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RED LETTER SUMMER
(The revolution has begun)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

Big Idea:
Jesus came into this world to start a revolution driven by repentance and the changing of the human heart, not by civil unrest or military action. We are called to join the revolution. But be warned, everything about your life will and must change.

Summary:
Jesus began His earthly ministry with the words, “Repent! For the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” In other words, people needed to think differently because everything was about to be turned upside-down. Jesus was initiating the greatest revolution ever seen, by bringing the kingdom of Heaven to earth. This kingdom wasn’t going to expand by force, but by the transformation of the human heart. God’s revolutionary agenda is here, and it advances by servanthood, humility,  obedience, faith, hope, and love – beginning with the poorest, weakest, and meekest, and growing to become a movement that topples the power structures of this world. 

Are you ready to join the revolution? Are you ready to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God rather than this world? If so, here are four Kingdom essentials you must embrace and live-out. First, you must align yourself with Kingdom values. In every facet of life, you must know God’s way and live it. Second, you must accept Kingdom purposes. Your reason for living goes beyond worldly agendas and motives. You were created to love without limitation, to serve without hesitation, to worship without intimidation, and to share the gospel without fear of man. Third, you must embrace Kingdom relationships. You become a member of God’s family, not based on social status or physical DNA, but by choosing to accept and obediently follow Christ. Fourth, you must adopt kingdom priorities. What matters most to God must ultimately matter most to you. This stuff is revolutionary!

Discussion Questions: (read the scripture & discuss)

Matthew 5:3-10
How can we incorporate these kingdom values into our daily lives? Discuss the changes you need to make for this passage to describe you. Encourage each other to go for it, and hold one another accountable.

Matthew 6:33
What happens when we put God’s plans before ours? Share personal experiences.

Romans 12:1-2
How do we change our thoughts and actions to line up with the Kingdom of God? Discuss how reading God’s Word has renewed your minds and changed your thinking.
 
Taking Action:

1. Deepen your understanding of God’s Kingdom by reading through the gospel of Matthew with your family or friends.
2. Make every effort to attend the weekend services and bring someone with you to experience the “Red Letter Summer” at City of Grace.
3. Memorize the Beatitudes, and begin to implement Kingdom practices. Start by sharing Jesus with others. 

Ministry Time

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THE PROVING GROUND
(The importance of perseverance )

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship (optional)

Big Idea:
Testing is a part of life and trials are inevitable. In fact, God uses trials in order to strengthen us, mature us, perfect our faith, and prepare us for His holy purposes. 

Summary:
This life is a proving ground of sorts; a place where our faith is tested on a daily basis. How we respond to the trials and temptations of life will either strengthen our faith or destroy it. As Christians, we must realize that trials are still inevitable and actually necessary for us in order to develop perseverance. Perseverance is the act of bearing-up under trials and living for God every day, even when it is hard. Perseverance must finish its work so that we may be perfected and our faith may be proven genuine. This process is similar to the tempering of steel: the heat, rather than destroying the steel, actually makes it stronger and more useful.

The military demonstrates this principle as they take a new recruit and build them into a soldier. They put the recruit through a series of very difficult tests: physical, emotion, mental, and relational. If the recruit perseveres, rather than “washes out”, they are fashioned into a lean, mean, fighting machine. They become “one of the few” because they have completed the training now stronger and tougher - proven for the field of battle.

Trials are the essential means God uses to develop Christian character. And, perseverance through trials gives evidence of true saving faith. How does going through tough times strengthen and prove our faith? It requires us to trust in God. It requires sincere dependence on God that is made evident in self-control and godly action. What is the result? God uses those who stand, even when times are tough, and He promotes those who persevere.

Discussion Questions: (read the scripture & discuss – use different translations)

James 1:2-4 & James 1:12
How does James say we should respond to the trials and temptations of life? Why is perseverance so important? What is the ultimate reward for those who persevere?

Hebrews 12:1-11
How does the writer of Hebrews say we should persevere (v.1-2)? Discuss how Christ’s perseverance should motivate us. Why does God discipline us and allow us to encounter trials? Share personal experiences of perseverance or discipline that resulted in maturity and growth.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
What does Paul say our current struggles and trials are actually achieving for us? How does the temporal aspect of this life help us endure tough times?
 
Taking Action: Recognize the unique trials God brings into your life, consider why He may be bringing these times of testing, and ask Him for wisdom to face them in a way that will build perseverance and bring Him glory.

Ministry Time

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EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER
(Part 5: The Bedroom )

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship (optional)

Big Idea:
We live in a culture that shamelessly promotes and engages in a distorted view of sex. The world has taken what God created for good and has used it for evil. As Christians, we are called to not conform to this world, but instead follow God’s guidelines.  

Summary:
God created sex and therefore, it is good. Let’s look at why God created sex. Genesis tells us that God told Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply.” He also said that, “A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they will become one flesh.” So, we see that God created sex for procreation, but He also used it to create a special intimacy between man and woman like nothing else could. This intimacy creates a powerful bond at all levels: physical, emotional, and spiritual. And this is why scripture is so clear that sex is designed only for the marriage relationship between one man and one woman. The boundaries are very simple and straightforward: do not have sex while not married, do not have sex outside your marriage, and do not selfishly withhold sex or force sex within your marriage.

However, to his own destruction, man has made a practice of venturing outside of God’s boundaries. Sexual sin has serious consequences spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Sexual sin is extremely hurtful because it is a sin against God, against others, and against our own bodies. Intentional disobedience of God’s command not to commit adultery dishonors and displeases Him. Conversely, God is pleased when His children choose obedience and self-control instead of the immediacy of pleasure outside of His wise, protective boundaries.

So, where sex is concerned, we can either choose God’s way and experience the incredible benefits and beauty of His plans or we can choose the world’s way, which leaves a huge wake of pain, destruction, and separation.

Discussion Questions: (You may want to discuss these questions in two separate groups: men only & women only.)

1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Why is sexual sin so bad? Who is it hurting? Give examples of how you can avoid sexual immorality.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
Contrast how the world views sex with how Christians should view sex. How can improper physical intimacy harm others? Is there a possibility of “getting away” with sexual sin?

1 Corinthians 7:2-5
Why can it be dangerous to withhold sex for long periods of time? How can sex be used selfishly in marriage?

Taking Action: Repent from any past sexual sins. Ask God to break any unhealthy emotional and spiritual ties created by past sexual sin.  Commit to remaining pure from this day forth so that you can honor God with your whole being. Ask God to forgive you and to give you the grace to live in victory.

Ministry Time

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EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER
(Part 4: The Family Room – building the entertainment center )

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship (optional)

Big Idea:
Jesus said, “The eye is the lamp of the body.” What we allow ourselves to view and what we put into our minds matter greatly. This is definitely true as it relates to our entertainment choices.

Summary:
The Israelites placed armed guards at the entrance to the temple so that no unclean thing could enter and defile it. The apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians that, “We are the temple of the living God.” Are we taking this seriously and, like temple guards, aggressively keeping the junk out? We cannot expect to live out the Christian life with much success if we fill ourselves up with the filth of this world. We are supposed to be aliens in this world. We are supposed to be in the world but not of it. When we invite the things of this world into our minds, they become part of us – we become part of the world. 

Have you heard the phrase “garbage in; garbage out?” Relating it to this topic, we are what we watch, read, or listen to. If we fill our minds with trashy movies, books, and music, we will end up with trashy minds and trashy behavior. As Christ-followers, most of the stuff in the movies and on TV should repulse us. Why, because it repulses Christ and is contrary to His very nature, which should be our nature when we are born again in Him.

The Corinthian Christians boasted that, “everything is permissible for me,” but Paul warned them that not everything is beneficial. He knew that they could become enslaved by those actions in which they “freely” indulged. So, how do we know if something is beneficial and appropriate? Here are a few tests: Does it lift-up biblical principles? Does it glorify God? Does it build-up you and others? Is your conscience clear? Would you watch it if Jesus was sitting next to you? (He is you know.) Build your entertainment center very carefully and choose your entertainment wisely. 

Discussion Questions: (read the Scripture & discuss)

Ephesians 5:1-7
If what we take into our lives affects us, then how significant are our entertainment choices? Are the potential consequences from a steady diet of worldly filth simply temporal or can they be eternal? Discuss how this might happen.

1 Corinthians 6:12
How does this scripture relate to our entertainment choices? Discuss examples of other things in life that are permissible, but not profitable.

Philippians 4:8
How can you use this passage when determining your entertainment choices? Spend a few minutes analyzing a few current TV shows and movies using these criteria.

Taking Action: Take time this week to prayerfully analyze your entertainment choices. Categorize them into three groups: good, bad, and neutral. Cut out the bad stuff immediately and spend time in God’s Word as a substitute. Share with your group the results.

Ministry Time