Message: Managing Times of Delay
Week of October 4, 2009

Thematic Focus
Learn what we must battle in order to effectively manage times of delay.

Main Points
God uses times of delay and waiting periods:
·  To transform our lives
·  To test our faith

The bible tells us when we are in the midst of waiting periods and delay:
·  Don't fear
·  Don't fret
·  Don't faint
·  Don't forget

In the battle we must:
·  Focus on God's presence.
·  Remain persistent.
·  Recall God's promises.

Scriptural Lens:
·  Psalm 40:1-8
·  Psalm 37:1-8
·  Isaiah 40:27-31
·  2 Peter 3:8

Pursuing clarity
Use the following structure to guide your personal reflection and/or discussion:

Opening Prayer
Take a moment to recognize Christ’s presence with you.

Opening Reflection
What are some of the different ways people respond to delays?

Scriptural Focus
Take time to read the suggested Scriptures.

Group Discussion
Use these questions to reflect further:

1. Think about the different impact that fear has upon a person's life. Explain.
2. How can focusing on God's presence, that He is with us, help us to face our fears?
3. Consider how fretting, worrying, and discontentment causes a person to act. Explain.
4. When a person becomes faint and loses his or her courage, what can happen?
5. How does remaining persistent help us endure times of delay?
6. Why do you think it is that we so easily forget who God is? What He has done? What His promises are?
7. How can recalling God's promises help us to maintain hope?