Understanding God's Invitations Through Questions

First Priority Club Module 8: Knowing God Personally Module 8: Week 1 Module Overview: In this module, we will talk about the ways that God reveals Himself in scripture, invites us to know Him personally, and encourages us to bring our questions and doubts to Him. In this week s lesson, we explore how God uses questions to prompt reflection, conviction, and spiritual growth. Through His questions to Adam and Eve, Moses, and Elijah, we see that God isn t seeking information, but inviting His followers to take responsibility, reflect on their faith, and grow deeper in their relationship with Him. 1. In Genesis 3:12-13, in the story of Adam and Eve, God asks them: Did you eat the fruit that I told you not to eat? The man answered, The woman you put here with me gave me the fruit, and I ate it. The Lord God asked the woman, Why did you do this? She replied, The snake tricked me into eating it. Question: In these verses, why does God question Adam and Eve instead of just pointing out their sin? 2. In Exodus 4:1-5, we read how God is instructing Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egpyt, but Moses is doubting God and says: But suppose the Israelites do not believe me and will not listen to what I say. What shall I do if they say that you did not appear to me? So the Lord asked him, What are you holding? A walking stick, he answered. The Lord said, Throw it on the ground. When Moses threw it down, it turned into a snake, and he ran away from it. Then the Lord said to Moses, Reach down and pick it up by the tail. So Moses reached down and caught it, and it became a walking stick again. Question: Why does God ask Moses what is in his hand before He turns the stick into a snake and then back into a walking stick? 3. In 1 Kings 19:3-10, we read about the prophet Elijah, who under the threat of death from the Queen, was afraid and ran for his life. ... There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." Question: If God knows where Elijah is and why, why does He ask him anyway? Talk About It: How do these questions prompt reflection, guide us to truth, and invite us into a deeper faith? How do these questions reflect God s goodness towards us? How do these questions reflect God s desire to be in a relationship with us? Challenge: Spend time in prayer this week, asking God to reveal areas in your life where you need to take responsibility or where you may be doubting His goodness. Page 1 of 4

Module 8: Week 2 This week, we look at how Jesus responds to questions, often using open-ended inquiries to help others explore their beliefs and understand that faith is a personal choice. Through His patient and compassionate answers, Jesus reveals His identity as the Son of God. These verses invite us to consider our own understanding of who Jesus is and how we have the same opportunity. 1. In Matthew 11:2-5, we read about others questioning Jesus identity and purpose: When John was in prison, he heard about the things that were happening things the Messiah would do. So he sent some of his followers to Jesus. They asked him, Are you the one we have been expecting, or should we wait for someone else? Jesus answered, Go tell John what you have heard and seen: The blind can see. The crippled can walk. People with leprosy are healed. The deaf can hear. The dead are brought back to life. And the Good News is being told to the poor. Question:What does Jesus willingness to not only answer the question, but to provide ample evidence say about Him? 2. We also read in Mark 5 about a woman who had been suffering for the past twelve years and wanted to be near Jesus: She thought, If I can just touch his clothes, that will be enough to heal me. As soon as she touched his coat she felt that her body was healed from all the suffering. Jesus immediately felt power go out from him, so he stopped and turned around. Who touched my clothes? he asked. The woman knew that she was healed, so she came and bowed at Jesus feet. She was shaking with fear. He said to her, Dear woman, you are made well because you believed. Go in peace. You will not suffer anymore. Question: How does Jesus respond to this woman when she is shaking in fear? 3. In Matthew 16:13-15, we read: Jesus went to the territory near the town of Caesarea Philippi, where he asked his disciples, Who do people say the Son of Man is? Some say John the Baptist, they answered. Others say Elijah, while others say Jeremiah or some other prophet. What about you? he asked them. Who do you say I am? and in Matthew 9:28:Jesus went inside, and the blind men went with him. He asked them, Do you believe that I am able to make you see again? They answered, Yes, Lord, we believe. Question: How do these verses demonstrate how faith in Jesus is a personal choice and not forced on us? 4. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, we read God s definition of love: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it. Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits. Question:What aspects of God s definition of love stick out to you the most? Let s Talk About It How does the freedom to choose whether to follow Jesus demonstrate God s love? What do we learn about Jesus from this week s lesson? Challenge: Before closing the meeting, pray this out loud to the group: Dear Heavenly Father, We come before you with hearts full of gratitude for your patience, compassion, and love. Thank you for inviting us to explore our own beliefs and understanding of who you are. We ask that you guide us into a deeper faith and give us a desire to choose you daily. Thank you for your love that never gives up on us and for the grace that meets us in our weakness. We pray that we reflect this same love in our own lives, showing patience and mercy to others as you have shown to us. Page 2 of 4 In Jesus name, we pray, Amen.

Module 8: Week 3 In this week s lesson, we will explore how God encourages us to bring our questions, doubts, and needs to Him. Rather than turning away or ignoring us, He invites us into a deeper relationship, knowing that through our seeking, we will find the answers that lead us to greater trust and faith in Him. 1. In Psalm 34:17-18,we read: The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Question: How does this verse show that God encourages us to bring our brokenness and questions to Him? God promises to be with us in our times of pain and confusion. 2. The Bible is filled with verses about seeking God. In Jeremiah 29:12, God tells us: Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Question: According to this verse, how do we call on God? 3. In Jeremiah 33:3, God tells us: Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know and I love those who love me, and those who look for me will find me. Proverbs 8:17 Questions: How do these verses demonstrate that God is not only available for our questions but willing to provide answers? And how do we communicate with Him? . 4. In Isaiah 55:6, we read: Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Question: Why is there a sense of urgency is seeking the Lord? Talk About It: How does God s invitation to come to Him with our questions reveal His loving nature and desire for relationship with us? Why does God want a relationship with us and why would we want a relationship with Him? What are ways that we can grow closer to God and Jesus? Action: Spend the rest of the meeting preparing for next week s meeting. Please make sure a student is prepared to share a testimony, the gospel and invitation, and students hand out the Response Cards (found on www.firstprioritytampa.org under the club meetings tab). Remember to invite your friends to next week s meeting. Page 3 of 4

Module 8: Week 4- INSPIRE WEEK Overview: This week, we will share ways that inspire us to move closer to God. 1. Ask a student leader to share a verse from this month s module that impacted them and why. 2. Ask a student leader to share a faith story of how or why they made a decision to trust Jesus as the only way back to God. 3. Ask a student leader to read the Pray About It below. 4. Pass out Response Cards AFTER the prayer [download @ www.firstprioritytampa.org/students] 5. Collect Response Cards- leaders should follow up with students who have questions or made a decision today to follow Christ. 6. Remember to invite friends to your youth group or church this week. Pray About It: We will now take a minute to talk to God through prayer. In the quiet of your heart and mind, you can share anything with Him. As I pray out loud, I invite anyone here who wants to begin a relationship with God through faith in Jesus, to agree in your heart and mind with what I am saying because God hears the private thoughts. Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you with an open heart. I acknowledge my selfishness and how it has separated me from you. I believe that Jesus is the way back to you and want to place my trust in Him today. Help me to turn from doing things my way and release my life over to you. Thank you for promising to hear and answer my prayer. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen Additional Resource: https://bibleproject.com/articles/what-matthew-6-33-seek-first-the-kingdom-of-god-means/ Page 4 of 4