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Dog Days of Summer (3 Things About God I Learned From My Dog)

Dog Days of Summer (3 Things About God I Learned From My Dog): Stay

July 28, 2024 • Russ Smith • Proverbs 4:14–15, 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 23

1. If you have a dog, what have you learned from your dog? (or from your cat, or iguana, or any kind of pet) 2. The 3rd thing about God that I learned from my dog is: Stay - God invites me to stay with him. What do you think about that idea? 3. In the message, we looked at Psalm 23 and the idea that God invites us to stay with him for a while. You could read Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 (NIV) 4. How could you respond to the challenge: This week, how about you STAY with God for a while? 5. In the message, there were two stories that connected to Psalm 23. There was Brennan Manning’s story about the uncle who said "The Father of Jesus is very fond of me.", and John Mark Comer’s story about the old peasant sitting in the church building who said “I look at Him, He looks at me, and we are happy.” How do these stories impact the time you spend with God?

Dog Days of Summer (3 Things About God I Learned From My Dog): Leave It

July 21, 2024 • Russ Smith • Proverbs 26:11, 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 3:9–10

1. What are some things in your life that maybe God is telling you: “leave it”? 2. Out of all those things that you feel like God is telling you to “leave”, which one are you going to do something about? Since you know you “ought to” leave it, which one will you “fight” to leave? 3. Remember this Bible verse from the message: The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. - 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT) Maybe the “way out” that God provides for you is to “leave it” or even run (“Run, Forrest, run!”) from those temptations. From your past, what are some ways out of temptation that God provided for you? (Or, in the past, how did you “leave” or “run” from temptations?) 4. In the message we looked at the “hand” illustration and how memorizing some Bible verses can be helpful because they might come to mind (or God might bring them to mind) when you’re in a tempting situation. What’s a Bible verse that you could memorize? [How about: Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. James 3:9-10 (NIV)] 5. We already talked about this, but seriously: That thing you keep going back to–what if this week you decided to “leave it”? You know you ought to, so what if you fought to?

Dog Days of Summer (3 Things About God I Learned From My Dog): Part Of The Family

July 14, 2024 • Russ Smith • Romans 5:6–8, Romans 7:14–19, Galatians 4:4–7, Ephesians 1:3–5, Romans 8:14–17

1. Dogs or cats - are you more of a dog person or a cat person? Tell us why! (and it’s ok if you like dogs AND cats) 2. Did you have a pet when you were growing up? What was its name, and what kind of animal was it? 3. What’s a fun memory you have about a pet you have (or once had)? 4. These days, do you feel far away from God, or close to God, or somewhere in the middle? 5. What do you think about the idea that we were once excluded from being in God’s family? 6. Russ mentioned Bible verses from Galatians 4:4-5 that talked about “sonship”. What do you think about the idea that we can be fully adopted into God’s family with all the rights and privileges that come with it? 7. For Russ and his family, it was their pleasure to adopt Bella. What do you think about the idea that it was God’s pleasure to adopt you? 8. If you’re a Jesus-follower, the challenge for this week is to enjoy being in God’s family - celebrate it! How will you do that this week? 9. If you’re not a Jesus-follower, then what’s your next move with God?