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WEEK 9 - CHRIS PERSTROPE
THE OVERTIME
We're going into OVERTIME.
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The Overtime is a new podcast from Connect Church STL where we go beyond the Sunday message, have honest conversations, ask the questions that come up along the way, and hear stories from people who have seen God move in their lives.
GROUP CHAT
Want to go deeper in the message? We have just the study for you! Each week, we offer a video, along with discussion questions! You can do this study by yourself, with a friend, or even your family! You'll find those questions below!
OVERVIEW
BIG IDEA: A sent life is driven by the power and compassion of our loving God.
Memory Verse
Isaiah 30:15 “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”
King Hezekiah and Judah was in trouble and looked to Egypt for help instead of trusting God. They wanted a quick, tangible, and visible solution. But God wanted them to return to Him, rest in Him, and trust Him.
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Even when they failed, God was still gracious. He waited for them to come back.
ICE BREAKER
Have you ever tried to fix a problem on your own before finally asking God for help? What happened?
KEY POINTS FROM ISAIAH 30-31
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God wants our full trust: He is not just one option among many. He wants to be our first place of trust.
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Pressure reveals what we really trust: Hezekiah had faith, but under pressure he looked to Egypt instead of God.
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False sources of security cannot save us: Money, people, control, success, and plans can all become “Egypts” in our lives.
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Trusting God does not mean doing nothing: We still take wise steps, pray, obey, and keep moving forward.
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God responds with grace: When we fail or hit rock bottom, God does not shame us. He waits to show compassion.
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God meets us where we are: Even when we have turned away, God still speaks and calls us back.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
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Read Isaiah 30:1-5. God says Judah made plans without asking Him. What does it look like today to make plans without seeking God?
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Read Isaiah 30:10-11. The people wanted “smooth things” instead of truth. Why do people sometimes avoid hearing hard truth?
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Read Isaiah 30:15. God calls His people to repentance, rest, quietness, and trust. Which of those is hardest for you personally right now? Why?
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Read Isaiah 30:18. God “waits to be gracious.” What does this show us about God’s heart?
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Read Isaiah 30:19-21. God guides His people even after they have turned away. What does this teach us about His patience and love?
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What is your “Egypt” (that thing or person you want to fully trust instead of God)? When life gets hard, where do you run first instead of God? Examples: Money, Control, A relationship, Work, Distraction, Your own plans
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What would it look like in your life to PRAY FIRST rather than last? What would it look like this week to pray first instead of last? How can you make that change?
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Imagine a “quieter” trust this week. Our verse of the week is Isaiah 30:15: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” How might you turn off or minimize distractions so that you can find quiet strength in God?
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This week’s message is a great personal encouragement for each of us. Who is someone in your life that needs to hear this message? (identify someone) How might you be an encouragement to them with this message from God’s Word?
CLOSING REFLECTION
God is like the father in the story of the prodigal son. When we come back to Him, He does not shame us. He welcomes us with compassion.
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Close in prayer. Ask God to help each person trust Him fully and surrender anything they have been relying on more than Him.