October 2023 Wednesday Study Questions

October 4: God’s Mysteries

1. What items do you use without fully understanding how they work? Does this lack of knowledge ever prevent you from using the items? Why or why not?
2. Do you ever wish you could better understand the mysteries of God? What would change about your faith if you could understand more of God’s mysteries? How do you make peace with all that you do not understand about God?
3. Who in scripture do you most relate to when it comes to lack of understanding? Why? Name ways you are encouraged by their example.
4. In what ways do you celebrate the mystery of God? How can the mystery and majesty of God and creation strengthen your faith?
5. How do you nourish your spiritual life? What in your immediate surroundings helps you see the awesomeness of God?

October 11: Keep Caring

1. How does your perception of the parable of the good Samaritan change when you focus on the fact that the Samaritan’s good deeds took place over multiple days? Why?
2. When have you done a single good deed and then returned to your normal life? When have you cared for someone over time? How were those experiences different? What did you learn from each one?
3. How do you keep the continued welfare of people at the forefront of your mind? In what ways do you show continued care for others?
4. What can you do to stay open to and perceptive of the needs around you? How will you respond when you notice a need?
5. Name the ways your church or faith community cares for others. How do those outreach efforts enrich your faith community? How do you contribute to these efforts?

October 18: God Hears Us

1. Do you prefer to pray alone or with others? Why? What prayer practice do you engage in most often? How does this way of praying deepen your faith?
2. Do you enjoy a routine when praying and spending time with God, or do you prefer to engage with God in different ways? Why?
3. When has God shown you that you were heard even though you didn’t pray in your usual way? How are you encouraged to know that God is always listening?
4. Do you always pray in a formal manner, or do you also pray in less conventional ways? How is your prayer experience different depending on the way you pray?
5. Who in scripture reminds you of the importance of prayer? Who in your life encourages you to pray? How do you support the prayer life of others?

October 25: Restoration

1. Have you ever chosen to restore something rather than buy a replacement? Why? What was the outcome and what did you learn?
2. When have you felt worn out or useless? Why did you feel that way? What helped you to repair your situation?
3. How does God bind up your sorrows and restore you to wholeness? What scripture passages, prayers, or activities help you connect to God’s restoring power?
4. What are the most meaningful ways you spend time with God? In what ways do you notice a change in yourself and your faith when you spend time with God?
5. Who in scripture is the best example of the importance of spending restorative time with God? Who in your life serves as an example of this for you? How do you try to follow both examples?