Faith Talk – September 7, 2025
Faith Talks are designed to help you keep the conversation going beyond Sunday morning. Use this guide with your family or friends to reflect on the sermon and Life Group lesson, pray together, and put God’s Word into practice. Think of this guide as a starting place—then let God shape the conversation.
Sermon
Title: Finding Hope in Difficult Days
Scripture: Lamentations 3:21-25
Scripture Overview: The prophet Jeremiah laments the pain and judgment he and God’s people are experiencing, yet he finds hope by remembering God’s compassion and faithfulness. In the darkest moments, he declares that God’s mercies are new every morning, and His steadfast love never ends.
Main Points:
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
For Students & Adults
Application: This week, when discouragement creeps in, pause and recall God’s promises. Choose one specific verse about His faithfulness to memorize and repeat whenever doubts or worries arise.
Scripture: Lamentations 3:21-25
Scripture Overview: The prophet Jeremiah laments the pain and judgment he and God’s people are experiencing, yet he finds hope by remembering God’s compassion and faithfulness. In the darkest moments, he declares that God’s mercies are new every morning, and His steadfast love never ends.
Main Points:
- The Misery of God’s Prophet
- His Distress
- His Despondency
- God’s Discipline
- The Mercy of God’s Proclamation
- The Compassion of God
- The Character of God
- The Moment of God’s Provision
- The Promise
- The Principle
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
- What are some things that make you feel sad or discouraged?
- How can remembering God’s love help when you feel upset?
- What does it mean that God’s mercies are new every morning?
For Students & Adults
- When have you felt overwhelmed by discouragement or hardship?
- How does Jeremiah’s perspective in Lamentations 3 challenge your outlook?
- In what ways can you remind yourself of God’s faithfulness when life feels uncertain?
Application: This week, when discouragement creeps in, pause and recall God’s promises. Choose one specific verse about His faithfulness to memorize and repeat whenever doubts or worries arise.
Life Group
Scripture: 1 Kings 11-13
Christ/Gospel Connections:
All of Scripture points back to Jesus. In our study each week, every age group’s lesson includes a note about how the message connects to Christ. Use these Christ/Gospel Connections as a springboard for meaningful discussion about who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
Preschool – Rehoboam made a wrong choice, and God’s people split into two groups. But Jesus, our good King, brings together all who trust in Him and welcomes them into His kingdom forever.
Kids – Rehoboam rejected good advice, and his foolish pride led to a divided kingdom. Jesus, the truly wise King, unites all who trust in Him and brings them into His kingdom forever.
Students – While God’s people became divided because of selfishness and sin, Christ came to restore God’s kingdom. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus united people from every tribe and nation into one family.
Adults – Because of Solomon’s idolatry (1 Kings 11:11-13), God would tear the nation away from him as He had with Saul. Because of His promise to David, the Lord would allow one tribe of Israel to remain under the authority of Solomon’s son, Rehoboam (vv. 34-37). This nation would continue with the line of David’s descendants that would eventually lead to the promised King and Savior, Jesus, the King of kings.
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
For Students & Adults
Christ/Gospel Connections:
All of Scripture points back to Jesus. In our study each week, every age group’s lesson includes a note about how the message connects to Christ. Use these Christ/Gospel Connections as a springboard for meaningful discussion about who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
Preschool – Rehoboam made a wrong choice, and God’s people split into two groups. But Jesus, our good King, brings together all who trust in Him and welcomes them into His kingdom forever.
Kids – Rehoboam rejected good advice, and his foolish pride led to a divided kingdom. Jesus, the truly wise King, unites all who trust in Him and brings them into His kingdom forever.
Students – While God’s people became divided because of selfishness and sin, Christ came to restore God’s kingdom. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus united people from every tribe and nation into one family.
Adults – Because of Solomon’s idolatry (1 Kings 11:11-13), God would tear the nation away from him as He had with Saul. Because of His promise to David, the Lord would allow one tribe of Israel to remain under the authority of Solomon’s son, Rehoboam (vv. 34-37). This nation would continue with the line of David’s descendants that would eventually lead to the promised King and Savior, Jesus, the King of kings.
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
- Why is it important to listen to wise advice from people who love God?
- How does Jesus show that He is a better King than Rehoboam?
- What happens when we follow selfishness instead of God’s wisdom?
For Students & Adults
- What does the divided kingdom teach us about the dangers of pride and idolatry?
- How does God’s promise to David give us confidence in His plan of salvation through Jesus?
- In what ways does Jesus unite people today in His kingdom, even across differences?
Pray Together
- Thank God for His mercy that never ends and His wisdom that unites us in Christ.
- Commit to listening for and following God’s wisdom in decisions big and small.
- Ask God for humility to seek advice from godly people and for courage to walk in obedience.
Activity
Building Together
Supplies:
Instructions:
- Blocks, Legos, or simple building materials
Instructions:
- Work together as a family or group to build one structure.
- After a few minutes, have each person start building their own separate structure instead.
- Discuss how the group felt when united vs. divided.
- Read 1 Kings 12:16-20 together.
- Talk about how Jesus brings people together in His kingdom and how you can help build unity in your family, church, and community.
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