Bible Reading
Micah 5:7-15 “Then the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, which delay not for a man nor wait for the children of man. And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep, which when it goes through treads down and tears in pieces, and there is none to deliver. Your hand shall be lifted up over your adversaries, and all your enemies shall be cut off. And in that day, declares the LORD, I will cut off your horses from among you and will destroy your chariots; and I will cut off the cities of your land and throw down all your strongholds; and I will cut off sorceries from your hand, and you shall have no more tellers of fortunes; and I will cut off your carved images and your pillars from among you, and you shall bow down no more to the work of your hands; and I will root out your Asherah images from among you and destroy your cities. And in anger and wrath I will execute vengeance on the nations that did not obey.”
[28:29]Romans 8:31-39 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, 'For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
[34:02]Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,”
[31:40]Observation questions
- In Micah 5:7–9, how do the pictures of dew and a lion describe the remnant’s place among the nations? What does each picture emphasize? [29:30]
- What three kinds of false trust does God remove in Micah 5:10–14? Which things in the passage belong to each category? [40:15]
- In connection with Ephesians 1:3, what blessings do believers already have through Jesus, and how are those blessings meant to benefit others? [31:40]
- In Romans 8:31–39, what threats and hardships does Paul name, and what remains secure for believers despite them?
Interpretation questions
- Why would God remove the horses, chariots, and strongholds that appeared to protect his people? How does this show the difference between making his people hurt and making them holy? [43:23]
- How does Romans 8:31–39 help explain why Christ’s victory does not mean believers will avoid suffering? What confidence can a believer have while hardship continues? [33:48]
- What distinguishes responsible use of money, thoughtful political involvement, or a desire to live rightly from trusting those things for salvation or security? What signs might reveal that the line has been crossed? [48:50]
- Why might someone prefer advice that feels safe or agrees with existing opinions over counsel rooted in Scripture and honest Christian fellowship? How does that connect with the false counsel addressed in Micah 5:12? [53:53]
Application questions
- When something you relied on became uncertain or was taken away, what did you notice about where you placed your trust? How might the distinction between God’s desire for holiness and pain for its own sake help you bring that experience to him? [27:00]
- Think about a recent financial concern or political conversation. What did your reaction reveal about your sense of security? Is there a practical step you could take to respond with greater trust in God and love for others? [47:18]
- When are you tempted to compare your sins with someone else’s and conclude that yours are less serious? What would it look like to bring your own sin honestly to Jesus rather than use that comparison to excuse it? [49:26]
- When you face a difficult decision or personal struggle, where do you usually turn first? What would help you test the advice you receive against Scripture, and who is a trusted Christian you could invite into the conversation? [52:19]
- Is there a good thing in your life that has begun to feel like something you cannot live without? If you feel comfortable sharing, how is that attachment affecting your choices or relationships, and what might help you hold it more freely before God? [58:19]
- God blesses his people so they can bless others. Who in your everyday life could use refreshment, encouragement, or the hope of the gospel this week? What is one concrete way you could serve that person? [32:01]
- Christ’s sacrifice gives solid reason to trust God’s goodness. As you prepare to take Communion again, what fear or competing loyalty would you like to bring before him, and how could remembering his love help you trust him with it? [01:01:11]
