GROWTH QUESTION #1
Who would like to share a highlight, praise report, or testimony from this week?
THE GOD WHO HEARS IS WITH US
MEETING AGENDA
- OPENING PRAYER – Ask one person to open the meeting in prayer.
- GROWTH QUESTIONS – Ask everyone the Growth Questions.
- ATTENDANCE – Take attendance through the DG Attendance System.
- TODAY’S LESSON – Go over this week’s DG lesson.
- GIVING – Encourage everyone to give on the App.
- CLOSING PRAYER – Ask for prayer requests and pray.
GROWTH QUESTION #2
What did you learn from this week’s sermon?
GROWTH QUESTION #3
What was your most important accomplishment this week?
TODAY’S PASSAGE:
Genesis 21:14-21 (NLT) - 14 So Abraham got up early the next morning, prepared food and a container of water, and strapped them on Hagar’s shoulders. Then he sent her away with their son, and she wandered aimlessly in the wilderness of Beersheba. 15 When the water was gone, she put the boy in the shade of a bush. 16 Then she went and sat down by herself about a hundred yards away. “I don’t want to watch the boy die,” she said, as she burst into tears. 17 But God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “Hagar, what’s wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 18 Go to him and comfort him, for I will make a great nation from his descendants.” 19 Then God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well full of water. She quickly filled her water container and gave the boy a drink. 20 And God was with the boy as he grew up in the wilderness. He became a skillful archer, 21 and he settled in the wilderness of Paran. His mother arranged for him to marry a woman from the land of Egypt.
Opening QUESTION
When you read this story of Hagar and Ishmael, what stands out to you most—their struggle, God’s response, or His promise? Why?
TRUTH #1
GOD HEARS OUR CRIES
Genesis 21:17 - But God heard the boy crying…
- God heard Ishmael’s cry in the wilderness. This shows that God is never too far away to hear us when we are hurting.
- Even when Hagar felt abandoned, God reminded her that He was listening. He hears both spoken prayers and the cries of our hearts.
- For Ishmael, this is a special moment tied to the very meaning of his name, “God hears.” His mother, Hagar, while pregnant and running away from an abusive situation had been met by God. She knew firsthand that God hears our cries. Now, in this painful trial, Ishmael would learn the same.
- The Bible reminds us that God listens to all His children.
Psalm 34:17 (NLT) - “The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.”
- Just like Hagar and Ishmael, we can call on God in times of fear, loss, or confusion, knowing that He hears us and will respond.
INTERACTIVE QUESTION
What is one situation in your life where you’ve felt like God really heard your prayer?
TRUTH #2
GOD PROVIDES EVEN WHEN WE CAN’T SEE HOW
Genesis 21:19 (NLT) - Then God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well full of water…
- Hagar saw no way forward, but then God opened her eyes.
- Sometimes God’s provision is right in front of us, but we need Him to open our eyes to see it.
- God not only provides for our spiritual needs but also our physical needs.
Philippians 4:19 (NLT) - “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches.”
- The wilderness often feels hopeless, but it is there, in some of our most difficult moments, that God powerfully demonstrates that He is our Provider.
- We can trust that God will give us what we need at the right time, even if it is not always what we expect.
INTERACTIVE QUESTION
Have you ever experienced a moment when God provided for you in a way you didn’t expect?
TRUTH #3
GOD IS WITH US IN THE JOURNEY
Genesis 21:20 (NLT) - And God was with the boy as he grew up in the wilderness…
- Even in exile, Ishmael was not alone.
- God’s presence is not limited to perfect places—He is with us in the wilderness seasons of life.
- His presence gives us strength and helps us grow, just as Ishmael became strong and skilled in the wilderness.
- Jesus promised the same to us.
Matthew 28:20 (NLT) - “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
- Knowing that God is with us should change how we walk through difficulties.
- When we recognize that He is there with us, it enables us to walk with boldness and confidence instead of fear and anxiety.
INTERACTIVE QUESTION
What’s one way you remind yourself that God is with you when life feels difficult?
CLOSING QUESTION
What’s one thing you’re taking away from this story that you want to apply to your own life this week?
GIVING
God loves to give and so should we!
Proverbs 21:26 (NLT)
Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!
Encourage everyone to give their tithes and offerings.
PRAY
QUESTION #1
Who are you praying for to be saved?
QUESTION #2
Who can you invite to the next meeting?
QUESTION #3
What are your prayer requests?