Questions to help you dig deeper into the main message:
Read Luke 15:25-32. If you were the older brother in this story, how would you have felt when you found out your father was throwing a party for your younger brother who had run off and wasted everything?
How is the older brother a picture of ‘the church’?
Pastor Michael mentioned that what the older brother did by refusing to enter the home for the celebration was ‘hurtful’, but also ‘humiliating’ to the father. Discuss why this is?
Do you think it’s possible for God’s children to ‘humiliate‘ Him? Can God love us, forgive us, be ‘for’ us… and yet be ashamed of us? How does Mark 8:38 fit into this thought?
EXTRA THOUGHTS ON WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN EMBARRASS GOD: (Thomas Watson, a Puritan in 17th century England, aptly said, “We have affronted and disparaged Christ’s blood by unbelief. . . . Sin, when acted to its height, crucifies Christ afresh and puts him to open shame.” Those who sin “are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt.” Humans can (and do) belittle and despise the glory of God’s name. Sin is sin because it breaks relationship with God and dishonors him. Whenever we worship or value the creation (i.e., idolatry/sin), that steals glory from God. Ultimately, this is not a statement about God’s actual glory, but really an indictment of our shameful/shameless hearts that misattribute honor. Our failure to honor God does not diminish his actual value and worth (just as our rejection of the Truth does not negate its truthfulness). God is infinitely glorious and honorable, regardless of our actions or behavior. Our sin is the failure to radiate God’s glorious honor as we were designed. In this way, it could be said that we humans, you and I, shame God.)
IF YOU HAVE TIME – HERE’S SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP YOU DIG REAL DEEP: After quoting A.W. Tozer [“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us”] Pastor Michael shared a story of sitting down with a Jewish Orthodox Rabbi and speaking about all kinds of subjects, but how the man never mentioned God. [“He spoke of the environmental crises, the economic downturn, political upheaval around the world, even guns in local schools. He talked about the importance of our involvement in these things to make the world a better place for our children and our children’s children. But he didn’t seem to relate any of this… to God.“] Do you think Christians should bring God into every subject and conversation they are involved in? If so, why? If not, when?
Family Discussion Questions for Children’s Church. Message: “Habakkuk”
Choose a volunteer to read aloud Habakkuk 1:5.
Ask the following questions and Lead your family to discuss:
- Why do you think Habakkuk chose to praise God no matter what? Guide kids to recognize that Habakkuk learned to trust God, who is in control of all things. Habakkuk had faith that God does what is for His glory and our good. We don’t always understand God’s ways, but we can trust Him to take care of us. (Option: Choose a volunteer to read Phil. 4:11.)
- Where do you turn for comfort? Why? Invite kids to share where they turn when they face difficult circumstances. Remind kids that the Lord is with us and comforts us in our suffering. When we turn to Him, we can find peace and rest. (Option: Choose a volunteer to read Matt. 11:28.)
- What hope do we have when evil seems to be everywhere? Assure kids that even though evil may sometimes seem to win in the world, God is really in control. Like Habakkuk, we can have faith and trust in God. Sooner or later, God will punish the wicked, but it will be in His own time and in His own way. (Option: Choose a volunteer to read Prov. 20:22.)
