Date: January 18, 2026
Session Title: Compelled to Act
The Point: Let the fear and majesty of God compel you to look out for others.
Get Into the Study
Read after discussing Question 1:
On December 19th, the Ruth Foundation for the Arts named the five artists who’ve won the 2026 Ruth Awards. These artists have each been given a grant of $100,000 to be disbursed over a period of two years. These artists are being recognized for “accelerating the [art] field forward…and developing artistic approaches to structural change.”
The five artists are spread across the country and known each for unique art disciplines, from sculpture to performance art. Ruth Foundation program director Kim Nguyen said that “our world is better and more complex with these artists in it…we need them now more than ever,” highlighting their importance in their respective fields.
While many people could benefit from even a fraction of that grant money, trust in God is far richer than financial prosperity. Monetary issues are fleeting, even when they seem heavily pressing. Ultimately, it is trust in God to provide for our needs as we place our faith in Him that makes us richer because we are less afraid of what the world throws at us.
Study the Bible
Read after discussing Question 4:
A 104-year-old WWII veteran showed his ongoing national pride at a pre-Christmas hockey game by playing the National Anthem on saxophone. Staff Sergeant Dominick Critelli wore a custom New York Islanders jersey and “crushed” his rendition of the Anthem while fans of both teams stood and sang along.
While this performance before a stadium of 17,000 hockey fans was incredible, it wasn’t Critelli’s largest performance. During an interview with the New York Post, the retired aircraft mechanic said that his largest performance had been playing to nearly 60,000 people from atop a rolling tank after helping free the Netherlands from Nazi rule.
Even at 104 years old, Critelli’s national pride shows through his actions. While it can be okay to be rich with pride in one’s nation, far better is it to be rich toward God. Spending time in His Word, being discipled by mature believers, and discipling others, are all ways to be rich toward God. Start the new year pursuing a richness with God and see how He blesses your faithfulness.
The week’s writer for Extra is Emily Duncan. Emily is a Southern California native who lives in west Georgia with her husband and daughter. God saved her from Wicca when she was sixteen while at a youth retreat. Emily’s a member of Midway Church in Villa Rica and mentors young women as they transition from high school to college.
Additional Questions
Icebreakers
- What TV or movie character regularly experiences being “overlooked?”
- When have you had a blast giving something away?
- When has someone stepped in and helped you in a seemingly hopeless circumstance?
Job 31:13-15. We are all God’s handiwork from the womb.
- If unborn children are God’s handiwork, how can believers continue to be responsible for them once they are born?
- What do we know about Job from these verses?
- What characteristics become evident about a person, when you see how they treat someone who is powerless?
Job 31:16-20. We are accountable for how we help those who can’t help themselves.
- What are some circumstances, gifts, and opportunities we might take for granted unless we regularly engage with those who are more needy than ourselves?
- Describe the ways Job believed he should help others in these verses.
- When was a time you couldn’t help yourself and someone stepped in on your behalf?
Job 31:21-23. We are accountable for how we seek justice for those who are unjustly treated.
- How can an awesome and powerful view of God inform how we treat vulnerable people?
- What did Job feel should happen to him if he took advantage of someone less fortunate?
- How can the church be compelled to act with respect to justice for others?
Podcast
Click here for a podcast useful for both the group member and the leader.
Interesting; helpful in planning my teaching. Thank you.