Hunter Care Group: August 2019

Dave Ramsey Recession Rant

>> Saturday, August 31, 2019

I don't know if you've ever listened or watched Dave Ramsey before, but he's a Christian who gives Biblical financial advice to people in all walks of life. We've been through his "Financial Peace" classes and I regularly watch his channel on YouTube. He's the type of guy who doesn't mince words with people. He is bold, gets right to the point and is sometimes brutally honest when giving his advice. Maybe that's why I like him.
I came across a video the other day that I want to share concerning the economic state of our country and if and how we should be preparing ourselves. The video is HERE if you'd like to watch it.

Discussion 8-25-19

>> Monday, August 26, 2019

What was a recent disappointment in your life? Maybe it was something that happened at work, with your kids, family or friends. Disappointment often comes from unmet expectations. We expect something to happen and it doesn't. So we are disappointed. We expect someone to act a certain way and they don't. So we are disappointed. Has it happened to you this week?
As a believer in Christ, we may get disappointed but that doesn't blow us out of the water. We still have hope! Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-10. Paul says that we ARE afflicted in EVERY way, but not crushed. Some days it seems like we're getting attacked from all sides. Things may not go as planned at work, then we come home to a disastrous mess and then the dog makes a mess on the floor while we're trying to figure out what to make for dinner. Many things may happen all at once, but we're not flattened. We can get through it!
We're perplexed but not driven to despair. There are times when we just don't know why something is happening to us. But we still don't give up.
We are persecuted but not forsaken. I don't know if you've ever been persecuted for what you believe in but to be honest, I haven't faced strong, harsh persecution. I've met people who have been maimed, disfigured and tortured for their faith. Thankfully I haven't had to lose an eye for Christ, or a finger for the gospel. But I've met those who have. They've faced intense persecution but God has not turned his back on them.
We have been struck down but not destroyed. No matter what happens to us physically, there is still hope.
What gets us through these times of affliction, despair and persecution? The key is in verse 7. God's surpassing power... and NOT our own! Sure, we can get through things on our own. The world does it all the time. But what makes a believer different than the world? Well in this case, the context of what Paul is saying is found in the previous verses. Look at verse 5. It explains what the treasure in verse 7 is. It is that Jesus Christ is Lord! It is the gospel. What makes us different in how we handle disappointment and unmet expectation is that we have Christ! Is Christ enough for you to handle your disappointments? Is he enough for you to handle your affliction? Is he enough for you as your go through persecution? I pray your answer is a loud YES!

Connecting With Others

>> Friday, August 23, 2019

I was talking with someone recently about this very same topic. If fact, I was going to speak about it this past weekend but it didn't work out. So I spoke on something else. Focus on the Family has a really good broadcast and transcript about connecting with people in deep spiritual relationships. You should really check it out here.

Do you find it harder to make friends and really develop deep spiritual connections with people the older you get? In an age of "multi-cyber-social-connectivity", do you have many friends but very few if any deep friendships? I'm talking about connections other than your spouse, children or extended family.

When I think of Biblical friendships, I automatically go to David and Jonathan. Take a look at 1 Samuel 18:1 and the verses surrounding it for context. How did those two become deep friends? Have you ever experienced something like that? If not, do you think you could? If you said no, I challenge you to consider Christ! That may seem like a "duh" response, but when you ask yourself, "do I really have a DEEP relationship with Christ?" what is your answer? Do you know the deep things of God? Have you come to answer some of the mysteries of Christ? I challenge you to take some time within the next week or so and dive deep into Christ. Feel free to leave a comment below.

Discussion 8-4-19

Last meeting (8/4/19), the question was posed, "What worries you the most?" How would you answer that question? Do you think worrying is a good thing or not? Why do you worry? What does God's Word say about worrying?

It's safe to say that all of us worry. We worry about our kids, family, job, health, future... and many, many other things. Here's a few passages from God's Word to study that tell us about worry:

Matthew 6:25-34

Philippians 4:6-7

Now, how would you answer the questions posed above? Comment below.

Discussion

This section is designated to help you if you missed a meeting but still want to be part of the discussion about what was talked about. A general overview of the topic will be shared along with pertinent questions to spur your thinking.