Train Your Hands To Hold
Sermon Summary
It's one thing to receive something good from God. It's another thing to learn how to hold onto it when life gets hard. The enemy’s attack doesn’t get to take away the confidence, peace, or purpose God has given you. When you're feeling overwhelmed, remember: The strength to hold on comes from knowing Who's holding on to you.
Sermon Highlights
We don’t have a receiving problem, we have a retention problem.
Hell isn’t happy that heaven opened up and handed you a blessing.
After the hit, and after the hurt, will you still be holding on to what God gave you?
Even if they didn’t pick you, God chose you. You’re anointed.
Attacks usually follow anointing.
Two things you get in the stronghold:
Strength
Your next step
In the stronghold, you stop focusing on who’s attacking you and you start focusing on Who’s backing you.
When you’re in the stronghold, you’re not hiding, you’re hearing.
Hit the enemy before he hits you.
More resistance should lead to more dependence. More dependence should lead to more obedience. More obedience will lead to more deliverance.
I’m not going to let my past victories rob me of present wisdom.
God’s hands are trained in holding you.
Scriptures
Read this week’s Scriptures. Ask your group what stands out to them.
Sermon Discussion
Conversation Starter
Choose the one that works best for your group!
Pastor Chet told a story about being tackled while holding the football during a middle school scrimmage. Growing up, did you play to win, play for fun, or avoid sports altogether?
Pastor Chet talked about how much longer it took to sell his house than he thought it would. What's something you thought would be simple until you actually tried it?
Pastor Chet talked about the difference between “praying hands” and “swaying hands.” If you had to enter a boxing ring, what would your fighter nickname be?
Discussion Questions
“We don't have a receiving problem, we have a retention problem.” What's something valuable in your life that requires consistent effort to maintain, and how do you make it a priority?
“After the hit, and after the hurt, will you still be holding on to what God gave you?” What's something God has given you that you want to be more intentional about protecting, even when life gets hard?
“Two things you get in the stronghold: (1) strength and (2) your next step.” Where in your life do you need God's strength to keep going or His direction for your next step?
“In the stronghold, you stop focusing on who's attacking you and you start focusing on Who's backing you.” Who's someone you can count on to point you back to God when you feel under attack?
“More resistance should lead to more dependence. More dependence should lead to more obedience. More obedience will lead to more deliverance.” Share a time when you went through something that taught you to depend on God in a new way.
“God's hands are trained in holding you.” What's an area of your life where you need this reminder right now? (Tip: Incorporate everyone’s answers into your prayer at the end of eGroup!)
Prayer Prompt
Ask your eGroup if they have any prayer requests or praise reports they’d like to share, and include them in your closing prayer.
Pray this prayer over your eGroup to close, and/or send it to them throughout the week to let them know you’re praying for them!
Heavenly Father, You are a good and faithful God. In the areas where anointing has put a target on our backs, we pray that You would do what only You can do. Protect us, deliver us, and supply us with strength and next steps as we spend time with You. Thank You for holding onto us as You teach us to hold onto what You’ve given us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Additional Content
Here’s some additional content you can use to encourage your group this week.
Go Deeper: Related Sermon
David was anointed to be king, but he still faced attack. Learn more about his time in the Cave of Adullam (the stronghold) in Pastor Steven's sermon, “Running For A Reason.”