REALLIFE STUDY GROUP

“Principles of Brokenness”

ICEBREAKER: What is your favorite card or board game to play? Explain.

OUTLINE: Principles of Brokenness

1. Brokenness produces fruitfulness

2. Brokenness is the way to wholeness and holiness

3. Brokenness teaches compassion and empathy

4. Brokenness brings breakthrough

5. Brokenness breaks the negative cycles

TEXT: Judges 6:1-6, 7:7-22, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Hebrews 11:32, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 51:17,

STUDY GROUP QUESTIONS:

1. Name something that must be broken in order to release, harness or access its value or benefit. ( For example, a coconut)

2. John 12:24 describes the breaking process of death, burial, resurrection and harvest of a seed. Identify something in your life God has asked you to sow or sacrifice to him that has taken a breaking of your will to bring you to the place of total obedience.

3. Give one reason why you think God is close to those with a broken heart?

4. The word “contrite” means to be crushed to pieces or powder. What kinds of things in us does God need to crush in order to make us productive or at least more productive?

5. 1 Corinthians 11:24 speaks of how Jesus was broken for us. Why do you think Jesus was willing to be broken for us?

6. Describe a time in your life when you felt you were on the brink of reaching a breaking point. How did that experience help you or teach you to have compassion for others?

7. God told Gideon and his men to go to the enemy’s camp and blow a trumpet and break a clay vessel with a lamp on the inside. What do you think a clay pot with a light on the inside could represent?

8. Brokenness often preceded greatness in the Bible. Consider the following Biblical personalities:

— Before Abraham became the father of many nations, he and Sarah were childless.

— Before Jacob could be blessed, he was wounded by angel in a wrestling match.

— Before Joseph ruled Egypt, he was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, and falsely imprisoned.

— Before Job’s estate was doubled, he lost everything he had, including his family, his fortune, and his future.

— Before Moses became the great deliverer, he lost his position, his possessions, and his popularity.

— Before Joshua conquered the Promised Land, he went through the wilderness.

— Before Samson crushed the Philistines, he was blinded, binded, and grinded.

— Before David became king, he was renounced by his family, ridiculed by his foes, and rejected by his friends.

— Before Daniel could be used mightily, he had to spend the night in the lion’s den.

— Before Hosea became a powerful spokesman for God, his wife betrayed him, which broke him.

— Before Peter preached 3,000 souls into the kingdom, he denied his Savior three times and went out and wept bitterly.

— Before Paul brought the gospel to the Gentiles, he was blinded on the Damascus road.

— What must be broken in your life for you to produce maximum impact for God, your family, and your vocation?