Leader's guide for Max Lucado's Experiencing the Heart of Jesus (Day 1)

Asking the Tough Question

What is God doing when you are in a bind? Where is God when life starts to fall apart? What's God doing then, and does He even care? This is the question we will address today.

Ask your students what they think is their role and God's role in their studies. You don't have to given them the "right" answer, just share your experiences. Don't worry, God is sovereign ;)

Then read the 3 verses. 2 Cor 1:8 expresses helplessness, 2 Cor 4:8-9 expresses faith, and 2 Cor 12:10 expresses confidence. Ask your students which of the verses they tend to identify with. Remind them that it is not shameful to express helplessness... even the apostle Paul did!

Point out to them that it was probably tougher for Paul to make these statements and trust God then it is for them. How do I know? Paul did both work and ministry. Know the difference? If we think of work (or study) as what we do [for God] out of duty, we can think of ministry as what we do for God out of gratitude. Another difference is that in work, there is typically self interest e.g. money, good results. But in ministry, there is none. It should be an unadulterated act of service.

God's Care in Motion
Follow the book.

Entrusting Ourselves to His Care
Instead of reading this section, play Trust Fall. Have two people stand on the ground and ask the first person to lean and fall back. The second person should lunge forward and catch the first person. If it is suitable, you can also ask the biggest guy to fall and the smallest to catch. Just ask them if they dare.

Debrief: Expressing real trust God is like leaning back and falling. We can't break our fall. We depend 100% on God to catch us. It may be scary but it is the first step that helps us to move from helplessness to faith and confidence (Remember the first 3 verses above?).

His Care is Enough
Debrief: If we are going to trust someone, we want to know that he is capable of helping us. God is able, willing, and really dependable. Need evidence? Read Eph 1:19-20. He already died for your sins. He died for you. What further convincing could you need? But wait there's more... He rose again. A dead God couldn't really help you with today's problems. But God is alive!

Ask your students, "How do you think God will care for us?" Do question 5 to answer.

The Heart of the Matter
... is the conclusion.

If you're not sure what to do, allow God to take the lead.
God will fight and provide for us. We just need to trust.
That is not an excuse to shun our duties. Our calling as students is to study.
But God's power is very great for those who believe.

Have you trusted God with your studies, with your life?
(Consider asking for yes / no answer)

If the answer is no, begin trusting Him today.
Jesus calls to us, cares for us, and carries us home.

If the answer is yes, maybe it is time to consider serving.
Jesus calls us to a higher calling than to just be busy students.