The Bravery
Schedule
Friday Arrive: 6p Dinner: 7p Session 1: 8p Roll out: 10p Saturday Be at the cabin: 10a Session 2: 10:30a Lunch: 12p Hiking: 12:30p Dinner: 6p Session 3: 7p Roll out: 9p Sun Be at the cabin: 10a Breakfast: 10:30a Session 4: 11p Lunch: 12:30p Helen/Golf: 1p Dinner: 6p Session 5: 7p Roll out: 9p Monday Clean / Pack: 8a Be at the cabin: 9:30a Session 6: 10a Lunch: 12p Final Clean Up: 12:30p Load up: 1p
The Bravery to Move
Rodney
if we take all this and do nothing with it, we leave where we were an early challenge: over the next week, take a lesson each day, pray over it and review the lesson and ask what the Lord wants to teach you spiritual growth must lead to action - excited to take the next step - this is God’s plan for us 1 build a foundation gotta start somewhere this weekend has been part of that build on Christ and His Word 1 Corinthians 3:11 Matthew 7:24 why do we need a foundation? this is the preparation stage, getting ready to move happens before we move 2 fight vs flight; it’s easier to walk away fighting is hard, harder without a firm starting place Colossians 4:2-6 fighting for the Church, for truth devoted, watchful, thankful, prayerful, proclaiming, act wisely, take advantage, speak gracefully - look at all this movement! Proverbs 6:6-8 can’t sit there lazily where are our battlefields? let’s not show up unprepared 3 fear stops us in our tracks - we fail to be obedient because we are stuck in fear remove fear - replace it with something better we often choose worldly pursuits over walking with Christ Psalm 118:6 Isaiah 41 4 how do we overcome fear? Faith - believing that God is in control and wise Matthew 17:14-20 Bravery to see, serve, love, fight James 1:22-25 look intently and receive freedom - then blessing Hear what the Lord says and act on it
The Bravery to Grow
Marc
God does not want us to stay childish, immature, susceptible to lies, easily manipulated it’s easy to stay put, comfortable, familiar, easy, unchallenged ****how do you know that you are maturing - where do we measure? 1 Cor 13:12 now is the time to put childish things away Hebrew 5:11-6:12 Salvation and now what? better things! (6:9) fear (lack of bravery) causes us to shrink back rather than stand out - Hebrews 10:39 to grow in 3 specific areas 1 Prayer 1 Thes 5:17 what is the content of our prayer what are we thinking about whilst praying what is the purpose of prayer? how do you pray the Word? we start with personal prayer we grow into Kingdom prayer a. Pray for one another and with one another • we believe in prayer, that access is a gift from God • prayer brings us together (it’s a whole lot harder to be mad at someone if you spent your morning praying for them) • pray reminds us of the spiritual nature of our lives (how sad is it if we only stop to pray when we need something as if every moment isn’t a moment that is God ordained and full of His provision) 2 Understanding Colossians 1:9 there is a basic knowledge of God (nothing wrong with this) there is an expanding knowledge God (moving beyond the typical, can you enjoy _______ because you see God there too) there is a connected knowledge of God (the pieces fit together) from the heart to the mouth Proverbs 4:23 Luke 6:43-45 3 Speaking encouragement Psalm 19:14 Speak Life protect others sharing what the Lord is doing teaching/leading others we must do our best to be ready to have a meaningful conversation with people about spiritual things Colossians 2:6-7 easily tossed by the waves vs grounded and rooted deep roots leads to a confident stance we are not easily persuaded away from what we have become convinced of Growing in Faith - we become less dependent on the opinions of others as we draw near to Christ; He has provided a new community of believers for you and a launching point for fruitful ministry Are we brave enough to stand out? When might you have to take a stand for something? What is God's plan for you to not be alone? The church) He thinks we are good enough We need people to believe in us / it empowers us Small Group Questions: Session 5 1 What are some childish things you do that still frustrate you? 2 What are some of the “better things” we have access to in Christ? (healthy relationships, freedom from sin and it’s consequences, high self-esteem, well-placed worship instead of worshipping inferior things) 3 Can you share with us a passage of Scripture God has taught you something from recently? 4 What are you convinced of? Like enough to talk about it? (“I am convinced that...” - there is freedom in Christ - that I am loved - the Word is true 5 What are you confused by? Like what topic would you be uncomfortable talking about? (maybe Judgment, or Sacrifice, or the Resurrection) 6 Are there any spiritual habits you’ve seen in others that have encouraged you or inspired you to follow their http://example...or convicted you that you need?
The Bravery to Be
Lisa
our identity in Christ; bravery to be you God is, the I am, creator, powerful, capable our God is bigger than our circumstances He is a God of relationship and He was with them in the Old Testament but now He is in Us, awe are rescued and redeemed and when he is in us, He changes everything We have a new identity in Christ Who are you? What is my purpose? Why am I alive? we base our identity in outside external things some people allow other people to shape the way they see themselves God wants everyone to find their identity in Christ Jesus - to start there Paul 1Thes 1:4 you are chosen (Jn. 15:16) Gen 2:4-7 distinct difference in the way God created formed not spoken, unique creation Psalm 139:13-16 know that you are loved; you are known John 1:12 His plan for us starts with redemption and God desire to pick you, save you, bring you in to relationship What we believe about ourselves matters; you live the way you think; without a firm anchor we are easily confused - or else we are tossed around by insecurity and doubt; sin exposes the fact that we fall short, and *this culture fuels our insequerities as trying to keep up will trap you in a whirlwind of inadequacy John 10:10; the enemy is here to deceive Gal 3:26; children of God but faith Gal 4:7; no longer a slave John 15:11; complete joy Eph 2:9; no longer outside Rom 8:29; known 1 Peter 2:9; chosen people If you know who you are you don’t have to impress people; *how much time is spent attention seeking? Knowing Jesus sets us free from this Knowing that we are loved helps us put our focus on others rather than ourselves 1 Cor 13:8-13 What we see and understand is incomplete; we are moving that way but He knows fully and knows us fully - *He knows us the best and we need His help to bring these things to completion He already knows - we can’t be fake; being fake deceives us not Him Back to Psalm 139 What does each verse tell us about ourselves and about God? Yes we fall short but God loves us faults and all James 5:16: reminds us of forgiveness Hebrews 12:1-2 daily, *steady dependence His ways are better and we can trust Him We must look different and not be ashamed about it (Romans 5:5) To be in Christ is to increasing look less like the world and more like Him Small Group Questions: Discussion Questions: 1. How do you describe yourself? What defines you? What is your purpose? What are you living for? 2. Are you anchored to the truth of who you are, a chosen child of God? What lies has the enemy planted, insecurities or doubts are preventing you from believing who and Who's you are? 3. Are there influences or activities that you need to eliminate that contradict your identity in Christ? What are they? Are there things you need to do that will help your life line up more with who & who's you are? 4. What truth about being a chosen child of God encourages you? Why? (See list of suggestions below) 5. Which truth is hard for you to believe? Why? **Suggestions: Fearfully and wonderfully made, known, chosen, seen, heard, forgiven, rescued, loved, child of God, holy, gifted, purposed, new, victorious? Will you seek God & pray that you will increasingly understand who & who's you are?
The Bravery to Follow
Brian
“Christ in You, the Hope of Glory” fundamental Christianity is found in this phrase Is it easy to follow Christ? Yes and No There will he labor and struggle... But He powerfully works in us Christ King, Savior, Image, Creator Confirmed His supremacy Empowered by His Spirit Christ dwells in us by his Spirit this is called “the mystery” Why did Jesus die? that he might live in us • even greater access than the disciples, not just with us but in us The sinful nature is replaced with New Life Ephesians 1:13-14 When Christ is at the center of our lives, He affects... our mind: what we think, our emotions our body: health as we make wise decisions our relationships: drama free and balance our mission: take advantage of the time Galatians 5:16-18 What is the goal of a Christian life? completeness in Christ the goal is Christlikeness What is our mission, how do we put it into practice? Listen to the Holy Spirit Be transformed by the Word To help other people follow Jesus Luke 9:22-23 John 10:10 How do we avoid temptation? Deal with temptation? Matthew 4 Jesus example: responded with the Word replaces deception with Truth stood bravely for what was right 1 Peter 4:12-19 Christ suffered to accomplish salvation We suffer as we spread salvation Talk about the Christ you know Will we embrace the cross so that other people can come to know Christ? Many people will come to know Christ through us as we reflect Him and make him the center of our lives. Pray that He will continue to transform you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Small Group Questions 1) How have you shown others "God in You" in your daily walk? 2) What kinds of things have you done OR can start doing today to transform your your life - to start living more like Christ and reflect God in Us? 3) How have you avoided temptations in your life? 4) How have you faced/handled temptations?24-29
The Bravery to Believe
Carolyn
fear leads you to a place where you’re stuck, can’t move forward Numbers 13:1-3 in the desert - at the edge of the promised land “this is what I have for you, it’s a good place, get excited, go take it” 17-20 be curious, go learn about this new place, understand the issues in the land 25-30 a brave response 31-4:4 vs a rebellious infection living in faith vs the effects of fear their fear is contagious and the few men infect the whole group wanting to go back to the things God Cale’s then out of - it was familiar and they wanted to put themselves back in slavery human reasoning says “this thing that God has said cannot happen” / since I can’t do it, God can’t do it Fear - focus on the impossibilities and details rather than on the greater God and His promises how often is this us? how do we get unstuck? 1 John 4:18 love cannot coexist with fear - we don’t have to fear when we are perfectly love perfect love is laying down your life and dying for someone else someone who loves us isn’t going to lead us into a bad place no fear because there is no longer a need that needs to be met that He hadn’t already provided for freedom in the promises of God - everything we actually needs He fulfills and satisfies Small Group Questions 1. what are some fears you have struggled with in your lifetime? Can you see in those times you focusing on the little things rather than God’s promises? 2. looking at the answers to number one, how has God walked you through some of those fears? What are some promises from Him we can have faith in rather than fearing those circumstances? 3. have you ever felt God calling you to do something that might have been scary/overwhelming/uncertain? Did you respond in faith or fear? 4. What are some areas in your life you need to surrender to Him or depend on Him to lead you through? 5. Do you have anything you want to add/ anything that stood out to you/ any questions? (i always forget to ask that haha)
The Bravery to Commit
Marc
Let’s consider carefully what it means to Follow Jesus. We’re called to give up everything? What, or better, Who are we really committing ourselves to? Who He is (the kind of God He is) is Established through His introduction in the OT - specifically to Adam, Abraham, and Moses Adam (Gen 1:27-31, 2:15-17, 3:14-22, 4:6-7) establishes authority, justice, grace, care Abraham (Gen 12:1-3, 15:6, 15:17-18 establishes promise, faith, sovereignty Moses (Ex 3:7-9, 11-14, Deut 8:1-10, 9:6-8, 18:15-18) establishes rescue, power, fulfillment, patience, plan (back to Abraham, back to Adam (Seed)) Covenant - what He says (promises) will come to pass (fulfillment) and so confidence in the future is guaranteed what are we guaranteed as believers? Life Joy Peace Presence Fullness Fruitfullness Forgiveness Purpose Comfort Strength Provision Grace Help We have considered the cost of following Jesus, What’s the cost of not following Him? you get to be in charge you do things in your own power you may even leave a mark but it will all pass away “Only one life, twill soon be past Only what’s done for Christ will last” Psalm 90 a prayer of Moses He is everlasting to everlasting an eternal God has offered eternity to us! He has revealed Himself and invited us in through Faith. oh that we would number our days, consider our lives and grow in wisdom What will you be doing in 30 years? What kind of person are you now? you good with that? oh that the work of our hands will count for eternity! establish us Lord in your love that we may walk with you! Small Group Questions: 1 What aspects of Gods character has He shown you in a personal way? What was the situation? (maybe His patience during a time of selfishness... maybe His forgiveness when you had fallen into sin...) 2 consider your life, what have you made of it so far? any missed opportunities? any seized moments you look back on and can rejoice? what would you like your life to look like 10 years from now? 30? 3 how are you praying for the Lord to grow you? (try to have a personal example to share) (encourage them to speak it out loud, no not be embarrassed and pray for one another at the end) 4 what has following Jesus cost you so far? Why was it worth it? 5 anyone down for telling us when you met the Lord? How did He bring you to a place of repentance and belief? (be prepared to share your story first)