Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

1. All of creation points to an all-powerful Creator.

20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place— 4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? 5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.

2. The One who is a promise maker is a promise keeper.

6 The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. 7 He assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. 8 Let the whole world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of him. 9 For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command.

Reason is knowing God has made promises.

Faith is believing God will keep his promises.

Hope leads us to build our lives upon his promises.

3. Our hope must be a firsthand discovery, not a secondhand story.

Have each person share a high and low from this past week.

God is a promise maker and a promise keeper. The question is not will God keep his promises, but, will we build our lives upon them?

Has anyone ever asked you why you believe what you believe?

Choose one or two questions for your group to discuss as time allows.

- What would you say if someone asked you why you believe?

- What would make a believer stand out enough for someone to ask them why they are different?

- Read 2 Peter 1:3-4. What are some promises that every believers can build his or her life on?

- Why would it be helpful for you to share your firsthand discovery journey with others?

- On a scale of 1-10 what is your hope level at right now at the start of this series?

Spend 1-2 minutes in silence with these questions, then share your thoughts.

What is your Now Story that is, or will be, a firsthand discovery? Who will you share your journey with?

Close together in prayer.