Podcast on The Way

010 Hosea 2:15

In this week's message, we learned about the terrible history of the valley of Achor and what it represented to the nation of Israel. But now, in Hosea 2:15 we see that valley of turmoil being transformed into a door of hope.
The story starts with the hidden sin of Achan, which doesn't stay hidden. But before it is brought to light it causes the army of Israel to suffer defeat. This leads to a dramatic revealing of Achan’s sin and the consequences that come with it. Have you been struggling with some hidden sin? What is keeping you from confessing it and repenting from it? Will you let God turn that valley of turmoil into a door of hope?
Maybe this isn't where you are in life right now, but you have a valley of Achor story from your past. Would you share how God worked in your life to redeem that situation as an encouragement for your group and as an example of God's goodness?
When we think about how Jesus became Achan for us dying for our sin even the secret sin in our lives so that God could see us as good how does that make you feel? How does this truth encourage you to continue the process of sanctification?

009 Hosea 2:14

Obsessive Thought Control

008 Hosea 2:8

“The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.” Psalms 24:1-2 God is the creator of everything and the one who gives us all we have. Every gift comes from the LORD!
How has God gifted you? What things have you seen God give you in this life? How have you learned about God’s nature through what he has given or allowed you to have?
How is God achieving His purpose in you?  Do you remember where the “gold and silver” come from? Where does that gold and silver go in your life?
Talk with your group about how good God is to want us back despite our unfaithfulness.

007 Hosea 2:2-7

Within our local church, are there topics that you feel God leading you to address? Do these topics address the “main thing”of God's love for us and our intimate connection to him or are they simply your opinion about your personal preference regarding elements of worship, methods of discipleship, community service, fellowship, etc?
Do you, in equal parts, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with them all? Which of these do you struggle the most with and why?
What are the things in your life that you continue to pursue but always seem just out of reach? Have you considered that it could be God is keeping you from harm? Describe some examples of “hedge of thorns” and walls built by God in your life.

006 Hosea 1:10-11

In this week's message, we see God making what seems to be a contradictory statement in verse 10. After saying these are not my people, he says they are children of the living God. Since the people of God ignore his continued pleas, they are replaced. This should be a chilling thought. In what areas of your life are you guilty of worshipping other Gods? Do you consider that there could be a time when God's patience for you ends?Take time this Easter week to celebrate and share the good things that God is doing in your life.

005 Hosea 1:6, 8-9

In this week’s message, we see Israel ignoring the clear warnings God is giving and not repenting. This leads to God saying He will have no more mercy for Israel and that they are no longer His people. God’s patience has reached an end. Does this thought bother you? 

004 Hosea 1:4-5

This week we see that Israel was renamed Jezreel (yiśrā’ēl sounds much like yizrě’ēl) which means “God sows.” This would be like saying the reformed church is the deformed church. Normally with Sarai, Abram, and Jacob their names mean a promotion. Here we have an example of it being a demotion for the nation of Israel. Have you ever considered the importance of name changes in the Bible? The main point of the text and the sermon was that: The Lord sees what's going on in our hearts, and He bases His decision on what He finds there. As we learned by looking at the life of Jehu, appearances can be deceiving. Have you ever been deceived by someone you thought was a good Christian example only to discover later that they were not what you thought? Have you ever been guilty of doing the “Christian thing” with the wrong heart motives?The application portion of the message dealt with Perfectionism. “The thing about perfectionism is that our desire for perfection is generally self-focused. We desire perfection as a means to be accepted or to control our fear of rejection or failure.”In your pursuit of godliness, have you left Jesus behind? Are you more focused on your performance for him or His for you? Are you too busy being focused on “living for Jesus” that you think little about what Jesus has done for you?What is the difference between “working for your salvation” and “working out your salvation” practically in your life?What does it mean to you to know that you have a savior that was perfect not only in action but also in His motivations?