Skip to main content
Alice Drive Baptist Church Podcast

Alice Drive Baptist Church Podcast

By Alice Drive

A weekly sermon by Dr. W. Clay Smith
Available on
Google Podcasts Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

The Path to Freedom: Together

Alice Drive Baptist Church PodcastJun 22, 2021

00:00
31:15
March 24 Unseen: Triumph

March 24 Unseen: Triumph

·      Colossians 2:13-15 - 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

·       3 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh… 

·       …God made you alive with Christ.

·       He forgave us all our sins…

·       …having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness…

·       …which stood against us and condemned us…

·       John 3:17 – For God did not send his son into world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 

·       He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 

·       15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities…

·       …he made a public spectacle of them…

·       …triumphing over them by the cross.

·       Which side will you choose?

Group Discussion Questions

Starter Question: Have you ever felt like you were forced to choose sides?  What was that like for you?

Go Deeper:

1.    Genesis 3:1-7

2.    How would you describe Satan’s tactics based on this passage?

3.    Read Matthew 4:1-11

4.    This passage points to a direct attack by Satan.  What do you learn about Satan’s temptations based on this passage?

5.    Read Romans 8:3-6

6.    According to this passage, why does the old law with its rules and regulations fail?  What is required for a truly changed life?

7.    Read Colossians 2:13-15

8.    The death of Jesus on the cross paid our sin debt, wiped out the old covenant of law, and defeated Satan.  In your opinion, why could Satan not see what the death of Jesus would accomplish?


Mar 26, 202434:26
March 17 Unseen: Demons

March 17 Unseen: Demons

·      Ephesians 6:12 - 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

·      A few people are possessed by demons.

·      Mark 5:2-5 - 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

·       Demons enter a person by invitation

·       A demon is a parasite

·      Demons are painful

·      Demons have influence. 

·      1 Timothy 4:1 - The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.  

·     How often do demons influence you?

·      Mental illness is not demon possession. 

·      Like Satan, demons tempt and deceive people. 

·      Demons can inflict disease. 

·      Mark 9:17-18 - 17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” 

·       Demons respond to commands from Jesus. 

·      Mark 8:25-27 - 25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”  26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up

·       It takes faith to deal with demons. 

·      Mark 9:29 – He said to them, “This kind can come out only through prayer.” 

·      Demons are not afraid to come to worship. 

·       Mark 1:23-26 -  23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

·       Resist and submit. 

·      James 4:7 - 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 

·       Submission + Resistance = Demons fleeing. 

·      Recognize the demonic. 

·      What pulls me away from God? 

·      Look for the off-ramp. 

·      1 Corinthians 10:13 - 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

·       Remember who is in you. 

·       1 John 4:4 - 4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.   


Starter Question: Think about the most evil person you have ever encountered personally.  Do you think they were influenced by a demon?  In what way?   

Go Deeper:

1.    Read Mark 5:2-9.

2.    Put yourself in this story.  What is your reaction to the man of the tombs?

3.    What characteristics might alert you that a person is demon possessed.

4.    Read 1 Timothy 4:1.

5.    Have you known someone who used to follow Jesus and no longer does?  Can you identify how a demon might have deceived them or misled them?

6.    Read 1 Corinthians 10:13

7.    How might this passage help you deal with demonic influence?

8.    What would help you better see God’s way out of temptation so you are less influence by demons?

Mar 18, 202437:20
March 10 Unseen: Satan

March 10 Unseen: Satan

·      Ephesians 6:12- 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms

·    When you hear who Satan is and what he wants, remember God is the opposite and what he wants for you is the opposite of what Satan wants.

·      Satan is God’s enemy. 

·       1 Thessalonians 2:18 - 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 

·       Satan is the accuser.

·      Satan is ruler of his own Kingdom of flies.

·      Mark 3:22 - 22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”

·      Satan is the Deceiver. 

·      Revelation 12:9 - 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray

·      Satan is the tempter. 

·      Do you love God more than what tempts you? 

·      Matthew 4:1 - Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

·      Satan is shrewd. 

·      Genesis 3:1 -  Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 

·      Dallas Willard – “When Satan went after Eve, he did not hit her with a stick; he hit her with an idea.” 

·      Satan is a murderer. 

·      John 8:44 -  44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 

·       If this is Satan’s character, why would you trust him? 

·       Satan is selfish and if selfishness rules our lives, we are living in his kingdom, not God’s.

·       Satan is not all-powerful.

·       Satan is not able to present in more than one place at a time. 

·      Satan is not all-knowing.

·      First, submit and resist.

·      James 4:7 - 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 

·      Second, go against the flow. 

·       Matthew 7:13-14 - 13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 

·       Third, Ask for help. 

·       2 Thessalonians 3:3 - 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 

·       Heavenly Father, Help me see Satan’s schemes.  Give me strength to resist his temptations.  Protect me from his evil.  I believe the power of Jesus is all the power I need.

Group Discussion Questions 

Starter Question: Do you know someone who doubts the existence of Satan?  Why do they doubt?   

Go Deeper:

1.         Satan means adversary.  The word “Devil” means “accuser.”  In what ways does the Bible show Satan to be God’s adversary?  In what ways does the Devil accuse us?

2.         Satan is not parallel to God.  He is not all-powerful, not all-knowing, and not able to be present everywhere at once.  How does this change your understanding of Satan?

3.         Read James 4:7. 

4.         In your opinion, what does it mean to submit to God?  In what ways can we resist the Devil?

5.         Read 2 Thessalonians 3:3.

6.         In your opinion, what are ways God strengthens us and protects us against Satan?

7.         Read Revelation 12: 7-12

8.         Scholars differ over when this great battle occurs.  Whenever it occurs, what does it say to you that the Michael and other angels defeat Satan? 

9.         Revelation 12:12 speaks of Satan’s great wrath.  In your opinion, what does that mean?

10.       Read Revelation 20:10.

11.       How should we live, knowing Satan’s ultimate fate?

Mar 11, 202434:54
March 3 Unseen: Angels

March 3 Unseen: Angels

·      Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

·      Ephesians 6:12 - 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

·       When people die, they do not become angels. 

·       Psalm 8:4-5 - 4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? 5 You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.

·       Angels sit on clouds and play harps.

·       Angels plead our case before God. 

·       Romans 8:26-27 - 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 

·       Angels are messengers of God. 

·       Luke 1:26-29 26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”  29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 

·       Angels praise God. 

·       Psalm 148:2 - 2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

·       Praise is privilege, not burden.

·       Angels execute judgment on the enemies of God. 

·       Acts 12:21-23   21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

·       Angels minister to believers. 

·       Hebrews 1:14 - 14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? 

·       PIX – John Paton

·       Angels accompany Jesus when he returns to reign. 

·       Revelation 19:14 - 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 

·       We need to see how God works in our world. 

·       Heavenly Father, was that just luck?  Or was that one of your angels?

Group Discussion Questions

 Starter Question: When you hear people talk about angels, what are they referring to? 

 Go Deeper:

1.    Read Ephesians 6:12.

2.    In your opinion, what are common ideas people have the unseen world?

3.    Read Luke 1:11-13

4.    Zechariah is afraid when he receives the message from the angel.  In your opinion, why?

5.    Read Revelation 15:1, 16:1.

6.    How do you feel about God’s wrath being poured out by angels?  Why might this be a positive thing?  Why might it be a negative thing?

7.    Read Hebrews 1:14 and Matthew 4:11

8.    How might angels minister to people in our time?

9.    If you had a greater awareness of angels, how would your understanding of God change?


Mar 04, 202438:28
February 25 Leaps: Courage

February 25 Leaps: Courage

·      What does it look like to have courage?

·     Courage is not JUST what you do, it’s who you trust

·      Who should you trust?

·      Daniel 3:10-18 10 You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. 11 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

·      His truths are going to cause you to live in a way that stands out in a sea of idol worship.

·      “You will never get in trouble for saying that Jesus is your personal savior.  But you will when you say that there is no other name… by which we must be saved and that he alone sets the rules…” - J.D. Greear

·      Courage is not JUST what you do, it’s who you trust

·      Do you fear God more than a furnace?

·      “True faith confesses the Lord and obeys Him, regardless of the consequences.” - Warren Weirsbe

·      17 …he will deliver us out of your hand

·      19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. 22 Because the king's order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” 25 He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”

·      “Those who suffer for Christ, have His presence in their sufferings, even in the fiery furnace, and in the valley of the shadow of death.” -Matthew Henry

·      Who should you trust?

·      1. Crowd – Follower

·      Do I truly love Jesus?

·      2. Nebuchadnezzar – Seeking Validation

·      God, show up in my life. Help me to trust you.

·      3. Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego – Courageously standing on truth

·      Am I going to trust God no matter the outcome?

·     Your trust in God leads you to courage

Feb 26, 202431:14
February 18 Leaps: Victory

February 18 Leaps: Victory

-     Every victory requires a leap of faith. 

-      38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. Saul was trying to help David by dressing him in his earthly, royal armor, thinking that would be the best way to prepare him for battle. But David was not at peace with Saul’s plan, instead he went without armor and took only 5-stones in a pouch and a sling to approach Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:38-40)

-       1.  Know the God we serve

-       What cheap substitutes are you prone to follow?

-       41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44“Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!” (1 Samuel 17:41-44)

-       2. Notice the enemy’s strategy

-       The enemy seeks to isolate.

-       The energy seeks to humiliate.

-       The enemy seeks to intimidate. 

-       What do you need to do to better recognize the enemy’s strategy?

-       45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:45-48)  

-      How did God prepare David? 

-Obscurity

-Monotony

-Reality         

- 3. Be clear about the real victory

-        We don’t define victory, God does!

- Victory is always defined by God’s presence.

- 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. (1 Samuel 17:48-51)

- David’s leap of faith was that he believed that with God he could defeat Goliath.

- What are you holding on to that prevents you from experiencing a life-changing victory in Him?

Group Discussion Guide  

Starter Question:

1) What is one possession that you value the most? What might cause you to let go of it?  

Read 1 Samuel 17:38-40

2) What is Saul’s strategy to help David?

3) How is David’s strategy different?

4) What cheap substitutes are you prone to follow?  

Read 1 Samuel 17:41-45

5) Goliath seeks to isolate, humiliate and intimate us. Which part of his strategy is most prevalent in your life?

Read 1 Samuel 17:46-51

6) According to this story, what defines victory?

7) How does this compare to your normal understanding of victory?

8) What are you holding onto that prevents you from experiencing life-changing victory in Christ?


Feb 20, 202434:56
February 11 Leaps: Save Me

February 11 Leaps: Save Me

·      They want to understand. 

·      They want to be understood. 

·      They want to be encouraged. 

·      They want to connect.

·      Churches are better at exclusion than inclusion. 

·      Andy Stanley – The reason people don’t go to church is because they’ve been.

·      Joshua 2.  Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.” 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.

·       Would you welcome Rahab to our church? 

·        People cannot break the power of sin until after they meet Jesus. 

·      8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof 9 and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.

·      … for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. 

·       How strong is your spiritual hunger? 

·      12 “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.”

·       The way to determine the right thing to do is to do the most loving thing. 

·      14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land.”

·      Joshua 6:25 - 25 But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho—and she lives among the Israelites to this day.

·      Matthew 1:5 – 6a - 5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of King David.

·      PIX - Graft

·       Hebrews 11:30-31 - 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.  31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

·       Churches are places of grace to help people take their next step.

·       Jesus celebrates what faith you have and invites you to take your next step. 

Group Discussion Questions

Starter:  Have you ever been a situation where you are helpless and someone helped you?  How did you feel before they helped you?  How did you feel after they helped you? 


Feb 12, 202437:59
February 4 Leaps: Who Me?

February 4 Leaps: Who Me?

·     Exodus 3:10-11 - 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

·      God wants us to experience his power flowing through us.

·      Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

·       What is your strategy for ignoring God? 

·       13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

·       14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.

·       Exodus 4:1-5 - Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?”

·       2 Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”

·       “A staff,” he replied.

·       3 The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.”

·       Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4 Then the Lord said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. 5 “This,” said the Lord, “is so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.”

·       Faith requires courage. 

·        Do you trust your fear or your faith? 

·       10 Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”

·       11 The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

·        Who God calls, God equips. 

·       13 But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”

·      14 Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. 17 But take this staff in your hand so you can perform the signs with it.”

·      God sees what you will miss if you don’t say “yes.” 

·      What have you missed because you didn’t say “yes?”

·       Exodus 4:20 - 20 So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey and started back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand. Group Discussion Questions

Starter:  Other than someone on church staff, can you think of anyone who has experienced the call of God?  How did they respond? 

1.    How does it make you feel to think about God calling you to do something for him?

2.    Read Exodus 3:1-14

3.    God is aware of the situation of his people.  What does this teach us about God?  Can you think of a situation in the world God is aware of right now?

4.    Moses’ first fear is that the Israelites will not believe him.  Have you ever felt afraid of talking about your faith with your own family? 

5.    God reveals his name to Moses: “I am who I am.”  What is the first thought that strikes you when you hear God’s name?  Can you imagine what would happen if God did not reveal his name to us and remained impersonal and detached?

6.    Read Exodus 4:1-5

7.    Moses is still worried that no one will believe that he has had an encounter with God.  Have you ever felt this way?  What has God given you that validates your story?

8.    Read Exodus 4:20

9.   The rod of Moses has become the rod of God.  What in your life does God wish to transform so you can do his will?

Feb 09, 202438:30
January 28 Leaps: In The Dark

January 28 Leaps: In The Dark

·     How do you have faith in a dark place? 

·       Genesis 37:25-28 - 25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.  26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed.  28 So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

·       How does my faith lead me to act in this situation? 

·       1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 

·       Genesis 39: 2-6 - 2 The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. 6 So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.

·       Faith is knowing God is with me even in the dark places. 

·       Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me…

·       Genesis 39:7-10 - 7 and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”  8 But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.

·       Faith means following God’s path when there is no good outcome. 

·       Put God’s way first. 

·       Genesis 39:20-23 - 20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.  But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

·      Faith means trusting God when the outcome of following Him is bad. 

·      Genesis 40:23 - 23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.

·      When you feel like God has forgotten you, you wonder if He cares.

·      Genesis 41:15-16 - 15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”  16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

·       God is at work in every dark place you are in. 

·       Genesis 41:45 - 45 Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah… 

·       Ask God to show you that He is with you in the dark places.

·       Hold on. 

·       When you emerge, give God credit. 

·      Ask Jesus to meet you in the dark place right now.


Jan 29, 202438:42
January 21 Leaps: Claim

January 21 Leaps: Claim

·     God’s promises require action

·       Genesis 11:31-32 -31 Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Harran, they settled there. 32 Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Harran.

·       Before you settle, ask if you are settling. 

·       God allows U-turns.

·       Genesis 12:1-3 -   The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

·       If you follow Jesus, God promises you your life will count. 

·       Ephesians 2:10 – For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

·       If you follow Jesus, God promises you a path for character/soul formation

·       Philippians 3:8 - 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.

·       If you follow Jesus, God promises you your life will have impact. 

·       Is your refusal to move keeping you from God’s promises? 

·       Never say never to God.

·       Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and the assurance of what we do not see. 

·       4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.

·      Claiming the promises of God requires you to move.

·       6 Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7 The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring[c] I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

8 From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. 9 Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev.

·      God has a promise for you

·      You must claim God’s promises

·      What promise do you need to claim?


Group Discussion Questions

Starter:  Have you ever left something or someone behind to claim a better future?  What was that like for you? 

1.    Read Genesis 11: 27-32

2.    Why do you think Terah didn’t finish the journey?  What emotions might have stopped him?

3.    Read Genesis 12:1-3

4.    God’s great promise to Abraham sets in motion the rest of the Bible.  What do you think Abraham felt when he first God’s promises? How do you imagine his conversations with Sarai and Terah went?

5.    Which of these promises to Abraham do you think also might be a promise to you?  Why?

6.    Read Genesis 12:4-5.

7.     Is there a journey of faith you need to start today?  Would you mind sharing it?

8.    Read Genesis 12:6-9

9.    Abraham claims the promise of God by walking the land.  What do you need to do today to claim the promises of God?

Jan 23, 202431:37
January 14 Leaps: Never Before

January 14 Leaps: Never Before

·       PIX: Leap of Faith. 

·       Faith is making a good decision to take action.

·       The Situation. 

·       Genesis 6:5-7 - 5 The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6 The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” 

·      Sin is a cancer that destroys the soul

·       God is sad when his creation has a cancer that spreads

·       Faith means standing apart. 

·       8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.  9 This is the account of Noah and his family.  Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. 10 Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.

·       Faith means you listen to God. 

·       13 So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. 14 So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out… 17 I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. 18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you. 19 You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. 

·       Are you willing to listen to God? 

·       God’s sadness precedes his judgment. 

·       Faith means obedience. 

·       22 Noah did everything just as God commanded him

·       PIX of leap

·       Faith means counting on God

·       Genesis 7: 16 - 16 The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in. 

·       Genesis 8:1 - But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded

·       God is doing what only God can do. 

·       Hebrews 11:1 -  Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

·       God, I can’t.  You can. I will let you. 


Group Discussion Questions

Starter:  When someone mentions Noah, where does your mind go first? 

1.    Read Genesis 6:5-22

2.    What do we learn about God from this passage?  Does this change the way you think about God?

3.    Noah is described as a righteous man, blameless in his generation.  Do you know anyone like that?  What makes you say they are righteous/blameless?

4.    Think about all the things Noah is experiencing he never experienced before: Hearing God speak to him, being told to build a boat (note: this is the first time anyone is told to build a boat!), gather animals, be ready for a flood that had never happened before.  What feelings do you think Noah experienced?  What kind of faith is required to do what God commanded him?

5.    What kinds of things does God ask us to do that we have never done before?  What holds us back?

6.    Noah must count on God to do things only God can do – like shut the door of the ark and make the flood waters go away.  What kinds of things do we need God to do that only he can do?

Jan 15, 202437:36
January 7 Faith

January 7 Faith

Philip Yancey – “Every year the church in the United States draws closer and closer to the situation faced by the New Testament Church: an embattled minority living in a pluralistic pagan society.”

Frederick Buechner – “Faith is better understood as a verb than a noun, as a process than a possession.  Faith is not being sure where you are going, but going anyway.”

Helping as many people as possible take their next steps toward Jesus. 

Everyone has faith. 

Faith is better experienced than explained

Faith is not opposed to rational thinking. 

The more you exercise your faith, the stronger it becomes. 

Hebrews 11:1 -  Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

Faith looks forward. 

Faith sees the unseen. 

Helen Keller – “I can see… in what you call the dark, but` which to me is golden.  I can see a God-made world, not a man-made world.”

PIX: Cockpit

2 This is what the ancients were commended for. 

3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 

This year, take a next step in faith toward Jesus. 

Heavenly Father, show me my next step of faith.

Group Discussion Questions

Starter: Describe a moment when you took a next step of faith.  What happened?

 1.    Read Hebrews 11:1

2.    What are ways you build confidence in your life that God is at work?  What do you hope God will do in your life in 2024?

3.    Faith sees the unseen.  Have you ever struggled to believe God is at work?  Did you later see evidence that he was?

4.    How does the hope of heaven influence how you live today?

5.    Read Hebrews 11:2

6.    Tell about someone you know who has great faith.  What enabled them to have such a faith?

7.     Read Hebrews 11:3

8.    What does creation tell you about God’s care and guidance?

Jan 08, 202436:27
December 31 He Has Good Plans For You

December 31 He Has Good Plans For You

·    He has good plans for you.

·    7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

·      9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name Do you believe in the resurrection?

·      Father- Approach God with reverence and gratitude.

·      10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

·      Kingdom- Surrender and seek His will over your own

·      11 Give us this day our daily bread

·      Provision- Be fully dependent on Christ.

·      12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

·      Forgiveness- Ask and Extend Forgiveness

·      13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

·      Protection- Cling to Him and His guidance

Jan 02, 202428:35
December 24 The Gift: Prince of Peace

December 24 The Gift: Prince of Peace

·      Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,     and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called     Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,     Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

·      Jesus is the one in charge of peace for your soul.

·      John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

·      Peace is a gift

·      External happiness is temporary.  Internal joy is peace. 

·      Surrender brings peace.

·      Lord, help me seek your peace. 


Dec 26, 202318:49
December 17 The Gift: Everlasting Father

December 17 The Gift: Everlasting Father

·      Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,  Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

·      When the disciples saw Jesus, they saw their heavenly Father.

·      John 8:48 - 48 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”

·      Before you make up your mind about Jesus, give him a chance

·      49 “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”

·      What would be God’s judgment of you be right now? 

·      52 At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

·      54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”

·      How different would your life be if God’s approval was the only approval that mattered?

·       Psalm 139:23-24 – Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. 

·     57 “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”

·      58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

·      Exodus 3:14 – God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM

·       If you want to know God, know Jesus

·       PIX Tori Petersen

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: How have you seen a Dad set the values for a family?

Going Deeper: 

1.     Read John 8:48-51

2.     Why do you think the Jews had a such a hard time hearing what Jesus was saying?  Do you ever have a hard time hearing God what God wants to communicate with you?

3.     How does it make you feel to know that God is constantly evaluating your life?

4.     Read John 8:52-56

5.     In this passage and in the one above, Jesus speaks about being glorified by his Father.  What do you think that means?  In what ways did the Father glorify or honor Jesus?

6.     Read John 8:57-59

7.     Jesus makes the astounding statement that “…before Abraham was, I am.”  How does this statement change your thinking about Jesus?


Dec 18, 202335:46
December 10 The Gift: Mighty God

December 10 The Gift: Mighty God

·      Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

·       Matthew 8:23-27 - 23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

·      Jesus says: Trust me more than your fear.

·      Psalm 107:28-30 - Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. 29 He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.

·      “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

·       Storms come even to disciples. 

·       Jesus in the boat is all you need.

·       Little faith beats no faith. 

·       PIX – Bill Wallace

·       Philippians 1:21 – For to me, living is Christ, and dying is gain.

·       Who is this man? The Mighty God. 

·       My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do. 

·       Are you asking God to do what only God can do? 

·       Philippians 3:13b-14 - But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus

·      You can’t receive the gift of Jesus if you are trying to calm your own storm.

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Has there been a time when God showed up in a might way in your life?  Please share.

Going Deeper: 

1.     Read Matthew 8:23-27

2.     Think of this story as a message to early Christians who were struggling.  How would they hear this story?

3.     Think of this story as a message to the church.  In your opinion, what storms does the church face?  What does it mean to have Jesus with the church in those storms?

4.     What does this story teach us about Jesus as Mighty God?  What is the range of his power?

5.     Read Psalm 65:7; 89:9; and 107:29-31

6.     What does it mean to you to know Jesus is the same God described in these Psalms?

7.     What are practical steps you can take to grow your faith so it is larger than your fears?


Dec 11, 202340:04
December 3 The Gift: Wonderful Counselor

December 3 The Gift: Wonderful Counselor

·      Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,     and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

·      Jesus can steer you in the right direction; it is up to you to go in the right direction.

·      Become just like Jesus.

·       Go to Jesus for the counsel you need. 

·       John 4:3-3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.  4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

·      Jesus builds bridges. 

·       11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

·      See a new reality.

·      15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

·      See the Deep Wounds

·       19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

·      What really matters?

·      What really matters is giving all of who I am to all of who God is.

·       25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

·      Jesus is the answer, for the world today, above him there’s no other, Jesus is the way. 

·       Will you let Jesus be your answer?

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Who do you turn to for counsel?  How do they help you?

Going Deeper:

 1.     Read John 4:3-10

2.     Imagine this scene.  What is going through the woman’s mind?  What is going through Jesus’ mind?

3.     Read John 4:11-14.

4.     What do you think Jesus means when he talks about living water and a spring within that wells up to eternal life?

5.     Read John 4:15-18

6.     The woman has deep relationship wounds around marriage.  How would you describe them?

7.     Read John 4:19-24.

8.     In your opinion, how would a person behave if they worshiped God in the Spirit and truth?

9.     Read John 4:25-26.

Dec 05, 202339:58
November 26 I Believe In Following Jesus

November 26 I Believe In Following Jesus

·      Isaiah 43:10-11 - “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior.

·      As a believe you should believe in following Jesus

·      1 Peter 2:21-25  - 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

·       You will/should suffer for following Jesus

·       1 Peter 2:1-3 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

·       1 Peter 2:12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

·       Matthew 10:37-39 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

·        You will trust God OR you will trust something/someone else

·       In your pursuit of righteousness, are you suffering well?

·       “A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing, and suffers nothing, is worth nothing.” - Martin Luther

·        21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

·       “Your purpose is to follow in his example”

·       PICTURE OF OVERHEAD PROJECTOR FROM CHRIS

·       22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

·       continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

·       24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

·      As you are unfairly treated, you were unfairly loved, so do likewise.

·      I believe in following Jesus, because He is the only answer to brokenness

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: In your own words, what does it mean to follow Jesus?

Going Deeper: 

1.     Read 1 Peter 2:21-25

2.     How should it effect the way you follow Jesus in light of suffering?

3.     What are some ways that we may suffer today?

4.     In light of all of Chapter 2 what does true submission look like in light of suffering?

5.     What are some reactions that you need to point out in your life that keep you from following Jesus well?

6.     If you don’t suffer as a Christian, what might that say about your relationship with Jesus?

7.     How are you doing at tracing His image?  If you took a step back, would your drawing be close to the lines? Or do you need to retrace your steps?


Nov 27, 202330:30
November 19 I Believe In Life Beyond

November 19 I Believe In Life Beyond

·       Ecclesiastes 3:11b -He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 

·       What is beyond death?

·       John 14:1  -“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 

·       Don’t be agitated.  Trust God and trust me – how we tell you to live and what we tell you that lies beyond.

·       2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 

·      Jesus is telling us heaven is about being with God.

·       Heaven is not about you; it is being with your Heavenly Father.  

·       3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 

·       People go to heaven because Jesus takes them there. 

·       …that you also may be where I am. 

·       Dallas Willard – If I walk with Jesus, I think when I die, it might take me some time to realize I’m dead. 

·       Matthew 25:41 - Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

·       Dallas Willard – “The only reason there is a hell is because God makes provision for what people want and hell is simply the best God can do for some people.”

·       C.S. Lewis – “There are only two kinds of people – those who say, “Thy will be done” to God; or those to whom God says, “Thy will be done.” 

·       Galatians 6 - 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

·       Heavenly Father, what am I sowing?  What will I reap?

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Tell about someone you believe is in heaven.  Why do you believe they are there?

Going Deeper: 

1.     Read John 14:1

2.     Have you lost someone you love to death?  Was your heart troubled?  How did you deal with it?

3.     Jesus invites us to believe in our Heavenly Father and in him.  How would your belief in Jesus change your attitude about death?

4.     Read John 14:2

5.     Imagine going to God’s house and being shown your room.  What will that be like?  What will Jesus have prepared for you?

6.     Read John 14:3

7.     What would your life look like, if like Dallas Willard, you sought to follow Jesus so closely, you would not immediately know you had died?

8.     Read Galatians 6:7-8.

9. What would a life look like that sows flesh seed?  What would a life look like that sows seed that pleases the Spirit?

Nov 20, 202334:41
November 12 I Believe In The Church

November 12 I Believe In The Church

·      “The church seems more interested in fighting than following Jesus.” 

·       “I got hurt by church

·      “I didn’t trust the pastor

·       “I don’t get anything out of it.” 

·       “I know people who go to church and they are nothing like Jesus.” 

·       It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you believe something.

·       What you believe about the church influences your behavior. 

·       I believe in the Church. 

·       Matthew 16:15 - 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

·       I believe in the church because it answers the question about Jesus

·       16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

·       I believe in the church because it confesses Jesus. 

·       17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.  

·       I believe in the church because of the supernatural work of God. 

·       18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 

·       Church is always a work in progress

·       I believe in the church because it endures. 

·       19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 

·       Church is to be the earthly expression of the Kingdom of Heaven. 

·       I believe in the church because it is the closest picture of heaven

·       20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. 

·       I believe in the church because it does not define Jesus; He defines the church

·       Every Jesus follower is to be part of a local church body. 

·       Jesus is in charge. 

·       Stay focused on Jesus. 

·       The unity of the church depends on Jesus

·       Pledge: I will do my part to keep Alice Drive focused on Jesus.

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Tell about a positive experience you had at church.  What happened?

Going Deeper: 

1.     Read Matthew 16:15-20

2.     In your opinion, why does Jesus ask to the disciples who he is?

3.     Peter’s response is immediate and exclaims Jesus as Messiah.  Now read Matthew 16:21-23.  What does this say about Peter’s understanding of what a Messiah was supposed to be?

4.     How could you tell if a church was built on the rock of Peter’s confession – that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God? 

5.     In your opinion, what steps could a church take to look and feel more like the Kingdom of Heaven?

6.     It is hard to conceive of Jesus telling his disciples not to tell anyone about his identity.  What might it mean to you to know when to speak about Jesus and when not to?

Nov 13, 202337:07
November 5 I Believe In The Bible

November 5 I Believe In The Bible

·     It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you believe something. 

·       I believe in the Bible.

·       I believe in the Bible because of the eyewitness factor. 

·       2 Peter 1:16-18 - 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

·       I believe the Bible because of Jesus. 

·       2 Peter 1:19 - 19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 

·       The mathematical probability that one person could fulfill 48 prophecies is 10 to the 157th power. 

·       I believe in the Bible because it is inspired.

·       20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

·       Believing in the Bible means I accept its authority. 

·       Believing the Bible means I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me. 

·       2 Corinthians 10:18 – For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. 

·       Believing the Bible means I read it. 

·       Believing in the Bible means you memorize key verses. 

·       John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

·       Believing the Bible means you stay focused on Jesus.

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Has there been a moment when the Bible spoke to you?  What was going on in your life?

Going Deeper: 

1.     Read 2 Peter 1:16-18 and Mark 9:2-8.

2.     Imagine you are Peter.  What was it like for you on the Mountain with Jesus that day?  Why would it be important for you to tell that story?

3.     Read 2 Peter 1:19 and Genesis 22:1-18

4.     How does the life, work and resurrection of Jesus help you understand the Genesis story?

5.     Read 2 Peter 1:20-21

6.     In your opinion, what is the evidence that the Bible is a supernatural book?

7.     What would a sign that someone writing something that claimed to be scripture should not be trusted?


Nov 09, 202337:19
October 29 I Believe In Grace

October 29 I Believe In Grace

·      It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you believe something. 

·      I believe in grace.

·      Life without grace – Ephesians 2:1-3 -  As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 

·       Without grace, you are dead. 

·       Without grace, Satan is your leader. 

·       Without grace, we are children of wrath. 

·       Do you think it is wise to live without grace? 

·       Life with Grace - 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 

·       Life with grace means you live in God’s love and mercy. 

·       PIX: Scrooge McDuck

·       Romans 8:38-39 - 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

·       Life with grace means you are alive! 

·       Dallas Willard – “Grace is the power that fuels the extra-ordinary work of the saints and enables the rest of us to achieve greater things.” 

·       It is by grace you have been saved.

·       It is not what you do, it is what Jesus has done.

·       Frederich Buechner – “Grace is something you can never get, but can only be given.”

·       Life with grace means there is more to come. 

·       God’s grace takes an eternity to see. 

·       Life in grace - 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

·       Life in grace means you live in that grace. 

·       Life in grace means we are humble. 

·       Life in grace means you have a mission. 

·       Heavenly Father, I accept your grace.  Forgive my sins.  I will follow Jesus so I can learn to live in grace.  Amen.

·       Heavenly Father, eliminate all the noise in my soul that keeps me from grace.  I want to live in your grace.  Bring grace to me each day.  Amen.   

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Has there been a moment when you were very aware of God’s grace?  What was going on in your life?

Going Deeper: 

1.     Read Ephesians 2:1-3

2.     Get a picture in your mind of someone dead in sin.  How does that person act?

3.     What is your reaction to being called a child of wrath?

4.     Read Ephesians 2:4-7

5.     Dallas Willard compared grace to rocket fuel.  How has grace energized you?

6.     What does it mean to you that God’s grace will take an eternity to see?

7.     Read Ephesians 2:8-10

8.     In what ways do you see Christians being arrogant about their faith?  How might this hinder someone from coming to Christ?

9.     God has prepared good works beforehand for us to do.  How would you discover what  these good works are?


Oct 30, 202335:09
October 22 I Believe In God

October 22 I Believe In God

·      It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you believe something

·      I believe in God. 

·       People don’t believe in God because they don’t want to be accountable. 

·       People don’t believe in God because they have been hurt. 

·       People believe in God, but they fail to connect. 

·       John 14:6-7: Jesus said to them, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  7If you know me, then you know my Father.  From now on you know him and have seen him.

·       I am… 

·       Exodus 3:14 – God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” 

·       …the way… 

·       …the truth…

·       …and the life. 

·       John 1:1-3 – In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.  2He was in the beginning with God.  3All things came into being through him, and without him, not one thing came into being…

·       No one comes to the Father except through me. 

·       John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” 

·       If you know me, you know my Father… 

·       Heavenly Father, I do not understand all of who you are.  But if you are real, I give myself to you and ask you to help me experience your love and grace in my soul. 

·       From now on you know him and have seen him

·       Who is the God you don’t believe in? 

·       Do you know the real Jesus? 

·       Do you take his claims seriously? 

·       What would change in you if you did?

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Have you known someone who doesn’t believe in God?  What reason did they give?

Going Deeper: 

1.     Read John 14:6-7

2.     How do you think Jesus claims struck his disciples?  At this point, do you think they believed he was God?

3.     This passage makes exclusive claims about Jesus being the only way to the Father.   What did Jesus do and teach that reenforced his claim?

4.     When Jesus says he is the truth, how does that strike you?  Think about a person you know who so embodied truth, it seemed like they were truth – what were they like?

5.     Jesus claims that if you know him, you know the Father.  How has this played out in your life?

6.     What intentional steps are you taking to “see Jesus” daily?


Oct 23, 202333:11
October 15 Grow Character: Practice

October 15 Grow Character: Practice

·      Philippians 4:9 -What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (ESV)

·      Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.  - Phil 3:17

·      Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. - 1 Cor 11:1

·      For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.  - Phil 3:18-19

·     Practice the things you have seen in me that point to christ.

·      4:9a What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me

·      Learned (Increase in Knowledge) and Received (Joined to)

·      Any fool can know. The point is to understand.  -Albert Einstein

·      Heard and Seen

·      Is your life a blessing to those that are around you?

·      4:9a What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things,

·      Lord, help me to live out my saving faith before the watching world

·      4:9b and the God of peace will be with you.

·      Practice the things that make for peace

·      God help me see your blessing in my pain, help me to rejoice

·      God help me to trust you timing and faithfulness and your will

·      God help me to be the first to forgive

·      God help me to refocus when my thoughts lead to worry

·      Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. - Matthew 6:31-33

·      John 14:21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

·    John 14:27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Life Group Resources

Starter Question:  Would you feel comfortable encouraging people to imitate your walk with Jesus?

Going Deeper: 

1.     Read Philippians 4:9

2.     Seeing the life that Paul lived, how does this encourage you in your walk with the Lord?

3.     Read Matthew 6:25-34

4.     Anxiety is not from the Lord, how do these verse encourage you? 

5.     What do these verses encourage you to do?

6. What needs to change in your walk with Jesus that would help the watching world see Jesus?

Oct 16, 202324:16
October 8 Grow Character: Think

October 8 Grow Character: Think

·      A.W. Tozer says, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.

·      Ultimately our thinking will shape who we are as a follower of Jesus

·      Dallas Willard says “You can change your emotions with your  thinking but you can’t change your thinking with emotions”

·      We need to learn to think as our Heavenly Father wants us to think

·       Philippians 4:8  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

·       God wants to remind us that we have a part in our thinking

·       To Think like Jesus-  Be with Jesus

·       Think about Jesus 

·       Thinking like Jesus leads to right action

·       Holy Spirit ultimate Helper for your Thinking

·       John 14:26-27- But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

·       Be Thankful

·       Turn down the dial- Surrender requires participation

·       What would your thoughts be like if you thought more like Jesus?

·       What would your thoughts be like if you thought more like Jesus?

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: What is the first thing you think about when you think about God?

Going Deeper: 

1.     Read Philippians 4:8

2.     What do you think Jesus thinks about you?

3.     What areas is God asking me to think more like crockpot than a microwave?

4.     Where have you seen wrong thoughts leading to wrong actions in your life?

5.     How have you seen the Holy Spirit be the ultimate Helper for your thinking?


Oct 09, 202341:03
October 1 Grow Character: Peace

October 1 Grow Character: Peace

·    Mark 4 35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

·      Would you rather live with peace or anxiety and fear? 

·      Dallas Willard – Peace is the deep rest and assurance that comes from complete abandonment to God. 

·      John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

·      Faith activates peace. 

·      Philippians 4:6 – But in everything, with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

·       Philippians 4:7 - 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

·       The peace of God cannot be explained, only experienced. 

·       Psalm 131:2 But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.

·       Can you have peace without God? 

·       What about believers who do not have peace

·       How do I surrender to God so I can have peace? 

·       Surrender requires humility. 

·       Surrender requires release

·       Surrender requires participation

·       Surrender requires contentment

·       To have the peace of God, you must surrender to God.

·       What do you need to surrender to God today? 

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Please share a time when felt the peace of God.  What was happening?

Going Deeper: 

1.     Read Mark 4:35-41

2.     Put yourself in that boat.  What would feel?  How would feel about Jesus being asleep?  How long would you let him sleep before you woke him?

3.     In your opinion, why are the disciples frightened when Jesus calms the wind and waves?

4.     Read Philippians 4:7

5.     Think about things that are beyond your understanding.  In your opinion, why would the peace of God be beyond our understanding?

6.     What picture comes to mind when you think of the peace of God guarding your decisions, thoughts, and feelings?  What kind of life would you have if peace truly guarded your heart?  What would change in your life?

Oct 03, 202336:02
September 24 Grow Character: Pray

September 24 Grow Character: Pray

·      Prayer is one of the most important character growth tools we have. 

·      Prayer is conversation with God. 

·      God does listen. 

·      God speaks to you. 

·      God’s messages do not conflict with each other. 

·      Are you listening to what God is saying?

·      Philippians 4:6 - 6 Do not be anxious about anything… 

·      Anxiety is an emotional cue to begin praying.

·       1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray continually

·       …But in every situation…  

·       Pray about everything you need to pray about

·       …by prayer and petition… 

·       …with thanksgiving… 

·       …present your requests to God. 

·      Pray for 30 days to see God at work. 

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Do you know a person who seems to have a close prayer relationship with God?  What are their prayers like?

Going Deeper:

1.     Read Philippians 4:6

2.     What would help you to remember to pray when you are anxious?

3.     Why would a person believe that God is not listening when they pray?

4.     Are there some things you feel uncomfortable praying about?  Why?

5.     What would help you remember to give thanks to our Heavenly Father?

6.     Picture a throne room.  You are bringing your request to the King.  How does the King respond to you?  Why should the King listen to your request?  What does this teach you about our Heavenly Father?

 

Sep 25, 202339:49
September 17 Grow Character: Be Gentle

September 17 Grow Character: Be Gentle

·      What kind of character do you need? 

·      "The most important thing in your life is not what you do; it's who you become. That's what you will take into eternity." ~ Dallas Willard

·      Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again, Rejoice! – Philippians 4:4.

·      Do you want to be tough, or do you want to be like Jesus? 

·       Let your gentleness be known to all.  The Lord is near – Philippians 4:5. 

·      Unless you are intentionally shaping your character, it will regress to the lowest level

·      To be gentle means to be reasonable. 

·       To be gentle means to be selfless

·       To be gentle means I use appropriate strength

·       In the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you… - 2 Corinthians 10:2 

·       Grow a character that is strong enough to control yourself. 

·       The Lord is near. 

·       The closer you are to Jesus, the easier it is to be like him. 

·       Were you gentle?

·       Why weren’t you gentle? 

·       "It takes strength inside to be gentle on the outside." – John Wooden.

·       Pray: Heavenly Father, teach to me to be gentle like Jesus

·       Slow your reactions. 

·       Find a gentle mentor. 

·       PIX – William McKinley

·       Would my life be better if I were gentle? 

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Who is the gentle person you have known?

Going Deeper:

1.     Read Philippians 4:5

2.     How do you think the Philippians would have understood this verse?

3.     Paul write this as a command: Let your gentleness be known.  How does it feel to be commanded to be gentle?

4.     Read Matthew 21:12-17.  Where do you see the gentleness of Jesus in this story?

5.     Read Matthew 16-27.  Where do you see the gentleness of Jesus in this story?

6. What specific steps can you take so our Heavenly Father can shape gentleness into your character?

Sep 18, 202334:11
September 10 Grow Character: Rejoice

September 10 Grow Character: Rejoice

·     Dallas Willard – Joy is a deep sense of well-being, of safety in God’s universe.

·     How joyous are you? 

·     How do I grow a character that brings the peace of Jesus?

·     Philippians 4:4 - 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

·      “…in the Lord.” 

·      Is there grace that can help you rejoice? 

·      When you can’t see his hand, trust his heart. 

·      To rejoice in the Lord means you rest in God’s love. 

·       To rejoice means you walk in hope.  

·       Romans 15:13 - 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

·      PIX: Bill Wallace. 

·      Whenever we were at the point of despair, Bill would remind us that God loved us, was working through us, and God would see us through.

·       To rejoice means you have deep peace. 

·       John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid. 

·       PIX: Joy diagram

·       Charles Eerdmans – “Some people have a genius for joy; others have a dark view of life.” 

·       Can you be joyful even if you have these blockages?  Yes

·       How do you grow joy? 

·       Heavenly Father, open my eyes to joy. 

·       Choose joy. 

·       Find a joy mentor. 

·       Un-chose joylessness. 

·       Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life

·       Find joy in Jesus.

·       What would happen if you had a joyful life?


Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Who is the most joyful person you have known?

Going Deeper:

1.     Read Philippians 4:4

2.     How do you think the Philippians would have understood this verse?

3.     The word “rejoice” is a command.  In your opinion, how can a person best follow this command?

4.     In your opinion, who in the Bible (other than Jesus) shows joy?

5.     Read Psalm 33:1-3.

6.     What do these verses teach about joy?

7.     Pastor Clay suggested several next steps to making joy a part of your character:

·       Praying for our Heavenly Father to show you joy.

·       Choosing joy

·       Finding a joy mentor

·       Un-choosing joylessness

·       Finding joy in Jesus.

            Which of these is your next step?


Sep 11, 202338:29
September 3 Look To Jesus

September 3 Look To Jesus

Hebrews 12:1-3 ESV

·    1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

·    Sin asked for a little bit and takes everything. Jesus asks for a little bit and gives you everything.

·     In order to run well we need to lay aside weight and sin holding us down.

·     2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

·     I encourage you to Look to Jesus.

·     3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.


LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE

Starter: How does Hebrews 12:1-3 encourage you to make changes in how you live your life?

Dig Deeper:

1.  Does God have your undivided attention? How do we get to the point of giving him all our attention?

2.  Does reading scripture and dwelling in the Spirit help in running the race?

3.   How can we share with others the joy that is set before us as followers of Christ?

4.  GO back to chapter 11, who is your favorite hero of Faith?

5.    What are some of the weights and or sins that are weighing you down from running the race?

6.    Are you weary and fainthearted? How can you come to Christ today and find rest?

7.    What does it mean that Christ endured the Cross and despised shame?


Sep 04, 202325:09
August 27 Go Share: Share Your Story

August 27 Go Share: Share Your Story

·      Are you afraid to talk about Jesus?

·      I will sound too religious. 

·      I might offend someone. 

·      I’m shy/introverted. 

·      I don’t have my own stuff together. 

·      It’s too complicated. 

·      I’m taken care of; everybody has to figure it out for themselves. 

·      Romans 10:14 - 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

·      PIX: First circle God’s Design

·      PIX: Add Sin Arrow

·      PIX: add Second circle.

·      PIX: Add Divert squiggles

·      PIX: Add confess and Follow Arrow

·      PIX: Add 3rd Circle

·      PIX: Add Restore Arrow

·       Acts 22:2 - 2 When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. 

·       When you want to talk about Jesus, meet people where they are. 

·       Then Paul said: 3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. 4 I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, 5 as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.

·       6 “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’ 8 “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. “ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. 9 My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. 10 “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked. “ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’ 11 My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.

·       12 “A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. 13 He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him. 14 “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

·       17 “When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into atrance 18 and saw the Lord speaking to me. ‘Quick!’ he said. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19 “‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. 20 And when the blood of your martyr[a] Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ 21 “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”

·       Heavenly Father, give me courage to talk about Jesus. 

·       Heavenly Father, I confess I am broken, I have sinned.  Please forgive my sin and take charge of my life.  For now on, I will follow Jesus.  Amen. 


Life Group Resources

Starter Question: In your opinion, why do people find it difficult to talk about Jesus?

Going Deeper: 

1.     Please refer back to the 3 Circles:  

2.     When did you realize that you were broken?

3.     When did you invite Jesus into your life?

4.     How have you seen God working to restore you to his original design?

5.     Read Romans 10:14.

6.     Is there someone in your life who needs you to talk about Jesus?  How will you recognize your opportunity?


Aug 28, 202334:43
August 20 Go Share: Share Your Gift

August 20 Go Share: Share Your Gift

·      Which is healthier for your soul – to serve or to be served? 

·       Romans 12:3-6a - 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.

·       Knowing Jesus makes your purpose come alive. 

·       Jesus will make your life better and he will make you better at life. 

·       Know yourself

·       You will never discover your purpose unless you think about it.

·       Accept yourself and your giftedness. 

·       Build on islands of health and strength – Peter Drucker. 

·       Your spiritual gifts comes from God

·       Faith expands your gift. 

·       Heavenly Father, grow my faith.

·       Your spiritual gifts help the church body function. 

·       Failure to use your spiritual gifts doesn’t just impact you; it impacts others in the body.

·        6bIf your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith

·       7 if it is serving, then serve;

·       A servant sees what needs to be done and does it. 

·       if it is teaching, then teach; 

·       8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;  

·       If it is giving, then give generously; 

·       If it is to lead, do it diligently;

·       If it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully

·       QR code page

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Share the story of someone you know who clearly has a spiritual gift and uses it for God.

Going Deeper: 

1.     Read Romans 12:3-6a

2.     In your opinion, why do people have a hard time thinking correctly about themselves?  Do you think people struggle more with thinking too highly of themselves, or thinking too little of themselves?

3.     If our spiritual gifts are maximized by faith, how do we grow our faith?

4.     Read Romans 12:6b-8

5.     Seven gifts are named here.  Which two gifts do you think might be yours?

6.     Which gift do you not have that you wish you had?  Why?

7. As a group select two of the seven gifts.  Then imagine what a church would be like if no one in that church shared those gifts?  What does that say about the importance of your spiritual gifts?

Aug 21, 202336:30
August 13 Go Share: On Mission

August 13 Go Share: On Mission

·       Matthew 28:18-20 - 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

·       Jesus moves in our direction. 

·       Jesus claims ultimate authority over heaven and earth. 

·       Jesus expects his followers to be on the move. 

·       Jesus intends for his apprentices to apprentice people to him. 

·       Jesus’ movement was for all people. 

·       Jesus wanted people to identify with his movement. 

·       Jesus wants his followers to teach his commands. 

·       Jesus promises you will not go alone. 

·       The disciples actually believed what Jesus said and did it. 

·       2 Corinthians 11:24-28 - 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

·     "Eighty and six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong." – Polycarp

Is the work of Jesus finished? 

·    What burned in the souls of Christians the first three hundred years? 

·    Go share. 

 Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Other than ADBC, have you ever seen a church with a passion to share Jesus?  What was that church like?

Going Deeper:

1.     Read Matthew 28:18-20

2.     What does it mean to you when Jesus claims “all authority?”  What specific areas of you life does that apply to?  If you were a Senator or a member of Congress and a follower of Jesus, what would this phrase mean to you?

3.     Jesus commands us to “Go and make disciples.”  In your opinion, what is the best way to do this?

4.     Jesus highlights the important of baptizing new believers in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?  In your opinion, why is important to baptize in the name of all three members of the Trinity?

What does it mean to you personally that Jesus is with you when you are doing his work?  What does it mean for the church as a whole that Jesus is with us when we are on mission? 

Aug 14, 202337:32
August 6 What's Next? Growing

August 6 What's Next? Growing

·       Character is how you program your soul. 

·       The quality of your character determines the health of your soul.

·       To be happy, have a character like Jesus.

·       Being a Christian means you follow Jesus. 

·       1 John 2:3 - 3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 

·       John 15:17 - 17 This is my command: Love each other. 

·       Does your character enable you to love people like Jesus? 

·       4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 

·       Are you lying to yourself about your character? 

·       Father, am I lying to myself about how good my character is?

·       5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them.  

·       As obedience increases, love increases. 

·       This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 

·       How do we grow our character to be like Jesus? 

·       Your soul needs healing. 

·       Give your life to Jesus. 

·       Romans 8: 38-39 - 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

·       Give your hurts to Jesus. 

·       Name the hurt. 

·       Pray about your hurt. 

·       Share your hurt. 

·       GROW Character Group launches Aug. 16th. 

·       Listen to God’s direction. 

·       Train our characters to be like Jesus. 

·       A spiritual discipline is a repeated practice that forms a new soul habit.

·       Galatians 5:22-23a - 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.  

·    Prayer. 

·     Bible Study

·      Behavioral

·      Would your life be better or worse if you had the character of Jesus? 

·       Today, will you be like Jesus or not?

Life Group Resources

Starter Question: Describe a person that has a character you admire.  What stands out about them?

Going Deeper:

1.     Read 1 John 2:3-6

2.     There is a connection in these verses between obedience and knowing Jesus. Have you ever known anyone who claimed to be a follower of Jesus but did not obey Jesus?  How did you feel about that person?

3.     Verse 5 speaks about being complete or perfected in God.  How can you tell if a person is building his or her character? What would stand out?

4.     Describe a typical day in your life and how Jesus would live it.  Does this exercise help you see places where your character needs to grow?

5.     To grow our character, we need to have the wounds of our souls healed and we need to train our character.  Which of these do you think is the starting point for most people?  Why?  Which is your starting point?


Aug 07, 202334:47
July 30 What's Next? Connecting

July 30 What's Next? Connecting

·       Isolation equals stagnation.

·       Being a Christian means you follow Jesus. 

·       Jesus did life with a group

·       To follow Jesus means connecting with a group.

·       Hebrews 10:23 - 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 

·       A good group helps you hold on to hope

·       A good group also reminds you of promises and the promiser. 

·       24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 

·      A good group encourages love. 

·       If you learn to love people in your group, you will learn to love people. 

·       A good group encourages good deeds. 

·       25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

·       A good group gathers. 

·       You can’t connect if you aren’t present. 

·       A good group realizes time matters. 

·       To follow Jesus means connecting with a group.

·      __I have found a group. 

·       Text 803-720-9711 if finding a group is your next step. 

·       Pray

·       Ask for advice.

·       Try a group

·       Ask God “Is this the group I’m supposed to be in.”  Evaluate.

·      Repeat the process until you find the right group.

·      What does it mean to for our group to be a good group?

·      PIX: Sam’s Basketball group

 Life Group Resources

Starter Question:  This message is about groups.  What does this group mean to you?

Going Deeper:

This week, we are going to ask ourselves the questions Pastor Clay invited us to consider about our group:

1.     Read Hebrews 10:23

2.     How can our group help each other to hold to hope

3.     How can our study of scripture help us remember the promises of God, and the character of our God who made the promises?

4.     Read Hebrews 10:24

5.     How can we love each other better?

6.     In what way is God calling our group to serve together?

7.     Read Hebrews 10:25

8.     How can we encourage people to attend regularly? God has given us this window of time.  What is the opportunity before us?

Jul 31, 202332:29
July 23 What's Next? Belonging

July 23 What's Next? Belonging

·      Top Ten Reasons People Don’t go to Church:

·       10.   My mother already nags me; I don’t need a preacher doing it too.

·       9. Church is full of hypocrites.

·       8. I’m against organized religion.

·       7. Church people hate women/gays/divorced people/ethnic groups/interracial couples/insert group here

·       6. I don’t believe in God.

·       5. Church people are so judgmental.

·       4. I’m just not being fed

·       3. Ten years ago someone at some church somewhere was really awful to me. 

·       2. I feel like I need to get right with God before I can come to church

·       1. Churches just want my money

·       1.  Church is not an institution or a business – it is the body of Christ. 

·       When people think of church, they think, “Those people act just like Jesus.”

·       2.  Church is not a denomination.

·       Every church that is really a church focuses on Jesus.

·       3.  Church is not a worship service or a bunch of programs. 

·       The church body gathers to worship; the church body offers opportunities for people to know Jesus, know community, grow character, and to go share. 

·       4.  Jesus wants every believer to belong to a local church body. 

·       Acts 2:44 -  All the believers were together and had everything in common.           

·     Being a Christian means you follow Jesus. 

·       If you are not part of a local church body, you are missing a key next step in following Jesus.

·       1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 

·       Live a life worthy… 

·      You have received a calling. 

·      2 Be completely humble…

·      …and gentle;

·      William Barclay – “A gentle person is so self-controlled he is always angry at the right time but never angry at the wrong time

·     …be patient…

·     John Chrysostom – “To be patient means having a wide and big soul.”

·       …bearing with one another in love

·        Your character (and mine) determines the character of the church

·       3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit…

·       … through the bond of peace. 

·       Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be trouble and do not be afraid.  John 14:27

·       Is the church of Jesus known for peace?

·        4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 

·       5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism

·       …6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all

·       If you are a believer, you need to belong to a local church body. 

·      If you are not a follower of Jesus, find a church that looks most like Jesus and see who Jesus really is.  

·      There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; One Lord, one faith, one baptism; One God and Father of all, who is overall and through all, and in all.

Life Group Resources

Starter Question:  Please share a time when being part of a church was a special part of your life.

1.     Read Ephesians 4:1

2.     In your opinion, what does it means to be called by Jesus?

3.     Read Ephesians 4:2

4.     Which of these character traits comes most naturally to you?  Which is a challenge?

5.     Read Ephesians 4:3

6.     Please offer some practical suggestions about how to keep the unity of the Spirit in the church?

7.     Read Ephesians 4:4

8.     If the church is to be the body of Christ, how are we doing in being one body, having one Spirit, and having one hope?  Please grade ADBC on a scale of A-F and share the reason for your answer.

9.     Read Ephesians 4:5, which speaks about the church having one leader, one faith, and one shared experience (baptism).

10.     In your opinion, what would happen if a church did not have these three things?

11.     Read Ephesians 4:6

12.     What does it mean that our Heavenly Father is over all, through all, and in all?

Jul 24, 202337:06
July 16 What's Next? Have You Decided?

July 16 What's Next? Have You Decided?

·    Every relationship begins with a decision. 

·    Big Idea: Your relationship with God begins with a decision. 

·    Good News: God has already decided he wants a relationship with you. 

·       Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

·      The key question: Do I want a relationship with God? 

·       Being a Christian means you follow Jesus. 

·       Luke 9:57-62 - 57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

59 He said to another man, “Follow me.”

But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”

62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

·      To be a follower of Jesus means you decide God will take care of you

·      Is Jesus confronting you

·      Your life mission is more important than your “duty

·      You can’t drive forward looking backwards.  

·       2 Corinthians 6:2 – “… I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 

·      Philippians 4:12-13 - 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

·       John 8:36 -  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  

·       You must decide if you want a relationship with Jesus. 

·       __ I have asked for God to forgive me and have committed myself to follow Jesus. 

·       __ I am praying for a person far from God

·      Deciding to follow Jesus starts the relationship; Baptism is the sign of the decision.

·       Heavenly Father, I confess to you I am a sinner. Please forgive me.  I have decided to give my life to you.  I have decided to follow Jesus.  Amen.

·       __ I have asked for God to forgive me and have committed myself to follow Jesus.


Life Group Resources

Starter Question:  Think about your best friend.  How did you decide to start that relationship?

1.     Read Luke 9:57-62

2.     Notice Jesus challenges to first man to leave security and comfort so he can follow Jesus.  In what ways do you see security and comfort keeping people from deciding to follow Jesus?

3.     The second man is called by Jesus, but essentially says his duty to his family comes first.  How would you advise someone who asks, “How do I put Jesus before my family?”  What would that look like?

4.     The third man offers to follow Jesus but attaches a condition.  What conditions do people give God today before deciding to follow Jesus?  Specifically, do people ever let tradition and ties to the past cultural patterns stop them from deciding for Jesus?  Please give some examples.

5.     Please share your life would have different if you had decided not to follow Jesus.

Jul 17, 202334:17
July 9 What's Next? All About The Steps

July 9 What's Next? All About The Steps

·      Is being a good person good enough? 

·      Being a Christian means you follow Jesus. 

·      If you aren’t changing, you are not following. 

·       Taking next steps toward Jesus. 

·       Matthew 4:18-22 - 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

·      Knowing who Jesus is not the same as knowing Jesus

·      19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

·      World Religions = achievement vs. Christianity = gift. 

·      To be a follower of Jesus is not to learn about Jesus, but to learn from Jesus by doing life with Jesus.

·      Followers of Jesus must let go of a familiar way of life.

·      Followers of Jesus must take hold of a new mission. 

·      To help as many people as possible take their next step toward Jesus

·       It is hard to help others take their next step unless you are taking your own next step.

·       __ I have asked for God to forgive me and have committed myself to follow Jesus

·       __ I have been baptized as a sign of my decision to know Jesus. 

·      ­­__I have joined the local church body. 

·       Sunday, August 6th, @ 12:15. 

·       __ I have found a group. 

·       __ I am praying daily and reading my Bible daily. 

·      __ I am giving regularly to the church. 

·       “Where your heart is, there your treasure will be also.” – Matthew 6:21. 

·       __ I have place to serve regularly.

·      __ I am praying for a person far from God. 

·      Text your next step to 803-720-9711.

Life Group Resources

Starter Question:  Describe a time when you felt like you to prove you were “good enough.”  Did you ever feel good enough?

1.     Read John 1:35-42

2.     What does this story tell you about Peter and Andrew’s early relationship with Jesus?

3.     Read Matthew 4:18-22

4.     How does Jesus’ invitation strike you?  Is it realistic? 

5.     What do you think the Peter and Andrew understood when Jesus asked them to follow him and fish for men? 

6.     Notice Peter, Andrew, James, and John’s immediate response.  Has there been a time in your experience when you felt the call of God required an immediate response?  What were the circumstances?

7.     James and John not only had to leave their boats, they had to leave their dad.  Do you know someone who had “leave” family to follow Jesus?  What did you learn from their experience?

Jul 10, 202339:41
Ready, Set, Go!

Ready, Set, Go!

·      Our tendency is to consider ourselves first.

·       You have a mission | You have help on this mission | You ARE on mission

·       Acts 1:6-7 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.

·       “Lord what can you do for me? When will you make it happen?”

·       You can focus too much on the benefit of knowing God that you miss the mission of God

·       Acts 1:8 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

·       2 Ways you know you’re a Christian

o   You have the Holy Spirit

o   You are a witness

·       How do I know if the Holy Spirit is at work?

o   Your words and actions…

o   It’s daily surrender

o   Intentional time with God

·       Will you listen?

·       Where you lack confidence, the Spirit speaks

·       “Ordinary people were able to do extraordinary things because of the Spirit of God was at work in their lives.  The ministry of the Holy Spirit is not luxury; it is an absolute necessity.” - Warren Wiersbe

·       Martyrs - Eyewitness, proves strength and genuineness of their faith

·       Go Share

o   Start with your story

o   Where has he gifted you?

o   What resources has He given you?

·       “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

·       You have a mission | You have help on this mission | You ARE on mission

·       Acts 1:9-11 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

·       Be a witness now!

·       Ready?

·       Set?

·       GO!

 

LIFE Group Discussion

Starter:  What does it mean to be a witness to you?

Questions:

1.     Read Acts 1:1-11

2.     Which supervisor do you currently relate to in your walk with the Lord?

3.     When is a time that you felt the Holy Spirit lead you, but you didn’t listen?

4.     What is a next step that the Holy Spirit may be leading you to now?

5.     Who is someone in your life that you need to be a better witness to?

6.     Why is it so important that we see that Acts 1:8 isn’t optional if we believe in Jesus?


Jul 03, 202332:17
June 25 Possibilities: Good News

June 25 Possibilities: Good News

·      PIX: Burrus House – old. 

·       God’s possibilities for you are greater than people’s expectations of you. 

·       Ephesians 3:20-21 - 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. 

·       Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me

·       to proclaim good news to the poor. 

·       He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

·       to proclaim freedom for the captives

·       and release from darkness for the prisoners,

·       2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God,

·       to comfort all who mourn,
3     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

·      They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

·      John Ortberg – “To glorify God means to live your life in such a way that people will say, ‘What a good God there must be to make someone like that.”

·      4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

·      Luke 4:16-21 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners     and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19  to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f]

20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

·     2012 – 16,983 baptisms in SC Baptist Churches. 

·     2021 – 7,718 baptisms in SC Baptist Churches

·     Have we lost sight of the good news?

·     Helping as Many People as Possible Take Their Next Step toward Jesus. 

·       PIX: Burrus House – restored.

·       PIX: Burrus House – before. 

·       PIX: Burrus House- restored.   


LIFE Group Discussion

Starter:  In your opinion, what is “Good News?”

Questions:

1.   Read Isaiah 61:1-3

2.  Can you think of others in scripture who were anointed?  Why were they anointed?

3.   Imagine yourself in each of these conditions: Poor, broken, captive, imprisoned, mourning.  What would good news look like to you in that state?

4.   How did Jesus’ ministry reflect Good News for the poor, the broken, the captives, the imprisoned, and the mourning?

5.   Read Isaiah 61:4

6.   What image comes to mind when you think about rebuilding ruins? 

7.    What mission do you think God might be calling you to do?


Jun 26, 202337:28
June 18 Possibilities: Rebuild

June 18 Possibilities: Rebuild

-       God’s possibilities for you are greater than people’s expectations of you.  -       Ephesians 3:20-21 - 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. 

·      Every opportunity God gives you will lead to more than you can ask or imagine.

·       Repent

·       Isaiah 58:6-10 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them,  and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness[
a] will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

·       “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, 10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.

·       Take ownership of the needs of others

·       Free the oppressed (v.6)

·       Feed the hungry (v.7)

·       House the homeless (v. 7)

·       Cloth the naked (v. 7

·       Respect the dishonored (v. 9)

·       Help the afflicted (v.10)

·       Habitat house pic- please add 

·       Savor God’s renewal

·       Isaiah 58:12-  “Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”

·       Help others to be rebuilt

·       Gladys Aylward: use pic from web

·       Big Idea: God restores the broken and invites us to help.

LIFE Group Discussion Questions

Starter: When have you experienced (or been) a hypocritical person?  What stood out to you most about that experience?  

Questions:

Read Isaiah 58:6-12

1)    God reveals his desire that his people make consistent sacrifices to alleviate the suffering of others. What are some specific ways that you can begin to change your life to obey the patterns of verses 6-12?

2)    Verse 6 commands us to break chains and ropes of wickedness that oppress people. What are some barriers that make this ministry costly and dangerous?

3)    Verse 7 discusses feeding the hungry and house the homeless. What kind of challenges are involved in this that require Christian wisdom in addition to sacrificial love?

4)    Isaiah explains that God’s goodness towards us means that serving is actually also for our good as well (vs. 8-10). What are some benefits we receive as we serve others?

5)    Verse 10 tells us that we should “spend ourselves” on the needs of others. What is the difference between giving some money to the poor and “spending yourself” for their good?  

6)    How does Isaiah challenge us toward a fulfillment of the two great commandments (love God, love people)?

7)    What is one way you can be involved in rebuilding others?


Jun 19, 202334:10
June 11 Possibilities: Fantasy

June 11 Possibilities: Fantasy

·       When does fantasy become a danger?

·       God’s possibilities for you are greater than people’s expectations of you. 

·       Ephesians 3:20-21 - 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. 

·       Isaiah 56:9: 9 Come, all you beasts of the field, come and devour, all you beasts of the forest!

·       10 Israel’s watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep. 11 They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough.

·       Are there any religious leaders who are like sleeping watchdogs? 

·       1 Peter 2:9 - 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

·       Are you a sleeping watchdog? 

·       What does it mean for you to keep watch?

·       Who am I to watch over?

·       Am I paying attention? 

·       “God, show me where you are work.” 

·        Am I self-centered? 

·       11bThey are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, they seek their own gain. 12 “Come,” each one cries, “let me get wine! Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even far better.”

·       Are there political leaders who are neglectful shepherds? 

·       John Maxwell – “Leadership is Influence.” 

·      Do you have influence over anyone? 

·      Do you care about the people you lead?

·      57 The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.
2 Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.

·       1 Thessalonians 4:13c: …do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.

·       Even if your religious and political leaders are living in fantasy, you live in the right way – the way of God – and you will have peace.

·       Reality with God is better than fantasy without God. 

 

LIFE Group Discussion

Starter:  Do you know someone who lives mostly in fantasy?  What is his or her life like?

Questions:

1.     Read Isaiah 56:9

2.    In your opinion, why is calling wild animals to feast a mark of God’s judgment?

3.    Read Isaiah 56:10-11a

4.    Do you think of yourself as a watchman?  Who are you to be watching over?

5.    Read Isaiah 56:11b-12

6.    Do you think of yourself as a leader?  Who do you have influence over? 

7.     Read Isaiah 57:1-2

8.    In your experience, how difficult is it to live a life doing the right things, the things of Jesus?  Please explain the thinking behind your answer.


Jun 12, 202326:10
June 4 Possibilities: Included

June 4 Possibilities: Included

·     Isaiah 56:1-2 - 1 Thus says the Lord: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

·     Do we seek to keep justice?

·     Do we pollute the Sabbath?

·     Do we keep our hands from evil?

·     Are you known for keeping God’s law and doing what is right?

·     Isaiah 56:3-7 - 3 Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely separate me from his people”; and let not the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.” 4 For thus says the Lord: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, 5 I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. 6 “And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant—7 these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”

·     Do you want for them what you need for yourself?

·     Acts 8:38 - 38 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

·     When is the last time I was excited to help someone far from God see the joy, relationship, and freedom he gives?

·     Isaiah 56:8 - 8 The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, “I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.”

·     Matt 9:37-38 - 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

·     If you feel left out, God has invited you in

·     Is our church’s arms open?

LIFE Group Discussion

Starter:  Are you known by your friends/neighbors for being unusually loving, generous, gracious, and forgiving?

Questions:

1.  Read Isaiah 56:1-8

2.   Are you known for keeping God’s law and doing what is right? What do you think this means?

3.   What do you think it meant when you heard, God has invited you in?

4.   What are some of the things that God gives us, that we should want for others?

5.    Who are the eunuchs and the foreigners that are welcomed today?

6.   Do you believe that our churches arms are open to those outside of it?


Jun 05, 202328:37
May 28 Possibilities: Signs

May 28 Possibilities: Signs

·       Love and Respect others in matters that do not matter.

·       12 “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace;

·       You will have Joy

·       You will have Peace

·       “…the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;  instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;…”

·      Nature will be for you

·      God is planning for you to delight in His creation forever.

·      “…and it shall make a name for the Lord, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”

·      God’s passion to glorify Himself is also His passion to satisfy His people.

·      Rejoice in the Joy and Peace

·      Remind yourself that God’s creation is for us to delight in.

·      Remain in the Spirit.


LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE

 Starter: How does Isaiah 55:12-13 encourage you to make changes in how you live your life?

 Dig Deeper:

1.  How do you Rejoice in the Joy and peace that the Lord gives you?

2. How are you going to Remind yourself of the beauty of Nature and that God has gifted it to us?

3.  How can you remain in the spirit and show other people the signs that you are a believer?

4.  God wants a memorial for Himself. How does it feel that His memorial for Himself is to make you joyful forever?

Jun 03, 202336:05
May 21 Possibilities: Opportunity

May 21 Possibilities: Opportunity

·      God’s possibilities for you are greater than people’s expectations of you. 

·       All opportunities are not created equal

·      Ephesians 3:20-21 - 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. 

·      How do you discover God’s opportunities for you?

·      How do you discover God’s opportunities for you?  SEEK.

·      Isaiah 55:6 – Seek the LORD while he can be found; Call on him while he is near. - wcs

·      Seek God in worship.

·      Seek God in crisis. 

·      Seek God in boredom. 

·      Seek God in rest

·       How do you discover God’s opportunities for you? 

·       Isaiah 55:7 – Wicked one, leave your way, and man of wickedness your thoughts. And turn to the LORD and he will have compassion on you, and to your God, for he give you a great pardon. - wcs

·       “Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon, pardon for you and for me.”

·       How do you discover God’s opportunities for you?  LEARN

·       Isaiah 55:8-9 – 8For my thoughts are no your thoughts; and your ways are not my ways, says the LORD.

9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts from your thoughts - wcs

·       “We must be reminded that we do not have a moral or intellectual infallibility – that belongs only to God.” – Paige Kelly

·       Do you impose your definitions on God, or do you accept God’s definitions of himself? 

·       How do you discover God’s opportunities for you?  SURRENDER 

·       Isaiah 55:10-11 – 10As the rain comes down and the snow from the heavens, and it does not return unless it waters the earth and brings forth and causes growth: seed to sow and bread to eat, 11So it shall be with my word, which goes out from my mouth.  It will not return to me empty.  For it will make real what I delight in and bring success for the reason I sent it.

·       Knowing God’s will will be done, does it make sense to fight his will or join his will? 

·       You are not going to find God’s opportunities until you surrender.

·       How before What. 

LIFE Group Discussion

Starter:  Has God ever presented an opportunity to you? How did you respond?

Questions:

1.    Read Isaiah 55:6

2.    In your experience, what is the best way to seek God?

3.    Read Isaiah 55:7

4.    What seem to be most difficult sins for people to turn away from? 

5.     What does this verse teach you about God, who reaches out to those actively moving away from him.

6.     Read Isaiah 55:8-9

7.     Share a couple ways you can think of that show God how God’s thoughts and ways are different than ours.

8.     Read Isaiah 55:10-11

9.     In your experience, what makes it difficult to surrender to the will of God?


May 23, 202336:40
May 14 Possibilities: Invitation

May 14 Possibilities: Invitation

·   God’s possibilities for you are greater than people’s expectations of you

·   Ephesians 3:20-21 - 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. 

·   What if God called you to live outside your comfort zone? 

·   Growth always requires discomfort. 

·    You are invited to grace.   

·    Isaiah 55 - 1“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;
and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without cost.

·    You are invited to what is good. 

·    Andy Stanley – Following Jesus will make your life better and you better at life. 

·    2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.

·    Delight yourselves exquisitely in the fat of your soul. 

·    Pray, “God, show me where you are at work.”

·    Thank God every day for three blessings. 

·    Read the Bible and see how God works. 

·    You are invited into a promise. 

·    3 Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.

·    You are invited to follow the Leader.  

·    4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples.

·    Heavenly Father, I accept your invitation to be your child.  Please forgive me of my sin.  I now put Jesus in charge of my life and I will follow him. 

·    You are invited to shine.

5 Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.”

·    John Ortberg – To glorify God is for someone to look at you and say, “What a good God there must be to make someone like that.” 

LIFE Group Discussion

Starter:  In your life, who has put the most expectations on you? Was this a positive experience or a negative experience?

Questions:

1.  Read Isaiah 55:1

2.   Does this verse sound too good to be true?  React to this statement: People struggle with grace because it seems too good to be true.

3.   Read Isaiah 55:2

4.   Is it hard to embrace the idea that God wants good for you?  Why or why not?

5.   Read Isaiah 55:3

6.   This verse refers to a forever covenant like the one God made with David.  What does that mean to you?

7.    Read Isaiah 55:4

8.    How would you explain to someone who does not follow Jesus that Jesus is the perfect representation of God?

9.    Read Isaiah 55:5

10.  Is the world coming to the church because it sees God at work in us?  Please explain your answer.


May 15, 202334:51
May 7 In God We Trust: Give

May 7 In God We Trust: Give

·  Big Question to answer: Do we trust God for eternal life or with everything in life?

·   Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

·   Four things you can do with money – Save, Borrow, Spend, and Give.

·   Big idea:  Giving Grows Your Soul. 

·   Matthew 16:26 - What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

·   Giving is the Greed killer

·   Proverbs 3:9-10 – Honor the LORD from your wealth, and from the first fruits of your income.  Then your storehouses will be filled with plenty, and your wine vats will burst with new wine.

·    If God is really first in your life, give to him first.

·    Ecclesiastes 5:10 - Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. 

·    Step in – Give something

·    Step up – Give 10% of income.

·    Luke 11:42 -" But woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. (NASB)

·    90 day Tithe Challenge – Tithe 90 days and see if your soul is heathier; if not we will refund what you gave.  

·    John Ortberg – The money thing is really a trust thing. 

·    Step out – Give Generously – Beyond 10%

·    Malachi 3:10 - Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it

 

LIFE Group Discussion

Starter:  Who is the most generous person you know?  How would you rate the health of their soul?  Who is the greediest person you know? How would you rate the health of their soul?

Questions:

1.   Read Proverbs 3:9-10

2.   In your opinion, why is it hard to honor God with wealth?

3.   How would you explain to someone that you give to attack greed, but as a result, God bless you?

4.   Read Ecclesiastes 5:10

5.   Have you ever known someone who chased wealth?  Was greed an issue for them?  How did it impact their soul?

6.   Read Matthew 16:26

7.    We often read this verse in light of our eternal destination.  What would it mean to lose control of your soul here on earth?

May 08, 202338:09
April 30 In God We Trust: Spend

April 30 In God We Trust: Spend

Big Question to answer in this series: Do we trust God for eternal life or with everything in life?

 Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

 How we spend shows what we value most.

 1) Commit to Understanding

There are many different types of spenders as well, According to one website, there are 6 types of spenders[1] 

1. The Frugalists

2. The Spendthrifts

3. The Treat Yourself Spenders

4. The Self-Esteem Spenders

5. The “FOMO” Spenders

6. The Smart Spenders

Proverbs 11:28 “Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.”

Proverbs 24:3 “With wisdom a house is built; and it is established firmly”

 We have to understand what money can and can’t do.

2) Develop Discipline

Proverbs 25:28- “A city that is broken, with no walls, is like a man who is not restrained in his spirit”

We can’t let our spending become the reason that we are excluded from God’s plan.

3) Choose your master

Matthew 11:28-30 says 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2

Money is not satisfaction or security because Christ is both of those things for you! [2]

3 Questions that can help you determine your next step…….

1)  What does your spending say about you?

2)  What needs to change for you to be faithful in your spending?

3)  How can your spending impact eternity?

 Because God allows us to be engaged in His work, how we spend is an invaluable asset in Kingdom advancement. 

 

LIFE Group Discussion Guide

Starting Off

1) What is your typical relationship with spending? Which of the 6 types of spenders are you?

Discussion Questions

2)Read Proverbs 24:3. How have you seen biblical wisdom about spending be beneficial?

3) Read Proverbs 25:28. What is the problem with living like the person described in this verse?

4) Read Matthew 11:28-30. How do these verses help you better understand the “master” relationships in your life?

5) Describe the differences between life with a “spending” focus and life with a “rest in Christ” focus.

Next Step

6) Which of the following questions about spending resonates with you the most? Why?

-  What does your spending say about you?

-  What needs to change for you to be faithful in your spending?

-  How can your spending impact eternity?

[1] https://www.money254.co.ke/post/6-types-of-spenders-which-one-are-you-money-management

[2] https://jdgreear.com/spender-saver-steward/

May 01, 202331:49
April 23 In God We Trust: Borrow

April 23 In God We Trust: Borrow

·      Big Question to answer: Do we trust God for eternal life or with everything in life?

·       Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

·       Four things you can do with money – Save, Borrow, Spend, and Give. 

·       All debt is not created equal. 

·       Debt creates a relationship

·       Proverbs 22:7 – The rich ones rule over the poor; and the borrower is the servant of the man who lends – WCS. 

·       Are you giving or lending?

·       You must take care of what you borrow. 

·       Exodus 22:13 - 14 “If anyone borrows an animal from their neighbor and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, they must make restitution. 

·       If you borrow, pay it back. 

·       Psalm 37:21 – The borrower is wicked when he does not pay back; but the righteous one is gracious and a giver - WCS

·       Big Idea: Be wise about borrowing money. 

·      Before your borrow, pray. 

·       Heavenly Father, is this wise

·      Understand the relationship. 

·       Do I want this person/institution to be my master?

·       As soon as possible, have debt only on appreciating assets. 

·       PIX:  Web site

·       Deal with your biggest debt. 

·       Colossians 2:13-14 - 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 

·       My biggest debt is my sin debt to God.

·       Jesus paid my biggest debt of all. 

LIFE Group Discussion

Starter:  Imagine a person makes $50,000 a year.  How much total debt should that person carry?  Share the “why” behind your answer.

Questions:

1.     Read Proverbs 22:7 

2.     Is the a connection between the firs line of this proverb, “The rich rule over the poor” and the Bible’s repeated calls to take care of the poor and to make sure justice is done?

3.     The second part of the proverbacknowledges the relationship between the borrower and the lender.  When does this relationship work well?  When does it go badly?

4.     Read Psalm 37:21

5.     What should a Christian do if they borrow money and cannot pay it back?

6.     Read Colossians 2:13-14

7.     How would you explain to someone the fact that sin creates a debt between us and God?

8.     What does it say to you about the purity and power of Jesus to nail all sin of all time to the cross?

Apr 24, 202335:50
April 16 In God We Trust: Save

April 16 In God We Trust: Save

·      Big Question to answer: Do we trust God for eternal life or with everything in life?

·       Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

·       If Easter does not touch your wallet, are you really trusting God?

·       Four things you can do with money – Save, Borrow, Spend, and Give. 

·      Why are we doing this series about this?

·      Are you going to ask for money? 

·      What does this have to do with Jesus? Everything! 

·      Wisdom asks not, “What do I deserve?” but “What kind of life is best for me?”

·      Proverbs 21:20 - Desirable treasure and fat is in the field of the wise one; but the stupid man gulps it down. - WCS

·      Proverbs 21:20 – The wise one has margin and stores away money and energy for the future; but the stupid one gorges himself because he deserves it. – paraphrase

·      1.  Live financially with margins. 

·      2. Support lifestyle with assets, not cash flow.  

·      3.  Examination – What does your financial life say about you? 

·       Slide 4 - Jeremiah 29:11 -  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

·       Big Idea:  To save is to trust. 

·       Pray – Heavenly Father, What is your plan?

·       Have hard conversations.

·       Don’t be paralyzed by shame. 

·       Save toward God’s plan.

·       You save because you value God’s plan; Jesus saves you because he values you. 

LIFE Group Discussion

Starter:  Who is the most financially successful person you know. What have you learned from them?

Questions:

1.   Read Matthew 6:21. 

2.   In your opinion, why does Jesus give this teaching?

3.   Read Proverbs 21:20

4.   How would you explain to someone why the Bible teaches it is wise to save?

5.   Have you ever known someone who is like the foolish person described in the second part of verse 20?  Describe their spending/money management habits.

6.   Read Jeremiah 29:11.

7.    What do you think it means when God says “My plan is to prosper you, not harm you?”

Apr 17, 202343:34