Sunday, July 2nd

We all face mountains in our lives—huge barriers that impede our freedom and joy and seem impossible to overcome. But what if there was hope? What if there was a promise that we could move those mountains and experience freedom like we never thought possible? What kind of faith does it take to see our mountains moved?

Work through the following Scriptures and questions on your own, and get together with your running partner, Life Group, or friends and family to talk through what you are learning!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Which would you prefer? To hike and camp in the mountains or to vacation at the beach? Why?
2. Growing up, what’s one thing you either thought you couldn’t do or were told you couldn’t do, but now can? What helped you turn that “can’t” into a “can”?
3. “Don’t compare mountains” was the first rule given in seeing mountains moved. Which side do you tend to land on? Thinking your mountains are too big or too small? How might comparing mountains keep you stuck from growing and maturing in Christ?
4. Read Isaiah 61:1-3. As you read, what comes up as you consider these moments of healing and freedom are the reason Jesus came? What’s one phrase of healing that sticks out to you the most? Why?
5. Knowing Jesus came to move mountains, what’s one mountain you’d like to see God move in your life? Read Matthew 17:14-20. What lie is Satan trying to get you to believe about this mountain? What’s the truth that Jesus wants you to believe?
6. When it comes to seeing a mountain moved, are you more likely to lack humility, work, or faith? Which one do you tend to be stronger in?
7. When it comes to being responsible to do the work to see a mountain moved, which realm(s) do you struggle to do the work in? What do you learn from the verse(s) associated from each?

• Physical realm: Humbly stepping out of your comfort zone in obedience and doing what God prompts you to do. James 1:25, Luke 11:28
• Mental realm: Pushing through lies or feelings and standing firm, living from a place of truth. Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 10:5
• Emotional realm: Allowing feelings to be felt and grieved as needed and not stuffing emotions. Ps 32:3 (NIV); John 11:35
• Spiritual realm: Fighting through spiritual attack and warfare through prayer and standing in authority. Ephesians 6:10-18, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
• What goals can you set for the weeks ahead to use the above verses in your work to move your mountains?

KEY SCRIPTURES

Isaiah 61:1-3 — The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

Matthew 17:14-20 — At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.” Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well. Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?” “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

DIGGING DEEPER — Recommended Reading

If you’d like to learn more about the topics of the message, check out the following books:

• The Way of Hope by Melissa Fisher
• Bondage Breaker by Neil T. Anderson
• Inside Out by Larry Crabb
• Prayers that Avail Much by Germaine Copeland

Spiritual Outcome — Freedom