Life Group - Study Guides

After God had fulfilled His promise to Abraham of giving him a son in his old age, God asks him to sacrifice this child of promise. Through this story we learn that, though testing is difficult and does not make sense, we can trust God. In this study, let’s learn how to be faithful when tested.

Christmas can be a time of frustration. Everyone has a plan. Everyone has their own expectations or traditions. Our lives can be lived in a cycle of what I want, deserve, expect...and anger at what did not go as planned. Ego says we should be treated a certain way, and when we’re not, problems arise. Humility is forgiving those who have wronged us and offering them help and healing – like the servant girl, like Jesus. This Christmas season, let’s follow the example of the Servant King who, even though He was above everything, made Himself above nothing for us.

The time between the last book of the Old Testament and the New Testament is referred to as “the 400 years of silence.” Just from the time that Isaiah prophesied the virgin birth as a sign of the coming Messiah until the birth of Jesus was approximately 700 years. In contemplating this timeline, we find reassurance and hope in the consistency of God's character and His promises. He is steadfast in being who He claims to be and fulfilling what He declares. This week, let's fix our gaze on Jesus and allow the power of His peace to govern our hearts and minds.

At The Cove Church, we value authenticity—keeping it real. Sometimes, folks misunderstand this as a license to say anything without filters. However, “keeping it real” does not mean criticism, condemnation, or gossip. It means being genuine and sincere in our words and opinions, without hypocrisy. Similarly, claiming “Only God can judge me” can be a way to justify and deny our own issues. This week, we'll explore the problems with this mindset and discover ways to live – and even judge, when necessary –with a more compassionate and understanding outlook towards others.

This week, we will explore a few common misconceptions about this idea that “God will never give you more than you can handle.” In this life, we will still have temptations and struggles. God doesn’t promise that there won’t be a fight or that it will be an easy road. He just might give you more than you can handle—alone! But don’t despair; His plan is that you will overcome temptation when you look to Him for the way out and for His strength to take that escape. We will also look at how we can get through the hardships of this life, like illness, death, and loss.