CORNERSTONE #2 A Surrender that Is Desirable. 1. Have you ever viewed surrender as a negative? If so, why?

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Jesse Chambers
5 years ago
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1 CORNERSTONE #2 A Surrender that Is Desirable Introduction-A Surrender that Is Desirable! Theme: Surrender Can Be Your Natural Response As we experience measurable encounters with God, we come to understand more about Him and know His heart. Over time, our trust in God increases and our natural response to Him is surrender. 1. Have you ever viewed surrender as a negative? If so, why? 2. Do you understand why God must build our trust before surrender is our natural response? Chapter 8-Handing over the Reins Lessons from John Wayne story Fighting to remain in control Theme: Jesus Wants Complete Control Many of us trust God in certain areas of our lives but do not know His heart well enough to give Him complete control. We maintain control of our lives, keeping Jesus along for the ride. While God desires full control of our lives, He graciously and patiently waits for us to trust Him enough to give it to Him. Because of Jesus, we who are in Christ are fully accepted by God whatever "amount" of our lives He controls. 1. Who sits in the driver s seat with reins in hand: you or Jesus? 2. What are some of the areas where you have trusted God with control of your life? What are some of the areas in which you have not been able to relinquish control? 3. As you read Steve's story, do you envision Jesus waiting patiently or with frustration? Theme: Uncertainty vs. Confusion There is a great difference between uncertainty and confusion. When we trust that God is in control, we are often uncertain but not confused. This is because God uses the unknown to stretch our faith as we are uncertain about circumstances yet certain about the One Who controls them. Confusion on the other hand is a tactic of the enemy. He uses it to paralyze us, making our walk and witness ineffective.

2 1. Now that you know the difference between uncertainty and confusion, can you identify times of each in your own life? What has been the result of trusting God in the uncertainty? Letting confusion take over your thought life? 2. Can you relax knowing God is certain about your path, so you don't have to look for signs all along the way? Chapter 9-Letting Yourself off the Hook How God uses negative circumstances and brings good to all involved Theme: Forgiving Yourself God uses every circumstance-whether we've made bad decisions or were victims-to bring glory to Himself. Sometimes that's a hard pill to swallow. It's okay to remember the past as a reminder of what life was like without God's illumination, but it isn't necessary to dwell on it as a way to punish yourself or others. Everything really is all about God; trust Him to use your past to set the stage for your future. 1. Do you have trouble forgiving yourself or others for things in the past? Do you see yourself as forgiven by God? 2. If you could see how "it all worked out," would it be easier to let yourself off the hook? What if God's plan never looks like you expect things to work out? 3. What events or circumstances from your past is God already using for His glory? Chapter 10-Freedom on the Inside Theme: True Freedom Comes from God God knows we are all searching for freedom on the inside, a freedom only He can give. He knows exactly how to meet our needs, and how to meet them with Himself. Freedom on the inside never depends on circumstances working in our favor. It comes from God alone. 1. Do you most often look to your circumstances to bring you hope and freedom? 2. What are some avenues you've exhausted searching for freedom and peace? Theme: Hurt vs. Humility

3 Most of us are driven to God through one of the following: hurt or humility. Our hurt usually causes us to seek God out of necessity because we need relief. God would always rather us choose humility, but we rarely choose that route first. 1. Why do you think it takes the desperation of pain and hurt before we turn to God? 2. Describe the connection between pain causing us to seek God and God using our circumstances for His glory. Chapter 11-Surrender...Piece of Cake Head vs Heart Theme: Experiential Knowledge God's ultimate goal for His people is to teach us the beauty of His heart. He does this through encounters and experiences designed to grow our faith in Him. As we experience God's presence and activity in unmistakable ways, we learn who He is and how He works. Once we discover who He is, we simply trust the motives of His heart and know every situation we face is working for our good and His glory. It is here that surrender becomes our natural response. 1. Why does experiential knowledge play such a big role in our ability to trust God? 2. Give a personal example of a measurable encounter or surrender. Chapter 12-God's Leadership God s leadership is different than what we know from humans Surrender event/process Explanation of covenant representative Wrath of God was taken out on Jesus Theme: Surrender: An Ongoing Process Originating with God When God created humans, He gave us the ability to make our own decisions and He set perimeters for Himself that prevent Him making us do what He would love for us to do. Even though He gave us the ability and freedom to make these decisions, we cannot will ourselves into complete surrender, which Steve defines as the ongoing condition of a heart that continually seeks to experience deep intimacy with God. As we express to God that we want to desire Him and Him alone, He moves in the deep places to bring help, hope, healing, and surrender. Surrender is not a one-time event.

4 1. Have you struggled to keep commitments of surrender in the past? Why do you think you ve it s been hard to maintain the lifestyle of surrender? 2. Is the concept God initiating the process of surrender new to you? 3. Steve s definition of surrender differs from widely held views of surrender as a onetime event. Describe how that plays out in your life. Chapter 13-Refusing to Surrender God wants access to all of us Do you want to get well? When Jesus asks the question How God stirs and grows us Things we experience when refusing to surrender Decision time Theme: Our Choice God continually offers us opportunities to surrender. As we search for something only He can fill, He patiently waits for us to recognize He s what we ve been searching for. Then the choice is ours. Either we give God the right to our complete lives or we continue to hold on to our own agendas and plans. God will force us to make a decision but will not control which decision we make. Will we say yes to God, giving Him the right to mold us, shape us, and take over the reins of our lives? 1. What has been your response to God as He has called you toward complete surrender? Can you identify the areas of your life which are hardest to relinquish control? 2. Reflect on a time when God stirred your emotions as a means of getting your attention and reminding you of His agendas. Chapter 14-Allen Morrell Said "Yes" Leading out of possession/position Allowing God to walk us through painful memories/processes How God sets up a vision that is attainable Theme: Journey to the Yes Allen Morrell's personal journey toward a life of surrender wasn't full of the warm, fuzzy feelings of comfort and security he assumed he'd experience as God healed his heart. In fact, Allen gives us an example revisiting painful life experiences during the healing process. Most of us want to avoid this, but once Allen realized God was leading the process of rooting out his lies and replacing them with truth, he engaged with the internal activity God had been attempting to

5 accomplish in his life. Over time, God began to settle Allen's heart, causing him to live according to his true identity in Christ. Ultimately Allen said yes to God without the slightest idea what would transpire from that point on! 1. Allen's story discussed taking on an identity based on life experiences. What life experiences has the enemy used to falsely identify you? 2. Are you ready to face the lies you have believed and let God replace them with His truth?

Encounters with Jesus: Unexpected Answers to Life's Biggest Questions The Courage of Mary Luke 1:26-45 Rosalie Banta West Valley Presbyterian Church

Date: 2014-07-20 Encounters with Jesus: Unexpected Answers to Life's Biggest Questions The Courage of Mary Luke 1:26-45 Rosalie Banta West Valley Presbyterian Church INTRODUCTION If you have not yet read