Get to Know Each Other
What three words describe you best?

Connect
What’s something that brought you joy the past couple weeks?

Pray
Spend time praying for each other.

Read
2 Kings 22:1-2; 2 Chronicles 34:3
[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.

Insight: In Hebrew, Jedidah means beloved of the Lord and Adaiah means God has adorned Himself (vs. 1). What beautiful names! Their influence must have had a positive spiritual impact on Josiah at an early age.

1. Who (past or present) has helped you grow closer to God? Describe what that person was like and what they did that was so helpful.

2. Who has God put along your path that you could come alongside in a similar way?

3. What would society (our community) look like in 10 years if we neglect to help others grow closer to God?

Insight: The writer names David as Josiah’s father (vs. 2), but according to the previous chapter (and also 1 Chronicles 3:14; 2 Chronicles 33:25; Jeremiah 1:2; 25:3; Zephaniah 1:1; and Matthew 1:10), it’s clear Amon was Josiah’s father. The writer of Kings was likely referring to David more as a forefather to further support Josiah’s faithfulness to God. In other words, Josiah had a heart for God, just like David.

4. Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the LORD (vs. 2). God stirs our hearts for Him in various ways. When have you felt a rising sense of urgency, deeper joy, renewed passion, or fresh insight in response to any of the following: a book, article, activity, ministry, conversation, film, music or piece of art?

5. How did you sense God drawing you close to Him during that experience?

6. Which of these best describes your heart these days? Why?

burnt out, exhausted, anxious, excited, strong, peaceful, defeated, joyful, inspired, weary, other?

7. 2 Chronicles 34:3 says that Josiah began seeking God at a young age. How did this affect him? How has a time of seeking God affected you?

8. What do these passages teach you about seeking God?
a. Psalm 9:7-10
b. Psalm 27:1-6
c. Isaiah 55:6-9
d. John 7:37-38

9. Describe a time you had a deep desire to know God.

10. Jesus declared that He is one with the Father. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can now experience the same union/intimacy/closeness with the Father (see John 10:27-30; 17:20-21). What practice can you build into the rhythm of your week that will help you grow closer to God?

The Big Takeaway
Silence allows us to attend to and listen to God, 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 seeking God:

Now seek the Lord your God wholeheartedly and with your entire being! 1 Chronicles 22:19a (NET)

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 today.

• 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 Israel, 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, not one of them was considered 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

May this be the prayer of our hearts:
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law. Psalm 119:18 (NIV)

Why Jesus?
If you've never experienced God's forgiveness and grace, we'd love the opportunity to talk with you about 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.