God at Work

As God told Jeremiah, like a potter works with the clay, so it is with “God at Work” with His children. In the easy times and the hard times, He’s working for our good and His glory.

Key Scripture

Jeremiah 18:1–10

Discussion Questions

Don’t be afraid to add to this list, skip questions that don’t work for your group, or branch off with additional questions as discussion unfolds. Conversation is key! This is the time to work through the application of scripture and have group members figure things out together.

1. Pastor Harrell mentioned that the focus of Jeremiah 18:1–10 isn’t on the clay or the wheel but on the Potter Himself. Ephesians 2:10 says that we are God’s workmanship and some translations even call us His masterpiece. Pottery can be a beautiful creation, but it’s important to remember that the Potter created it. How can we ensure that we’re pointing people toward the Potter (the Lord) instead of the pottery (us)? What does it look like to build up the name of Jesus instead of our name? Has there ever been a time in your life when you’ve focused on the wheel and forgotten about the Potter (or been tempted to)?
2. It can require a big step of faith to place our lives completely in God’s hands to do as He wills. The term surrender sometimes describes it best in the Christian life. Surrender in war is a negative term, but in the Christian life, it marks obedience. Do you truly believe that God has a special plan for your life? Have you fully conceded your will to the will of the Father? Why or why not? Does it make you feel confident or disconcerting to do this, and why?
3. Potters remove imperfections in their pieces to ensure their creation is as pure and beautiful as possible. God wants us to be empty and clean to use us to serve Him fully, yet He is the only one who can remove our impurities…we cannot do it ourselves. This is a perfect representation of forgiveness. God reveals and convicts us of our imperfections if we ask of Him, and then is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. How has God revealed sin in your own life? What has your response been? Is He calling you to repent of anything today? If so, what’s keeping you from obedience?
4. God not only wants us to be empty and clean, but He also wants us to be available to serve Him fully. Are you *“available”* right now to be used by God at this moment in your life? If so, in what ways has He been able to use you? If not, what can you do to make yourself more available to Him?
5. Read Jeremiah 18:11–12. A hardened heart towards God causes us to miss the plans that He has for our lives. Do you struggle with having a hardened heart? What has caused that in your life? What would it look like to return to a place where you have complete trust in the Lord?
6. Read Romans 8:28 with your group. Sometimes we can look back and see how God used a negative life situation for good, but sometimes we simply can’t see any positives at all. What do you do when you feel as if you have fully placed your life in God’s hands, yet you see no light at the end of a particular tunnel? How do you handle this? What does God’s Word say about it?
7. Sometimes God’s shaping of your life comes through pruning via trials, or sometimes it takes place via blessings to point you in the right direction. How have you seen God mold and shape your life via trials? How have you seen Him mold you via blessings?
8. Read Psalm 138:8. How can knowing and believing this truth change how you live your life?

Accountability

• Where are you reading in the Bible this week? What has God been revealing to you through your quiet time with Him?
• Discuss any struggles you may be going through with your group.
• How can you be praying for your group this week? How can they be praying for you?

Questions about following Jesus?

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