Get to Know Each Other
Where did you grow up, and what was one of your favorite things to do as a kid?

Connect
Share with each other either a recent struggle or victory.

Pray
Spend time praying for each other.

Read
2 Kings 22:3-7
[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. Josiah and the doorkeepers entrusted the workers with the money collected to repair the temple. What are signs that a person can be trusted?

2. The workers didn’t need to account for the money entrusted to them because they were honest (vs. 7). Why do you think the writer included that particular detail in the story?

3. What’s the relationship between trusting God and becoming trustworthy?

Insight: While God cannot be contained (1 Kings 8:27) and does not dwell in temples made with hands (Isaiah 66:1; Acts 17:24), the temple was, nonetheless, the place where people met most closely with God in prayer and worship. The temple was an earthly place for God’s people
to experience the divine. How beautiful it is, then, that believers are described as temples (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). We get to experience the presence of God continually!

4. For Josiah, repairing the temple revealed his desire to have God back at the center of his life and among God’s people. What does a community look like when God is not at the center?

5. What does it look like for a person to fully entrust themselves to God?

Insight: Trusting in God cultivates devotion to God. This truth is clearly expressed here:

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. Titus 3:4-8 (NIV)

6. How is trusting God related to wanting to do what is good?

7. Describe a time your trust in God was tested. How did you respond?

8. What do these passages teach you about trusting God?

9. What situation are you currently facing that you need to entrust to God?

Each day has a mini-life of its own—waking up, going about the day, slowing into the evening, then sleeping. May you find simple ways to trust Him each day, not worrying about yesterday or losing sleep thinking about tomorrow. And may this encourage you; Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).

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 trusting God:
I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8 (NASB)

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.