Many of us have spent years teetering on the edge of a commitment to chase after Christ with all we’ve got, but have something holding us back.

KEY VERSES

2 Chronicles 34:1-15 (NASB)

1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned for thirty-one years in Jerusalem. 2 He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his father David and did not turn aside to the right or the left. 3 For in the eighth year of his reign while he was still a youth, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, the carved images, and the cast metal images. 4 They tore down the altars of the Baals in his presence, and he chopped down the incense altars that were high above them; also he broke in pieces the Asherim, the carved images, and the cast metal images, and ground them to powder, and scattered it on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. 5 Then he burned the bones of the priests on their altars and purged Judah and Jerusalem. 6 In the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, and as far as Naphtali, in their surrounding spaces, 7 he also tore down the altars and crushed the Asherim and the carved images into powder, and chopped down all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem. 14 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, Maaseiah an official of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the secretary, to repair the house of the Lord his God. 15 When they were bringing out the money which had been brought into the house of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord given by Moses. 15 Hilkiah responded and said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan.

2 Chronicles 34:19-21 (NASB)

19 When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes. 20 Then the king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Abdon the son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying, 21 “Go, inquire of the Lord for me and for those who are left in Israel and Judah, concerning the words of the book which has been found; for the wrath of the Lord which has poured out on us is great, because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord, to act in accordance with everything that is written in this book.”

2 Chronicles 34:31-33 (NASB)

31 Then the king stood in his place and made a covenant before the Lord to walk after the Lord, and to keep His commandments, His testimonies, and His statutes with all his heart and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that are written in this book. 32 Furthermore, he made all who were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin stand with him. So the inhabitants of Jerusalem acted in accordance with the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. 33 Josiah removed all the abominations from all the lands belonging to the sons of Israel, and made all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God. Throughout his lifetime they did not turn from following the Lord God of their fathers.

UNDERSTANDING

• Outside of our current teaching series, what are some specific ways you are participating (or could be participating) in Lent this year?

• Whether this is your first time to participate in Lent or you’ve participated in Lent before, how would you describe the experience so far?

• Pastor Ben said that Lent is all about examining our hearts. What is something you’ve discovered in this process?

• What are some things that hold many well-meaning believers back from going all in with God?

• Based on these verses, how would you characterize Josiah’s relationship with the Lord? Do you think he was simply an overly serious guy, or was something else going on here?

• What are some things that lay claim to God’s throne in your heart and mind that don’t belong there?

• Why do you think many in the church today are far less serious about dealing with sin in their lives than what we read in 2 Chronicles 34?

• Where do you see evidence of this truth in 2 Chronicles 34:8,14-15?

• Read also verses 16-18. What actions in this passage point to the importance of what was included in the book? Why do you think Hilkiah the priest and Shaphan the secretary acted with urgency?

• How would you rate your level of urgency to tell others about God’s Word?

• What did Josiah’s response reveal about the nature of God’s Word?
  • How should we respond when we realize we have broken God’s law?
  • How has God used other believers to help you understand your need for repentance?

• What did Josiah’s actions reveal about His view of God? Of God’s Word?

• Why do you think it was important for Josiah to make his covenant in public? How did Josiah’s public commitment lead to others following him?

• How did Josiah’s commitment reflect Jesus’ explanation of the greatest commandments in Matthew 22:35-40? How does Christ help a believer carry out that same commitment?

APPLICATION

• The following points of application were made in this week’s message: A life that seeks after God is a life that destroys its idols, develops an appetite for God’s things, discovers God’s will in God’s Word, and draws others to God also. Which of these points stands out to you most? Explain.

• Based on these truths from Josiah’s life, are you seeking after God? Where do you need to make changes? How can this group help you in that?

WANT TO DIVE DEEPER?

Joining a group is a great way to know people and strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ. Take a look at available groups to get plugged in to and find the group that is right for you. 

GIVING

Everything that happens at LCC is because of your generous gifts. When you give to God through LCC, you're helping reach thousands with the Gospel each week and are making a difference for the Lowcountry and around the world.