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Group Discussion
Questions for facilitating dynamic discussion
Too Good To Be True?
September 10,2023
Week 1: Is God Really Good?
Jeff Griffin
Exodus 33:18-23
The Bible declares that God’s goodness exceeds our wildest dreams. We’d all love to believe that, but skeptics have a list of reasons that it can’t be true. Rather than ignoring the skeptics’ arguments, let’s have some honest and courageous conversations about some of life’s hardest questions. This week, we’re looking at the goodness of God.
If you could spend a week away at an all-expenses-paid vacation, which would you choose: a beach hotel? Or a lush mountain getaway?
1. What comes to mind when you hear the phrase, “the goodness of God”? How has God been good to you in the past?
2. This sermon series is looking at certain skeptics’ “big questions” about God … what are some reasons why we might tend to doubt God’s goodness?
3. Jeff discussed the differences between God’s greatness and God’s goodness. How are they connected to God’s glory, especially in light of Exodus 33:18-19a?
Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence.” (NIV)
4. Read Exodus 34:6-7a, the most-quoted passage in the Old Testament. Which phrases bring you the most comfort?
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished.” (NIV)
5. In God’s divine attribute formula … which attribute means the most to you, and why? Compassion. Grace. Patience. Love. Faithfulness. Mercy. Justice.
6. By God becoming a human being, we see the heart of God so beautifully displayed in the person of Jesus Christ. What might your life look like if you fully believed that God is good? How would others’ lives around you be impacted?
Read 2 Corinthians 4:6, and pray that each member of your group would believe God is good — and as a result, be able to reflect God’s glory in your sphere of influence.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. (NIV)