Timing Your Testimony

Share a funny story about bad timing.

Who in your group would you trust the most and trust the least to hold the mic?

If you had to try to set a world-record time in absolutely ANYTHING, what would it be? (e.g., fastest person to eat a whole pizza, most consecutive hours of sleep, shortest time to read the Bible, etc.)

Ask eGroup members to share their favorite points from the sermon, what spoke to them, a phrase or moment from the sermon they related to the most, or questions they have. If members have a hard time recalling the sermon, talk through your notes and share your favorite points.

• If you were to tell your whole testimony — with all the details — how long would you need to tell it? Have you ever shared your full testimony with someone?

• How often do you tell yourself your testimony? What are some reasons this is a good thing to do?

• Read 2 Kings 8:1-6. The Shunammite woman did exactly what God told her to (through Elisha) only to lose her home and land. Have you ever had a season when you felt disappointed in God? How did you overcome that?

• The Shunammite woman had everything she’d lost restored to her. Share with your group something God restored to you. Is there something you’re waiting for Him to restore? (The Shunammite woman only got everything back because she told the story of what God had done. What are some ways you’ve stopped telling the story of what God has done and replaced it with fear — what might happen next?)

• Go deeper. Read John 7:1-9. God’s timing is meant to increase our trust in Him. When Jesus said, “My time is not yet here” in verse 6 and “… my time has not yet fully come” in verse 8, He was referencing “kairos” (pronounced KI-ross). This means “an opportune time,” and in this case, God’s timing. Jesus knew that God’s timing is just as much a part of His will as any event or action is — the when matters just as much as the what. How well do your thoughts, actions, and prayers reflect that God’s timing is an important part of His will? (Are you impatient? Do you grumble if something doesn’t happen when you want it? Give a recent example.) What can we do to give just as much honor to God’s when as His what?

• Talk about a time when you did trust God’s timing. What happened? How did that grow your trust in Him?

• Share some areas where it’s challenging for you to wait on God. What do you need to do in this season to show God you’re going to wait on Him? (How do you need to get out of the kitchen?)

Tell yourself your testimony this week. Write out a list of what God did for you so you can show that list to the things you’re facing now. Remind yourself that God is in charge of what happens AND when it happens. You can also include Psalm 119:125-126 to encourage yourself to wait on Him.

Ask eGroup members to share any prayer requests they have. Record any notes or prayer requests to pray for members during the week. 

Father, thank You that we can trust You in all things, including Your timing. Reveal to us any areas where we’re waiting to obey because we don’t have all the details, and remind us of all the times You’ve shown Yourself to be faithful so we can tell those stories to ourselves and others. In Jesus’ name, amen.