DISCOVERY QUESTIONS

Series: Unshaken
Sermon: When you don’t know what to do … look to God!

Main Idea: Jehoshaphat and the people seek God’s help when facing impossible odds!

Leader GuidePDF Version (Participant)PDF Version (Leader)

GROUP DISCUSSION

Lean In

Purpose: Introduce topic and get the group talking.

1. Share a word or phrase that best describes your thoughts, emotions or experiences today in this season?


Look Down

Purpose: Observe the passage and interact with the text

2. Read 2 Chronicles 20:1-19. With the threat of a “vast army” invading Judah, how did Jehoshaphat and the people respond? (After answering the question, consider reading the rest of the story in verses 20-30)

3. What stands out most to you about how Jehoshaphat and the people responded?

4. We’ve been using the C.A.L.M. acronym as a guide for navigating our current season. How do you see Jehoshaphat and the people practicing these principles in 2 Chronicles 20:1-19?

Celebrate God’s goodness (Phil 4:4)
Ask for God’s help (Phil 4:6)
Leave your concerns with him (Phil 4:6)
Meditate on good things (Phil 4:8)


Look Out

Purpose: Connect observations in God’s Word with observations in our world today.

5. How have you seen people responding to our current crisis? Where have you seen people responding with faith like Jehoshaphat? Where have you seen responses of fear and anxiety?


Look In

Purpose: Internalize God’s Word and apply the truth to your personal life.

6. How does Jehoshaphat’s example of living and leading (in your family, online workplace, neighborhood, life group) inspire and challenge you?

7. How does Jehoshaphat’s declaration, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you?” (v. 12) speak to you? What things or situations tend to distract your attention and focus away from God?

8. What healthy habits, routines, or relationships could build your trust in God as you refocus on Him?

Suggestions of what to practice:
– Daily time in extended prayer and meditation on God’s Word
– Scheduled phone calls or Zoom dates with friends, family and life group members
– Healthy diet and exercise (get outside)
– Listening to (singing with) worship music

9. If you truly believed that “the battle is not yours, but God’s” (v. 15), how could you experience God’s peace in a deeper way? How do you need to surrender your fears to God in faith?


Live It Out

Purpose: Spend time listening for God’s for direction and guidance as you seek to live out the truths of this passage in your everyday life.

10. Spend time praying and seeking God together, using Jehoshaphat’s example:

– Ask the Lord for guidance (listening)
– Gather with others to seek His help (corporate)
– Acknowledge God’s supreme power and authority (worship)
– Remember all He’s done to provide for you (praise and thanksgiving)
– Petition Him on behalf of yourself, our church and the world (prayer)

11. Make a plan for how your life group will stay connected over the coming week:

– Establish partners for praying together through the week
– Commit to meeting next week – day/time – Zoom or Google platform
– Intentionally meet each other’s needs as opportunities arise

LEADER GUIDE

Lean In

Purpose: Introduce topic and get the group talking.

1. Share a word or phrase that best describes your thoughts, emotions or experiences today in this season?

Before you jump into this question, allow time for people to catch up and get comfortable with being online.

This question will open a variety of responses. Be sensitive to group members’ answers, being ready to pray for someone who expresses anxiety and fear. Often the best time to pray is “in the moment” as opposed to waiting till the end of the meeting.

These questions are designed as a guide through the passage. Be aware that group members might “need to talk” more about what they are thinking and feeling, as opposed to going through all of the questions. Ask for the Spirit’s direction as you lead.

We’ve discovered that online calls are most effective if they are limited to one hour, given most people’s ability to stay focused. Be sure to save 15-20 minutes for prayer together as a group.


Look Down

Purpose: Observe the passage and interact with the text

2. Read 2 Chronicles 20:1-19. With the threat of a “vast army” invading Judah, how did Jehoshaphat and the people respond? (After answering the question, consider reading the rest of the story in verses 20-30)

– At first, Jehoshaphat was very alarmed – terrified – v. 3
– He resolved to inquire of the Lord – begged the Lord for guidance – v. 3
– He proclaimed a fast for all of Judah – v. 3
– Fasting could remind them of their weakness, dependence upon God and give them more time to pray to Him for help.
– People respond by coming together to seek help from the Lord – v. 4
– He declared God’s supreme authority (“you are the God in heaven, you rule over all nations, power and might are in your hand, no one can withstand you”) – v. 6
– He remembered how God had driven out the previous inhabitants of the land before giving it to Abraham (“your friend”) and his descendants – v. 7
– He states the purpose of the temple, built to honor God’s name, a place to gather and cry out to Him in times of distress, knowing that He would hear them and save them – v. 8-9
– He describes the current threat of nations surrounding them and threatening to take away the land which God had given to them as an inheritance – v. 10-11
– He asks for God to judge these nations – v. 12
– He recognizes that they have no power to defeat the nations – v. 12
– He acknowledges that they “don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you” – v. 12
– Jahaziel prophetically speaks with the Spirit’s anointing:
– Do not be afraid or discouraged – v. 15
– The battle is not yours but God’s – v. 15
– You will not have to fight – stand firm, see the deliverance the Lord – v. 17
the Lord will be with you – v. 17
– Jehoshaphat and the people fell down in worship before the Lord – v. 18
– Levites stood up and praised the Lord with loud voices – v. 19

Tip: Consider playing an audio version (e.g., YouVersion Bible app) to listen to the story.

3. What stands out most to you about how Jehoshaphat and the people responded?

4. We’ve been using the C.A.L.M. acronym as a guide for navigating our current season. How do you see Jehoshaphat and the people practicing these principles in 2 Chronicles 20:1-19?

Celebrate God’s goodness (Phil 4:4)
Ask for God’s help (Phil 4:6)
Leave your concerns with him (Phil 4:6)
Meditate on good things (Phil 4:8)


Look Out

Purpose: Connect observations in God’s Word with observations in our world today.

5. How have you seen people responding to our current crisis? Where have you seen people responding with faith like Jehoshaphat? Where have you seen responses of fear and anxiety?


Look In

Purpose: Internalize God’s Word and apply the truth to your personal life.

6. How does Jehoshaphat’s example of living and leading (in your family, online workplace, neighborhood, life group) inspire and challenge you?

7. How does Jehoshaphat’s declaration, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you?” (v. 12) speak to you? What things or situations tend to distract your attention and focus away from God?

8. What healthy habits, routines, or relationships could build your trust in God as you refocus on Him?

Suggestions of what to practice:
– Daily time in extended prayer and meditation on God’s Word
– Scheduled phone calls or Zoom dates with friends, family and life group members
– Healthy diet and exercise (get outside)
– Listening to (singing with) worship music

9. If you truly believed that “the battle is not yours, but God’s” (v. 15), how could you experience God’s peace in a deeper way? How do you need to surrender your fears to God in faith?


Live It Out

Purpose: Spend time listening for God’s direction and guidance as you seek to live out the truths of this passage in your everyday life.

10. Spend time praying and seeking God together, using Jehoshaphat’s example:

– Ask the Lord for guidance (listening)
– Gather with others to seek His help (corporate)
– Acknowledge God’s supreme power and authority (worship)
– Remember all He’s done to provide for you (praise and thanksgiving)
– Petition Him on behalf of yourself, our church and the world (prayer)

11. Make a plan for how your life group will stay connected over the coming week:

– Establish partners for praying together through the week
– Commit to meeting next week – day/time – Zoom or Google platform
– Intentionally meet each other’s needs as opportunities arise