Date: August 11, 2024
Jonathan
The Point: Don’t let cultural expectations define your role.
Get Into the Study
As you discuss the opening question, share the following article from HuffPost titled The 1 Surprising Thing Most Kids Want To Be When They Grow Up (4/30/24). Explain how kid’s dreams are often shaped by culture. Researchers have insight into what the newest generation, the Generation Alpha (Born 2010-2024), wants to be when they grow up.
What do you think made the list of top 20 career choices of Generation Alpha? After some time of guessing, review the top 20 and point out a few from the list.
- #6 Pilot
- #5 Teacher
- #1 Doctor
There are also careers in the top 20 that haven’t been on the list in the past.
- #4 Gamer
- #18 Social Media Star
These kid’s parents would’ve said that, when they were kids, they wanted to be a lawyer, soldier, or chef—none of which made the list for their kids. This study proves how we can be shaped by cultural expectations.
As we’ll see in this session, the world is always changing, but God does not change. Pray for the group as you transition into the “Study the Bible” section. Pray that the group would see how we can often allow cultural expectations define us.
Get Into the Study [Option from the Advanced Bible Study Teacher Guide]
To help with the opening discussion, display these images of hamburgers, fries, and various other foods that “look perfect” but never seem to look like the picture when you get them.
Study the Bible
Before discussing questions #5, point out that we should see our roles from God’s perspective. Refer to the article Country Star John Rich says God told him to write ‘Revelation’ song to counter ‘satanic’ content. Share a summary of the article, or, point out these talking points:
#1: John Rich was inspired to write against satanic content. John Rich shares that God inspired him to write the song “Revelation” to counteract the “satanic” content in entertainment.
#2 Spiritual warfare in media. John Rich highlights the prevalence of satanic symbolism in popular culture and emphasizes the need to counter these influences with faith.
Share this quote from the article: “Rich, whose father was a pastor, stressed the reality of spiritual warfare, adding: ‘The real war is not Trump and Biden, the real war is not left and right, the real war is not a culture war . . . We wrestle not with flesh and blood but with principalities and powers.“
This is one example in entertainment of someone who viewed their role from God’s perspective. We must guard against the culture, entertainment, and the current political culture defining our lives and our role in it. We should engage with the culture, in entertainment, and with politics—yet not place our hope and trust in anything that isn’t God Himself. We must continually see ourselves from God’s perspective.
Lead the group to discuss question #5.
EXTRA was written by Ryan Sanders. He holds the ThM and MDiv from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Ryan is married with three children, and lives in Washington, DC. Find more about Ryan at RyanJSanders.com.
Study the Bible [Optional Activity from the Adult Leader Guide]
In advance, play a video clip that illustrates the significance of friendship in our lives.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- What is the funniest piece of advice you received as a child?
- What expectations did you have about your future when you were growing up?
- When have you felt limited or pressured by others’ expectations?
- When you were growing up, what did your family think you would do when you grew up?
- What did you family expect you to do when you became an adult?
1 Samuel 18:1-4
- When has God called you to surrender something that should have become yours?
- What are your first impressions of Jonathan based on these verses?
- When have you been harmed or hampered by expectations set for you?
- When has someone else sacrificed so you could get ahead?
1 Samuel 19:1-4
- What experiences can you share about defending others against unwarranted accusations?
- What can we learn from Jonathan’s example about speaking up?
- As Christians, what steps can/should we take to correct unwarranted accusations?
- What are some opportunities we have to intercede for others?
1 Samuel 23:15-18
- How can we avoid fear, even in difficult circumstances?
- What are some needed attributes from you to accept God’s intended role for your life?
- How do you feel knowing God wants you to be content walking in the role that He has called you to fulfill in the earth?
- What practices can help us see things from God’s perspective?
- What steps can we take to better understand our role in God’s plan and mission?
For Those in Your Group
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
When Your Circumstances Go South
Magazine Article
This article complements the study. Share this link with your group members.
HomeLife – I. Need. Wisdom.
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
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