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re: the art of starting over
(re:define)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

Big Idea:
People are hurting and are in desperate need of a refuge. As children of God, we know that the Lord is our refuge. But, what are we doing to share our place of refuge with the rest of the world?

Summary:
God is a refuge for those who put their trust in Him. Refuge is defined as protection or shelter from danger or hardship; a source of help, relief, or comfort in times of trouble; a place of safety, healing, and redemption. Our God is certainly all of these and more. He is there to protect us from the dangers of life, and shelter us in each of the storms we go through. As God’s children, we are called to be like Christ and show the characteristics of God to a hurting and dying world. Therefore, we must be people of refuge, and the church must be a place of refuge.

What does it mean to be people of refuge? (1) Being a person of refuge starts with loving others. Christ tells us that our love for one another will prove to the world that we are His disciples (John 13:35). People matter most to God and they must matter most to us. (2) If people really matter, then we must treat them with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12). People of refuge display God’s grace through generous gestures and acts of kindness. (3) People of refuge forgive one another just as they have been forgiven by God Himself. Offenses, accusations, bitterness, and the critical spirit are definitely not characteristics of refuge. (4) People of refuge let the light of Christ shine brightly in their lives. Jesus instructs us to, “let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). By letting the light of Christ shine, we are directing people to the true place of ultimate refuge – the almighty, living, and loving God.

Discussion Questions: (read the scriptures & discuss)

1 John 4:7-21
Why is love so important? How does love help create a place of refuge? Can we be people of refuge without love? Discuss how we can show love to those in need of refuge.

Ephesians 4:32
Compassion and forgiveness are refuge characteristics. In what ways do you show others compassion and generosity? Share your story if you have been the recipient of these characteristics. Why is forgiveness so important?

Matthew 5:13-16
Why do Christians have a unique ability and responsibility to be people of refuge? Discuss examples of how we can shine the light of Christ in this world?  Share testimonies.

Taking Action: Are you a person of refuge? Are you a safe place for the needy and the hurting? Ask God to fill you with His grace to become a person of refuge. Look for opportunities this week to love others, show compassion, offer generous gestures, forgive others, and let the light of Christ shine brightly through you. Be Christ to this hurting world. 

Ministry Time

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re: the art of starting over
(re:claim)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

Big Idea:
How we view money and how we handle money matters to God. We are called to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us by managing them God’s way.

Summary:
Stewardship is simply managing God’s money the way God wants it to be managed, with obedience and with faith. God has called us to do two different things: bring the tithe and give offerings. Tithing is returning to God ten percent of what already belongs to Him. It is the acknowledgement that God owns everything and is the giver of all things entrusted to our care. Giving, on the other hand, really begins after we have tithed. We are encouraged to give freewill offerings from what is left over as an act of faith and worship. When we fail to do either, God is dishonored. Bringing the tithe is an act of obedience. Giving offerings is an act of faith. Both are signs of good stewardship.

“First fruits” is the important biblical principle of giving our first and best to God. God gave us His best, His Son, and we should give our best in return. The opposite of first fruits is giving God only what we think we can get away with or planning out what we want to spend and then looking at what is left and figuring how much of that we can give to God. Jesus says that we can tell where someone’s heart is based on where they invest their treasure. To have our hearts with God is to give generously of our financial wealth to God, His church, and His causes. Since we also value our time and talents, we should invest them with God in faith.

God is serious about this issue of financial stewardship for two reasons: 1) It is the most obvious way we honor Him. How can we trust God with our souls if we can’t trust Him with our money? How can we trust Him with our salvation if we can’t trust Him with our finances? 2) It creates the opportunity for Him to give us more. When we honor God with our resources, He has promised to multiply those very resources so that we can honor Him even more. God sets us up for blessing by requiring an act of obedience from us. Let’s reclaim our finances for God’s kingdom by obediently managing our money His way.

Discussion Questions: (read the scriptures & discuss)

Luke 16:10-15
How can money become our master? Give examples of how we tend to serve money and make it a god. What practical things can we do to keep money from controlling us? 

Deuteronomy 26:1-12 & Proverbs 3:9-10
How is the gift of Jesus a picture of first fruits? Why should we give God our first fruits?  Discuss how we can practically live out the principle of first fruits.

Malachi 3:8-10
Why is holding back the tithe considered robbing God? Give examples of how God has blessed your faithful and obedient giving.

Taking Action: If you haven’t committed to tithing, make that commitment of obedience today and honor God. Additionally, you are encouraged to take a step of faith by sowing into God’s kingdom through a generous freewill offering. Join-in on the “miracle offering”.

Ministry Time

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re: the art of starting over
(re:new)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

Big Idea:
Generational segregation in the body of Christ is not only unhealthy, it is also unbiblical. We are called to be “one body” in Christ Jesus that passionately serves His purposes in our generation.

Summary:
God is looking for people who will bravely follow Him – young and old alike. It’s not about age; it’s about heart and commitment. Have you ever felt too old to serve God? The good news is that you and I are never too old to serve our King. Have you felt too young or too inexperienced, or even not gifted or wise enough? Remember, God is more interested in our availability than our ability! In fact, God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. The truth is that we need the strength of youth and the wisdom of age. We need the energy of the young and the stability of the old. We need the creativity of emerging generations and the life experience of preceding generations. The Kingdom of God makes room for both, even though the world seeks to divide us.

God is glorified when His church is a multi-generational community which celebrates (not simply tolerates) young and old. We are called to be a people and a church that keeps Christ the main thing while energetically following His plans for this generation by being “young at heart”. Here are a few characteristics of a “young at heart” church: (1) A young at heart church is committed to the next generation.  (2) A young at heart church will not allow generational differences to divide them. (3) A young at heart church is forward thinking. (4) In a young at heart church, older leaders surround themselves with young leaders. (5) A young at heart church is committed to leaving a legacy. Are we ready to be this kind of church in this generation? We must renew our thinking and “kindle afresh the gift of God which is in each of us” while we serve our King as ONE BODY.

Discussion Questions: (read the scriptures & discuss)

Romans 12:3-13
Why do we need each other? Is our age the determining factor of our usefulness? Share how your gifts or the gifts of others you know have been used to edify the body of Christ. How should we treat others in the body of Christ? (v.9-13)

Joshua 14:10-14
Did it sound like Caleb was retiring from doing God’s work? Discuss why retirement from serving God is neither an option nor beneficial. Discuss practical ways we can stay forever young at heart, like Caleb, as we serve Christ and His church.

Malachi 4:6 and Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Why is it important for the hearts of the older generation and the younger generation to be in unity? Explore together ways in which the older generation can pass the baton off to the younger generation. Discuss how the generations working together advance the kingdom of God – give examples.

Taking Action: Decide, this day, to adopt a heart like Caleb’s and remain vigorous for the kingdom of God. No matter your age, be young in your thinking by being a follower of Christ who is teachable, flexible, vibrant, and charitable. 

Ministry Time

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re: the art of starting over
(re:bound)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

Big Idea:
We live in a fallen world where bad things happen to good people – yes, even to Christians. The question today isn’t, “will I experience disappointment,” but “how will I handle it?”

Summary:
When we put our hopes and dreams in people or in circumstances, we usually find ourselves disappointed. Have you found yourself disappointed with your own choices and actions? Has someone betrayed you or has a close friend rejected you? Have you set your hopes on your children being all you want them to be, only to be let down? Did you marry, thinking your spouse would meet all of your needs? I hate to burst your bubble, but no man can meet all of a woman’s needs, and no woman can meet all of a man’s needs. If our joy is dependant upon circumstances, we are in trouble, because circumstances are always changing. Did you expect a promotion, and someone less qualified received the job instead? Has illness permanently altered the plans you had for your family? Has an unwanted divorce drastically changed your circumstances? If you are trusting in someone or something other than God to bring you happiness, you are a candidate for continual disappointment.

How do we rebound from disappointment and prevent it from defining or defeating us? How do we go from disappointment to destiny? We do this by putting three biblical principles into practice in our lives. (1) Surrender our will to the will of God.  Our Heavenly Father has a plan and purpose for our lives. We need to surrender our plans and embrace His. Even Jesus prayed, “Not my will, but yours be done.” (2) Trust God with those things we don’t understand. We must never rely on our limited understanding, but instead daily put our faith in God who will show us the way. (3) Put our hope in the Lord. The world will let us down, but Psalm 130 reminds us that, “with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption.”

Discussion Questions: (read the scriptures & discuss)

Jeremiah 17:5-8
What happens when we put our trust and confidence in people or circumstances? Share how you might have experienced this in your life. Instead, where should we put our trust and hope?

Proverbs 3:5-8
How would your thought life and prayer life change by applying these verses and trusting in God’s wisdom instead of your own? Discuss blessings you’ve experienced by doing things God’s way instead of your way. How does trusting God help you rebound from disappointment?

James 1:2-4
Why should we rejoice when we encounter the trials and disappointments of life? Discuss how God has used a trial in your life to mature you. How does this truth change the way you will handle disappointment?

Taking Action: Do you have disappointment in your life? Has it escalated to depression and defeat? Surrender that circumstance or relationship to God and commit to memory Jeremiah 29:11. Proclaim this truth daily - when you awake and when you go to bed.

Ministry Time