If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

Question:  Think of a time when reality didn’t meet your expectations in a relationship?  What was the result of that unclear expectation? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Read:  Matthew 22:37-39 - Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
 
Question:  What are the two commands that Christ gives us?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  The mark of a growing Christ follower is a love for God and people.  If you were to evaluate your spiritual growth on those two principles, how are you doing?  And what area do you need to ask the Lord for help in? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
The book of Proverbs is filled with practical wisdom about holy restraint and not jumping to conclusions before we have all the facts.

Read:
Proverbs 18:2 - A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.
 
Proverbs18:13 - He who answers before listening — that is his folly and his shame.
 
Proverbs 18:15 - The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.
 
Proverbs 18:17 - The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.
 
Question:  Based on the three Proverbs listed above, what are the differences between a fool and a wise person with a discerning heart?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question:  Can you think of a specific situation when what you were thinking or feeling about someone was untrue, or you misinterpreted the behavior of another person without checking it out?  What did you end up believing incorrectly until you heard the whole story?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Read:  Proverbs 18:17 - The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.

Question:  What do you think this verse is instructing us to do? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question:  What do you do when your expectations of another person are not met?  In what ways would you like to adjust the way you respond?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question:  Mind-reading is assuming what others are thinking, or telling yourself a story in your head to explain another person’s behavior.  How do assumptions lead us to believe untruths about others?  How might “mind reading” be a way of bearing false witness? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Exodus 20:16 - "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

Question:  Listed below is a four-step process to clarifying expectations.  Which one do you most often get tripped up on?  Why? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

1.  Conscious:  I must become aware that I have expectations.

2.  Realistic:  I must discern if my expectations are realistic.  Is there evidence for the expectations I have for another person?  Have they done what I want in the past?  Do they have the capacity or are they willing?

3.  Spoken:  I must express the expectation clearly, not just assume they understand what I want without checking.

4.  Agreed Upon:  The other person has agreed to the expectation by stating, “Yes.”  Remember, expectations are only valid when they are mutually agreed upon.

Question:  How will this process help you determine what expectations you have a right to hold?  How would it eliminate conflict in relationships? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Challenge:

Think of a recent, simple expectation you had that went unmet and made you angry, disappointed, or confused.  
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Use the four–step process to clarify that expectation.  Was your expectation valid, or was it missing a critical step?  Spend some time this week thinking about where else in your life you might need to clarify expectations or assumptions – in your workplace, school, family, or with friends?  What might your next step be?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

Romans 12:17-18 - Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. (NLT)

Summarization of how to deal with the difficult people in our lives: These include people who are (1) demanding; (2) disapproving and always critical; (3) talking and arguing relentlessly; (4) erupting in anger unpredictably; (5) getting hurt easily because they are discontented and touchy; and (6) demeaning and insulting. Through this discussion we’ll see that God wants us to refuse to let these difficult people offend us, and wants us to respond by taking the higher ground and being kinder, more loving, and more respectful.

Open your group with prayer.

How to deal with difficult people:

Proverbs 12:16 - When a fool is annoyed, he quickly lets it be known. Wise people will ignore an insult. (TEV)

Question: How does God describe the contrast between a foolish person and a wise person in Proverbs 12:16?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Proverbs 10:12 - Love overlooks the wrongs that others do. (CEV)

According to this verse, overlooking wrongs that others do is an act of love. This is likely the opposite of our initial feelings toward being wronged.

Question: What are some methods we can use to keep ourselves from being offended when a difficult person tries to insult us?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Our Spiritual maturity evolves through becoming like Christ in character. Refusing to be offended is an act of love and an example of taking the higher ground when insulted. How we treat a difficult person who insults us is what really matters to God.

Question: What attitude and considerations do we need to adopt to overcome the tendency to take difficult peoples’ insults personally?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Make a commitment to be prepared for any difficult person you may encounter in the coming week, and practice a change in attitude by showing them grace instead of anger.

Romans 12:14 - Ask God to bless those who persecute you – yes, ask him to bless, not to curse. (TEV)

The people who “persecute” you are in your life.

Question: What is your first reaction when you read these instructions from Paul to the church in Rome? Who benefits when we follow this advice, and why?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

You can never control other people, but you always have full control over how you react to them.

Question: Why would God want us to avoid being manipulated by others, and not let other people control us? What examples did Jesus provide regarding this?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Romans 12:21 - Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (NIV)

Question: Discuss why real love means loving unlovable people in our lives. What did Jesus show us about this?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Galatians 5:1 - We have freedom now, because Christ made us free. So stand strong. Do not change and go back into the slavery of the law. (NCV)

God’s people are to be meek, but “meekness” means having strength under control, not “weakness.”

Question: What is this slavery that Jesus has set us free from? How does giving in to difficult people keep us from enjoying the freedom God intended for us?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

Miracles of Jesus
Poolside Miracle
Devotion
 
4-3-22
 
Question: Do you know anybody who is looking for a quick fix in life? If so, what are they looking for?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
 
Read:
 
John 5:1-6 - Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesada and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie – the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.  5 One who was there had been an invalid for 38 years.6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to be well.” 
 
Question: Why do you think Jesus asked, “Do you want to be well?”
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
 
Question: Are there areas of your life that you wanted to change but now have grown comfortable with it? 
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
 
Question: Are there any areas of your life that Jesus is asking if you want to be well?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
 
JESUS OFFERS A CHANCE TO CHANGE
 
Exodus 15:26 - For I am the Lord, who heals you.  

Jehovah Rapha – The Lord our Healer
 
 
Question: What are some other ways people try to find healing other than God?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

1. HOW BIG IS YOUR GOD?

 
John 5:7 - Sir, the invalid replied, I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred.  While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.  

Question: Why do you think He used all the personal pronouns?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Psalm 33:6,7,9 - By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars…9 For he spoke, and it came to be….  
 
Question: What does Psalms tell us about the God we worship?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
 
Col 1:15-17 - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
 
Question: What does it tell us about God’s control of the universe?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOUR PROBLEM
 
2. WHAT IS GOD TELLING YOU TO DO?
 
John 5:8-9 - Then Jesus said to him, Get up!  Pick up your mat and walk. 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked…   

Question: Is God telling you to do anything?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

OBEDIENCE PRECEDES THE MIRACULOUS

Question: Why do you think obedience precedes the miraculous?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Exodus 3:5 - Take off your sandals…                        

Genesis 6:14 - Make yourself an ark…                      

2 Kings 5:10 - Dip seven times…                  

Matthew 14:29 - Come…  

John 9:7 - Go wash off the mud…                  

John 10:27 - My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 

Question: What do you think John 10:27 means?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
 
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 

Question: What might be stopping you from living like a new creation in Christ?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

MIRACLES OF JESUS
CASTING OUT THE EVIL SPIRIT
3-27-22

Devotional:  Read:
 
Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 

Question: What do you think this verse means?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
 
SORT-A KIND-A FAITH

Question: Have you ever had a time in your life where you had sort-a kind-a faith?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Question: What do you think causes that kind of faith?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Question: Can you share a time when you had great faith?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
 
Mark 9:16-18 - "What are you arguing with them about?" (Jesus) asked.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."
 
Question: Can you share a time when someone you loved was hurting?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
 
Mark 9:19-22 - "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." 20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered. 22 "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him.
 
Mark 9:22b - But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."
 
Question: Have you ever had a time in your life where you felt like “if you can?”
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

Question: Have you ever had a time in your life where you felt like “if you will?”
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
 
Mark 9:23 - "'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."
 
Question: What do you think Jesus is saying here?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
 
Mark 9:24 - Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
 
Question: Share with us a time when you felt that way?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
 
exclaimed: krazo (krad'-zo); to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, to call aloud, to shriek.
 
OBSTACLES TO REAL FAITH
 
SIGN DEMANDING FAITH.
 
Question: What is the danger of looking for a sign?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
 
SECOND HAND FAITH.
 
Matthew 16:15 - "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"  
16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
 
Question: Why would a person have second hand faith?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
 
 
SELF CENTERED FAITH.

Question: Tell us about a friend of yours that has self-centered faith? (LOL)
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
 
HOW DO WE DEVELOP REAL FAITH?

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN GOD’S WORD.
 
Romans 10:17 - So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. NKJV
 
Question: What stops you from spending time with God’s word?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
 
ACT ON GOD’S WORD.
 
James 2:26 - As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
 
Question: Share a time you acted on the word of God?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

Mark 9:25-27 - When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil 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.
 
 Daniel 3:17-18 - If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." 
 
Question: What do you think this verse means?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 

Question: If you could only choose one: “IMMERSE YOURSELF IN GOD’S WORD, Or ACT ON GOD’S WORD, which do you think God wants?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

MIRACLES OF JESUS
RAISING LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD
 
3-20-22
 
Question: Do you have any special powers?(lol)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
 
Read:
 
John 11:1-4 - Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."

YOU CAN BE DEAD WHILE YOU LIVE.
 
1 Timothy 5:6 - But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.
 
Question: What are some ways that people could be dead inside, but living outside?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

THREE DIFFERENT DEATH TRAPS
 
THOMAS WAS DEAD IN HIS DOUBTS. 
 
John 11:16 - Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
 
Question: Share a time when you were filled with doubts.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
 
MARTHA WAS DEAD IN HER DELAY. 
 
John 11:17, 21 - On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days… 21 “Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
 
Question: Share a time when delay was driving you crazy.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
 
MARY WAS DEAD IN HER DISCOURAGEMENT.
 
John 11:20 - When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

Question: Share a time when you were filled with discouragement.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Question:  WHAT IN YOUR LIFE IS DEAD (OR DYING)?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

John 11:33-35 - When Jesus saw (Martha) weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.  34"Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied. 35 Jesus wept.

JESUS CAME SO YOU COULD LIVE.

John 10:10 - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Question: What do you think Jesus is talking about when he says that he’s giving us life and to the full?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Question: Share a time when you felt that you were living that way.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

STOP DRESSING LIKE A DEAD MAN.

John 11:43-44 -…Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
 
Question: What are some ways that you dress like a dead person?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Question: How can you get rid of some of the grave clothes?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
 
LIVE AGAIN!
 
John 11:25-26 - Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

John 8:31 - … Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.

HOLD MEANS: to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy):

Question: What is your definition of “hold?”
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Question: When times are confusing and unclear what do you typically do retreat or stay?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
 
TWO CHOICES:
RETREAT TO THE DARKNESS
STAY IN GOD’S WORD AND TRUTH.

John 8:32 - Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  

Question: The promise is you will be set free. What does that mean?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

KNOW MEANS: __AHA Moment_____________________

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

MIRACLES OF JESUS
HOW TO PRAY A BREAKTHROUGH PRAYER
3-13-22

Read:

In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat is resolved to seek God as a vast army approaches him. He knew he was powerless against his enemy, so he calls his people to fast and pray. He models the steps of praying privately, engaging others in prayer, and praying publicly. He set his face to seek God first, believing God for the answer, and thanking him in advance for victory, knowing God would bless him. Where do you need God to breakthrough for you?

2 Chronicles 20:1-6 - After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to fight against Jehoshaphat. 2 People came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast multitude from beyond the Dead Sea and from Edom has come to fight against you; they are already in Hazazon-tamar" (that is, En-gedi). 3 Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he resolved to seek the Lord. So he proclaimed a fast for all Judah, 4 who gathered to seek the Lord. They even came from all the cities of Judah to seek Him. (Jehoshaphat's Prayer) 5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the Lord's temple before the new courtyard. 6 He said:… HCSB

Question: Share a time, when, like Jehoshaphat, they were scared and afraid and resolved to seek the Lord.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

HOW TO PRAY FOR A BREAKTHROUGH

• 1.  Start by focusing on God, not my problem.

2 Chronicles 20:3 - Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he resolved to seek the Lord.

• I remind myself of God’s greatness.

2 Chronicles 20:6 - "O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.

Question: How can focusing on God minimize concerns?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

• I remind myself of His unlimited power.

2 Chronicles 20:7 - O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel

Question: Can you think of a time when God came through in your life?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

• You remind God of His promises!

Chronicles 20:7b - … and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?  

Question: What reminders of God’s power would help dispel fear?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________


Question: How does remembering God’s promises encourage us during seasons of doubt or difficulty? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

• Ask God for a breakthrough!

2 Chronicles 20:10-11 - "But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. 11 See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance.

Question: Why do you think we should ask for a specific prayer request?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

• Tell God: I can’t do this. I need You to do this.

2 Chronicles 20:12-13 - O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." 13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord.

Question: Why do you think it’s so hard to admit that we are powerless?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

• Listen to what God says.

2 Chronicles 20:15, 17-18 - He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. …17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.'" 18 Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord.

Question: God assures us that the battles we face do not belong to us.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

 
Question: What areas in your life are you battling and need a breakthrough? Are you trying to fight this on your own or are you allowing God to fight it for you? Can you share a time when God won a battle for you that provided a breakthrough?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT YOUR BREAKTHROUGH:

• Don’t be afraid or discouraged!
• It’s my battle, and I’ll handle it.
• Wait and watch what I’ll do.

   
      2 Chronicles 20:20 - "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.
 

• Thank God in advance for the answer.

2 Chronicles 20:21-23 - After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever." 22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 23 The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

Question: Is this the way that you would draw up a battle plan to win a war?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________


Question: What does that tell us about God?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question: Why do you think it’s important to thank God before it happened?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

• Expect God to turn battles into blessings.

2 Chronicles 20:24-27 - When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. 25 So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value — more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. 26 On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Beracah to this day. 27 Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies.

Question: Think about a time God turned one of your battles into a blessing.
What promises of God did you claim during the battle?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question: How did they help you remain hopeful and faithful?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question: Now that the battle is won, what did you learn about God? About yourself?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

MIRACLES OF JESUS
CALMING THE STORM
3-6-22
Question: Do you have any stories of being scared in a boat? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question: What storm are you facing or have faced? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mark 4:35-38 - That day when evening came, (Jesus) said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side (of the lake).” 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?”

Question: Can you relate to how the disciples feel? _______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

You are in the storm…

1. By His appointment.

Mark 4:35 - That day when evening came, (Jesus) said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side (of the lake).”

Question: What are your thoughts about that they were in the boat by God’s divine appointment? ______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question: What does it tell you that they were in God’s will in the midst of the storm?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Possible storm sources:
 Storms from bad decisions.
 Storms from the enemy.
 Storms from a broken world.

John 16:33 - “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Mark 4:36-37 - 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.

2. With His presence.

Mark 4:38a - Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion…

Question: What was Jesus doing? And what does that tell us about His character? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Psalm 23:4 - Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Question: Have you had an experience where you are going through a storm and your first thought is that Jesus isn’t with me, only to find out that He was? ________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hebrews 13:5 - “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Question: How can we practice His presence in our life? ________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. For His purpose.

Mark 4:38b - The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

Question: Have you gone through a storm that has taught you about your faith in Jesus?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Philippians 4: 4-7 - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 …The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Question: Sometimes the storm continues to blow around us but internally we have peace.

Have you ever experienced that? _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

James 1:2-4 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Question: What is the promise that James gives us? ____________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

In storms, we want God to do a removing job. He wants to do an improving job.

Mark 4:39-40 - 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?”

READ:

Omnipotence means that God is in total control of Himself and His creation. Omniscience means that He is the ultimate standard of truth and falsity, so that His ideas are always true. Omnipresence means that since God’s power and knowledge extend to all parts of His creation, He himself is present everywhere. Together they define God’s lordship, and they yield a rich understanding of creation, providence, and salvation.

Question: So how can these characteristics of God help us in the midst of storms?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

Question:  Share a time when you had a question or a situation in life that didn’t make sense.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  Have you ever had a situation that was blurry but later you could see clearly?  _____
What was it about?  ______________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
John 9:1-2 - As Jesus went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
 
Question:  Why do you think that we blame others when we can’t see clearly? __________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

What does God want us to see when life is blurry?
 
1)  See through the obstacle illusions.
 
John 9:3 - “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but ­this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”
 
Question:  Why do you think we oftentimes get stuck looking at the obstacle instead of at the solution?  _________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question:  What should we do when what we see doesn’t equal what is real?  _________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
What mountain in your life are you unable to move?  ___________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Isaiah 45:2-3 – “I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. 3 I will give you…riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord…”
 
Question:  Have you ever had a time when God directed you to do something that didn’t make sense?  ___________  What did you do?  ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

2)  See God’s response to our immediate obedience.
 
John 9:6-7 - Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means Sent).  So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
 
Question:  What is God asking you to do now that doesn’t make sense?  _______________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Delayed obedience is disobedience every time.

Psalms 119:10, 18, 151 - I see you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands… 18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law…151 you are near, O Lord and all your commands are true.

Question:  Have you ever thought that perhaps a breakthrough is waiting for your obedience?

Matthew 6:33-34 – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

3)  See your blind spots.
 
John 9:27-33 - He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?” 28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
 
John 9:13-16 - They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a Sabbath. 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.”
 
Question:  What is your blind spot?  ____________________________________________________________

Question:  What are you so focused on that you have in front of you as a priority that is preventing you from seeing what is right next to you?  _________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
The result of finding clarity helps us to see Jesus.
 
John 9:35-38 - Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” 37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” 38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
 
Seeing isn’t believing, believing is seeing.
 
Question:  What have you been blinded to that God opened your eyes?________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question:  Are you facing any mountains or obstacles now that you would like to share?  
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question:  Are there priorities in your life that need to be rearranged?  _______________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question:  Did God speak to you through this miracle, if so, how?  ____________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

Read:

John 2:1-10 - On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." 4 "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come." 5 His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

Question:  Have you ever been to a wedding where something funny has happened? _________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question:  Why do you think Jesus turned the water into wine and did not do a miracle that was more grand?  ________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

This miracle has a lot to do with people’s expectations.
 
Question:  Have you ever had expectations that have not been met? __________ If so, what were they?  _____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question:  Have you ever had unmet expectations of God?  ____________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Big idea:  Recognize that things may get worse before God makes them better.
 
1 Peter 5:10 - …after you have suffered a little while, (God)…will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
 
Question:  Have you ever had a situation that has gone from bad to worse? ___________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question: How do you handle unmet expectations from either God or other people? _________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
How do we live through unmet expectations?  
 
Look to Jesus for your solution.
 
Question:  Have you ever looked somewhere other than God to meet that expectation? ______
What was it that you looked to? __________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

John 2:10 - "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

*  Jesus saves the best for last.

*  Principle in scripture: Things may get worse before God makes them better, but He will always make them better.
 
John 16:24 – “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”
 
Question:  Have you even asked for it?  _________________________________________________________
 
Do what Jesus says.
 
John 2:5 - (Jesus’s) mother said to the servants, "Do whatever (Jesus) tells you."
 
Question:  Has He asked you to do something about it that you haven’t done? ________________
What do you need to do? ________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
James 2:17 - …faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
 
We say we want God to show up in our area of unmet needs, but are we obeying the part
that he has called us to?

For instance, we want God to show up in our finances, but are we obeying God’s principles
about finances?
 
*  Because Jesus and the servants obeyed, a miracle happened.
 
Exodus 20:12 - "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
 
Question:  Jesus is the answer to your unmet need. Are you looking toward Him and in what areas do you need to improve?  _________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
James 2:18 - …I will show you my faith by what I do.

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

25 Day Church Challenge
Going into the World
Day 1

We know the purpose of the Church is to make disciples.

Matthew 28:18-19 - 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…”

Over the last six weeks, we have looked at the characteristics of a disciple. A disciple is connecting with God and other believers, growing spiritually in their head, heart and hands, serving in the body of Christ, giving generously, and going into the world.

For a disciple not to have the five characteristics in their life would mean that they are out of balance in their spiritual life.

Prayer: Ask the Lord to reveal to you any areas that need to be adjusted.

Day 2

Matthew 28:18-19 - 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 …”

We know the purpose of the church is to make disciples, and in verse 19, it tells us that we are to “Go”.

Matthew 9:36-38 - When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

List how Jesus described the crowd: ______________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question: Do you see the world the same way that Jesus sees it? _______________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spend some time in prayer and asked the Lord to see the world as He does.

Day 3

Matthew 9:36-38 - When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Jesus describes how the people who are far from God look in His eyes. In verse 37, speaking to His “disciples,” He tells us that the problem isn’t the harvest, but the WHO.

For most of us, fear is the one factor that prevents us from sharing our faith. Easter is just a few weeks away. Make a list of seven people that you could invite to Easter services at church. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Day 4

In the message on Sunday, we looked at: The condition (Weakness, lack of purpose and fulfillment) of the person who is far away from God and the nature (rescuing, revealing and receiving) of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit gives us a picture of what the Church should be about when it comes to “GOING”.

 To rescue the people who are far away from God.
 To reveal the truth in love.
 To receive them with grace.

Question: Can you think of a time when you rescued a person far from God, revealed God’s truth in love, or received them with His grace? __________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question: If heaven and hell are real places, and I believe they are, how urgent should we feel about rescuing people far from God, revealing the truth to them in love, and receiving them with God’s grace? ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Prayer: Lord give me a sense of urgency.

Day 5

Luke 19:10 – “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

2 Corinthians 5:19-20 - … And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

Mark 16:15 - He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

Not all of us are called to be preachers; but we are all commanded spread the good news of the gospel. Not all of us are engaged in full-time ministry; but we have all been given the ministry of reconciliation. Not all of us are natural evangelists; but we are all Christ’s ambassadors.

Question: When it comes to the characteristic of going into the world and sharing the good news, how are you doing?  ______________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

My heart’s desire through this 25 Day Church Challenge has been to see the level of all of our spiritual lives increase, and that each of us would manifest more of the heart of Christ and live out His heart and passion for the world in which we live in.

Prayer: Lord, burden my heart to see the world and those far from God as you see them.

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

25 Day Church Challenge
Devotional: Serving the Body of Christ

Day 1
Spend time today looking at these verses:

Spiritual gifts: (2 Timothy 1:11) - Heart: (Romans 15:20, Galatians 2:8, Acts 20:24)
Abilities: (Acts18:2-4) - Personality: (Galatians 1:13-14) - Experiences: (Acts 8:1, Acts 9:1-20, 2 Cor. 11:23-27, Acts 22:3)

What thoughts do you have on what may be your SHAPE?  ______________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Often times we make finding out our ministry more difficult than it needs to be. Let me ask you a series of questions based on the acronym shape:

Spiritual gift: Do you know your spiritual gift?   __________________________________________________

Heart: What does your heart hurt for or what are you passionate about? ______________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Abilities: What are you good at? _________________________________________________________________

Personality: Are you detail oriented, a people person, outgoing, or shy.  _______________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Experiences: What are some good and bad experiences that have shaped you.  _____________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________

When you start to write them out, you will start to see how God has shaped you and what for. If you could do anything for God and money wasn’t a concern, what would it be? __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Day 2
Ephesians 4:11-12 - God has given...pastors and teachers 12 to prepare God’s people for works of ministry so the Body of Christ may be built up.

The Bible says…

The pastors are administers. The people are the ministers.

Your ministry is determined by your SHAPE. What God made you to be determines what He
intends for you to do.

The two huge benefits to knowing how God has shaped you are:  fruitfulness and fulfillment.

What is ministry?

Definition:  (Greek “diakonos”); to serve

We minister/serve in three directions:

-To the Lord. --  We do it through worship. When we worship, we are actually ministering to God. We're using what God has given us to serve Him.

-To other believers. — Hebrews 6:10 - God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

-To unbelievers. — Matthew 5:13 - You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

Question:  In what ways do you find yourself ministering/serving in each of the three areas? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Day 3
Matthew 20:28 - Jesus: “Your attitude must be like My Own, for I did not come to be served, but to serve...” (LB)

Learning to serve like Jesus means:  being available.

Matthew 20:30, 32 - Two blind men... shouted, “Lord, have mercy on us!” ...32 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want Me to do for you?” He asked.

Three Barriers:
1st Barrier:  Self-centeredness
Philippians 2:4 - Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. (MSG)
2nd Barrier:  Perfectionism
Ecclesiates11:4 - If you wait for perfect conditions, you’ll never get anything done. (NLT)
3rd Barrier:  Materialism
Luke 16:13 - “No servant can serve two masters... You cannot serve both God and money."

Question:  How would you rate your availability? _______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Are there barriers that you need to ask God to remove? _______________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spend time in prayer for a heart that is available.
Day 4
Matthew 20:28 - Jesus said, “Your attitude must [circle "must"] be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve.”   Jesus said it's not an option. A non-ministering Christ follower is not obeying God. He expect us to be like Jesus Christ.

In Colossians 4:17 Paul says to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry you've received from the Lord and fulfill it.” Circle “fulfill.” The secret of a fulfilled life is to find the ministry for which God made you and get right in the middle. You're going to find fulfillment there more than any other area of your life, because it's what God made you to be. He said, you lose your life to find it. I'm commanded to minister.

We are commanded to minister/serve. A great place to start looking for opportunities to serve would be the “Serve” card.

Prayer:  Pray that God would open your heart and be available.

Day 5
1 Corinthians 12:27 - All of you together are the one body of Christ and each of you is a separate and necessary [circle “separate” and “necessary”] part of it.

When you don't fulfill the ministry God has given you, others get cheated. We're all a necessary part.

What if your liver said to your body, "I don't want to serve this year. I need some time off." Have you ever heard your liver say, "I just want to be fed"? You say, "I'm sorry, dear liver, but because you're part of the body of me, you've got to preform your function." Because, if the liver doesn't do it's part, the whole body gets cheated.

The body of Christ needs you in a ministry.

Prayer:  “God open my eyes to the fact I’m part of your body on earth and if the world is going to see you (Christ) it will be through what I do in your name.”

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

25 Day Church Challenge
Devotional:  Giving God Complete Devotion  
 
Day 1

Spend time today meditating on Acts 2.

Acts 2:42-47 - They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Question:  Measuring your devotion:  How well you have fit into the first century church?  ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Day 2

Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
 
Question:  What is your definition of a master?  ________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

The last part of verse 24 says “you cannot serve both God and money.”

Question:  Think of a time when you tried to serve both God and money. _____________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

You will either place your trust in money, wealth, and the pursuit of security, or in God.

Prayer:  Lord, I want my total trust and security to be in you and you alone.

Day 3

God doesn’t just want to rescue you financially. God wants to have your total devotion, but His competition is your stuff.

Question:  Can you think of a time when your stuff became more important than your heart’s devotion to Christ? _______________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Have you ever thought the reason why so many people are in financial chaos is because they’re not following what the Scriptures teaches about how we handle our finances?

Question:  List some ways God wants you to handle your finances.  ___________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Three action steps to break greed:

• Give 10%, Save 10%, Live 80%.
  
  

Question:  If your finances are not similar to the percentages above, what steps can you take to get to those percentages?  _______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Day 4

Matthew 6:24-32 - You cannot serve both God and Money. 25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things… 
 

• A pagan doesn’t believe that God is interested in their daily affairs.
  
  

Question:  Do you find yourself, more often than not, chasing after the things of this world?  If so, name the things that you are chasing.  _______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  How could a Christ follower live as if God wasn’t interested in his daily affairs?  ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Matthew 6:32-34 – “…and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first  his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” 

Our struggle with “seeking first his kingdom” is a constant battle that we fight.  Our struggle with chasing after the things of this world just reveals our devotion to his kingdom.  I’m not talking about our salvation, I’m speaking about the area of our heart or devotion that God controls.

Prayer:  Lord, I want you to have control of my total heart.

Day 5

If you made it to day five of this devotion, I’m proud of you. It is always difficult to deal with our heart and what we find out about our heart.

Matthew 6:33-34 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Question:  Have you given any thought to what “all these things” he is referring to?  ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question:  What is the promise that he will give us?  ____________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question:  What is the condition to receive that promise?  _____________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question:  What areas of your life do you need to adjust to seek him first?   __________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Prayer:  Lord, make the adjustments YOU need. 

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

25 Day Church Challenge: Spiritual Growth
Devotional: To Connect with Others

Day 1:

Question: What types of activities would you want to accomplish if you knew that you would die in just a few months. __________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question: What would you want your final 24 hours to be like? _________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question: What activities would you NOT include? _____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question: Have you ever been in a community group? What were the benefits of the group?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

John 13:1-7 - “It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

Question: What do we learn about the nature of God from this story? __________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

It is amazing that Jesus washes Judas’ feet even though he knows that Judas will betray him.
Question: How does this impact your view of God and how he connects with others?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Day 2:

Jesus predicted to His disciples about His death several times in the months and years leading up to this moment. Jesus knew that His death was imminent, and here at this meal, He took time with His disciples one final time to prepare them for His continued mission in the world.

Question: In what ways does social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) help and/or hurt your ability to connect with others? ______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

Question: What are your current activities that bring you into contact with others? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

When Jesus was on earth, He spent the majority of His time with the same small group of friends He was with in that room when He got down on His knees and washed their feet. And this was completely consistent with how He spent His time. The primary focus of His three-year ministry was to invest in this group of friends.

Question: What is one adjustment that you can make in your schedule this month so that you can better connect with others? __________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Day 3:

The early church met in homes where people gathered in small groups to enjoy a meal together and the Lord’s Supper. The epistles – the letters written to the early church that became part of the Bible (like Romans, Ephesians, etc.) –are full of what we sometimes call “one another” references.

Spend some time looking up the verses mentioned below and get a sense of the importance of community.

• “love one another”, John 13:34
• “forgive one another”, Colossians 3:13
• “be devoted to one another and honor one another above yourselves” Romans 12:10
• “accept one another”, Romans 15:7
• “serve one another” Galatians 5:19
• “encourage one another daily” Hebrews 3:13
• “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” Hebrews 10:24
• Romans 16:16 (you will have to look this one up and see if your group can handle obeying this scripture or not!)

Question: What is one thing that you can do to live out one of the “one another” statements above with someone to help develop your friendship? __________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

Day 4:

Outline from Sunday:

1. By PRAYING for each other.

A. Hurts, pains, and health.

B. Spiritual Growth

Question: Who could you pray these verses for? ________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Romans 15:13 - 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.

Name the person: ________________________________________________________________________________

Ephesians 1:17 - I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Name the person: ________________________________________________________________________________

2 Thessalonians 3:5 - May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.

Name the person: _______________________________________________________________________________

Day 5:

2. By being REAL with each other.

* ADMITTING your mistakes.

Ephesians 4:25 - Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Question: How honest are you about your weaknesses? ________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Two benefits:

A. Emotional HEALING from pain.

James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Question: What benefit do you find from confessing to others? ________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

B. Power from God to lift YOU UP.

James 4:10 - Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

James 4:6 - But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”

3. By ENCOURAGING others to grow spiritually.

1 Timothy 4:7 - Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

Question: What is godliness useful for? __________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

Day 1
Too often, followers of Jesus believe that worshiping regularly with other believers demonstrates maturity.  Of course, that’s an important ingredient for growth.  But it is not the mark of maturity.

Others see themselves as mature because they are consistently reading and studying their Bibles. They memorized verses and meet with others to study together.  That too is an important factor in spiritual growth. But it is not the mark of maturity.

Some think they have reached spiritual maturity when they are able to fill a valuable role of service to the church.  Others feel they have reached spiritual maturity because they have been a Christian longer than anyone they know.  Some feel they’ve arrived when the pastor asks them for advice.  But none of these is the mark of spiritual maturity.

Matthew 28:18-20 - 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."

Question:  How would you describe a disciple? ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Write out three ways you would like to grow spiritually over the next 12 months.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Day 2
So what we’re aiming for is not a huge complicated definition, but a clear, easy to understand definition of what a disciple would look like.

Matthew 4:19 - "Come, follow me," Jesus said…

Two words from Jesus was a simple invitation to accept Jesus’ authority and truth at head level.

Definition of “follow me” means:  the same way with.

Jesus had a heart for the broken, was sick to His stomach over people who were without a spiritual foundation, and thought it was better to serve than be served.

Question:  Which areas are you “the same way with Jesus?” _____________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question:  What areas would you ask God to help you grow in? ________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Day 3
Matthew 4:19-20 - "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."  20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

This tells us that discipleship involves Jesus molding our hearts to become more like His.

We call this process of transformation “sanctification.”

“Will make” means:  ‎to render or "make" one or oneself anything, or cause a person or thing to become something.

The Holy Spirit begins the transformation “sanctification.”  We begin to see things differently, the world, what we value, and what we consider to be important.

Question:  Could you name some areas where your views and /or values have changed to be more like Jesus’? ___________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Question:  What areas of your heart would you like to see change in? ___________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Romans 8:29 - For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son…

Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

To be conformed is to have our form changed with another.  PREFIX “Con” means “with.”                                                                                            
The goal of A DISCIPLE is to be changed to “conform” to the shape of God’s son—to think and act like Jesus.

Prayer:  Lord, change the areas of my life and heart that are not like yours.

Day 4
Matthew 4:19-20 - "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."  20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 

The final three words in verse 19 indicate a response to action, and verse 20 tells us how long it took to obey Jesus.  The disciples of Jesus recognize that he or she is saved for a purpose.  This means that we join Jesus on His mission to love and to reach a hurt and lost world.

Knowledge without action is useless.  When our heart is transformed, it moves you into action!

Question:  Do you have knowledge about Jesus’ heart that has not moved you into action? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
What is stopping you? ____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question:  If you could do anything for Jesus and money was not an issue or a concern, what would you do? ____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question:  Who is your provider? ________________________________________________________________

Question:  What is stopping you from moving forward? ________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Day 5
Look over the last four days. How would you assess your spiritual growth? _____________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Some ideas:  If you are new in your spiritual walk, consider joining Base Camp, January 16th (4 weeks). If you have been following Jesus and would like to know what your next steps are, Sign up for Next Steps. Starts February 6th (4 weeks). Maybe you would like to lead or join a community group, sign up now- Groups begin Jan. 16th.

The big picture:  A growing disciple of Jesus is a person who is following Jesus (head), is being transformed (heart), which leads to a commitment to the mission of Jesus (hands).

Prayer:  Lord, remove any fear I might have in me that keeps me from being on mission with you.

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

Open your group with a prayer.
                                                                                                             
This is only a guide.  Pick and choose your points.
                                                                             
DISOBEDIENCE: JONAH 1:2

Jonah 1:1 - The word of the Lord  came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."

DISCIPLINE:  JONAH 1:4-17
DISTRESS:  JONAH 2:1
DECISION TO OBEY:  JONAH 2:9
DELIVERANCE:  JONAH 2:10
 
Jonah 3:1 - Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time...:

1.  WE WORSHIP A GOD OF SECOND CHANCES.

Jonah 2:9 - But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord ."

Question:  Describe a time when God gave you a second chance.  ______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jonah 3:2 - “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you."

• QUWM YALAK:  GO NOW!

 
Question:  What are some reasons why people will not respond now to God’s prompting? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
2.  WHAT HAS GOD CALLED YOU TO DO THAT YOU NEED TO DO NOW?

Question:  What has God shown you that you need to do, but have not yet done?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Jonah 3:3-4 - Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very important city — a visit required three days. 4 On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned."

• STARTED MEANS: UNTIE OR LOOSEN

Jonah 2:8 - "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.
 

• Idols: Prejudice and Self

3.  SOMETIMES WE ARE TIED TO THINGS THAT KEEP US FROM OBEYING GOD.

Question:  What are some things that you might need to loosen or untie yourself from? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jonah 3:4 - On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned."

4.  GOD’S MERCY IS A LIMITED TIME OFFER.

Question:  Are there people in your life that God has placed on your heart that you are concerned about spiritually? If so, what are you doing to accomplish God’s will in their life and yours?  ____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Jonah 3:5 - The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

Question:  Are there people that you don’t like that make you feel they could never come to know Christ? Or maybe you don’t want them to come to Christ?  ________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  What do you think would happen if all of Las Vegas or Hollywood came to Christ? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Jonah 3:6-9 - When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. 7 Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. 8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. 9 Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish."

Question:  WHAT DO YOU SPIRITUALLY ACHE FOR?  ____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

5.  GOD SHOWS US HIS AMAZING GRACE.

Jonah 3:10 - When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.

Question:  What spoke to you most about this outline or message?  ____________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  Would you fast one day for a person God has placed on your heart or for our community?  _____________________________________________________________________________________
 

• How do we respond to a God like that?

 
1. Take Him up on His second chance.
2. Believe what he says.
3. Repent.
4. Fast.
5. Spread the good news to others.
 
 
 
 
 

Type your new text here.

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

Open your group with a prayer.
                                                                                                             
This is only a guide.  Pick and choose your points.
 
*  DISOBEDIENCE: JONAH 1:2

Jonah 1:1-2 - The word of the Lord  came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."

*  DISCIPLINE: JONAH 1:4-17

Jonah 1:9-12 - He answered, "I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord , the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land." 10 This terrified them and they asked, "What have you done?" (They knew he was running away from the Lord , because he had already told them so.) 11 The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, "What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?" 12 "Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied, "and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you."

Question:  Has there ever been a time when you were willfully disobedient?   __________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
*  DISTRESS: JONAH 2:1

Jonah 2:1 - From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God.
 
Question:  Has there ever been a time when God has got your attention. If so, would you be willing to share it?  ________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
We have the ability to CALL on God, the Creator of the universe.

*We all can call on Him, and He will answer.
 
Hebrews 4:16 - Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Question:  How has Hebrews 4:16 helped you in your prayer life?  _____________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

 Jonah 2:2 - In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry.
 
Distress means: The travail of childbirth or labor.
 
Grave means: Sheol
 
Question:  When you read the definition of “distress” and “Grave,” What does it tell us about God’s love for you and your access to him?  ______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
2.  God still did a MIRACLE..                                                
 
* God is ACTIVELY working, even though we are still in pain.

“Jonah, go.”  Jonah says, “No.”  Jonah gets on a ship.  Phase one, God sends a storm.  It doesn’t work.  Phase two, God sends the captain.  “You need to pray.”  Phase three, the sailors have mercy on him and don’t throw him overboard.  Phase four, when they do throw him overboard, God sends a fish.  Phase five, the fish gets a tummy- ache and throws him up onshore.  

All through this miracle, you can see different phases where God was working.  
 
Question:  Describe a time when God answered your prayer in phases?  ______________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Jonah 2:3-6 - You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. 4 I said, 'I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.' 5 The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. 6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O LORD my God.
 

Never forget the “but, God,” MOMENTS.
 
Question:  Why do you think it’s important that we never forget the “but, God,” moments? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
3.  Painful events can cause us to REMEMBER and REFOCUS our spiritual life or walk away and become bitter toward God.  
 
Jonah 2:7 - When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.

Question:  Can you share a time when a painful experience caused you to remember God? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  Can you share a time when a painful experience caused you to become bitter toward God?  _____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jonah 2: 8 - Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

*Idols:  Prejudice and SELF
 
Question:  What idols might you be holding on to?  _____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jonah 2: 9 - But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD."
 
Question:  Can you think of something you vowed to make good with God and haven’t done yet?  _______________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

4.  When your life is spiritually refocused, your ONLY response will be, “Here is my life, now LORD, you take it”.

Question:  We always have areas to refocus in our spiritual life. Would you be willing to share areas that you are working on or need to work on?  _____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Jonah 2:9-10 - But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD." 10 And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Question:  Have you ever thought that your breakthrough might be held up for your lack of willingness to obey God?  _________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

Open your group with a prayer.
                                                                                                              
This is only a guide.  Pick and choose your points.
 
Jonah 1:1-3 - The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." 3 But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.
   
JONAH:          KNOWN AS “THE RELUCTANT PROPHET.” 
                        HIS NAME MEANS "DOVE."
 
AMITTAI:       "MEANS TRUTH." 
 
NINEVAH:      CAPITAL OF ASSYRIA. NINEVEH WAS  ISRAEL’S WORST ENEMY. 
 
Jonah 1:1 - The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai…

Question:  Describe the time when God spoke clearly to you.  __________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
1.  GOD WILL OFTEN ASK YOU TO DO THINGS YOU DON’T WANT TO DO.

Jonah 1:2 - "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."

Question:  What commands in the Bible do you find the hardest to be obedient to?  ___________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  Now that you know the back story of why Jonah did not want to preach in Nineveh, do you ever find yourself not wanting to reach out to people because of what they’ve done to you or to others?  _________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  In his mind, Jonah had legitimate reasons for not wanting to preach to the Ninevites. Describe a time when you disobeyed God’s direction and faced the consequences.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
2.  YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND A BOAT SAILING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.  

Jonah 1:3 - But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.

Question:  Can you describe a time when you were going in the opposite direction of what God desired you to be going unwillingly or knowingly?  _______________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question: How about a time when you were just drifting spiritually? How did you get back on track?  _____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
3.  GOD MAY SEND A STORM TO GRAB YOUR ATTENTION.

Jonah 1:4 - Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.

Question: What has God used in your past or present to get your attention?  ___________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jonah 1:8-10 - So they asked him, "Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?" 9 He answered, "I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land." 10 This terrified them and they asked, "What have you done?" (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.)

Question: Jonah said “he worshiped the Lord.” Pastor Dan said, “Worship is a lifestyle.” What is the danger of thinking that worship only happens on Sunday?  __________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Jonah 1:12 - "Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied, "and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you."
 
4.  JONAH’S WORST NIGHTMARE WAS EXACTLY WHAT HE NEEDED.

Jonah 1:15-17 - Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him. 17 But the Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.

Question:  Who provided the fish to swallow Jonah?  ____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question:  What does that tell you about what God will do to get your attention? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question: When the word of the Lord comes to you. You have a choice:  Obey or disobey.
What has God asked you to do that you haven’t done? Is there any area of disobedience in your life?  _______________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

Open your group with a prayer.
                                                                                                             
This is only a guide.  Pick and choose your points.
 
WHAT NEGATIVE LABEL FOLLOWS YOUR NAME?
__________________   the  ____________________.
(Your name)                           (Label)
 
Question:  Would you be willing to share a label from your past?  _______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  Have you ever make decisions based on a label from your past?  ___________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Acts 26:9-11 - "I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.
 
Question: What was Paul known for prior to his conversion?  ___________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
2 Corinthians 5:14-16 - For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
 
A NEW GOD-CENTERED VIEW OF YOU.
 

• When Paul’s assessment of Jesus changed, so did his assessment of himself and everyone else. 

 
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
 
Question:  How has your view of yourself changed since coming to know Christ?  _____________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 

• New means new in quality, not just in sequence; believers' "old self was crucified with Him"(Rom 6:6); they have therefore “laid aside the old self . . . and put on the new self" (Eph 4:22,24; Col 3:9-10).

 

• The perfect tense of the verb (has come) indicates a past act with continuing results in the present. God plants new desires, loves, inclinations, and truths in the redeemed, so that they live in the midst of the old creation with a new creation perspective.     

 
Question:  Will you share some areas of your life that has changed because of your relationship with Christ?  _______________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Read it together:    
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

• Truths that will set you free from your past labels:

1. GOD WILL GIVE YOU A NEW NAME.
 
Isaiah 62:2 - ... You will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.

Genesis 17:5 - No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.

Genesis 32:27-28 - The man asked him, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he answered.  28 Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."

Judges 6:12 - When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior."

Judges 6:14-15 - The Lord turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?" 15 "But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."

Question:   What do you think your new God-given name is?  __________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question:  What do you think your spouse’s God-given new name is?  ________________________   ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

2.  GOD WILL GIVE YOU A NEW PURPOSE.

Matthew 16:13-18 - When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 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.  
 
Read:
Whatever negative label that's been associated with your name, you take that label, with the power of Christ, and out of  your greatest weakness of your past God can raise up the greatest strength for your future.
 
Question:  Have you ever thought that God wants to use your greatest weakness to reveal himself to a world around you?  __________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  What might be your greatest weakness?  ____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  Do you know God’s new purpose for your life?  ______________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  What areas of your life might need to grow for God’s new purpose, to be used?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
3. GOD WILL GIVE YOU A NEW FUTURE.
 
Question:  have you ever had thoughts of “My life will never…”  ________________________________
 
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.”

Matthew 1:5 - Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab…

Question:  Why do you think God used a prostitute in the genealogy of Jesus?  ________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  What does that tell you about your future?  _________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Philippians 3:13-14 - …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.
 
Question:  What do you think that verse means in life?  ________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  What steps might you need to take to get past your past?  _________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

Open your group with a prayer.
                                                                                                              
This is only a guide.  Pick and choose your points.
 
Romans 7:15 - I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

Romans 7:21-23 - So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.

1.  Shame
2. Uncontrolled Thoughts
3. Inner Desires
4. Fear
5. Hopelessness
6. Bitterness 
7. Insecurity

Question:  Did God give you any insight into the destructive weapons?  _________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question:  Did you have any victory over them?  __________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Romans 8:14-16 - ... because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

Question: Name some of the fears that you have.  _______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question:  Would you describe some of your fears as being all-consuming?  ____________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  As a Christ follower, what have you received?  _______________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Prayer:
As a Christ follower you are a child of God. Spend some time in prayer on this thought. The God who created the world that you see out of nothing is your loving Heavenly Father.

 2 Timothy 1:7- For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Question:  As a Christ follower, what did you receive? __________________________________________ . How is that spirit described? ______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

So as a believer, that power and love is in you.

Question:  When you look at your life, do you tend to look at the here and now or the long term?  _____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Romans 8:17-18 - Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
 
Question:  In verse 18, what does it say about present suffering?  _______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  Have you ever lost hope because of your present suffering trials?  __________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  How would looking at who God is and eternity help you to move from hopelessness to hope?  ___________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  Do you feel like you need to be in control?  __________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Romans 8:19-32 -  The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 252 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 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 with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Question:  When you feel weak and out of control, who helps us in verse 26?  __________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________           
Question:  When you are lost for words and direction in life, who speaks on your behalf?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  In verse 28, what is the promise we had?  ____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  Who works it out?  ____________________________________________________________________
 
It doesn’t say all things are good, but that God works all things for His good.
 
Question:  Have you ever had a situation that was not good turn around to be a blessing in your life? __________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Prayer: 
What trials have you gone through or are going through that God wants to turn around?  Have you given them to Him or are you still trying to control them?
 
Reread Romans 8:19 – 32.
 
Question:  In verse 29, who is God trying to shape us into the image of? ________________________
 
Question:  How could God use hardships in our life to shape us in the image of Jesus?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
I have found that when hardships come my way, I am more open and receptive to God’s help and guidance.
 
Question:  What hardships might God be allowing in our life in order for you to completely rely on Him?  ___________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Read Romans 8:31–39.
 
Question:  In verse 31, what did God do for you?  ________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Could you imagine giving up your child to save another person?  ________________________________
 
Question:  What does that tell you about His love for you?  ______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Read:
Romans 8:38-39 - 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.

Question:  How would you describe His love for you?  ____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  What could stop Him from loving you?  _______________________________________________

Question:  What could separate His love from you?  _____________________________________________
 
Question:  When you think of how much He loves you, would that encourage you to trust Him more in your life?  _________________________________________________________________________________

Question:  In what areas of your life do you need to turn over your control to your Heavenly Father who loves you?  ____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Feeding your Spiritual life:  Prayer, Bible reading, Corporate Worship, and Serving Jesus.
 

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

Open your group with a prayer.
                                                                                                             
This is only a guide.  Pick and choose your points.
 
Romans 7:15 - I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
 
Question:  Do you ever feel this way?  _____________________________________________________________

Question:  How do you try to stop from doing the things that you’re doing?  _____________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Romans 7:21-23 - So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.
 
Question:  where is the war waging?  ______________________________________________________________
 
In Romans chapter 7, you will find these seven self-destructive thoughts. You might want to read through chapter 7.
 
Spend time in prayer and ask God to reveal to you which of these self–destructive weapons you wrestle with in your mind:
 
1.  Shame
2. Uncontrolled Thoughts
3. Inner Desires
4. Fear
5. Hopelessness
6. Bitterness
7. Insecurity
 
Romans 7:24-25 - What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God — through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
 
Question:  What personal struggles in your past have you tried to overcome?  ___________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  Verse 24 tells us who rescues us. Who is it?  ___________________________________________
 
Our freedom is not a what, but a who:  Jesus. Whenever we try to overcome personal struggles with ourselves (a pill, program, book, tape, seminar, hypnosis) we will always be frustrated.  Our freedom is a person:  Jesus.
 
So let’s reinforce some mental habits that will set us free.
 
1. I must remind myself what Jesus did for me.
 
Romans 8:1-4 - Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

Question:  How would you describe what “no condemnation” means?  _________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Romans 8:2-4 - because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

As a believer in Jesus Christ, he has placed his righteousness in us, his righteousness is imputed in us.
 
Question:  How would that change your mindset as you understand that the righteousness of Christ is in you?  ___________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Question:  If our actions start out as thoughts which lead to feelings and ultimately an action, how has the thought of “The righteousness of Christ in us”  begun to change us?  _______________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
2.  I must ask the Holy Spirit to change my thoughts.
 
Romans 8:5-8 - Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
 
Question:  What is the outcome of a mindset on natural desires?  _______________________________
 
Question:  What is the outcome of a mindset on spiritual desires?  ______________________________
 
Question:  Do you have peace in your life?  If not, have you thought about what your mind set is?  _________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

• The principle of replacement is a very powerful tool to use. What persists in your mind, eventually you will not be able to resist. You must replace your thoughts like turning a channel on a movie that you don’t like. If you do not change and replace the thoughts, eventually your thoughts will have their way.
  
  

3. I must realize that I have a new POWER to say “ No.”
 
Galatians 5:16 - So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
 
Question:  What is not satisfied when we live under the control of the spirit?  ___________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Romans 8:9-12 - You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. 12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation — but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.
 
Question:  Who are we to live under the control of?  ______________________________________________

Question:  What power do we have in our life?  ___________________________________________________

Question:  What was that Spirit able to do in Christ?  ______________________________________________

Question:  If Christ’s power that raised him from the dead is in us as believers what would be possible for you? ___________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Close this week out in prayer by allowing the Holy Spirit to remind you of his power and our ability through him.

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

The prudent act as if then is now; as if the future is the present. The simple respond as if tomorrow will always be tomorrow.

Open your group with a prayer.
                                                                                                             
This is only a guide.  Pick and choose your points.
 
Q:  Why do many believers tend to charge down the path of least resistance?  ________________
       _______________________________________________________________________________________________
       _______________________________________________________________________________________________

1.  “The FEAR of the Lord”:  RECOGNITION and REVERENCE that lead to wisdom.
 
2.  The direction of your life determines your destination.  Your DECISIONS determine your         direction.
 
Q:  How can you tell ahead of time if your path will take you to a destination you desire?
       _______________________________________________________________________________________________
       _______________________________________________________________________________________________
       _______________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Q:  What process do use you to determine that?  ______________________________________________
       ______________________________________________________________________________________________
       ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Proverbs 27:12 - The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
 
The backdrop:
 
1.  This story has two people, two responses, and two outcomes.          

2.  The prudent in the book of Proverbs is the WISE person.                          

1. They SEE how decisions yesterday are connected to today and how decisions today are connected to tomorrow.         

Q:  Can you share a time when you made a decision in the past that now you are experiencing          the consequences whether it be good or bad?  ______________________________________________
       ________________________________________________________________________________________________
       ________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Q:  What does it mean to act as if the future is the present?  _____________________________________
      _________________________________________________________________________________________________
      _________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Q:  What is so dangerous about acting as if tomorrow will never come?  ________________________
       ________________________________________________________________________________________________
       ________________________________________________________________________________________________

• They ask the RIGHT question: Is it wise for me to do…?

3.  The word “simple” is also translated as the word “naïve.” The simple person thinks life’s decisions are disconnected.
 
a. The simple/naïve person thinks that today is about today and tomorrow is about tomorrow and that they’re not really all that CONNECTED.                  
 
Q:  If you could go back in time, what would you tell yourself at 17?  ____________________________
       ________________________________________________________________________________________________
       ________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q:  And what difference might it have made if you actually taken your own advice?  ___________
      ________________________________________________________________________________________________
      ________________________________________________________________________________________________

Proverbs 27:12 - The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

4.  The danger for believers:  

We CONFUSE conviction and action.                

Q:  Share a time when you were convicted and acted and share a time when you were                        convicted and took no action.  ________________________________________________________________
      _________________________________________________________________________________________________
      _________________________________________________________________________________________________

John 14:15 - "If you love me, you will obey what I command."

Job 23:12 - I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
 
5.  The result of being prudent is that you look FOOLISH because prudent people act now.
 
Proverbs 27:12 - The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

In an effort to be wise, you appear to be foolish, even fearful. You look a bit silly now because you are taking steps to avoid something that later.

Q:  How can wisdom sometimes appear to be foolish or fearful?  ______________________________
       ________________________________________________________________________________________________
       ________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
The four phrases:

• Take ACTION

The prudent see danger and they don’t pray, and they don’t think about it, and they don’t contemplate. When they see danger, they take refuge. They do something.
 
Q:  Are there any actions to take?  _______________________________________________________________
       _______________________________________________________________________________________________
       _______________________________________________________________________________________________
 

•  Make SACRIFICES
  
  

Q:  Any sacrifices that you need to make?  _______________________________________________________
       ________________________________________________________________________________________________
       ________________________________________________________________________________________________

• Prepare to be EMBARRASSED
  
  

Q:  How can you resist the urge to give in to changes of appearing foolish or embarrassed?
       ________________________________________________________________________________________________
       ________________________________________________________________________________________________
       ________________________________________________________________________________________________

• Prepare to be RELIEVED
  
  

Q:  Can you share a time when you looked back and said, “Man. I’m glad I didn’t,” or “I did?”
       ________________________________________________________________________________________________
       ________________________________________________________________________________________________
       ________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

Every time you make a decision, it is preceded by a series of questions.  Sometimes you ask them out loud, sometimes you simply process them in your subconscious.  We ask questions like:  How much can I afford?  What are the risks?  How will this feel?  How much will I make?  How much could I lose?  What are my chances?  Whether you think about it or not, the questions you ask yourself eventually determine your decision.
As a general rule, people operate by two primary tenets.  First, we want to get the most out of life; and second, we want to avoid getting into trouble.  Therefore, as we evaluate our options in a decision, we tend to focus on whether or not our choices would violate any rules or commandments.  If they don’t, we often assume they are acceptable.  Whether it’s a financial decision, a moral choice, a business move, or a relationship – our tendency is to see how close we can get to the edge, then make our decision accordingly.
But as a result of this approach, many Christians simply ask the wrong questions.  According to Scripture, the question is not just whether something is moral, ethical, legal, or harmful.  For Christians, there’s another question that’s even more important than all those.  In this session, we’ll discover “God’s best question we as believers can ask” when it comes to making decisions that can impact your life.

Open your group with a prayer.
                                                                                                             
This is only a guide.  Pick and choose your points.
 
Q:  We all make dumb decisions. Give examples of some of the really dumb decisions you’ve seen people make.  ______________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
 __________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Q:  What are some of the reasons we make unwise decisions?  _________________________________
 __________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
                                     
Ephesians 5:15 - Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise …
 
Careful means:  On the lookout.
 
Live means:  To tread all around, i.e. walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary):
 

• The call from God is to live by a different standard. 

 
Ephesians 5:16 - ... making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
 
Q:  How do you normally make decisions?  ______________________________________________________
 __________________________________________________________________________________________________
 __________________________________________________________________________________________________
  

• God’s best question we as believers can ask: Is it wise for me to do…
  
  

 The culture has a current you don't want to get swept away in.
 
Q:  Share some examples of the culture sweeping areas of our life away.  _______________________
 __________________________________________________________________________________________________
 __________________________________________________________________________________________________

  3.   The challenge to us:

Ephesians 5:17 - Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
  

• Paul is saying, “Stop playing games and deceiving yourself."
  
  

Q:  What are some ways that we can deceive ourselves?  _______________________________________
 _________________________________________________________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
  Be on the lookout (careful) and ask:
 
 1. Is it in harmony with God's word?
 
The word or the world

Psalm 119:105 -  Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Q:  Share a time when you let God’s word guide your decision and how it impacted your life. __________________________________________________________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________________________________________________________
   
 2. Would I want everyone to know about this decision?
 
Proverbs 10:9 - The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

 James 4:17 - Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

Q:  Why would fear of letting other people know the decision be a red flag?  ____________________
 __________________________________________________________________________________________________
 __________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
3.  Will it make me a better person?

1 Corinthians 10:23 - "Everything is permissible" - but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible" - but not everything is constructive. 24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.  
   
 Q:  What is the danger of having that kind of freedom?  _________________________________________
 __________________________________________________________________________________________________
 __________________________________________________________________________________________________

  4.  Could it become addicting to me?
 
1 Corinthians 6:12- "Everything is permissible for me" - but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me" - but I will not be mastered by anything.

Q:  We think addiction is primarily drugs and alcohol. But what other kinds of addictions are out there that we should be concerned about?  ______________________________________________________
 __________________________________________________________________________________________________
 __________________________________________________________________________________________________

5.  Will it harm other people?

Romans 14:12-14 - So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. 14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.

Romans 15:1-3 - We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."

Q: If you’re married, do you have a plan on how you make decisions that affect other members? (Like, if my spouse and I don’t have 100% agreement, we will not move forward on the decision.)  _______________________________________________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
 6.  Is this the best investment of my life and resources that God has given me?

 Ephesians 5:15-17 - Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

Q: what decisions are you considering now, and how has this discussion affected your thinking?  ________________________________________________________________________________________
 __________________________________________________________________________________________________
 __________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Q:  In what specific area of your life do you need the wisdom of God?  __________________________
 __________________________________________________________________________________________________
 __________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

Open your group with a prayer.

This is only a guide.  Pick and choose your points.

Q:  How do you make decisions?  ________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
1.  In every area of life, there are certain rules and principles that we must know to make great decisions.  
   Q:  List a principle or rule that applies to  music, spelling, math, etc:  __________________________
   ________________________________________________________________________________________________
   ________________________________________________________________________________________________
   Q:  Share a time when you neglected a principle or rule and paid a price:  ____________________
   ________________________________________________________________________________________________      ________________________________________________________________________________________________
2.  Knowing the rules in that area doesn't make the decision for us, but it reduces our options.
   *  Being aware or knowing the rules or principles of a particular area is not enough.
   Big Idea:  
3.  In order to make great decisions, you must submit to the rules.
   *  Think about this:  The direction of your life determines your destination.  Your decisions                determine your direction.
   Q:  Would you be willing to share a destination that you desire in an area of your life?  ________
     ________________________________________________________________________________________________
     ________________________________________________________________________________________________
     And what decisions have you made to get there?  ____________________________________________
     ________________________________________________________________________________________________
     ________________________________________________________________________________________________
4.  When it comes to making life decisions, we are often unwilling to submit to God.
   *  Even though I'm willing to submit to the men who made the rules, I'm not willing to submit to the          God who made the men who made the rules that I submit to.
   Q:  Why do you think we struggle with submitting to God?  ____________________________________
    ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
   _________________________________________________________________________________________________
*  It was this reasoning that led the wisest man in the world to write these words.  
Ecclesiastes 2:10 - I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.
Ecclesiastes 2:17 - So now I hate life because it is all so irrational; all is foolishness, chasing the wind.
Proverbs 9:8-12 -  Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.  9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.  10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  11 For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.  12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.    
5.  "The fear of the Lord":  Recognition and reverence that lead to wisdom.
   *  Wisdom begins with the recognition of who God is.  
   Q:  List some ways that we recognize and have reverence for the Lord:  ______________________
    _________________________________________________________________________________________________
    _________________________________________________________________________________________________
    *  Submission is not about what He asks of us, it is about Who He is.
This does not mean simply recognizing His power and knowledge.  The idea that God is big and knows everything:  that is not enough.  Wisdom begins with rightly recognizing God's position as God.  Proper recognition results in REVERENCE.
   Q:  Based on that, what would your definition of submission be?  _____________________________
     ________________________________________________________________________________________________
     ________________________________________________________________________________________________
   Q:  When you hear "The fear of the Lord", what do you think?  ________________________________
    _________________________________________________________________________________________________
    _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Proverbs 9:10-12 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11 For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.  
Parallel ideas:
Wisdom = reward
Mocker = suffer
   Q:  Can you share a time when you were rewarded by your wisdom?  _________________________
    _________________________________________________________________________________________________
    _________________________________________________________________________________________________
   Q:  Can you share a time you suffered because of your foolishness?  ___________________________
   _________________________________________________________________________________________________
   _________________________________________________________________________________________________
6.  In every area of life there are certain rules and principles that we must know to make great decisions.  
What makes you wise:  Submitting
   Q:  How can you improve on your submitting to God?  ________________________________________
   _________________________________________________________________________________________________
   _________________________________________________________________________________________________
   Q:  What decision are you considering now, and how has this discussion affected your            
   thinking?  _______________________________________________________________________________________
   _________________________________________________________________________________________________
   _________________________________________________________________________________________________
   Q:  In what specific area of your life do you need the wisdom of God?  ________________________
   _________________________________________________________________________________________________
   _________________________________________________________________________________________________
The beginning of wisdom is saying, "God, regardless of the question, I'm willing to say 'yes.'"

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

Open your group with a prayer. 
This is only a guide.  Pick and choose your points.
 
Fascinating question:
Is it possible to stay happily married forever?  In spite of the divorce rates as high as they are,  IS there still hope?
Q: Is THIS possible?  ______________________________________________________________________________
If so, why?  ______________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

1.  Most marriages start with the wrong foundation.
Q: List some of the wrong foundations:  ______________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________

2.  It has never been more DIFFICULT to stay in love BECAUSE:
   A. Very few people have been around HEALTHY marriages.
  Q:  Describe a healthy marriage:  _______________________________________________________________           ______________________________________________________________________________________________
   Q:  List some wrong models:  __________________________________________________________________            _____________________________________________________________________________________________
   B. THE BAGGAGE we have growing up.
   Q:  Would you be willing to share some of your baggage?  ___________________________________                ___________________________________________________________________________________________

3.  As you grow up, you need the following to have healthy relationships as an adult:  
    *  Respect, encouragement, comfort, security, support, acceptance, approval, appreciation,               attention, and affection

4. Our culture tells us if you're not happy, it's because you're not with the RIGHT person.
Q: Do you believe that is what the culture says?  _______________________________________________

5. KEY: Choosing the right person is part of it, but learning to be and BECOME the right person is the other part.
Q: Share some ways you are learning to become the right person and would you be wiling to share some struggles you are having to overcome in becoming the right person?  ____________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Jesus gives us the RIGHT FOUNDATION for a life-long romantic love relationship.
 John 13:34 - "A new command I give you: Love one another."
New means:  REMARKABLE
 Jesus makes what is normally a noun into a VERB.
 We think love is something you fall into like a pool and out of like a chair. Jesus would look at you and say, “ Are you loving her/him?”
Q: What would be some actions that you could start doing to love the other person like Christ? __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Where is a saying that says:  "You act your way into feelings"?
Q:  Would you be willing to share a time in which you did not feel like doing something, that you did anyway, and actually enjoyed it?  Keep it clean, LOL)?  ______________________________________  _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. The foundation for staying in love is to make love A VERB.
John 13:34 - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
Q:  What are some of the ways Jesus has loved us?
Ephesians 5:21 - Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Mutual submission means:  the OTHER PESON is the priority.
Could you list five ways you choose to submit to your spouse?
1.  ______________________________________________________________________________________________
2.  ______________________________________________________________________________________________
3.  ______________________________________________________________________________________________
4.  ______________________________________________________________________________________________
5.  ______________________________________________________________________________________________

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

Being busy defines our culture  We greet one another with, "Are you keeping busy?"  Our society seems to be built on the cultural lie that busy is better.  We use convenient lies to justify our busyness.  how often do we say, "There's just not enough time to do everything" or wish for just one more hour in our day?  Do we justify our busyness with, "It's just a busy season I'm in right now?"  Or do we add more to our schedule by saying, "But, this is really important"?  These are lies that keep us from seeing that busy is not better.  Choosing better is better.  This study will help us identify the pattern of busyness that gets us into trouble and then provide suggestions for taking action that will replace our busyness with peace by choosing what is better.

Open your group with a prayer.

This in only a guide:  Pick and choose your point.  

Pattern of Busyness

1.  Begins with Good Intentions
Psalm 127:2 - In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat--for he grants sleep to those he loves. 
What is vain, according to Psalm 127:2?  ________________________________________________________
   *  How can good intentions keep us from serving God?  _______________________________________
        _______________________________________________________________________________________________
        _______________________________________________________________________________________________
Luke 10:38 - As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.
How was Martha serving God in Luke 10:38?  ____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
   *  Why should we check our intentions when we serve God?  __________________________________
       _______________________________________________________________________________________________
       _______________________________________________________________________________________________
2.  It Moves to Distractions
Proverbs 21:5 - The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.  
What does Proverbs 21:5 state as the outcome of those who hasten?  __________________________
   *  How can we keep from hurrying?  ___________________________________________________________
       _______________________________________________________________________________________________
       _______________________________________________________________________________________________
Luke 10:40 - But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!"
What was the result of Martha's many preparations, according to the first part of Luke 10:40?  
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
   *  Discuss how preparations can become distractions.  _______________________________________
       ______________________________________________________________________________________________
       ______________________________________________________________________________________________
3.  Then Pressure and Pity Arrive
Luke 10:40 - But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!"
What is Martha's focus, according to her question in Luke 10:40?  ______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
     *  What would be a better focus for Martha?  ________________________________________________
          ____________________________________________________________________________________________
          ____________________________________________________________________________________________
4.  Then it Turns to Resentment
Ecclesiastes 4:6 - Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.  
What does Ecclesiastes 4:6 state is better than two handfuls?  __________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
     *  How can pressure cause resentment and make you lose God's peace?   __________________
         _____________________________________________________________________________________________
         _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Luke 10:41-42 - "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
How did Martha feel according to Luke 10:41-42?  _______________________________________________
     *  What warning signs should we look for to avoid becoming resentful?  ______________________
         ______________________________________________________________________________________________
         ______________________________________________________________________________________________
ACTIONS TO TAKE
1.  Confess the Lie
Ephesians 5:15 - Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise.
According to Ephesians 5:15, how are we to live?  ________________________________________________
     *  Describe some of the characteristics of a life lived wisely.  __________________________________
          ______________________________________________________________________________________________
          ______________________________________________________________________________________________
     *  Why is it important that each person evaluate his/her own life in the light of God's Word?
          ______________________________________________________________________________________________
          ______________________________________________________________________________________________
          ______________________________________________________________________________________________
2.  You Name the Distractions
Galatians 1:10 - Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?  Or am I trying to please men?  If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Read Galatians 1:10.  Whose approval are we to seek?  __________________________________________
     *  How can seeking the approval of men cause distractions in life?  ___________________________
          _____________________________________________________________________________________________
          _____________________________________________________________________________________________
    *  What things can we do daily to minimize distractions?  _____________________________________
         _____________________________________________________________________________________________
         _____________________________________________________________________________________________
3.  You Choose What is Better?
Matthew 11:28-30 - "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."
What does Matthew 11:28-30 tell us to do?  _____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
     *  What troubles might we have if we don't pause and ask God for direction in our decisions?   _____________________________________________________________________________________________
  _____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
     *  Describe some obstacles to knowing what is better and doing what is better.  _____________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
To Do This I've Got to Answer...
     a.  What's My Standard For What is Better?  __________________________________________________
  *  How does a person's choice of standards affect their life?  _____________________________
      _________________________________________________________________________________________
      _________________________________________________________________________________________
     b.  Am I Making My Choices by That Standard?  ______________________________________________
1 Thessalonians 2:4 - On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.  We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.  
Who do we strive to please, according to 1 Thessalonians 2:4?  _________________________________
         *  How can using God's standard improve our lives?  ______________________________________
   ____________________________________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________________________________
        c.  What Do I Need to Choose to Say "No" to Today?  This Week?  This Month?  This Year?
Job 14:5 - Man's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.  
What does Job 14:5 have to say about limits?  ___________________________________________________
     *  Why do we say "Yes," when we really should say "No"?  ____________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
d.  How Do I Choose to Refuel When I'm Empty?  
Isaiah 40:28-31 - Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak  30  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  
In Isaiah 40:28-31, how is God described?  What does he give to the weary?  ____________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
     *  What are some indicators that a person is running on empty?  _____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
     *  Discuss the impact culture might have on encouraging people to run on empty.  __________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Busyness can lead to making poor decisions  What standard do you base your decisions on?  Make time to study God's Word to provide a solid basis for your choices.  Join with a partner to encourage each other and provide accountability for your decisions.  
Personal Applications and Commitment:
We have accepted a busy life as normal.  When we are busy our soul dries up and our lives are empty; then we make ourselves busier trying to fill the emptiness.  Can you imagine your life at a pace that is refreshing, with no pressure, and having margin for relationships?  A life where you have time to do what matters; where you do things because you desire to do them, not out of obligation?  Make a list of all that is on your calendar or "to do" list this week.  Identify which items you think are important and which you might consider distractions.  Now, slow down, present your list to God in prayer, and ask him what His priorities are for your week.  Be still and listen for His answer.  You can experience the fullness of what God created you for by following God's plan for your life!