Summer Playlist Part 2

REVIEW & TALK-IT-OUT

Go through each main point and scripture from the message and use the corresponding questions in discussion with your group.  

Summer Playlist Part 2: SUPERSTITION

Stevie Wonder wrote this song about the DANGERS of believing in superstitions.  He wrote it during a time period in history, early 70s,  where he felt bad vibes were the norm. If you look closely at the lyrics you will see  "Superstition" warns that bad things were going down—but false beliefs are not the way out of a bad situation.

The bible warns us in Colossians 2:8 (NIV) “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.  The Message version says: They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that's not the way of Christ.

Three reasons why superstition is not the way:

1. SUPERSTITION LEADS TO IRRATIONAL FEAR, FAITH IN GOD LEADS TO PEACE.

Talk-it-Out #1:
What irrational fears have you experienced that have taken away your peace? 

Scriptures to fight against irrational fears:

2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP)
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].

Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Philippians 4:6-7  
Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

Talk-it-Out #2:
What practical thing can you do or tool can you use to fight against the irrational fears that take away your peace?

2. SUPERSTITION HANGS ON TO CONTROL, FAITH IN GOD LETS GO OF CONTROL.

Psalm 46:10 (GW)
“Let go of your concerns! Then you will know that I am God. I rule the nations. I rule the earth.” Every day you have to decide who is going to be in control of your life--you or God.

Talk-it-Out #3:
In what ways are you or have you tried to control things that are meant to be in God's control?

3. SUPERSTITION DEMANDS ANSWERS, FAITH IN GOD TRUSTS HIS WORK IN YOUR LIFE.

Superstition tries to explain why the good or the bad happens, but faith trusts that whether life is good or bad, God is working on our behalf. 

Talk-it-Out #4:
What answers have you been on a constant search for in order to make sense out of life?

Religious thinkers sound a whole lot like superstitious people….listen to how the religious thinkers, Jesus’s disciples by the way, explained the reason for a man’s blindness in John chapter 9...

John 9:1-3 (NIV)
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him."

Romans 8:28 (AMP)
And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

Talk-it-Out #5:
What painful situation are you facing? Do you believe that God is working it out for a purpose?