Questions for the Community

Personal Reflection  

1. Have you ever been literally or figuratively imprisoned before (jail time, addiction, dark thoughts, fear, worry, pride, food)? How did you cope? Have you been set free? How?
2. How do you feel like a ‘duckling’ right now?

Group Discussion

3. Review the basics of what is going on in the chapter and share your own questions that this account raises.
4. What easy answers are there to what we see of James and Peter’s lives in this chapter? What are NOT easy answers? (IE have you ever wrestled with why one escapes death and another doesn’t?)
5. Ponder what feels impossible to you right now. Are you sleeping well in spite of this? How can you follow this week?
6. It’s amazing to see the wide range of people God is able to use. Which person do you most identify with in this chapter? Do you know how you are being invited to participate with God right now?
7. BONUS: In temptation, you are promised the way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13). Remind yourself of the promise and prepare for your part in the deliverance (IE look for the escape route! the very next verse says “flee…”)

Plan of Action

8. Start or keep on praying. Lean into this chapter as an example of how to pray desperate prayers and to have confidence that God is at work.
9. Take stock of where your shepherd is leading you and renew your commitment to keep close.