Sunday, Jul 26
Scripture
John 14:5-7 • Jesus is the way 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Dialogue
If Solomon saw the Jerusalem of 2 Kings 21-23 The temple had fallen into disrepair (2 Kings 22:3–7) The Book of the Law had been lost (2 Kings 22:8–13) The covenant with the LORD had been neglected (2 Kings 23:1–3) Articles made for Baal, Asherah, and the starry hosts were in the Temple (2 Kings 23:4) Idolatrous priests were serving (2 Kings 23:5) An Asherah pole was inside the temple (2 Kings 23:6) Male shrine prostitutes had rooms in the temple (2 Kings 23:7) Women were weaving for Asherah in the temple (2 Kings 23:7) A high place was at the entrance of the city gate (2 Kings 23:8) Child sacrifice was being practiced (2 Kings 23:10) Horses dedicated to the sun were at the temple entrance (2 Kings 23:11) Chariots dedicated to the sun were also at the temple (2 Kings 23:11) Passover had not been properly observed (2 Kings 23:21–23)
Dialogue
There are countless things our culture looks to for stability, purpose, and hope as we navigate the complexities of life. But sometimes, these things let us down. On the left side: Rate how reliable you think our culture believes each of these things is at providing stability, purpose, and hope. On the right side: Rate how devastating it would feel TO OUR CULTURE if these things were to fail or be taken away.
Dialogue
What stands out to you as you look at your answers?
Dialogue
How does someone’s risk aversion influence what they build their stability, purpose, and hope upon?
Dialogue
What helps someone remain oriented toward God when something foundational in life has been shaken?
Scripture
John 14:1-4 • Jesus Comforts His Disciples 1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Scripture
John 14:15-17 • The Holy Spirit as our advocate 15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
Dialogue
What is our role in experiencing the peace and comfort Jesus offers?
Scripture
2 Kings 22:2 • Josiah was a good king 2 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.
Scripture
2 Kings 22:8-10 • Book of the Law discovered 8 Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.” He gave it to Shaphan, who read it. 9 Then Shaphan the secretary went to the king and reported to him: “Your officials have paid out the money that was in the temple of the Lord and have entrusted it to the workers and supervisors at the temple.” 10 Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.
Scripture
2 Kings 22:11-13 • Josiah reads the Book of the Law 11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. 12 He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Akbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: 13 “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that burns against us because those who have gone before us have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.”
Scripture
2 Kings 22:19-20 • The king read and responded to the Word of God 19 “Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people—that they would become a curse and be laid waste—and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard you, declares the Lord. 20 Therefore I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.”
Scripture
2 Kings 23:2-3 • Pledge to the covenant with God 2 He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the prophets—all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. 3 The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord—to follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant.
Scripture
2 Kings 23:21-23 • Celebration of the Passover 21 The king gave this order to all the people: “Celebrate the Passover to the Lord your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.” 22 Neither in the days of the judges who led Israel nor in the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah had any such Passover been observed. 23 But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, this Passover was celebrated to the Lord in Jerusalem.
Dialogue
Can you imagine if these moments were missed? What if we got here and we didn’t have the Word of God? What if we got here and we didn’t know we had a covenant with God? What if we got here and we didn’t know that God was our protector and deliverer?
Dialogue
When life feels chaotic, what do you need to know, remember, or hear about or from God?
Scripture
John 14:5-7 • Jesus is the way 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Dialogue
Silently meditate on Jesus’ words for a moment: John 14:6-7 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Jesus: I want to be honest about where I am with you. Help me know the way.
Dialogue
What do you need to discover (or rediscover) about God or your relationship with Him in order to persist in pursuing Him in the next season of your life?
Take it deeper
Question 1
Read Luke 15:11-24.
Question 2
Think of a time you drifted from something you once believed or valued. What did that drift look like—sudden or slow?
Question 3
Josiah rediscovered the Book of the Law after it had been lost and ignored for years. What "lost" truths might God be asking you to rediscover or take seriously again?
Question 4
Why do you think Josiah's response was immediate and urgent (tearing his robes, leading reform) rather than casual?
Question 5
What's the difference between admiring a return to God and actually acting on it, the way Josiah did?
Question 6
How are you challenged, focused, encouraged, and/or confused by this text?
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