Opening Prayer:
“But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
say continually, ‘Great is the Lord!’
As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and deliverer;
do not delay, O my God.”
Psalm 40:16-17
Read: Ephesians 3:14-21
Story/Illustration:
“Prayer is not ‘getting in touch with your true self,’ as is so often said. It is the practice of shifting preoccupation away from yourself toward attentiveness and responsiveness to God. It is a deliberate walking away from a me-centered way of life to a Christ-centered way of life. It is certainly true that in weakness and thirst and desperation we reach out to God, but the larger and more encompassing reality is that God is already reaching out to us. Prayer has its origin in the movement of God toward us.” (Eugene Peterson, Practicing Resurrection)
“The greatest thing anyone can do for God and for man is to pray.” ~ S.D. Gordon
“You’re going to die. I want to tell you something. Life is not about you and me. Jesus didn’t die to fulfill our dreams. Life is about God’s dream. It’s allowing yourself to be fruitful for God’s purpose.” Mike Slaughter
Questions For Reflection:
• Any response to Pastor Jeff’s sermon?
• What words in this passage jump out at you? Why?
• What does it feel like to be "filled to...all the fullness of God?" What does this mean?
• Think of the privilege of being a child of God: unlimited wisdom, power, and love poured out on us in one gracious act of salvation. If we really understood this, could we ever pray casually again? Knowing this and embracing this, how will your prayers change?
• Based on the end of this chapter, what is it that God can't do? What problems do you have that God can't solve?
• What does Paul’s prayer mean for us today?
• How does this prayer strengthen you? Are you being called more fully into God’s story? What does that mean to you?
• What does Mike Slaughter’s quote say to you?
Wrap up:
We can so often seek greater glory for ourselves and for our churches. This can mean bigger buildings, programs that surpass that of the governments, nicer budgets, friendlier staff, more eloquent speakers, more comfortable settings, but we are missing what is at the heart of God's purpose. We are to step aggressively ahead by seeking the love of Christ. This is humankind meeting God. This is where God's love is revealed to us. Once revealed, we are forever changed.
Have you sought this love of Christ? Has your church together sought out to be filled with Christ's love? Dare we live without a full knowledge of God's healing love?! Pray Paul’s prayer for yourself and those you live with and love. Watch what happens when we are filled with the love of Christ!
Closing Prayer:
“I trust in the steadfast love of God
forever and ever.
I will thank you forever,
because of what you have done.
In the presence of the faithful
I will proclaim your name, for it is good.”
Psalm 54:102
"SAINTS & HEROES FOR JESUS!"
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Week 6 - A Hero in Your Own Unique Way: It’s Bigger than You or Me
Opening Prayer:
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, indeed it faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh sing for joy
to the living God. (Psalm 84:1-2)
Read: Ephesians 6:10-20
Story/Illustration:
But in that place, I remembered about story, about how every conflict, no matter how hard, comes back to bless the protagonist if he will face his fate with courage. There is no conflict man can endure that will not produce a blessing. – Donald Miller, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, page 188
“Some people think God does not like to be troubled with our constant coming and asking. The way to trouble God is not to come at all.” -- D.L. Moody
“Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan." --John Bunyan
Questions For Reflection:
* Any response to Pastor Jeff’s sermon?
* What words in this passage jump out at you? Why?
* Why does Paul say our goal is “to stand firm?”
* What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Satan? Satan will attack at the areas of our greatest weaknesses. What are some of your weak areas?
* Are you aware of any subtle shift in your own heart to question God's goodness and His word? Remember you can resist the enemy and stand in the power of the Lord. Have you put on the armor of God lately?
* Which spiritual resources (armor) are easier for you to use? Which are more difficult? What are some practical ways that you can use these resources to fight off the enemy?
* Are these spiritual resources for use only when under attack or are they tools for every day living in God’s life and story as saints? What are your thoughts?
* Share a time when you able to effectively deal with the “fiery arrows” that the enemy was sending your way?
* What role does prayer play in all of this?
* Share some areas of your life where you feel like the enemy is trying to attack or discourage you. Pray for one another in these areas.
Wrap up:
“When we speak about the Holy Spirit, we speak about the breath of God, breathing in us. The Greek word for "spirit" is pneuma, which means "breath." We are seldom aware of our breathing. It is so essential for life that we only think about it when something is wrong with it.
The Spirit of God is like our breath. God's spirit is more intimate to us than we are to ourselves. We might not often be aware of it, but without it we cannot live a ‘spiritual life.’ It is the Holy Spirit of God who prays in us, who offers us the gifts of love, forgiveness, kindness, goodness, gentleness, peace, and joy. It is the Holy Spirit who offers us the life that death cannot destroy. Let us always pray: ‘Come, Holy Spirit, come.’” (Henri Nouwen)
This week pray for God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to fall afresh on you. How does knowing that you are ‘Spirit-filled” change your outlook? Reflect on this question and journal your thoughts and experiences during the upcoming week.
Closing Prayer:
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallows a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my king and my God . . .
Happy are those whose strength is in you . . . (Psalm 84:4, 5a)
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, indeed it faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh sing for joy
to the living God. (Psalm 84:1-2)
Read: Ephesians 6:10-20
Story/Illustration:
But in that place, I remembered about story, about how every conflict, no matter how hard, comes back to bless the protagonist if he will face his fate with courage. There is no conflict man can endure that will not produce a blessing. – Donald Miller, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, page 188
“Some people think God does not like to be troubled with our constant coming and asking. The way to trouble God is not to come at all.” -- D.L. Moody
“Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan." --John Bunyan
Questions For Reflection:
* Any response to Pastor Jeff’s sermon?
* What words in this passage jump out at you? Why?
* Why does Paul say our goal is “to stand firm?”
* What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Satan? Satan will attack at the areas of our greatest weaknesses. What are some of your weak areas?
* Are you aware of any subtle shift in your own heart to question God's goodness and His word? Remember you can resist the enemy and stand in the power of the Lord. Have you put on the armor of God lately?
* Which spiritual resources (armor) are easier for you to use? Which are more difficult? What are some practical ways that you can use these resources to fight off the enemy?
* Are these spiritual resources for use only when under attack or are they tools for every day living in God’s life and story as saints? What are your thoughts?
* Share a time when you able to effectively deal with the “fiery arrows” that the enemy was sending your way?
* What role does prayer play in all of this?
* Share some areas of your life where you feel like the enemy is trying to attack or discourage you. Pray for one another in these areas.
Wrap up:
“When we speak about the Holy Spirit, we speak about the breath of God, breathing in us. The Greek word for "spirit" is pneuma, which means "breath." We are seldom aware of our breathing. It is so essential for life that we only think about it when something is wrong with it.
The Spirit of God is like our breath. God's spirit is more intimate to us than we are to ourselves. We might not often be aware of it, but without it we cannot live a ‘spiritual life.’ It is the Holy Spirit of God who prays in us, who offers us the gifts of love, forgiveness, kindness, goodness, gentleness, peace, and joy. It is the Holy Spirit who offers us the life that death cannot destroy. Let us always pray: ‘Come, Holy Spirit, come.’” (Henri Nouwen)
This week pray for God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to fall afresh on you. How does knowing that you are ‘Spirit-filled” change your outlook? Reflect on this question and journal your thoughts and experiences during the upcoming week.
Closing Prayer:
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallows a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my king and my God . . .
Happy are those whose strength is in you . . . (Psalm 84:4, 5a)
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