Family Under Fire SMALL GROUP STUDY GUIDE

This is a Study Guide for the series Family Under Fire: These sermons originated from the pulpit of West End Baptist Church in Social Circle Ga, Pastor Craig Hudgins.

Small Group Guide: Holding the Line at Home
Based on Joshua 24:15 - "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"

Opening Prayer
Begin your group time by asking God to give wisdom, conviction, and courage as you discuss what it means to hold the line for your families in today's world.

Share one family tradition or value from your childhood that has stuck with you into adulthood. Why was it meaningful?

Key Scripture
Joshua 24:15 - "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Sermon Summary
The message emphasized that families today are under unprecedented attack—not always through obvious wickedness, but through busyness, distraction, and cultural pressure. Joshua's declaration came at a crossroads moment, and we too must make clear decisions about who our families will serve. The pressure we face demands a decision, reveals what we truly serve, and requires someone to hold the line.

Discussion Questions
Section 1: The Pressure Demands a Decision

1. The sermon stated, "The road is full of dead squirrels who could not make a decision." What does this mean in the context of family leadership? What happens when we refuse to make clear decisions about our family's spiritual direction?
2. What are some of the "good things" that Satan uses to fill our calendars and distract us from God and family? How have you experienced this in your own life?
3. The pastor said, "It can't be both" when referring to serving God and serving ourselves. Why is it impossible to truly serve both? What does compromise look like in family spiritual leadership?

Section 2: The Pressure Reveals Who We Are Serving

1. Joshua could have said "what you will serve" but instead said "whom you will serve." Why is this distinction important? Who are the different "persons" we might be serving instead of God?
2. The sermon mentioned that pressure reveals our priorities and weaknesses. Can you share a time when difficulty revealed something about your spiritual life—either positive or negative?
3. Discuss this statement: "Don't you let what happens in a moment become your identity." How can we prevent temporary crises from permanently changing our commitment to God?

Section 3: The Pressure Requires Someone to Hold the Line

1. What does it mean practically to "hold the line" in your home? What specific lines need to be drawn in today's culture?
2. The pastor listed several things that "still matter": where we go, what we wear, what we participate in, our language, our habits, and our faithfulness. Which of these do you find most challenging to maintain in your family? Why?
3. Joshua was giving his farewell speech, knowing leadership would soon change. What message do you want to leave with your children or family members about serving God? Have you communicated this clearly?

Key Takeaways

1. Families are under attack through busyness, not just badness. Satan doesn't always tempt us with obvious sin; he fills our lives with good activities that crowd out God.
2. Pressure reveals what's really inside us. Hard times show who we truly serve and what our real priorities are.
3. Someone must hold the line. Every family needs a Joshua who will declare, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
4. Living for God as a family still matters. Faithfulness, church attendance, godly examples, and spiritual priorities are not outdated—they're essential.
5. Forgiveness and humility strengthen families. Being willing to apologize and ask forgiveness models Christ and builds respect.

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge
Choose ONE of the following to implement this week:
Option 1: Family Prayer Time

• Establish a daily prayer time with your family (mealtime, bedtime, or morning)
• Pray specifically for each family member by name
• Make God visible in everyday moments

Option 2: Draw a Line

• Identify one area where your family schedule or activities have compromised your spiritual priorities
• Have a family conversation about making a change
• Communicate clearly: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"

Option 3: Prioritize Church

• Evaluate your family's church attendance and involvement
• Commit to consistent attendance for the next month
• Find one way to serve together as a family in your church

Option 4: Have "The Conversation"

• If you have children old enough to understand, have a conversation about their relationship with God
• Ask: "Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior?"
• Share your own testimony and your desire to see them in heaven

Option 5: Practice Forgiveness

• If you've made mistakes as a parent or family member, apologize this week
• Model humility and the need for forgiveness
• Reset the tone in your home

Personal Reflection Questions
(For individual journaling or silent reflection)

1. What would my family say is most important to me based on how I spend my time?
2. Am I confident in my children's/family members' relationship with God? What evidence do I see?
3. What line do I need to draw this week to protect my family's spiritual health?
4. Where have I been passive when I should have been decisive about my family's spiritual direction?
5. What will my children remember most about my faith when I'm gone?

Scripture for Further Study

• Deuteronomy 6:6-9 - Teaching children diligently
• Proverbs 22:6 - Training up a child
• Ephesians 6:4 - Fathers bringing up children in the Lord
• Psalm 78:1-8 - Telling the next generation
• 2 Timothy 1:5 - Sincere faith passed down through generations

Closing Prayer Points
Pray together for:

• Wisdom to make clear decisions about your family's spiritual direction
• Courage to hold the line even when it's unpopular
• Protection over your families from the enemy's attacks
• Salvation for family members who don't know Christ
• Strength to prioritize God when life gets busy
• Grace to forgive and be forgiven within your families

Before Next Week

• Share with the group one specific way you held the line this week
• Be prepared to discuss challenges you faced in implementing your chosen application
• Pray daily for the families in your small group

Remember: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" is both a declaration and a decision. It requires intentionality, courage, and daily commitment. You cannot control everything, but you can control your own faithfulness and example.

Small Group Guide: The Burden for the Home
Family Under Fire Series - Week 2


Sermon Review
Main Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:27 - "For this child I prayed, and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of Him."
Key Points:

1. Hannah's burden was her responsibility
2. Her burden caused her to pray
3. Her burden became her mission
4. Her burden produced a prophet

Discussion Questions
Section 1: Personal Responsibility
Read 1 Samuel 1:10-11

1. Hannah's burden for a child was deeply personal. How does having a personal burden for our children differ from simply going through the motions of parenting?
2. The pastor said, "Let's stop sacrificing their tomorrows on the altar of today." What does this statement mean to you? Can you think of examples where parents might do this?
3. Why do you think parents sometimes try to outsource their spiritual responsibility to teachers, schools, or other organizations? What are the dangers of this approach?

Section 2: The Power of Prayer
Read 1 Samuel 1:12-16

1. Hannah prayed so intensely that Eli thought she was drunk. When was the last time you prayed with that kind of desperation for your children or family members?
2. The sermon listed several reasons to pray for children in 2026 (sex trafficking, pornography, mental health, etc.). Which of these concerns you most? How can prayer make a difference?
3. "God can be where we are not." How does this truth encourage you as a parent or family member?

Section 3: Mission and Purpose
Read 1 Samuel 1:27-28

1. Hannah gave her answered prayer back to God. What does it look like practically to "lend" our children to the Lord?
2. The pastor said we worry more about what others think of our kids than what God wants to do with them. Have you experienced this tension? How can we shift our focus?
3. How can we balance encouraging our children's talents and interests while also prioritizing their spiritual development?

Section 4: Producing the Next Generation
Read 1 Samuel 3:20

1. Hannah's private burden blessed Israel publicly through Samuel. How does this challenge our view of parenting as just a private family matter?
2. What legacy are you creating for the next generation? If you're a first-generation Christian, what unique responsibility do you carry?
3. For those without children: How can you carry a burden for the next generation in your church or community?

Key Takeaways
Have group members share which of these truths resonated most with them:

• Families need time together - Being in church is important, but so is quality family time
• The burden must be personal - We are responsible for raising our children in the Lord
• Prayer changes things - Consistent, desperate prayer for our families matters
• God has a plan - Our children have potential for God's kingdom work
• Legacy matters - What we do privately affects the next generation publicly

Practical Applications 
This Week's Challenge:
Choose at least two of the following to implement this week:
For Parents:

• [ ] Schedule 30 minutes of uninterrupted family time (no phones, no TV)
• [ ] Write out a specific prayer for each of your children and pray it daily
• [ ] Have a conversation with your child about their relationship with God
• [ ] Identify one area where you've been trying to "fix" your child instead of praying for them

For Everyone:

• [ ] Pray daily for the children/youth in your church by name
• [ ] Thank your mother (or mother figure) for specific spiritual investments she made
• [ ] Examine your own walk with Christ - "You can never lead where you've never been"
• [ ] Identify one young person you can mentor or encourage this week

Accountability Question: Who in this group can you share your commitment with and ask to check in with you next week?

Prayer Time
Prayer Focus:

1. Thanksgiving - Thank God for godly mothers and their influence
2. Confession - Confess areas where we've neglected our spiritual responsibility to family
3. Intercession - Pray specifically for:
4. 
   
   • Salvation of unsaved family members
   • Protection over children and grandchildren
   • Parents to carry a greater burden for their families
   • First-generation Christians to establish godly legacies
   • The next generation of spiritual leaders
5. Commitment - Pray for strength to follow through on this week's practical applications

Closing Thought
"The answer to Hannah's prayer and the focus of her burden became the man that the nation needed."
Question to ponder: What if your faithful prayers and burden for your family produced exactly what this generation needs?

For Next Week

• Continue praying for your family daily
• Be prepared to share one way you saw God work through your burden this week
• Read Joshua 24 in preparation for next week's discussion

Small Group Guide: Words in the Home
Family Under Fire Series - Week 3

Share a time when someone's encouraging words made a significant positive impact on your day or life. How did it make you feel?

Key Scripture
Proverbs 18:21 - "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
Supporting Scriptures:

• James 3:3-8
• James 1:19
• Ephesians 4:29
• Colossians 4:6

Sermon Summary
Pastor Hudgens addressed how our words have the power to either build up or tear down our families. The sermon emphasized that while families face external attacks, often the most damaging fire comes from within—through the words we speak to one another. Our tongue carries the power of life and death, and what we say in our homes has lasting consequences that can either bring healing and stability or cause lasting damage.

Discussion Questions
Part 1: Words Will Build or Break Our Homes

1. The Power of the Tongue: Pastor Hudgens said, "I can speak life, you look great today. Or I can speak death, you're wearing that." What are some everyday examples of speaking life versus speaking death in your home?
2. Church, School, and Work: How can the principle of speaking life apply beyond our homes—in our churches, schools, and workplaces? Share an example of where you've seen this principle at work.
3. Self-Reflection: On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the "life-giving" quality of your words at home this past week? What influenced your rating?

Part 2: Words Can Do Lasting Damage

1. Swift to Hear, Slow to Speak: James 1:19 tells us to be "swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." Why do we often get this order backwards? What practical steps can help us listen more and react less?
2. Shame Never Brings Change: Pastor Hudgens shared James Dobson's statement: "Shame never brings change." Discuss a time when criticism or embarrassment failed to produce positive change. What approach might have worked better?
3. The Coaching Example: Reflect on the story about the father yelling at his son during the baseball game. Have you witnessed similar situations? How can we correct or coach our children without causing lasting damage?
4. Generational Impact: How do hurtful words spoken in one generation affect the next? Have you seen this pattern in your own family or others?

Part 3: Godly Words Give Healing and Stability

1. Pleasant Words: Proverbs 16:24 says, "Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones." What are some specific "pleasant words" your family members need to hear from you?
2. Coming Home: Pastor Hudgens talked about spouses needing healing words after difficult days at work. How can you create an atmosphere of healing and encouragement when family members come home?
3. The Blue-Eyed Experiment: What did Jane Elliott's 1968 classroom experiment teach us about the power of our words? How does this apply to how we speak to our children?
4. Grace-Seasoned Speech: Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt." What does it mean to have grace-seasoned speech in practical, daily situations?

Key Takeaways

1. Our words carry the power of life and death - Every conversation is an opportunity to build up or tear down.
2. We eat the fruit of what we speak - Whether we speak life or death, we will experience the consequences in our relationships and homes.
3. Lasting damage comes from careless words - Hurtful words spoken in a moment can impact someone for years.
4. What we tell our family is what they will believe - Our words shape our children's self-image and future.
5. Christ in the heart changes words in the mouth - Transformation begins with a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge: Choose ONE of the following to practice this week:
Option 1: The 5:1 Ratio For every one corrective or critical statement you need to make at home, commit to giving five encouraging or affirming statements first. Keep track and share your experience with the group next week.
Option 2: The Evening Blessing Each evening before bed, speak a specific blessing or encouragement over each family member. Make it personal and meaningful.
Option 3: The Apology Project If the Holy Spirit brought to mind hurtful words you've spoken (like Pastor Hudgens' "maternity shirt" comment), make it right this week. Apologize specifically and ask for forgiveness.
Option 4: The Word Fast Identify one negative phrase or type of comment you frequently make ("I'm so stupid," "You never listen," "Here we go again," etc.) and fast from saying it for one week. Replace it with a life-giving alternative.
Option 5: The Encouragement Note Write a heartfelt note to each family member expressing what you appreciate about them and the positive qualities you see in them. Be specific.

Personal Reflection Questions
(Take 5-10 minutes for individual reflection before sharing)

1. What specific words or phrases do I need to stop saying in my home?
2. Who in my family needs to hear words of life from me most right now?
3. What hurtful words from my past do I need to forgive and release?
4. How would my home be different if I spoke life consistently for the next 30 days?
5. Is Christ truly in my heart, affecting what comes out of my mouth?

Prayer Focus
Group Prayer Time:

• Pray for forgiveness for words that have caused damage
• Pray for wisdom to speak life-giving words
• Pray for healing in relationships damaged by hurtful speech
• Pray for Christ to transform hearts, which will transform mouths
• Pray for specific family members who need encouragement
• Pray for strength to hold the line in your home and speak according to godly standards

For Next Week
Preparation:

• Continue the "Family Under Fire" series
• Practice your chosen application challenge daily
• Journal about your experiences with speaking life
• Memorize Proverbs 18:21

Accountability Partner: Share your phone number with one person in the group and commit to checking in mid-week about your practical application challenge.

Closing Thought
"If Christ is not in your home, if Christ is not in your heart, He won't be in your mouth. What comes out of the mouth? The Bible says, out of the mouth the heart speaketh. What's in our heart is what comes out of our mouth."
Final Question: What is one specific change you will make this week in the words you speak at home?

Additional Resources

• Recommended Reading: "The Power of a Praying Parent" by Stormie Omartian
• Scripture Memory Cards: Create cards with the key verses from this lesson to review daily

Remember: The goal is not perfection but progress. Be patient with yourself and your family members as you all grow in speaking life-giving words.
Small Group Guide: The Value of the Home
Family Under Fire Series - Week 4

What's your favorite memory of spending time together as a family growing up? What made it special?

Key Scripture References

• Genesis 2:18-25
• Deuteronomy 6:6-7
• Ephesians 5:22-25
• Ephesians 6:1-4

Main Takeaways
1. The Home Was Created for Companionship
God said, "It is not good that man should be alone" (Genesis 2:18). We were designed for relationship and connection within our homes.
2. The Home Is for Spiritual Growth
The home should be the child's first classroom for learning about God, prayer, worship, forgiveness, and character.
3. The Home Should Be a Picture of Christ
The family unit reflects Christ's relationship with the church - husbands model Christ's sacrificial love, wives complement and complete, children honor and obey.

Discussion Questions
Section 1: Companionship in the Home

1. The sermon mentioned we live in a "microwavable, disposable society." How have you seen this mindset affect modern families?
2. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the quality of companionship in your home? What contributes to that rating?
3. The pastor said, "We're so busy, we don't ever see each other." What activities or commitments are crowding out family time in your household?
4. Practical Challenge: What is one specific way you could increase meaningful companionship in your home this week? (Examples: family dinner, date night, bedtime conversations)

Section 2: Spiritual Growth at Home

1. The sermon stated, "Sunday school teachers are not your replacement—they're just an echo of what you're already doing at home." How does this statement challenge or encourage you?
2. What spiritual practices (prayer, Bible reading, worship, etc.) are currently happening in your home? What would you like to add?
3. For parents: What are some barriers that keep you from leading spiritual growth in your home? How can this group help you overcome them?
4. For singles/those without children: How can you invest spiritually in the next generation (nieces, nephews, church kids, etc.)?

Section 3: The Home as a Picture of Christ

1. Read Ephesians 5:22-25. How does viewing marriage as a picture of Christ and the church change the way we approach our roles?
2. For husbands: The sermon emphasized sacrificial love like Christ showed the church. What does that look like practically in your home?
3. For wives: The concept of "completing" your husband was discussed. How is this different from simply submitting to his ideas?
4. For children/teens: What makes it easier or harder to honor and obey your parents? How can parents create an environment where respect flows naturally?

Personal Reflection
Take a few moments of silence for each person to reflect:

• What is one area where my home life doesn't match God's design?
• What is one specific change I need to make this week?
• Who can I ask for wisdom or accountability in strengthening my home?

Practical Applications
This Week's Action Steps:
Choose at least ONE to implement:

1. Schedule a family meal where everyone sits together without devices and has real conversation. Parents: prepare 3-5 questions to ask your kids.
2. Start a family devotion time - even 5-10 minutes of reading Scripture and praying together. (Resources: One Year Family Devotions, Jesus Calling for Families)
3. Husbands: Plan a date night with your wife. Ask her questions about her day, her dreams, her concerns.
4. Wives: Affirm your husband this week for one way he's leading the family spiritually or sacrificing for the family.
5. Parents: Have a one-on-one conversation with each child about their spiritual life, friends, and struggles.
6. Singles: Reach out to an older couple in the church and ask them for wisdom about building a godly home.
7. Evaluate your schedule - What one activity could you eliminate or reduce to create more family time?
8. Children/Teens: Do something this week to honor your parents without being asked (chores, kind words, time together).

Accountability Questions
Share with one other person in your group:

1. What is one specific commitment you're making this week?
2. How can this group pray for your family?
3. Can I check in with you next week about how it went?

Closing Discussion
The sermon mentioned that families who prioritize spiritual growth and companionship sometimes "look like they've got the plague" because it's so countercultural.

• Have you ever felt judged for prioritizing family time over activities?
• How can we encourage each other to swim against the cultural current?
• What would it look like for our church families to model biblical homes to our community?

Prayer Time
Break into smaller groups (2-4 people) and pray specifically for:

• Marriages in the group - for unity, sacrificial love, and companionship
• Parents - for wisdom, patience, and spiritual leadership
• Children - for hearts that honor parents and hunger for God
• Singles - for godly preparation for future families or contentment in singleness
• Struggling families - for healing, restoration, and breakthrough
• Protection - that Satan's attacks on families would be defeated

For Next Week

• Review the entire "Family Under Fire" series
• Consider what changes God has called you to make
• Be prepared to share one testimony of how God has worked in your family this month

Additional Resources

• Books: "The Meaning of Marriage" by Tim Keller, "Sacred Marriage" by Gary Thomas
• For Parents: "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripp
• Marriage: Consider attending a marriage conference or retreat
• Counseling: If your family is in crisis, reach out to church leadership about Christian counseling resources

Leader Notes

• Be sensitive that some in your group may come from broken homes or difficult family situations
• Emphasize God's grace and the possibility of breaking negative cycles
• Encourage those without traditional families that these principles apply to their spheres of influence
• Create a safe space where people can be honest about struggles without judgment
• Follow up during the week with anyone who shared something vulnerable

Family Under Fire: Taking Your Family Home
Small Group Guide

Question: Share a favorite family memory from your childhood. What made it special?

Sermon Overview
This final message in the "Family Under Fire" series focuses on the ultimate goal: ensuring our entire family makes it safely to our heavenly home. Using Noah's story from Genesis 7:1, we're reminded that building spiritual protection for our families requires intentionality, urgency, and obedience to God's Word.

Key Takeaways

1. Noah saw the danger before others did - We must be spiritually alert to threats our families cannot yet see
2. Noah built an ark with his family in mind - Everything we do should have our family's salvation as the goal
3. Noah prepared the ark before the judgment came - We cannot wait until crisis hits to build spiritual foundations
4. God wants your family to come to His home - Heaven is the ultimate destination we're preparing for
5. The door will not stay open forever - There is urgency in making sure our families know Christ

Discussion Questions
Section 1: Seeing the Danger
Read Genesis 6:5

1. What are some spiritual dangers facing families today that many people don't recognize or take seriously?
2. The pastor mentioned that Noah "saw what God saw." How can we develop spiritual discernment to see what threatens our families?
3. Have you ever been concerned about something your children couldn't see coming? How did you handle it?

Section 2: Building With Purpose
Read Hebrews 11:7

1. Noah built the ark "to the saving of his house." What does it look like practically to build spiritual protection for your family today?
2. People thought Noah was extreme and crazy. Have you ever felt judged for your commitment to raising your family in God's ways? How did you respond?
3. The pastor said, "With every nail he drove, he said 'it's for my family.'" What daily actions can you take with that same intentionality?

Section 3: The Urgency of Now
Read Genesis 6:22

1. The pastor challenged us not to wait until crisis comes to build spiritual foundations. What are some ways we "squander time" with our families spiritually?
2. He mentioned the difference between being with grandchildren versus children - having more perspective on what matters. What would you do differently if you could go back to when your children were young? (Or what are you learning now while they're still home?)
3. "Don't wait until addiction and trouble fall on their lives like rain before we start to build." How does this statement challenge you?

Section 4: Heaven is the Goal
Read John 14:1-3

1. How does keeping an eternal perspective change the way we make decisions for our families?
2. The pastor asked: "Is your family ready for heaven?" How would you honestly answer that question about each member of your household?
3. What barriers keep us from talking about heaven and salvation with our families?

Section 5: The Closing Door
Read Genesis 7:16

1. "God shut the door" - what does this teach us about the finality of choices regarding salvation?
2. The pastor said some families are "waiting, hoping, wishing" instead of "obeying." What's the difference in how this plays out practically?

Personal Reflection (5 minutes)
Take a moment of silent reflection:

• Am I personally ready for heaven?
• Is each member of my family ready?
• What is one specific action I need to take this week?

Practical Applications
This Week:
Choose at least TWO of the following to implement:

1. Have a salvation conversation - Talk with each family member individually about where they stand with Christ. Don't assume.
2. Create a family altar time - Establish a regular time (even 10 minutes) for family Bible reading and prayer.
3. Eliminate one distraction - Remove one thing that's stealing time from spiritual investment in your family (excessive TV, phone time, activity, etc.).
4. Write a letter - Write each family member a letter expressing your desire to see them in heaven and what Christ means to you.
5. Attend together - Commit to not missing church services as a family. Make it the priority.
6. Pray specifically - Create a prayer list with each family member's name and specific spiritual needs. Pray daily.
7. Share your testimony - Tell your children or grandchildren your salvation story this week.

This Month:

• Schedule a family meeting to discuss spiritual goals for your household
• Start a family devotional plan
• Identify one family tradition you can start that points to Christ
• Reach out to extended family members who may not know Christ

Accountability Questions
For next week's meeting:

1. Did you complete the actions you committed to?
2. What conversations did you have with family members about their salvation?
3. What obstacles did you encounter?
4. How can this group pray for your family specifically?

Closing Prayer Prompts
Pray together for:

• Salvation for any unsaved family members (by name)
• Wisdom to see spiritual dangers before they arrive
• Courage to build "an ark" even when others think we're extreme
• Urgency to act now, not waiting for crisis
• Open doors for gospel conversations with our families
• Protection over our children and grandchildren
• Boldness to prioritize heaven over earthly comfort

Memory Verse
Genesis 7:1 - "And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark."

Additional Resources

• Consider reading together: "The Family Shepherd" by Voddie Baucham or "Parenting" by Paul David Tripp
• Discuss implementing a family worship plan
• Share resources for age-appropriate family devotionals

Leader Notes

• Be sensitive to those who have unsaved family members - this can be painful
• Create space for emotional responses - this topic touches deep places
• Emphasize grace alongside urgency - we cannot save our families, but we can faithfully point them to Christ
• Be prepared to pray with individuals after the meeting
• Have resources available for those who want to know more about assurance of salvation

"The ultimate goal is to take our family home. What's more important than that?"