Part 04: Protect Your Hunger
Sermon Summary
This sermon calls believers to recognize and resist the many distractions that dull our spiritual hunger and pull our focus away from God. It invites us to reflect on the challenge of living faithfully in a world filled with constant interruptions, drawing connections between our present struggles and those faced by biblical figures and saints throughout history. The message reminds us that distraction is not merely a modern problem, but a longstanding obstacle to spiritual intimacy.
Key Scriptures
"Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." - Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV)
"He said, 'Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, carefully consider the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.' And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling. Then he continued, 'Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.'" - Daniel 10:11-12 (NIV)
"Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." - Psalm 73:1-3 (NIV)
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." - 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)
Instructions for Groups
Choose a few of these questions from the various categories to go deeper in the sermon and put the truths of Scripture into practice. You don't need to answer every question. Select the ones that will best help your group engage with God's Word and apply it to your lives.
Discussion Questions
Scripture Study & Deeper Understanding
1. Read Psalm 73:1–3. What does the psalmist observe about the prosperity of the wicked? How does this observation affect his faith and attitude at first?
2. In Daniel 10:11–12, what is the immediate context of Daniel's vision and prayer? Who is speaking to him, and what does this encounter reveal about Daniel’s spiritual life?
3. How do the struggles expressed in Psalm 73 connect to the personal experiences shared in the sermon?
Encouragement, Challenge & Personal Testimony
4. The sermon highlights subtle distractions as a major obstacle to intimacy with God. How does recognizing the enemy’s strategy of “distraction” shift the way we view our daily habits?
5. When have you experienced a "small" act of faith that God used in unexpected ways?
6. What does the affirmation “God goes where He is wanted” mean to you in the context of your spiritual journey or community life?
Putting it into Practice
7. The sermon described practical steps (e.g., delaying phone use, building accountability) to guard one’s hunger for God. What is one specific boundary or rhythm you feel led to establish this week?
8. Who in your life might benefit from hearing your personal story of God’s faithfulness or the power of focused devotion?
Prayer
9. Listening to the Holy Spirit: We're going to take focused time to listen to the Holy Spirit and what He wants to speak to us personally based on our time in Scripture and discussion tonight. Let's sit in silence for 60 seconds and ask the Spirit to speak to each one of us.
After the minute of silence: What do you sense the Holy Spirit highlighting or speaking to you as we prayed?
10. Prayer Requests from Tonight's Study: What prayer requests come up for you based on our Scripture study and discussion tonight? How can we pray for you as you seek to apply what God has shown you?