BECAUSE IT S WORTH IT

Transcription

1

2 BECAUSE IT S WORTH IT

3 DEAR FRIENDS, Granger Community Church is no accident. The Church was started on purpose, with purpose and for GOD s purpose. In fact, the Church was GOD s idea. The people of Granger Community Church have been on mission for nearly 30 years, helping people take their next steps toward Christ...together. Much has changed in 30 years, but our commitment to the Great Commandment and Great Commission is stronger than ever. Jesus said GOD s greatest command was simple, not easy. He said it meant we d step into action, that we would love GOD and love our neighbor. He commissioned His followers to make disciples of all nations, baptize them and teach them to obey everything He commanded. That s what we are going to do. And as we worship GOD, serve GOD and help each other on the discipleship pathway, we will live on mission with our children and the emerging adults of the next generation. We will be grateful for GOD s grace, trusting in GOD s goodness and focusing like a laser on GOD s mission because it s worth it! I hope this guide will help you grasp the "why" behind the "what" of our mission, and that you ll be able to use it as a tool to become even more engaged and challenged in the world GOD has called us together to serve because it s worth it. Sheila and I are with you. Let s do this! Mark Beeson, Lead Pastor markbeeson.com

4 CONTENTS 30 YEARS OF HISTORY 7 ABOUT/BECAUSE IT S WORTH IT 8 MICHIANA: HERE FOR A REASON 10 WEEKENDS 12 SERVE 14 DISCIPLESHIP 16 KIDS 18 STUDENTS WHAT NOW? GIVING STEPS WHERE THE DOLLARS GO 26 YEARS OF HISTORY SAMPLE COUNT ME IN CARD WHAT'S NEXT WAYS TO GIVE WEEK 1 DEVOTIONALS WEEK 2 DEVOTIONALS Back in the 80s, Mark and Sheila Beeson moved (against all popular advice) to Granger, Indiana, with their young children. They had a vision to start a church that related to people right where they were. They didn t have all the answers, but they did have a dream. Nobody had done church like this before. WEEK 3 DEVOTIONALS WEEK 4 DEVOTIONALS Mark and Sheila started in their living room with five people, and almost 30 years later, several thousand gather each weekend at Granger Community Church at two locations, with online attendees from around the globe. 7

5 HE ANSWERED, LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND ; AND, LOVE YOUR ABOUT NEIGHBOR AS GRANGER YOURSELF. -LUKE COMMUNITY 10:27 CHURCH HE ANSWERED, LOVE THE LORD FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS, the people of Granger Community Church have witnessed breathtaking YOUR GOD moments WITH of life transformation ALL through YOUR Jesus HEART Christ in ourselves, in our neighborhoods and AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH even on the other side of the planet. We believe God is redeeming, restoring and rebuilding our lives because He says we re worth it. Since you ALL YOUR are precious STRENGTH in My sight, since you are honored AND WITH and I love you." - Isaiah 43:4 ALL YOUR We gather MIND ; together to worship AND, because LOVE YOUR His name is worth it. We sit on the edge of NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. -LUKE 10:27 our seats, thirsty for Truth, because our souls are worth it. We are for Michiana because our community is worth it. We train pastors in India HE ANSWERED, and send teams to work LOVE in Nicaragua because THE LORD our world is worth it. We teach our kids because YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART they are worth it. We train our students because our future is worth it. We make disciples because God s mission is worth it. In a world divided, we AND WITH are ALL united, because YOUR it s worth it. SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND ; AND, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. -LUKE 10:27 BECAUSE IT S WORTH IT THESE ARE THE FIVE THINGS WE FOCUS ON, FIVE STRATEGIES THAT GET OUR TIME AND THE BEST OF OUR RESOURCES: WE GATHER ON THE WEEKENDS TO WORSHIP Strengthening the ways we worship Jesus and inviting our friends to join us. WE SERVE OUR NEIGHBORS Reaching our neighbors: here and there, in Michiana and around the world. WE MAKE DISCIPLES FOR GOD S MISSION Helping each other pray, study, care and live on mission as Jesus disciples. WE TEACH OUR KIDS Partnering with families to train up children to trust, love and serve God. WE TRAIN OUR STUDENTS Investing in the next generation as we worship, group up and serve...together. 8 9

6 YOU ARE HERE 30 YEARS MICHIANA: HERE FOR A REASON. We believe God wants Granger Community Church to be known as a church where people are warmly welcomed by us and surprised by the love of Jesus. A place where we help people take their next steps toward Christ together. The opportunities before us are tremendous. Just a few years ago, St. Joseph and Elkhart counties were among the Worst Places to Live in the country. Things are changing. Recently, the Money Under 30 group asked this question: Where are young people making more money and also keeping more of it? Today, South Bend is the number one city in the country for young people to move based on their ability to live a financially desirable lifestyle and save money. St. Joseph and Elkhart counties are growing again. Construction activity is up more than 66%. Commercial construction investments of more than $480 million were projected in November Michiana is seeing growth in all sectors. New people will be moving to our area. Families will be in transition as kids begin attending new schools and their parents take on new job responsibilities. Young people will be settling into first jobs and new friendships. As people navigate the stressors of transition, we must be ready to meet them where they are with the message of Jesus love and an invitation for them to experience abundant life. Today, there are 320,000 unchurched people in our tri-county area. We must do whatever it takes to build relationships based on empathy and care. We're just getting started on the exciting work happening through Granger Community Church. It s who we ve been for nearly 30 years now. It s who we ll continue to be: a mission outpost in Michiana, shining Christ s love throughout our community. There are 320,000 unchurched people in our tri-county area. 10 TIP: You'll see lots of fun stats from 2015 throughout this piece. These aren't just numbers. They represent people, changed lives and possibilities! 11

7 WEEKENDS The church gathers on the weekends to worship Jesus and we invite our friends and community to join us. We are people of the Bible who discover our story wrapped up in the Story of God. We work hard to contextualize our weekend experience within our present culture, so that the Gospel is delivered with clarity and relevance. Our prayer is that anyone attending Granger Community Church would choose to return because their spiritual thirst is being met by Jesus; because they experience the joy, excellence and practical biblical help that draws each of us closer to Him. Because the arts honor God and inspire people, our consistent use of music, video and creativity makes the weekend experience ideally suited for helping people discover and take their next steps. WE MUST made a decision to follow Christ. Each of us must consistently invite our friends to our weekend services to meet Jesus and experience the love and forgiveness He brings. 10,192 attended Christmas Eve services. WHAT IF... What if our weekend services experienced double-digit percentage growth in the next two years? What if we had room for everyone to have a seat at the Elkhart Campus? Had space for 150 kids each service? Had parking that was adequate? What if we enhanced the environment of our weekend worship space to improve our focus on the delivery of the Gospel? Because the message of Christ is worth it. There are some things we re dreaming about. Asking big questions. Like, "What if... this happened?" Read on to discover and ask these questions with us. We must develop additional leaders and teachers, broadening our diverse team for maximum impact to reach a larger number of the 320,000 unchurched people in our area. We must be a people God is using to see marriages healed, domestic violence reduced, and Michiana become a place families choose to move to because our community is worth it. We must reach thousands more each weekend because people are worth it. There are some things we ve realized we must do in order to fulfill God s call on our church. Keep an eye out for these in the coming pages

8 Almost 2,500 volunteers serve here regularly within the church's walls. SERVE Serving others is part of our DNA at Granger Community Church (GCC). We give our time and talents to extend God s love in our kids and students ministries, in our guest services teams, in groups, in the arts and in caring for our campus and facilities. In our neighborhoods and work places. In our community, both here and there. We are for Michiana, because our community is worth it. We want every student and adult at GCC to understand their God-given SHAPE, that is, their unique wiring to serve, so that thousands of us are living on mission in our church, in our community and around the world for the sake of Christ because His mission is worth it. 2,400 total volunteer hours went into #4MICHIANA, a local serving experience for the whole family. More than 150 adults, students and children traveled to Nicaragua to feed people and help with community development. 4,150 man-hours were required to pull off the Food Drop. 6,600 families were supported with food. WHAT IF... What if every on-campus volunteer team was inviting new people to join them, helping new people experience community in a fulfilling way with space to take their next steps toward Christ? Because the Kingdom is worth it. What if our Elkhart campus family adopted a local public school to encourage their teachers and administrators and to support and care for their students, demonstrating the love of Jesus through our hands and our time? What if, during the next two years, we could quadruple the current number of church planters in India? What if we served the least of these by building a dozen more houses and helping 100 more kids receive exceptional education in Nicaragua, the second poorest country in the Western hemisphere because God says they are worth it? What if we move from 40% of us serving regularly to 60% of us making a difference through our time and talents? WE MUST... We must increase our efforts with #4MICHIANA. We ll give more to feed more hungry people. We ll innovate new ways for us to serve so our community knows God loves them and we love them because our neighbors are worth it. We must continue to deploy hundreds of volunteers to serve in the inner-city of South Bend through Monroe Circle Community Center (MC3) and our partner organizations. Through mentoring, financial literacy initiatives, community partnerships, Son City Kids and Carpenter s Hands, we intend to see the love of Christ make more of an impact than in the past decade because the city is worth it

9 DISCIPLESHIP God s design for us is Christ-centered transformation in every area of our lives, which is what it means to be a disciple. We follow Jesus, learning how to love and live as He modeled for us. Because we are created for relationships and not intended for isolation, we group up...because His call is worth it. Together, we are committed to studying the Scriptures, prayer and helping each other take steps to be more like Jesus. Together, we love and are loved; we care and are cared for. WHAT IF... What if our people could engage a process where they would gain a comprehensive perspective on their unique wiring and develop a life plan that honors God s purposes? What if new levels of intentionality for leadership development were possible for every leader in our church because our influence is worth it. WE MUST... We must offer on-ramps to intentional, structured discipleship opportunities for everyone especially new believers and new guests. We must provide a way to help each of us understand and identify our place in God s Grand Story, to understand and embrace His mission for our lives. We must develop a track of Bible classes to equip us in our marriages, parenting, generosity and knowledge of Christ. We are committed to studying and applying the Bible to our lives because our witness to the world is worth it. 459 people were baptized across both campuses. 16 What if our groups were places where people wanted to be, doing life together in such an explosive way that we see double-digit percentage growth in numbers of those participating? What if each of us owned our spiritual journey in personal relationship with Jesus, committed to learning His way through the Bible? What if we lived lives of love, accepting our responsibility to invite others to follow Him with us? 1,000+ are involved in groups where people encourage and challenge one another groups gather regularly. 17

10 KIDS Granger Kids engages every child in 5th grade and below: on the weekends, through summer day camps, during key transition seasons and more. Families attending Granger Community Church (GCC) are definitely bringing their kids along. Nearly 900 kids experience the love of Christ through Granger Kids each weekend across both campuses. GCC believes our kids and students are the church of TODAY. 85 kids were baptized at Granger and Elkhart. 125 little ones were dedicated by their parents. 696 kids attended day camp. 250 volunteers give 90 minutes each weekend to help make the weekend service the best hour of every kid's week! SPECIAL FRIENDS We also serve kids with special needs who may not be able to join regular weekend services due to challenges or impairments. We offer a loving, but more appropriate, program called Special Friends. For 5th grade and below, it's a one-on-one ministry where the family and ministry leaders work together to determine a comprehensive plan to help their child feel loved and take steps toward Christ. The teens and adults program (a small group-focused environment) meets on Saturday nights. The Early Learning Center of Granger Community Church is a licensed, accredited, faith-based private school for young children 2 ½ years of age through Kindergarten. We believe there is tremendous opportunity to grow intellectually and spiritually during the early childhood years. Honoring the family as the child s most influential teacher, our loving and professional staff provides safe, active learning in environments designed to inspire wonder and engage the whole child. WHAT IF... What if 800 kids attended day camp and 300 children were baptized or dedicated? What if at the Elkhart Campus we relocated our offices to the lower level, to create additional space for children during each weekend service? WE MUST kids received a scholarship to attend day camp, thanks to the Christmas Offering. We must make provision for every child who wants to go to day camp, where they can make new friends, experience the love of Jesus and learn in a uniquely fun environment. We must commit to involving parents through high-impact family opportunities that help them effectively navigate childhood transitions and take steps together toward Jesus

11 STUDENTS Granger Student Ministries (GSM) has experienced 20% growth in weekends, camps, retreats and students taking next steps in their personal relationships with Jesus. Our weekend gathering has seen more students than any other point in our history. Our high school and middle school retreats have set new records in participation. Still, there's work to do. In our immediate neighborhoods, recreational drug use is increasing, not decreasing. Accidental deaths and overdoses have profoundly impacted our community in the past year. We must intercept these trends; we must resource parents. Anything less than our best is simply not good enough. Together we must reach the next generation. 277 kids attended middle school camp. 107 students and 26 adult leaders went on student mission trips. 141 students (close to half!) received a scholarship from the Christmas Offering to attend camp. 325 students connect with each other weekly through GSM, to discover and apply God's truth to their lives. WHAT IF... What if we made provision for every student who wants to go to middle school camp? What if we helped more students put their faith into action through serving initiatives both near and far? What if we raised up more student leaders who took ownership of their faith and led in the church and their community now, as students? WE MUST... We must continue to increase with double-digit percentage growth, seeing more families healed and our students trained to be leaders. Growth requires more staff to serve and lead our students...because their future is worth it. We must intercept the use of drugs, alcohol and self-harm with the hope found in Christ because the next generation is worth it. We must provide practical help (workshops, seminars and conferences) for parents to understand their students and equip them to model and train their students at home because our families are worth it

12 WE MUST... We must hire, develop and train more staff leaders to equip each of us to live on mission. We must continue to improve two campuses that span 61 acres of land with 10 acres of asphalt and more than 1,300 parking spaces. We must continue to streamline more than 130,000 sq. ft. of indoor facility space used for gathering, while maintaining a "like new" condition and modern décor. We must develop innovative methods for gathering information and communicating powerful stories with each guest, new and old, in the most efficient and effective ways possible. WHAT NOW? As we have for nearly 30 years, we are intentionally moving toward a way of living defined by love and generosity motivated by God s love. This isn't about giving money to a specific project or goal though we hope to accomplish a lot of those in the next few years. This is about each of us examining our hearts and determining to live in such a way that generosity defines us. Changes our DNA. Shapes our choices. What if for the next two years, we all come together and do our part? What if we all give to one mission out of which all the work of the church is supported? One fund that will provide everything from maintaining the beautiful campuses we already have, as well as provide for kids and students, groups and more. One bucket of resources that, if filled, gives us the opportunity to turn all our "What ifs" into realities. You've probably heard it said that to be healthy, fads don't work. Being healthy requires a lifestyle change. One visit to the gym and a single salad won't do the job. It requires consistent, daily discipline to eat well and exercise to be healthy. We must train young leaders and church planters. One church. One mission. One fund. BECAUSE IT'S WORTH IT. Being generous is EASY when it's a one-time thing. But it's a lot more effective when it becomes a way of LIFE. Generosity works the same way. Giving daily of yourself, your time, your talent and your resources will develop in you the kind of generous spirit a spirit of love that enables all of us to advance the cause of Christ in Michiana, in a way that none of us could do on our own. As each of us takes the next step God is asking of us in terms of generosity together, we will fuel the work of Jesus through Granger Community Church. Life change, hope and healing, that's our focus, through the weekend experience, serving, discipleship, teaching kids and training students. So what does this mean for you? Where do you go from here? We hope this guide is a tool that spurs you on to discover what your next step is. Those steps will look different for each of us, but the impact will be huge. Take your step and watch to see what God will do! 22 23

13 GIVING STEPS The Giving Steps are a tool designed to help each of us focus on the attitudes of our hearts. Each step represents growth in a lifestyle of generosity and sacrifice. These are not steps you ascend to get closer to God, but are a simple way for you to evaluate your personal growth in generosity. The Bible encourages us to grow in every aspect of our walk with Jesus, including the grace of giving (2 Corinthians 8:7). CONSISTENT You might not have ever given anything to Granger Community Church, or you currently give occasionally. Make your first gift, or next gift and plan to give regularly. FEARLESS PROGRESSIVE TITHING PERCENTAGE Generosity will mark my life. I will give more than 10% of my income. I will give 10% of my income. PERCENTAGE Maybe you ve given occasionally, or you give regularly. Accept the challenge to give in the same way you budget for other expenses: consistent percentages of your income. Will you move from giving something, to giving 2%, 5%, 7%, consistently? TITHING What if you accepted the biblical challenge to test God's faithful character by giving 10% of your income (tithe) consistently? PROGRESSIVE Are you currently tithing, giving 10%? What might a step of love look like for you? Is your rent or mortgage 20% of your income? What if you increased your percentage giving to 11%, 13% or even 20%? CONSISTENT I will begin to give a percentage of my income. FEARLESS Perhaps you are already giving beyond your tithe to the work of Granger Community Church. If you find yourself here, consider setting a lifetime generosity goal (a specific number) for your family s Kingdom giving during the course of your lifetime. What would that look like for the next year? Two years? I will begin to give consistently. TIP: Wherever you are on the Giving Steps, consider additional resources God has blessed you with (like savings, stocks, etc.) that He might be asking you to give to His work through Granger Community Church

14 FOR EVERY DOLLAR YOU GIVE, HERE'S WHERE IT GOES. SERVE 18 KIDS 18 MATH TIME! Don t stress! There s no test at the end of this. This space is for you to jot down some ideas and numbers that you feel like God might be calling you to give. WEEKEND 26 DISCIPLESHIP 19 STUDENTS

15 SAMPLE MY PROJECTED GIVING COUNT ME IN PLEASE PRINT Name(s): My Campus: Granger Elkhart Phone: Address: City/State/Zip: Birthdate: / / Signature: Date: Contact me about donating stocks or other assets. If paper and pen isn t your style, pledge online at GCCwired.com/worthit Tell us why this vision has captured your heart and support. Share your story by ing us at story@gccwired.com. A B $5,000 $2,500 MY PROJECTED GIVING CALCULATE HERE I m taking this step today and moving to this level of giving: CONSISTENT $7,500 $15,000 TITHING PERCENTAGE C $7,000 + My Expanded Annual Generosity PROGRESSIVE FEARLESS $22,000 = x 2 years = + A John Smith faithfully gives 10% of his $50,000 salary. 28 B C After praying through this series, John feels led to become a generous giver, increasing his gift to 15%. In addition to his expanded giving, John chooses to give a generous gift of stock, which the church then sells for $7,000. Through my faith in God s provision, my intention is to give to GCC: = (Information to be used for budget purposes and your next step of trust in God s faithfulness.)

16 WHAT'S NEXT? WAYS TO GIVE PRAY. You might feel ready to give right here and now. That s great! But most of us will need time over the coming weeks to think and process through where we are and what God will want us to do next. Spend time in prayer each day this month. TURN IN YOUR COUNT ME IN CARD. Evaluate and consider what next giving step you're going to take. There is no one-size-fits-all formula, no quick accounting, no percentage target. This isn t something set in stone, but it will help us plan and be strategic about what we are able to achieve together for God s purposes. If you'd rather take this step online, go to GCCwired.com/worthit to get started. IN PERSON Drop it in the offering bag during service. ONLINE AT A KIOSK Stop by an easy-to-use kiosk. TEXT CONSIDER YOUR KICKSTART OFFERING. This is a very personal journey for everyone involved. One person might make a million dollar gift without changing their lifestyle, while another will give $100 and have to radically adjust their spending for the year. Consider what your kickstart offering will be and give. Pick the method that works for you: in person, at a kiosk, online, via text or through an appreciated asset. Set it up at GCCwired.com/give APPRECIATED ASSET Text GIVE to TELL YOUR STORY. Tell others about why you believe in this vision. Let your friends know why this is so important to you that you re making changes in your lifestyle to give. Send it in to story@gccwired.com. Your story will challenge others to take a step in generosity, but only if you tell it! Learn about the benefits of giving assets. Contact giving@gccwired.com TIP: For electronic giving, be sure to select "general" giving. We are one church. One mission. One fund. 31

17 HE ANSWERED, LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND ; AND, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. -LUKE 10:27 HE ANSWERED, LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND ; AND, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. -LUKE 10:27 HE ANSWERED, LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND ; AND, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. -LUKE 10:27 WEEK 1 DEVOTIONAL GUIDES 33

18 WEEKEND SERIES NOTES WEEKLY GROWTH PLAN SCRIPTURE READING: MESSAGE TITLE: KEY SCRIPTURES: EXPERIENCE JESUS How or where did Jesus show up in your life this week? How did you or will you respond? Highlights and questions from the weekend: EQUIP TO BE REPRODUCING DISCIPLES Who are you pouring into or how are you being equipped? ENGAGE YOUR COMMUNITY How are you serving and who are you inviting? MY NEXT STEP Before next week, I will

19 NOTES WEEK 1 DAY 1 KEY SCRIPTURE WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY? For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. -John 3:16 FOCUS QUESTION When did you first hear about the love of God? When has it felt most real to you? HERE S HOW I WILL RESPOND: 36 37

20 NOTES WEEK 1 DAY 2 KEY SCRIPTURE WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:31-35, FOCUS QUESTION HERE S HOW I WILL RESPOND: What in your life your personal history or current circumstance makes it difficult to trust the love of God? Is there anything that feels like it stands in the way of that love? If there is, take some time to reread this passage slowly and prayerfully, and ask God to help these words sink in

21 NOTES WEEK 1 DAY 3 KEY SCRIPTURE WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY? But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5:8 FOCUS QUESTION Where in your life have you most needed the grace of God? HERE S HOW I WILL RESPOND: 40 41

22 NOTES WEEK 1 DAY 4 KEY SCRIPTURE Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle s. -Psalm 103:1-5 WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY? FOCUS QUESTION Today, try writing a prayer of thanks to God. What words would you use to express to Him your gratitude for the ways He has loved you? HERE S HOW I WILL RESPOND: 42 43

23 NOTES WEEK 1 DAY 5 KEY SCRIPTURE Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment." -Matthew 22:36-38 WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY? FOCUS QUESTION How could you actively love God today? Is there an act of obedience, a greater attention to His Word, a special sacrifice you could make, that expresses your love for Him? HERE S HOW I WILL RESPOND: 44 45

24 HE ANSWERED, LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND ; AND, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. -LUKE 10:27 HE ANSWERED, LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND ; AND, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. -LUKE 10:27 HE ANSWERED, LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND ; AND, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. -LUKE 10:27 WEEK 2 DEVOTIONAL GUIDES 47

25 WEEKEND SERIES NOTES WEEKLY GROWTH PLAN SCRIPTURE READING: MESSAGE TITLE: KEY SCRIPTURES: EXPERIENCE JESUS How or where did Jesus show up in your life this week? How did you or will you respond? Highlights and questions from the weekend: EQUIP TO BE REPRODUCING DISCIPLES Who are you pouring into or how are you being equipped? ENGAGE YOUR COMMUNITY How are you serving and who are you inviting? MY NEXT STEP Before next week, I will

26 NOTES WEEK 2 DAY 1 KEY SCRIPTURE I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY? Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. -Ephesians 3:14-21 FOCUS QUESTION HERE S HOW I WILL RESPOND: How has the Church the people of God, whether at GCC or elsewhere helped you discover God s love? Where have you seen His power at work in the Church? 50 51

27 NOTES WEEK 2 DAY 2 KEY SCRIPTURE Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. -1 John 4:7-12 WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY? FOCUS QUESTION HERE S HOW I WILL RESPOND: Have you ever been well-loved by another follower of Jesus? What happened? What effect did it have on you? 52 53

28 NOTES WEEK 2 DAY 3 KEY SCRIPTURE And the second [command] is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. -Matthew 22:39 WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY? FOCUS QUESTION Which neighbors come to mind when you ask God who He s calling you to love? People on your street? Co-workers? Classmates? Name them and begin to pray for them, asking God how you might love them the way God has loved us. HERE S HOW I WILL RESPOND: 54 55

29 NOTES WEEK 2 DAY 4 KEY SCRIPTURE You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. -Ephesians 2:19-22 WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY? FOCUS QUESTION What do you think our church should be like if we are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit? HERE S HOW I WILL RESPOND: 56 57

30 NOTES WEEK 2 DAY 5 KEY SCRIPTURE When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, Who do people say the Son of Man is? They replied, Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets. But what about you? he asked. Who do you say I am? Simon Peter answered, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus replied, Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 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. -Matthew 16:13-18 WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY? FOCUS QUESTION When Jesus says the gates of Hades (or hell) will not overcome the church, He s creating an image of a church that raids hell to rescue the people there. Have you seen the Church rescue people? What has that felt like? HERE S HOW I WILL RESPOND: 58 59

31 HE ANSWERED, LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND ; AND, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. -LUKE 10:27 HE ANSWERED, LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND ; AND, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. -LUKE 10:27 HE ANSWERED, LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND ; AND, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. -LUKE 10:27 WEEK 3 DEVOTIONAL GUIDES 61

32 WEEKEND SERIES NOTES WEEKLY GROWTH PLAN SCRIPTURE READING: MESSAGE TITLE: KEY SCRIPTURES: EXPERIENCE JESUS How or where did Jesus show up in your life this week? How did you or will you respond? Highlights and questions from the weekend: EQUIP TO BE REPRODUCING DISCIPLES Who are you pouring into or how are you being equipped? ENGAGE YOUR COMMUNITY How are you serving and who are you inviting? MY NEXT STEP Before next week, I will

33 NOTES WEEK 3 DAY 1 KEY SCRIPTURE Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. -Matthew 28:18-20 WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY? FOCUS QUESTION What has God given you that can help with this mission, to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey Jesus? HERE S HOW I WILL RESPOND: 64 65

34 NOTES WEEK 3 DAY 2 KEY SCRIPTURE They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 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, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. -Acts 2:42-47 WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY? FOCUS QUESTION How could God use your generosity as He adds to [our] number daily those who [are] being saved? HERE S HOW I WILL RESPOND: 66 67

35 NOTES WEEK 3 DAY 3 KEY SCRIPTURE For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. -2 Peter 1:5-8 WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY? FOCUS QUESTION Where are you at in this path, taking steps from faith to love? What s your next step? HERE S HOW I WILL RESPOND: 68 69

36 NOTES WEEK 3 DAY 4 KEY SCRIPTURE But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him. -Philippians 3:7-9 WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY? FOCUS QUESTION What is it about knowing Christ that would cause a person to consider everything else worthless in comparison? What are you tempted to treasure more than your relationship with Jesus? HERE S HOW I WILL RESPOND: 70 71

37 NOTES WEEK 3 DAY 5 KEY SCRIPTURE I want to know Christ yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. -Philippians 3:10-11 WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY? FOCUS QUESTION How might you become like Jesus in his death? What can you lay down in life today as you remember Jesus laying down his life? HERE S HOW I WILL RESPOND: 72 73

38 HE ANSWERED, LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND ; AND, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. -LUKE 10:27 HE ANSWERED, LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND ; AND, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. -LUKE 10:27 HE ANSWERED, LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND ; AND, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. -LUKE 10:27 WEEK 4 DEVOTIONAL GUIDES 75

39 WEEKEND SERIES NOTES WEEKLY GROWTH PLAN SCRIPTURE READING: MESSAGE TITLE: KEY SCRIPTURES: EXPERIENCE JESUS How or where did Jesus show up in your life this week? How did you or will you respond? Highlights and questions from the weekend: EQUIP TO BE REPRODUCING DISCIPLES Who are you pouring into or how are you being equipped? ENGAGE YOUR COMMUNITY How are you serving and who are you inviting? MY NEXT STEP Before next week, I will

40 NOTES WEEK 4 DAY 1 KEY SCRIPTURE Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:12-14 WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY? FOCUS QUESTION What do you need to forget or leave behind as you strain ahead toward Jesus? HERE S HOW I WILL RESPOND: 78 79

41 NOTES WEEK 4 DAY 2 KEY SCRIPTURE Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. -1 Timothy 6:17-19 WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY? FOCUS QUESTION In what ways are you rich? How are you tempted to put your hope in that wealth? HERE S HOW I WILL RESPOND: 80 81

42 NOTES WEEK 4 DAY 3 KEY SCRIPTURE One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. -Proverbs 11:24-25 WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY? FOCUS QUESTION Have you ever given something away and discovered that you were richer after you gave than before? HERE S HOW I WILL RESPOND: 82 83

43 NOTES WEEK 4 DAY 4 KEY SCRIPTURE Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. -2 Corinthians 9:7-8 WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY? FOCUS QUESTION What are you sensing in your heart as you prepare to give to the good work we re doing together as a church? HERE S HOW I WILL RESPOND: 84 85

44 NOTES WEEK 4 DAY 5 KEY SCRIPTURE This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! -2 Corinthians 9:12-15 WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY? FOCUS QUESTION What kind of impact do you dream of that will come as the result of your generosity? HERE S HOW I WILL RESPOND: 86 87

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47 BECAUSE IT S WORTH IT YOU WILL BE ENRICHED IN EVERY WAY SO THAT YOU CAN BE GENEROUS ON EVERY OCCASION, AND THROUGH US YOUR GENEROSITY WILL RESULT IN THANKSGIVING TO GOD. -2 CORINTHIANS 9:11 FOR SERVICE TIMES AND LOCATIONS, AS WELL AS UPCOMING EVENTS AND GROUPS, VISIT GCCWIRED.COM.