20th Sept Sermon Discussion - "How to Face Life Challenges"

Activity: Praise-Connectors Challenge

Instructions:
i. Divide the cell into 2-3 groups. Draw lots to decide which group will go first
ii. Cell leader start with a praise song ‘This is the day’
iii. Where ever the leader ends at, the first group is to connect with another praise song that starts with the same word that leader ends at.
iv. The next group will continue with another song with the word that the previous group stops.

For example:
Leader start with ‘This is the day, This is the day, That the Lord has made, That the Lord has made. We will rejoice, we will rejoice….

Group 1 starts with ‘Rejoice, Rejoice, Christ is in you..'
Group 2 starts with ‘You are You are crowned with many crowns, And rule all things in righteousness’ .... Etc

This continues until the winner merges or 10 min, whichever come first.

1. Rate the difficulty you face in connecting the praise songs.
1 = very easy 5 = difficult for some song 10 = very difficult
Praise comes easy for some and may be very difficult for others. When we face challenges, we may take things into our own hands and try to overcome the challenge with our methods. Just like Leah. Let’s read Gen 29:32-35 to understand more.

2. Read Gen 29:32-35. What was the turning point for Leah?
‘This time, I will praise the Lord’. When we face challenges, the turning point comes when we begin to praise God.

3. The divine order is praise comes first. Looking at the different challenges that you face, how can praise bring a turning point?

Challenges:
- Exams
- Friendship problems, such as misunderstanding, conflicts
- Family problems such as not enough money, quarrels,

Praise often brings a turning point because –
1. Praise protects the dream and the dreamer
2. Praise protects you when you are vulnerable (Gen44:14-18)
3. Praise put pressure on the problem (Gen45:1,2)
4. Praise was chosen by God to welcome a new day (Num2:3)
5. Praise says you expect to win
6. Praise declares your destiny is in good hands
7. Praise is the cure for discouragement and depression
8. Praise releases the power of God

4. When Ps Ashley faced the problem of losing hair, he chose to praise God each time he was discouraged. What challenge are you facing now? What will you do to bring a turning point in your life?