EXTRA! Ideas for Adults – The God Who Rescues – Special Focus Session

1 month ago 11

Date: November 24, 2024

The God Who Rescues

The Point: We can be thankful that God rescues us.

Get Into the Study

Share the following as you discuss The Bible Meets Life:

Late last year, homeless Jordan Neely was threatening fellow passengers on the New York City subway when former marine Daniel Penny put Neely in a chokehold to prevent him from acting upon his threats.

While on the subway, Neely was making comments about being ready to serve a life sentence and die, among many other threats that frightened other commuters. Penny’s attorney said that when “threats spoken in the confined [space] in a moving subway car, you can either bury your head and pray or you stand up and protect thy neighbor,” justifying Penny’s actions. Though the Manhattan District Attorney said that Penny was “unnecessarily reckless” for his actions and that they directly led to Neely’s death, witnesses are saying that Penny saved them on the subway.

Neely unfortunately passed after this event, though his autopsy results were unclear about the cause of death. Neely was still breathing after Penny released his chokehold, but police responding to the scene refused to perform mouth-to-mouth because they were “unsure what diseases” Neely had and relied on chest compressions only, which failed to revive him.

While this case overall has become controversial, the core of the matter is really about those who would protect those who cannot protect themselves. Not everyone is able to defend themselves when threatened, either due to ability or overwhelming circumstances. But just as Penny stepped in a protected his fellow commuters, we have a God who rescues us in all situations when we call out to Him.

Study the Bible [Option from the Daily Discipleship Leader Guide]

After reading Psalm 30:1-5, play “I Speak Jesus” by Charity Gayle, “Rescue” by Lauren Daigle, or a similar worship. Draw attention to Psalm 30:4: “Sing to the LORD, you his faithful ones, and praise his holy name.” Encourage the group to sing along, pray, or praise God silently as they listen to the lyrics. After the song is finished, spend some time in prayer as a group, thanking God for how He rescues us.

Live It Out

Share the following as you discuss the application ideas in Live it Out:

The long-awaited Holocaust Museum of Greece in Thessaloniki is set to open in 2026. The museum is being funded by Germany and will commemorate the almost 50 thousand Greek Jews who were sent to Auschwitz during the Nazi occupation of Greece during World War II. Only four percent of those survived the camp.

Germany’s president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, visited Thessaloniki last week and spoke at the site of the coming museum last week. Germany has donated more than $10 million to the project, which will connect the city’s harbor, historic White Tower, and the railway station where many Jews were deported from. The museum is set to be “a world-class destination,” including both permanent and temporary archives and exhibitions that will “highlight the value of persevering and strengthening the remembrance of the Holocaust.”

Once the museum is completed, it will highlight the stories of those who were lost while also sharing the stories of hope from those who survived and have lived on. Just as these stories will help strengthen the community, we too can share our tales of rescue to encourage others in difficult times. We serve a God of rescue who saves His people time and again, and we are called to honor Him and encourage others through our testimonies of His goodness.

EXTRA was written by Emily Duncan, a Southern California native currently living in West Georgia with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. God saved her from Wicca when she was sixteen, and she now serves alongside her youth pastor husband as a girls’ leader at New Hope First Baptist Church in Dallas, GA. Emily spends most of her time tangled in yarn while crocheting or reading outside in the hammock.

Additional Questions

Icebreaker

What memory or story comes to mind when you hear the word “rescue”?
What’s your favorite movie rescue scene?
When have you needed help and someone really came through for you? (BG)
In what class were you always looking for help? LP

Psalm 30:1-5

What are some of the intangible blessings we receive from God? How can we demonstrate our gratitude to God for them?
Looking back over your life, is there a negative situation or consequence you can see that God clearly saved you from?
In what ways have you learned that you are not as strong as you thought, and that you are actually needy?
How should we understand the word “exalt” in verse 1? What does it mean for us to exalt something today?
When have you felt compelled to express thanks or gratitude to God?
When has God brought joy to you after a period of weeping?

Psalm 30:6-10

Why is it so easy to rely on ourselves when things are going well?
How have you responded when God brought you through a trial you thought you could handle on your own?
When has God shaken up your life to help you turn to Him?
How does pride affect our dependence on God?
How does pride get in the way of our relationship with God?
When have you seen pride get in the way of someone’s walk with God?

Psalm 30:11-12