracts the grace of God, take a moment to share with someone in your group an area of your life you have been facing, either now or in the past, without God's help.

4. DEPEND ON GOD TO SAVE ME.
[Group Objective: Rely on God to handle our problems.]

What did Jehoshaphat admit in 2 Chronicles 20:12b-13?

• When we as a people admit that we don't have the answer, we are expressing humility. What examples of humility have you observed?

After spending time in God's presence, what did Jehoshaphat tell the people of Judah in 2 Chronicles 20:15, 17?

• How would someone act if they were to "stand strong"? Discuss where you have seen people expressing this quality.

Discipleship (Maturity) - Reliance on God grows as we learn more about who He is. It's natural for us to think that when we fail we have let God down, but the truth is we were never holding Him up. As an encouragement for the group, share a time when God won a battle in your life. Consider attending an on-campus study in God's Word together in order to increase your dependence on Him.

5. EXPRESS THANKS TO GOD IN ADVANCE.
[Group Objective: Grasp the power of showing gratitude before we see God's answers.]

From 2 Chronicles 20:21, when, how, and for what did the Judeans express gratitude to God?

• Why is it important to thank God in advance?
• In what ways are we strengthened by expressing gratitude to God?

What was the result of their praise, in 2 Chronicles 20:22?

• How does this example speak to what could happen in our own lives when we thank God in advance?
• In what way is thanking God in advance an expression of faith during times of trial and testing? How can worship be the antidote for worry?

Worship (Magnification) - Just as the Judeans were instructed to have the singers go before the army, how can worship bring strength into our lives when we face our own battles? Share with the group about a time when worshiping God got you through a difficult situation.

6. FIND THE BLESSING IN THE BAD.
[Group Objective: Become aware that there can always be good even in the worst situations.]

Read 2 Chronicles 20:24-26. What material good came out of the battle for the people of Judah and Jerusalem?

• A few of you share a time when God brought good out of a very bad situation.
• How can a thankful attitude during difficulty change our perspective and maybe even affect the outcome?

Describe the mood of the army of Judah as they returned to Jerusalem, as indicated in 2 Chronicles 20:27.

• The men of Judah found rich blessings as a result of their faith and thankfulness. What keeps people from looking for the good in the midst of difficulties?
• What might be the cause of habitually seeing bad things in every situation?
• How can our focus on the good during trying times be a witness of God's power and provision to others?

Evangelism (Mission) - It is difficult to look for the good when bad things happen and we are hurting or stressed out. But God has a way of redeeming the worst situations. Many times stressful or even tragic times can draw people closer to God, or even bring them to Christ for the first time. Who do you know that may be struggling right now who could benefit from you coming alongside as an encourager or listener? Is there something you can do to lighten their load? Make it a priority this week to pray for opportunities to demonstrate God's love and just be there for them. Let God open the door for sharing about how Christ makes a difference during times of struggle.

Take a moment to review any assignments/challenges made during the personal application and commitment section of your previous meeting. Seeing God at work in the lives of those who commit to Him is essential for growth.

PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT:
[Group Objective: Realize that worry does not have to define our lives. God has given us a way out through worship.]

As a faith-modeler for his people, King Jehoshaphat was a true leader. The fact that we are still inspired by his story today testifies to the power of a life well-lived. He gave his people faith. What legacy will you and I leave behind? How can we be spiritual leaders like Jehoshaphat? We accomplish this through a life of worship, which we live by doing the six things we studied in this lesson: asking God for help when we need it; believing God can handle whatever situation we find ourselves in; confessing our inadequacy to God, depending on God to save us; expressing our thanks to God in advance; and finding the blessing in the midst of bad times. This week, look for ways to publicly proclaim your faith in God as an example for others. If you have not yet been baptized, consider this as a first step and shout to the world that you are putting your trust in God from now on.