FROM DREAM TO DESTINY THE SUCCESS TEST Current Series In life, we often know in which direction God will lead us in our next steps. However, there is often a long way to go from the dream to the fulfillment. This is what Joseph experienced in the Bible. When he saw a dream about his future, many trials were still awaiting him. Because it is often only when we walk, that the characteristics necessary to reach the goal, are revealed. This series is about our heart and our character. God is going with us on a wonderful path. But often we do not yet see this clearly 12/08/2018 The Pride Test 19/08/2018 The Loser Test 26/08/2018 The Success Test 02/09/2018 The Stress Test 09/09/2018 The Prosperity Test 16/09/2018 The Forgiveness test 23/09/2018 The Perseverance test Page 1 / 7
Small Group Evening Ice Breaker What do you like most about summer? TOPIC: THE SUCCESS TEST Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Genesis 39:1-6 (The Bible - New International Version) The key to success: God s word Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 (The Bible New International Version) Because Christ lives in me, Trials cannot stop me. People cannot break me. Money cannot buy me. Haters cannot silence me. Demons cannot defeat me. Page 2 / 7
The key of God s Word: Faith The key of faith: obedience Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! But you ask, What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you? You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do, says the Lord of Heaven s Armies, I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won t have enough room to take it in! Malachi 3:8-10 (The Bible - New Living Translation) Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today. But you will be cursed if you reject the commands of the Lord your God and turn away from him and worship gods you have not known before. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 (The Bible - New Living Translation) The key of obedience: God s favour The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper. Genesis 39:23 (The Bible - New King James Version) When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the Lord blessed him. He became a very rich man, and his wealth continued to grow. Genesis 26:12-13 (The Bible - New Living Translation) And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. 2 Kings 18:7a (The Bible - New International Version) The Hebrew word for prospering means: to push forward make progress The Greek word for prospering means: to help on the road Page 3 / 7
Sharing & Consolidation Share about what it means to be obedient to God. What do you think of this? When has God called you to do something for which you paid a high price? God has promised to provide for us and be with us in all our tests. Where do you experience God s provision or where are you still waiting for it? Action Step & Prayer Which callings has God entrusted you with? Share about these. If God s speaking does not seem clear, pray for clarity, wisdom and guidance. If somebody is still waiting for God s provision, pray together and ask God for a miracle. And encourage each other with the miracles that God has already performed in your lives. Page 4 / 7
Did you know? On YouVersion that is a great reading plan on the topic of baptism. If somebody is thinking of being baptized, this reading plan is a great possibility to get prepared. Or you can go through it as a Small Group. Feedback Do you have feedback on the Small Group program? Can we make it even better, more understandable, more useful and more fruitful? Write to tobias.schwegler@icf.ch Page 5 / 7
HEARTBEAT FOR SMALL GROUP LEADERS ICF Vision Internalize the ICF Vision. Ask your participants to state the vision in your meetings until they all know it by heart. Discuss about how you want to implement this vision and make it visible. Next Step - Life in Movement How do you encourage each individual person in your Small Group? Who in your Small Group have you chosen as your trainee? What could the next steps be? - You can find an overview of possibilities on this website -> www.icf.ch/en/next-step - And here is an overview of what is currently being offered: Description Dates Information and registration Coming Home Group after every Celebration www.icf.ch/en/connect Baptism preparation and baptism 3 June (Dates can vary in the locations) www.icf.ch/en/baptism ICF Leadership Training 24 & 31 October www.icf.ch/workshops ICF Leaders Meeting ZH 16 September Brugg 30 September Rapperswil 16 September Page 6 / 7
Winterthur 16 September ZH-Oberland 4 October Various Workshops in the ICF College Counselling Marriage preparation / marriage coaching Various courses for parents with children ICF Camps www.icf.ch/workshops www.icf.ch/seelsorge www.icf.ch/ehe www.icf.ch/family www.icf.ch/en/camps Pray for your Small Group Pray for your participants and their concerns. Pray that each one has an encounter with God and that you may all achieve your goals together. Consciously submit yourself under God s leadership so that the evening may take place according to his will. Plan your Small Group meeting Think about what you can delegate (administration, hospitality/food, prayer, worship, input ). Everybody should be informed where and when the meeting is taking place. Communication is the responsibility of the leader! Count on God s presence: For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:20 Page 7 / 7