Return
LifeGroup Curriculum: Week 1
Return to the Lord
2 Chronicles 7:12-14
Solomon, the son of David, stands as a towering figure in Israel’s history, revered as one of its greatest kings. Entrusted with unparalleled wisdom and surrounded by abundant wealth, his rule symbolized an age of unmatched prosperity and safety for the Jewish nation. Within the Chronicles, the chronicler takes us to a pivotal moment in Solomon’s reign, transporting us to a profound night vision bestowed upon him by the Lord. In this encounter, warnings against disobedience echo alongside promises of blessing. These cautions and assurances, will serve as a framework for the remainder of the book.
The Scripture
12 Then the Lord appeared[1] to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
[1] Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. [1] Exactly how God appeared to Solomon is not stated. Was it in a dream? Was it through a prophet who came to speak to Solomon? Was it face-to-face? Ultimately we cannot be certain how it happened, but we can be sure that it happened.
Week 1 | Life Group Questions
- Do you think humility is still valued today?
- Can you remember a time when the Lord used a difficult or painful experience to draw you closer to Him?
- It’s worth noting that 2 Chronicles is the latter part of a larger work. Before diving in, take a moment to skim through 1 Chronicles. How does the book start and conclude?
- Scan the initial six chapters of 2 Chronicles. What events precede this passage? What does “this place” refer to in verse 12?
- If you could select only two words from the passage that you consider the most crucial, which two would you choose and why?
- In verse 13, various elements are mentioned over which the Lord has control. Using the chart below, list what they are and suggest a general and more broad category for each.
| God is sovereign over this detail in v14 | General category of God’s sovereignty |
7. What does the word “sovereign” mean? In what ways do you find God’s sovereignty comforting?
8. What does verse 14 tell you about why God takes the actions he takes in verse 13? Take a moment to consider your own life. Are there any consequences you are facing because of your own sin?
9. What do you think of this phrase: “Choose to sin; choose to suffer.” Do you agree with it? Why, or why not?
10. Verse 14 contains a conditional sentence. Circle the words “if” and “then” to narrow in on what is being described. Make an attempt to summarize this verse into a short simple phrase.
11. In verse 14, God lays out a sequence of actions the people of Israel can take to see God’s forgiveness and healing. Why this particular sequence of actions, do you think? Is there one thing in common that links these four behaviors?
12. What, according to verse 14, does God promise to do in response to Israel’s actions?
13. Reflect on the hope found in verse 14. Which actions in your life might you need to take to “humble yourself,” “pray,” “seek God’s face,” and “turn from your wicked ways” in order to experience healing and restoration?