Wisdom for Relationships
CONTENTS 1. WISDOM FOR BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS SHARING STORIES... 11 2. WISDOM FOR PURSUING OTHERS ENTERING ONE ANOTHER'S WORLD... 21 3. WISDOM FOR SPIRIT EMPOWERED CONVERSATIONS PRAYERFUL LISTENING... 33 4. WISDOM FOR LISTENING ENTRY GATES... 43 5. WISDOM FOR ASKING QUESTIONS GOOD QUESTIONS: GETTING TO THE HEART... 55 6. WISDOM FOR SHARING THE TRUTH ABOUT GOD SHARING THE TRUTH ABOUT GOD... 65 7. WISDOM FOR SHARING THE TRUTH ABOUT THE GOSPEL SHARING THE TRUTH ABOUT THE GOSPEL... 75 8. WISDOM FOR SHARING THE TRUTH ABOUT OUR IDENTITY SHARING THE TRUTH ABOUT OUR IDENTITY... 85 9. WISDOM FOR ENCOURAGING FAITHFULNESS CALLING OTHERS TO TRUST & OBEY... 95 10. WISDOM FOR SUFFERING & CELEBRATING TOGETHER CELEBRATING & GIVING THANKS... 105 Scripture quotations are taken from the The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Copyright 2016). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
FOREWORD As disciples, we are born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this, we are not only given a new identity, but also a new reality. This new reality is no longer engaged with the world in a selfish way, but in a redeeming way. We are called to fully engage those nearest to us; to be in a relationship with them, both believer and unbeliever. Through this series we will be equipping you to be a sent people. Sent to engage others in friendship and relationship. In her book, Messy Beautiful Friendship, Christine Hoover describes relationships this way: "Until heaven, our community will never be perfect; it's inevitable that we will experience hurt and disappointment in our relationships. But it is worth the risk. By actively pursuing others the way Christ pursues us, we extend an invitation for the friendship we desire but we also discover the beautiful and always-faithful way in which Christ relates to us. Because we have an anchor that's sure and steadfast, because we recognize friendship as a gift, we're willing to embrace the reality of friendship-messiness and all." Praise God that Jesus entered our hopelessness, not as a detached emperor but as a friend who invites us into relationship and fellowship. Jesus' light, the light of life, has shined into our hearts to give us knowledge of God's glory. Now we have the opportunity and joy of sharing his light with others. God is working through us and in those around us. We are a people who have been sent into the world to affect change and bring hope to others. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:12-13 that we were once the people without hope. But now in Jesus we have hope, love, forgiveness and much more. I am praying for us as a church that God would grow us into a people that love others with the love of Jesus more and more. I am praying that we become a people who take risks in relationships because Jesus is our sure foundation and he paid the ultimate price for you and me. Pastor Tim Chavira Discipleship Groups
DISCIPLESHIP GROUPS WORKBOOK LAYOUT The workbook contains 4 different elements for each Week of content: devotionals, sermon notes, a Discipleship Group experience, and family application. DISCIPLESHIP GROUP EXPERIENCE During this series, we re walking in relationship with one another. This includes four things: being there for each other, doing things together, serving one another, and having intentional conversations. Being there for each other is showing up and being present with someone, either physically or via phone/text, at an important time in their life. Doing things together could be anything from working on a project to getting coffee to simply having fun together. Serving one another is meeting someone else s need. A great example of this is when friends join forces to provide meals for a young family. The fourth aspect of walking in relationship is having intentional conversations. This fourth and final aspect will be the focus of of our activities when we gather with our Discipleship Group each week because though we often want to have meaningful dialog with one another, sometimes when someone brings up something deep, we either get afraid or uncomfortable because we don t quite know what to do. We need to be equipped to grow in having intentional conversations. The chart on the adjacent page outlines the aspects of intentional conversations that we will be growing in through our Discipleship Group experiences.
WALKING IN RELATIONSHIP
EQUIPPING Through this series, we ll use the Resurrection Church equipping model to work through these different skills to help us grow in having intentional conversations: TRAINING / APPRENTICESHIP / IMMERSION In training we have our hearts changed and shaped by the word In apprenticeship we put that heart change into practice In immersion we apply those practices to our everyday lives TRAINING This is teaching that impacts the heart. It can be a conversation, sermon, podcast, or book. But the goal is to receive Biblical truth in a way that moves our hearts. Training will lead to apprenticeship. APPRENTICESHIP Apprenticeship is taking the training principles and applying them to practices that cultivate deeper love and relationship with God and one another. The practices you learn in the weekly gatherings will flow into living out those practices in your everyday lives: immersion. IMMERSION We are shaped far more by our regular habits than by thinking new thoughts. Immersion is taking the truth of the training and the practices of apprenticeship, and forming new habits that strengthen our love for the Lord and others. God s word needs to shape our thinking, but if we are going to have a strong, Christcentered life, we must allow that thinking to lead to new habits. Immersion is the most powerful growth time because it allows the biblical framework to take root in our everyday lives. Each of these steps have been designed to work together in a focused direction. Like so many things, you ll get out of this what you pour into it. Take the time to be sincere and vulnerable in your groups, leaving room for enriching conversation. Invest your heart and mind in welcoming the Lord Jesus and what he wants for you.
DEVOTIONALS We want to be rooted in God s truth and allow this to flow out into life. Each week s devotional will follow a regular pattern to help us achieve this. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Truth about God and who God is Truth of the Gospel and his work True Identity and who we are in Christ True Response to God, Gospel, and our Identity True Gratitude as we rejoice in the Lord This will be our weekly journey over the next ten weeks. Dive in and open up your heart to be transformed by the truth and love of Jesus! FAMILY APPLICATION We want to help every disciple grow in following Jesus. And, at Resurrection Church, R-Kids team members and parents strive to partner with families in discipling their children to know, love, and serve Jesus. As parents, we have the opportunity every day to engage our kids in their relationship with God in an age-appropriate manner - even throughout the complexities of life as a family. We want to encourage your whole family to participate in the Wisdom for Relationships series in meaningful ways. To aid in this, at the end of each week we have created a section called Family Application which aims to help families disciple children and set a foundation for healthy relationships for even the youngest of disciples. We have created content that is intended to be adapted by the parent or family to fit the needs of any age range. These are essentially conversation starters that give you ideas on how to approach these topics at home. We know that every moment is a teachable moment and are praying for you as you navigate this season of growth together. Read the Family Application section each week and see how those ideas can be put into action to help the next generation live out spiritual friendships that know, love, and serve Jesus.
Wisdom for building friendships WEEK 1 SHARING STORIES 11
WEEK 1 - WISDOM FOR BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS SERMON NOTES 12
APPRENTICESHIP SHARING STORIES - WEEK 1 NOTES ACTIVITY Break up into small groups of 3-4 of the same gender. Spend about 3 minutes writing down your answers to the following questions, then share your responses with the group. As the others in your group tell their story, feel free to take notes on the table. What was one of the most difficult experiences in your life? What was one of the most joyful experiences in your life? Group Member Story Notes 13
WEEK 1 - SHARING STORIES IMMERSION 1. Does anyone need us to be there for them this week? (for example, text/call, be physically present, check in, etc) 2. Does anyone want to do something together this week? (work together, grab a coffee, hang out, have fun, etc.) 3. Does anyone need us to serve them this week? (meal, prayer, mow their lawn, etc.) You may have been able to discern the answers to these questions already from your group conversation. In that case, volunteer to step out in the ways you believe that person can be loved. Talk to them and confirm how you would like to love them and then follow through to love them well. FAMILY APPLICATION If your kids haven t already told you, ask your child a highlight of their day or week. After listening with genuine interest, ask them why they think you listened to them. Read the story of Jesus and Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52) and together answer, Who listened to Bartimaeus? and Why do you think Jesus listened to Bartimaeus? DISCIPLESHIP POINT God listens to us because he loves us, so we can listen to others when they are speaking because we want to love them. 14
DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 1 - DAY 1 TRUTH ABOUT GOD: GOD IS CREATOR In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth - Genesis 1:1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. - Psalm 19:1-6 Our world belongs to God. He created all things and all things were created for his glory. The beauty of a sunset, the kaleidoscope of trees that make up the rainforest, the ebbs and flows of the tide, the diversity of wildlife found from the hottest desert to the coldest mountaintop. All of it was created by the breath of his word. He is our Creator God and our world belongs to Him! LISTEN Take ten minutes or longer to let this truth settle into your heart. Contemplate the beauty of his creation. What are some things that cause you to marvel at his handiwork? What is God speaking to you through these truths? Let your heart be in awe of its maker. LEARN What might God be trying to teach you by reminding you that he is the Creator and our world belongs to Him? LIVE How can you take more time today to delight in God s creation and thank him for it? Write in a journal all that you are hearing and learning from the Lord; write down some next steps for how to live it out. 15
DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 1 - DAY 2 TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL: GOD MAKES ALL THINGS NEW Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Look! God s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything new! Also he said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. - Revelation 21:1-5 The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever. - Revelation 11:15 Yesterday, we listened to the truth that God is Creator and contemplated the wonder of his creation. Today, meditate on the promise this truth points us to - the good news that one day our God will return and re-create, redeem and restore Earth - making all things new, even us! He will wipe away every tear and the Kingdom of Heaven will reign on earth forever! LISTEN Take ten minutes or longer to let this truth settle into your heart. Contemplate all that is broken in your life and in this world. What are things that cause you grief even now? Bring these to Jesus in prayer. Let his promises of restoration wash over your worries and anxieties. Re-read the verses above and let your heart hope in the promise of the New Kingdom! LEARN What might God be trying to teach you by reminding you that he will make all things new, even you? LIVE How can you live with hope today in light of this promise? Is there anyone in your life who could use the encouragement of this hope? Write in a journal what you are hearing and learning from the Lord; write down some next steps for how to live it out. 16
DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 1 - DAY 3 TRUE IDENTITY: I AM A NEW CREATION Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. - 2 Corinthians 5:17 Then God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. - Genesis 1:26-27 Yesterday, we let our hearts listen to the truth that God will one day return and make all things new. Today, we reflect on the promise that if ANYONE is in Christ, we are already new! If we trust Jesus and have received his life for our life and his death for our death, then God sees our sin, mistakes, and brokenness no more. By faith, we are new and our eternal life starts now! This is more than a new start, it s a new reality and a new identity. We are also reminded how we are created in his likeness. As an image bearer we reflect the great Redeemer by creating beauty where there is brokenness, bringing healing where there is hurt and spreading his truth and love in a way that brings transformation and newness to the world. LISTEN Take ten minutes or longer to let this truth settle into your heart. Confess your sin, mistakes, brokenness, and anything you are ashamed of. Now let go of these. Leave them at the feet of Jesus and picture God speaking these truths over you as you meditate on the verses above. Listen to him as he calls you his new creation and joyfully shares how you are created in the likeness of the Father, Son, and Spirit. Wow! LEARN What might God be trying to teach you by reminding you that you are a new creation in Christ and that you were made in his image? LIVE Ask God to reveal needs in your city or people in your life where you can join Jesus in creating beauty out of ashes. Write in a journal what you are hearing and learning from the Lord; write some next steps for how to live it out. 17
DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 1 - DAY 4 TRUE RESPONSE: TRUST & OBEY If you abide in my word you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. - John 8:31b-32 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. - John 15:9-10 This week we have meditated on the truth that our God is the Creator and he will one day redeem all of creation, and in Christ, he has already made us new. These are truths about God, the gospel and our identity that free us to live a new life. We get to live in light of these truths and worship the Creator God and not created things. We get to hope in his glorious return and not seek to find our hope in this fleeting, broken world. And we get to live out of our new identity instead of the lesser or false identities the world gives us. Let us follow Jesus and trust and obey his truth. LISTEN Take ten minutes or longer to let this truth settle into your heart. Go back and revisit verses and passages that spoke to you this week. LEARN What have you learned this week? Which specific truths from the devotional, sermon or other times with God seem to be coming up repeatedly? LIVE How is God calling you to trust and obey him in light of these truths? Is there someone you could share this with, or a friend that could help you, or a clear next step? If so, follow Jesus as his truth will set you free! 18
TRUE GRATITUDE: REJOICE IN THE LORD DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 1 - DAY 5 [4] Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. - Philippians 4:4-9 MEMORIZATION Every Friday, we will focus on the passage above as we grow in practicing thanksgiving, contentment and celebration. It is a beautiful passage and this is a great opportunity to practice memorization. Today we rejoice in all the truth and promises we have learned, received, heard and seen in Jesus this week! We give thanks for the truth of God, gospel, identity and the freedom to trust and obey the one who gives life. THANKSGIVING & ADORATION Take time today to think of all you have to thank God for, and thank him for it. Write these in your journal, pray them out loud, and praise him for the truths that have transformed you even this week! 19
Wisdom for Pursuing others WEEK 2 ENTERING ONE ANOTHER'S WORLD 21
WEEK 2 - WISDOM FOR PURSUING OTHERS SERMON NOTES 22
APPRENTICESHIP ENTERING ONE ANOTHER'S WORLD - WEEK 2 TRAINING NOTES ACTIVITY Break up into the same small groups as last week. Answer the following: If one burden could be removed from you, what would it be and why? Listeners, try to both listen to the person speaking and, at the same time, note your own thoughts and emotions. Take notes of what you were thinking and how you were feeling about what was being said. 23
WEEK 2 - ENTERING ONE ANOTHER'S WORLD Group Member What is their question to God? How do you think God could use this circumstance to shape this person? Group Member What is their question to God? How do you think God could use this circumstance to shape this person? 24
ENTERING ONE ANOTHER'S WORLD - WEEK 2 Group Member What is their question to God? How do you think God could use this circumstance to shape this person? Group Member What is their question to God? How do you think God could use this circumstance to shape this person? 25
WEEK 2 - ENTERING ONE ANOTHER'S WORLD IMMERSION 1. Does anyone need us to be there for them this week? (for example, text/call, be physically present, check in, etc) 2. Does anyone want to do something together this week? (work together, grab a coffee, hang out, have fun, etc.) 3. Does anyone need us to serve them this week? (meal, prayer, mow their lawn, etc.) You may have been able to discern the answers to these questions already from your group conversation. In that case, volunteer to step out in the ways you believe that person can be loved. Talk to them and confirm how you would like to love them and then follow through to love them well. FAMILY APPLICATION This week, ask your kids to listen to something with you like a song, short story, or show (The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones story of Jairus daughter from Luke 8 is a great story to do this with). Challenge them as they listen to notice their own thoughts and emotional responses. Do this activity together and compare notes at the end. Help them recognize ways they were positively entering into the world of the speaker, friend, or song. DISCIPLESHIP POINT We can take our thoughts captive, to love others well because Jesus loved others with everything he had. When we enter their world as listeners, we set our judgements aside so we can understand and know others in a greater way. Entering the world of others requires us to be attentive to our own heart s posture as we walk with friends. 26
DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 2 - DAY 1 TRUTH ABOUT GOD: GOD IS LOVE Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this, the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. - 1 John 4:7-9 There is no fear in love for perfect love casts out fear. - 1 John 4:18a God is love. The Father, Son, and Spirit so perfectly, eternally and harmoniously love, that they are love. To know God and have a relationship with him is to know true love. When Jesus walked the earth, he was love manifest, love incarnate, love with skin and bones. He loved perfectly and always loves perfectly. We need not fear the approval of man or look for our heart's desire to be loved outside of God because perfect eternal love is found in God and God loves us! God is love and he loves you. LISTEN Take ten minutes or longer to let this truth settle into your heart. What lies about God melt away as you realize that he is love and loves you? LEARN What might God be trying to teach you by reminding you that he is love and he loves you? LIVE Where are you looking for love outside of God and his plan for you? How can you turn from that and instead enjoy his perfect love and presence? Write in a journal all that you are hearing and learning from the Lord and write some next steps for how to live it out. 27
DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 2 - DAY 2 TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL: GOD S LOVE FOR US IS REVEALED AT THE CROSS For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. - Romans 5:6-11 God didn t whisper I love you from heaven, he shouted love from on the cross - The Silver Pages, He Shouted Love. Yesterday, we let our hearts listen to the truth that God is love. Today, we see his love demonstrated through the truth of the gospel. He loves us enough to die for us, not because of our performance, our good works, our prayers or our tithes. He died for us because he loved us, and he died for us while we were still sinners! He loves us with no strings attached - not for what we can add to him - because he is complete. He doesn t just declare his love and then walk away, he declares his love and then lays down his life to demonstrate his love. If you ever doubt God s love for you, look to the cross. The cross shouts, God loves us, he loves me, he loves you! LISTEN Take ten minutes to let this truth settle into your heart. Contemplate all the times you have doubted God s love. Now meditate on the cross. Let the cross speak to your heart s deep desire for love. The infinite, eternal, perfect Creator God loves you - he died to shout that truth to you! LEARN What is God trying to teach you by reminding you of his love? LIVE How can you live with hope today in light of the love Jesus displayed on the cross for you? Is there anyone in your life who could use the news of this amazing love? Write in a journal what you are hearing and learning from the Lord; write down some next steps for how to live it out. 28
DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 2 - DAY 3 TRUE IDENTITY: I AM A HIS BELOVED Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this, the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. - 1 John 4:7-12 Yesterday, we let our hearts listen to the truth that our God demonstrated his love for us on the cross. Today, we are shown that this love changes our identity. We are now beloved. John, throughout his writings, addresses the readers as beloved. We are God s beloved. Not because we have perfectly or will perfectly love God, but simply because his love for us is so powerful that it MAKES us beloved. He loves us and we are defined by his love. We no longer have to let the relationships of the world define whether or not we are loved, but we get to have the eternal identity of being God s beloved! LISTEN Take ten minutes or longer to let this truth settle into your heart. Let God s love for you begin to define you. You are loved by the one who is love; you are loved by the one who laid his life down for you; you are loved by an infinite perfect Creator. You are beloved. LEARN What might God be trying to teach you by reminding you that you are his beloved and that you don t have to earn his love? LIVE Pray and ask God to reveal areas of your life where you are most prone to forget that you are his beloved. What are some ways that you can remind yourself of this identity? Write in a journal all that you are hearing and learning from the Lord; write some next steps for how to live it out. 29
DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 2 - DAY 4 TRUE RESPONSE: LOVE JESUS & LOVE OTHERS Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. - 1 John 4:15-21 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. - Matt 22:37-39 This week we have meditated on the truth that our God is love and he demonstrated his love for us at the cross and so now we know that we are his beloved! These are truths about God, the gospel and our identity that free us to live a new life. We get to live in light of these truths and live with a new power to live out the great commandment to love God and love others. We love because he first loved us. LISTEN Take ten minutes or longer to let this truth settle into your heart. What would it look like to receive and respond to God s love for you on a daily basis? Who is God calling you to love? LEARN What have you learned this week? Which truths from the devotional, sermon or other times with God seem to be coming up repeatedly? LIVE How is God calling you to trust and obey him? Is there someone you could share this with, or a friend that could help you, or a clear next step? If so, follow Jesus as his love and truth will set you free! 30
TRUE GRATITUDE: REJOICE IN THE LORD DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 2 - DAY 5 [4] Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. - Philippians 4:4-9 MEMORIZATION Once again, we will focus on the passage above as we grow in practicing thanksgiving, contentment, and celebration. It is a beautiful passage and this is a great opportunity to practice memorization. Today we rejoice in all the truth and promises we have learned, received, heard and seen in Jesus this week! We give thanks for the truth of God, gospel, identity and the freedom to trust and obey the one who gives life. THANKSGIVING & ADORATION Take time today to think of all you have to thank God for, and thank him for it. Write these in your journal, pray them out loud, and praise him for the truths that have transformed you even this week! 31
Wisdom for SPIRIT EMPOWERED CONVERSATIONS WEEK 3 PRAYERFUL LISTENING 33
WEEK 3 - WISDOM FOR SPIRIT EMPOWERED CONVERSATIONS SERMON NOTES 34
APPRENTICESHIP PRAYERFUL LISTENING - WEEK 3 TRAINING NOTES ACTIVITY As your group members answer the DG question, prayerfully listen to both them and the Holy Spirit speaking to you. If you could ask God one question about something affecting your life right now, what would it be and why? Listeners, try to both listen to the person speaking and, at the same time, note your own thoughts and emotions. Take notes of what you were thinking and how you were feeling about what was being said. Group Member What is their question to God? How do you think God could use this circumstance to shape this person? 35
WEEK 3 - PRAYERFUL LISTENING IMMERSION 1. Does anyone need us to be there for them this week? (for example, text/call, be physically present, check in, etc) 2. Does anyone want to do something together this week? (work together, grab a coffee, hang out, have fun, etc.) 3. Does anyone need us to serve them this week? (meal, prayer, mow their lawn, etc.) You may have been able to discern the answers to these questions already from your group conversation. In that case, volunteer to step out in the ways you believe that person can be loved. Talk to them and confirm how you would like to love them and then follow through to love them well. FAMILY APPLICATION A question for the family: What does God want for people? Reading The Great Commandment in Matthew 22:35-40 together may help you decide on an answer together. Depending on the age of your child, you may be able to ask a follow up question, How can we help other people know what God wants for them? Spend time praying for a friend or family member to know what God wants for them. 36
DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 3 - DAY 1 TRUTH ABOUT GOD: GOD IS HOLY Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned. When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, Moses, Moses! And he said, Here I am. Then he said, Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground. And he said, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. - Exodus 3:1-6 God is holy. Meaning, he is perfect, sinless, glorious, righteous and utterly set apart as the Creator God that transcends all of creation. In this story, Moses gets a glimpse of his otherness as he reveals himself by breaking the laws of nature and manifests a burning fire that appears with heat, flames, brightness and glory but miraculously does not burn anything around it. God s holy presence is so glorious that it makes even the ground around him holy. Moses rightly hides his face knowing God was far too holy for him to set eyes on. Let us humble ourselves today as we contemplate the power, majesty and the holiness of God. LISTEN Take ten minutes or longer to let this truth settle into your heart. Imagine being Moses and getting a glimpse of God s holiness. What concerns in your life fade away as you remember that your God is holy? LEARN What might God be trying to teach you by reminding you that he is holy and his presence is holy? LIVE Where are you tempted to minimize God s righteousness, power, and holiness? What would look like to remember and live out of this truth that God is holy? 37
DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 3 - DAY 2 TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL: THE GREAT EXCHANGE For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God - 2 Corinthians 5:21 Yesterday, we let our hearts listen to the truth that God is holy. Holiness is an epic word that describes more than just his sinlessness but also his transcendence and glory. But, being holy also means God s absolute perfection and sinlessness is a part of what it means to be holy. Today, we marvel at the truth of what has been called The Great Exchange - that our sinless and holy God, Jesus Christ, became sin, so that we might become righteous! He exchanges his sinlessness for sin and our sin for his sinlessness. This is incredible. It is a gift of the gospel that he took the penalty for our sin, and we get the reward for his holiness. Praise be to God. We can never earn this or deserve this, but our holy God has given it to us freely at his own expense. All of your doubts, failures, mistakes, lust, greed, pride, gluttony, addiction, bad habits, cruel thoughts and actions, gossip, slander, lies, entitlement, worry, coveting, fits, rage, laziness, passivity...all of it has been placed on Christ and all of his obedience, love, generosity, patience, faith, tenderness, courage, self-control and on and on and on has been placed on you!! Praise be to God! The gospel is good news! LISTEN Take ten minutes or longer to let this truth settle into your heart. LEARN What might God be trying to teach you by reminding you that he is holy and his presence is holy? LIVE Write down in a journal all the sins that you have committed or feel ashamed of. In your mind, picture setting them at the foot of the cross. Now picture the beautiful obedience of Jesus being placed on you. Reread the verse above and spend some time writing, singing, and praying out praises of thanksgiving for this marvelous truth! 38
DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 3 - DAY 3 TRUE IDENTITY: I AM A SAINT To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 1:2-3 Yesterday, we let our hearts listen to the truth that our holy God exchanged his righteousness for our sin. Because this is true, we have a new identity - we are saints! Saints are sanctified ones or holy ones. We are declared holy because of the gospel. This changes how we now live. We are no longer sinners who are sometimes saints, but now we are saints who sometimes sin. Yes, we are not perfectly holy yet. But, in Christ, because of the gospel, we are declared holy and are learning to live out of our new holy identity. This impacts how we look at the little and big temptations of life. We no longer have the excuse to just say, oh well, everyone does it or I am just a sinner or I am just a bit of a gossip. No, we are saints. When we are tempted with the subtle lie that we are sinners and thus will sin, we must speak the truth of the Great Exchange into our hearts and cry out that we are saints, so we will follow Jesus in walking in holiness. You are a saint, may God bless you as you learn to live as a saint! LISTEN Take ten minutes or longer to let this truth settle into your heart. Let the Great Exchange begin to define you as you see yourself as a saint. LEARN What might God be trying to teach you by reminding you that you now a saint who sometimes sins instead of a sinner who sometimes saints. What is the difference and why does it matter? LIVE Pray and ask God to reveal areas of your life where you are most prone to forget that you are a saint. What are some areas that you now will live differently knowing that you are a saint? Write in a journal all that you are hearing and learning from the Lord; write down some next steps for how to live it out. 39
DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 3 - DAY 4 TRUE RESPONSE: FLEE SIN AND PURSUE HOLINESS So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. - 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. - 1 Corinthians 6:18 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. - 1 Timothy 6:11-12 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. - Romans 6:11 This week we have meditated on the truth that God is holy and he exchanged his righteousness for our sin so that we might become saints. We are saints! So, how do we respond? We respond with gratitude and a new resolve to live out this truth of who we are in Christ - holy ones. So we flee sin and pursue righteousness. We eagerly pursue righteousness and flee all that tempts us. We follow Jesus and the abundant life he has for us! LISTEN Take ten minutes or longer to let this truth settle into your heart. What temptation do you need to flee? What sin do you need to consider yourself dead to and what characteristics of Christ is God calling you to? LEARN What have you learned this week? Which truths from the devotional, sermon or other times with God seem to be coming up repeatedly? LIVE How is God calling you to trust and obey him in light of these truths? Is there someone you could share this with, a friend that could help you, or a clear next step? If so, follow Jesus as his love and truth will set you free! 40
TRUE GRATITUDE: REJOICE IN THE LORD DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 3 - DAY 5 [4] Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. - Philippians 4:4-9 MEMORIZATION Once again, we will focus on the passage above as we grow in practicing thanksgiving, contentment, and celebration. It is a beautiful passage and this is a great opportunity to practice memorization. Today we rejoice in all the truth and promises we have learned, received, heard and seen in Jesus this week! We give thanks for the truth of God, gospel, identity and the freedom to trust and obey the one who gives life. THANKSGIVING & ADORATION Take time today to think of all you have to thank God for, and thank him for it. Write these in your journal, pray them out loud, and praise him for the truths that have transformed you even this week! 41
Wisdom for LISTENING WEEK 4 ENTRY GATES 43
WEEK 4 - WISDOM FOR LISTENING SERMON NOTES 44
APPRENTICESHIP ENTRY GATES - WEEK 4 TRAINING NOTES ACTIVITY As your group members answer, record what entry gates you observe. If you could be freed from one current sinful habit in your life, what would it be and why? 45
WEEK 4 - ENTRY GATES Group Member Emotional Words Interpretive Words Self Talk God Talk Group Member Emotional Words Interpretive Words Self Talk God Talk 46
ENTRY GATES - WEEK 4 Group Member Emotional Words Interpretive Words Self Talk God Talk Group Member Emotional Words Interpretive Words Self Talk God Talk 47
WEEK 4 - ENTRY GATES IMMERSION 1. Does anyone need us to be there for them this week? (for example, text/call, be physically present, check in, etc) 2. Does anyone want to do something together this week? (work together, grab a coffee, hang out, have fun, etc.) 3. Does anyone need us to serve them this week? (meal, prayer, mow their lawn, etc.) You may have been able to discern the answers to these questions already from your group conversation. In that case, volunteer to step out in the ways you believe that person can be loved. Talk to them and confirm how you would like to love them and then follow through to love them well. FAMILY APPLICATION Read Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) - Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Family question: Why should we guard our hearts? How do we help someone else guard their heart? Reading Phil 4:6-7 may help provide direction. 48
DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 4 - DAY 1 TRUTH ABOUT GOD: JESUS IS THE WAY, TRUTH, AND LIFE Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going. Thomas said to him, Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way? Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him. - John 14:1-7 There are many ways we can live our life. But only one is true, and only one leads to life and life eternal. This is the way of Jesus. Jesus always demonstrated the right way to act, live and respond; he always only spoke the truth, and he lived life to its fullest. But, he not only demonstrates these things, he IS these things. Jesus is the Way to the heavenly Father; he is Truth within himself; he IS LIFE and LIFE ETERNAL and abundant. All other ways fail us. Anything or anyone that contradicts Jesus or his teachings is a lie. Only he gives eternal and abundant life because he is life. LISTEN Take ten minutes or longer to let this truth settle into your heart. LEARN What might God be trying to teach you by reminding you that he is the way, and the truth, and the life? LIVE Who or what tempts you to look for the way, truth or life outside of Jesus? What would be different about your day-to-day life if you grew in trusting that only Jesus was the way, the truth, and the life? Pray that God would help you trust this truth. 49
DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 4 - DAY 2 TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL: JESUS LIVED OUR LIFE So Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. For the Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment but has passed from death to life. - John 5:19-24 Yesterday, we let our hearts listen to the truth that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and that only he can bring us to our Heavenly Father! Today, we want to look at the good news that Jesus lived a perfect life. He always obeyed God the Father and walked in the Father s ways all of the time. He lived a sinless life both in action and in attitude. He did this both as an example for us, showing us the way, truth, and life. But he also did this as a substitute for us. He lived the life we could not live and did it for us! Praise be to God! LISTEN Take ten minutes or longer to let this truth settle into your heart. Why is it good news to you today that Jesus is the way to the Father? LEARN What might God be trying to teach you by reminding you that Jesus only did what he saw his Father doing? What do you think that means? What would it mean for you to only be doing what you saw Jesus doing? LIVE Write in a journal all that you are hearing and learning from the Lord; write down some next steps for how to live it out. 50
DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 4 - DAY 3 TRUE IDENTITY: I AM A FOLLOWER Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. - Matthew 4:19 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ - 1 Corinthians 11:1 This week we have been learning that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Because Jesus is THE WAY, this means we are followers! In a world where everyone is battling to lead, we follow. We set aside our ways and what we think is true and submit to the ways of Jesus. Jesus invited his first disciples to follow him and he would transform them into fishers of men. Being a disciple is to follow Jesus, be changed by Jesus and to help others follow Jesus. As Christians, this is our life s calling. We are followers. The apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthian church gives us insight into Christian leadership - it is an allusion. Paul, this incredible Christian leader, invites the church to imitate or follow him, which is a major leadership statement. Then he gives it away and says as he imitates and follows Jesus. Christian leaders are really just followers. They are ones who follow Jesus so closely and passionately that it leaves the allusion that they are leading, but really they are just leading in following! As we lead by following Jesus, we are transformed by his truth and love into the type of men and women that build a legacy of truth and love by helping others follow Jesus! Jesus, Love, Truth, Transformation, and Legacy - our 5 discipleship values at Resurrection Church are all there in Matthew 4:19! Follow on! LISTEN Take ten minutes to let this truth settle into your heart. How is your view of leadership shifting as you view it through the lens of following? LEARN What might God be trying to teach you by reminding you that you are a follower before you are a leader? LIVE Pray and ask God to reveal areas of your life where you are most prone to forget that you are a follower of Jesus. What are some areas that you now will live differently knowing that you are a follower? Write in a journal all that you are hearing and learning from the Lord; write down some next steps for how to live it out. 51
DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 4 - DAY 4 TRUE RESPONSE: WALK IN HUMILITY All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. - Proverbs 16:2 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. - James 4:6-10 I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. - Ephesians 4:1-3 This week we have meditated on the truth that Jesus is the way and we are followers. We respond to this truth with humility. We surrender our opinions and submit our stubbornness to Jesus and his love. We turn from pridefully believing that we are the way, the truth, and the life and we joyfully follow the one who truly is! We are learning to turn from our selfish ways and learning to treat one another with humility and gentleness, walking in our relationships in a Jesus way. LISTEN Take ten minutes to let this truth settle into your heart. Where are you tempted to be stubborn or prideful with the Lord? With others? LEARN What might God be trying to teach you by calling you to walk in humility? In what ways have you been proud and need to repent? What happens when we humble ourselves? LIVE How is God calling you to trust and obey him in light of these truths? Is there someone you could share this with, or a friend that could help you, or a clear next step? If so, follow Jesus as his love and truth will set you free! 52