Below are thoughts about Josiah and the Old Testament. The WEEK 1 GROUP GUIDE begins immediately after.

Josiah in the Bible
• Josiah’s name means God helps, supports, or even heals. This series focuses on ways God worked through Josiah to strengthen His people in a culture and kingdom of chaos and destruction. Josiah’s faithfulness is a model for us in our day.

• Josiah’s story is recorded in 2 Kings 22:1-23:30, then is retold more than 100 years later to the Jews who returned to Jerusalem, directing them in the restoration of the kingdom. This second account is in 2 Chronicles 33:25-36:1. Group Guides in this series are based on material from both accounts.

• Of the 19 kings who led the Southern tribes, Josiah was only 1 of 7 described as good. Of the 19 kings who led the Northern tribes, none of them can be described as good. Disobedience and evil spread throughout the land, resulting in oppression and hardship beyond what words can describe.

• Josiah was a good king. He reigned from 640-608 BC and spent his life leading people back to God. May his faithfulness draw our hearts to the One who is perfectly faithful. His name is Jesus, the Son of God and Savior of the world.

Major Themes in the Life of Josiah
1. Breaking the family pattern (generational cycle).
2. Seeking God with urgency and passion.
3. Trusting God with all you are and all you have.
4. Pursuing a life of holiness.
5. The importance of God’s Word.
6. Finding strength in humility.
7. Remembering and celebrating who God is and all He’s done.

Outline of the Story of Josiah (2 Kings 22:1-23:30)
1. Beginning of Josiah’s Reign (22:1-2)
2. Repairing the Temple (22:3-7)
3. The Word of God (22:8-20)
4. Josiah’s Reforms (23:1-20)
5. Passover (23:21-27)
6. Closure of Josiah’s Reign (23:28-30)

Messages in this Series
1. October 6 NOW IS THE TIME TO BE FAITHFUL
2 Kings 21:19-24; 2 Kings 23:25

2. October 13 SEEK HIM FIRST
2 Kings 22:1-2; 2 Chronicles 34:3

3. October 20 TRUST IN GOD
2 Kings 22:3-7

4. October 27 HOLINESS
2 Kings 23:4-24

5. November 3 GOD'S WORD
2 Kings 22:8-13

6. November 10 HUMILITY
2 Kings 22:14-20

7. November 17 REMEMBER
2 Kings 23:25-30

Get to Know Each Other
How did you get connected with this group?

Connect
Allow about five minutes for group members to write down some ground rules they think would be good for meeting as a group during this series (e.g., confidentiality when sharing stories, staying on topic, etc.). Then share your thoughts with each other. Write these down and remind each other as needed throughout the series.

Pray
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law. Psalm 119:18 (NIV)

Spend time praying God would deepen people’s relationships with Him and each other. Ask Him to teach you and your group new and beautiful things about who He is and His work in your lives.

Watch
Beginning next Sunday, we'll have Group Videos that you can watch together with your group.

Read
2 Kings 21:19-22:1-2 and 2 Kings 23:25
[Tip: have group members take turns reading the main passage each week.]

Reflection and Discussion
Don’t rush through this. The goal is not to answer all the questions, but to cultivate meaningful conversations with God and each other. Be prayerful as you reflect and grow together.

1. Unusually, Josiah was entrusted with the kingdom at a young age. Have you ever felt like you didn’t know enough or were too young in your faith to be of use to God? If so, describe the situation and what that was like for you.

2. How does this passage encourage you?

3. Josiah didn’t have a choice in becoming king. Have you ever found yourself in a position of leadership but didn’t ask for it? How did you respond?

4. What’s the difference between faithfulness and success? Have each person reflect on their own, then share with the group, or brainstorm and build these lists together.

5. What do these passages teach you about faithfulness?
a. Proverbs 20:6-7
b. Luke 16:10-12
c. 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5

6. Josiah’s grandfather Manasseh and father Amon were very evil kings (2 Kings 21:1-3; 20-22). What impact, good or bad, did your parents and grandparents have on your faith? Did they help you know God or not so much? Explain.

7. On a typical day, what preoccupies your mind the most?

8. Josiah served the nation at a unique time in Israel’s history. You also have been created at a unique time in history with unique passions, gifts and strengths (see Acts 17:24-27). What do you feel uniquely designed to do?

9. How can you use your gifts and talents for the good of others?

10. Josiah was a good king. He modeled faithfulness and a passion for God. In what ways is Jesus the perfect King? What does that mean for your life?

The Big Takeaway
Silence allows us to attend to and listen to God in quiet, freeing ourselves from the addiction to and distraction of noise. Spend a few minutes quietly allowing your heart and mind to settle. Trust that God is near and desires to meet you where you are. Ask Him what He wants you to know or do from this week’s study and discussion. Write down what you sense God is saying to you. Share this with the group and pray for each other.

Scripture Memory
One way to keep Jesus at the center of your life is by keeping the words of Scripture at the center of your heart. May you carry the life-shaping words of God in you at all times and in all places.

This week, commit to memory this verse about being faithful:

And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Romans 13:11 (NIV)

Why Jesus?
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200

App and the Daily Devotional
Spend time with God with the Daily Devotionals available on the App. You can also find Sunday Message resources and videos, leave prayer requests, give and more.

Additional Study Tools
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.