REALLIFE STUDY GROUP

“Let The Potter Repair The Damage”

 

ICEBREAKER:  If you had to get rid of all but one modern convenience which one would you find it hard to live without?  Explain. ( Air Conditioning, Washing Machine/Dryer, Dishwasher, Hairdryer-curlers, Cell Phone, Microwave Oven, Iron, Calculator, TV/Radio, Vacuum Cleaner, Alarm Clock, Indoor Running Water, Coffee-Maker, Car, etc…)

 

OUTLINE:  The Potter’s Program

1.     He searched & separated

2.     He soaked & saturated

3.     He sifted & shook

4.     He stepped & stomped

5.     He spun & shaped

6.     He sat it in the fire

7.     He shellacked it

 

TEXT: Jeremiah 18:1-6

 

STUDY GROUP QUESTIONS:

  1. When the potter originally chose the clay he was looking at its potential, not its present condition.  If God were looking at you right now what would He see?
    1. A millionaire in the making
    2. An awesome author
    3. A great athlete
    4. A hard worker
    5. An outstanding statesman
    6. A diligent mom 
    7. _______________________________________________________
  2. After the potter selected and separated the clay he poured water on it to make it more pliable.  If you were to name an area of your life that you need to be more flexible what would it be? (This is symbolic of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.) Be creative on this one.
    1. My expectations of others
    2. My expectations of myself
    3. Trusting God’s timetable
    4. Caring what others think
    5. ________________________________________________________
  3. The potter would then begin to sift the clay to remove any foreign objects like metals or pebbles.  If God were to remove anything in your life that limits, hinders, or diminishes your value, what would it be?
    1. A Habit (You don’t have to name it)
    2. A Relationship that pulls you down
    3. A Mindset that holds you back
    4. An Attitude of pride or self dependence
    5. A Root of bitterness
    6. _______________________________________________________
  4. The next thing the potter would do is put the clay on the ground and step on it.   Name a time in your life when you felt like God was allowing you to come under some pressure to bend your will to his will.

(The Situation could be relational, vocational, physical, spiritual, financial, emotional…)

  1. At this point the potter would spin the clay on the wheel and begin to shape it.  The spinning & shaping represents Him taking complete control and bring forth your unique design.  What is your greatest strength that makes you uniquely you?
  2. Then the potter would set the clay into a fiery furnace.  This process would cause the clay to harden and many times the vessel would begin to whistle or sing at the point that the clay was ready to be removed from the heat.  Can you think of a fiery time in your life that you later realized that though it was difficult, it was beneficial to you?
  3. Finally the potter shellacked the clay vessel to bring out its shine.  In what area of your life would you like to shine or excel more for Jesus?