truth – Page 17 – New Connexions Church

Study Questions – Make or Break?

The Sermon was looking at Hosea 9:1 & 10:12

here it is in case you missed it – Make or Break!?

take a few minutes to re-cap on Hosea. Why do you think it’s so repetitive?
Read Chapter 9 verse 1 and also 2 Kings 15:19-20 which is the background – what was going on, who were the people trusting, why and what would be the result?
Are there any parallels for the UK today?
Read Chapter 10 verse 12 and take some time to discuss this verse in the context of individual lives, the life of our church and the life of our nation. How might we or might we not follow this command?

Some questions set by Gordon to accompany his sermon: Reaping a whirlwind!

The people of Israel were compared to a half baked pancake, fit for nothing. 3 reasons are listed in vs 8-10. Failure to remain separated, failure to remain vigilant and failure to seek God. Discuss how this compares to us a individuals, as God’s people and as a nation;
One of the saddest comments in this passage is that the people were unaware of their desperate state. Discuss how easy it can be for Satan to slowly undermine the foundations of the church, and so severely weaken it’s witness;
Half-heartedness and compromise can have devastating effects. In chapter 8 vs 7-10, Hosea pictures this as “sowing the wind and reaping the whirlwind”. Discuss what wrong seeds might be sown in our relationship with God, family, work colleagues or in our use of time and money?
It would appear from Hosea, that although Israel talked of acknowledging God, they were not prepared to make the changes necessary to rebuild their relationship with Him. If you feel it is appropriate, discuss areas where God’s people today are reluctant to be obedient to his word as it might entail changes they are not prepared to make.

You might want to take a look at our Introduction to the Minor Prophets and check out the sermon that accompanies this study: Hosea and the local tart.

Reading Hosea 1-2

What do we know about Hosea (family, time of ministry, who was ministering at the same time, where was he etc.)?
How do you think Hosea’s relationship with God was before his marriage, and when he was called to prophesy in the way he was what kind of thoughts and reactions might he have had?
What does the way we live our lives show others about our relationship with God?
Chapter 1: verse 7 – discuss the different attitudes of Israel and Judah (at least at that time)
Chapter 1: verses 10 and 11 – what have we seen so far of this happening in our era?
Chapter 2: verses 6 to 16 – God will often use our sin to bring us to the lowest point and back to him – why should Christians be wary of trying to ‘protect’ people in these situations?

You’ll be helped in this study by taking time to pick up on the accompanying sermon Not an optional extra

Acts 1:12-14

What does it mean they all met together and were constantly united in prayer? How does this compare to the prayer life of New Connexions (please spend some time in honest discussion on this)?

Acts 4:23-31

What does it mean that God is sovereign – how should this affect our prayer life?
What Psalm did they quote and what were the main points in their prayer?
How can we use the Bible in our prayer life? Can you give any examples of how you have used the bible to aid your prayer life?
Describe the likely outcome of a life led by a Christian who doesn’t prioritise prayer – how does this contrast with a life led in obedience to God?
What lessons have you learnt from this study that could aid your prayer?