Heart for the World 2010

The Power of One /Part One:  ”Significance”

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 OPENING PRAYER, WORSHIP, COFESSION OF FAITH

History is rarely ever changed by one person
but one person has to act for history to change.
—Pastor Terry Crist

OVERVIEW:
In our Western society, filled with large corporations, mega churches, and masses of people gathered in urban metropolitan areas, it is easy to lose consciousness of the significance that one person’s contribution can have to make an impact. However, as Pastor Terry pointed out over the weekend, “the world is rarely changed by one single action, regardless of how great that action may be. Most of the time the world is changed as a result of hundreds of smaller actions made over a greater period of time. And when those smaller incremental changes reach the tipping point, global change is affected. The problem is that you rarely ever know in advance just what it will take to reach a tipping point. Therefore, every person and every action is indispensable.”

From the Old Testament story of Jonathan’s courageous contribution, and his armor bearers bold willingness to participate, let’s talk in our group tonight about the “Power of One.” 

DISCUSSION POINTS:

Read 1 Samuel 14:1-20 and talk about Jonathan’s courageous faith and bold action.  In a day when so many Christians are shrinking back from engaging the battle, how does Jonathan’s action inspire us today?

Consider the following points:

ONE: There is purpose when we attach to the right cause.
Read Philippians 1:12-14 Talk about how the “cause of Christ” brought about a purpose that transcended Paul’s circumstances and bore fruit in unexpected ways.

TWO:  There are possibilities when we align with the right people.
Read Proverbs 24:5-6 and Hebrews 10:22-25 and talk about the importance of aligning ourselves with the people who have a Biblical world view.
THREE: There is power when we trust in God.
Read the passage below and talk about what is being promised to every person “whose heart is completely God’s.”

For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support

those whose heart is completely His. —2 Chronicles 16:9

TAKING ACTION:  As a church family, we are entering into our outreach focus called “Heart for the World.”  Pastor Terry talked about how everyone in our church community can get involved in one of the following ways:

1. One person can PRAY; 2. One person can GO;  3. One person can GIVE

Talk in your groups about what you can do as individuals and as a group to either Pray, Go, or Give.
Ministry Time

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FEARLESS GIVING 

OVERVIEW:
In Luke chapter six, we see an interesting scene… Jesus had just spent the night on a mountain praying.  When he came down from the mountain, he gathered his many disciples around him and chose from among them the 12 who he designated as “apostles.”  Immediately following this appointing of the 12, Jesus stood and taught his followers through a powerful series of beatitudes, proverbs and parables.  Included in this barrage of fundamental truths, which he imparted to his newly appointed “team,” there was a key proverb about the power of giving.  Jesus said,
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”    –Luke 6:38

In our LifeGroups tonight, lets further unpack the powerful (and often avoided) kingdom principle that Pastor Tom taught on last Sunday in his message: FEARLESS GIVING.

DICSUSSION POINTS:
Sacrificial Giving Gets God’s Attention
As you read Mark 14:1-9, about the woman and the alabaster jar of perfume, consider the lesson Jesus is teaching us through the extravagance of her “generous gesture.” 
1.  Talk about how she is putting Jesus first, pouring out from her resource to bless the one she loved more than herself. 
2,  Consider and discuss verse 8, that says “she did what she could.” Apply that idea to our current reality in the Body of Christ.  What if everyone “did what they could?”  What could God do with that in the local church.
3.  Notice the response of the others who were present, how they saw what the woman did as “wasting” money.  Contrast that with how the world views a believer’s sacrificial giving to the work of God’s kingdom in the earth.

Focused Giving Releases a Blessing
As followers of Christ, we are called to be givers of “alms” to individuals who are in need and to bring our “tithe” into the “storehouse.”  (the storehouse is commonly equated in present day with the local church, from which God distributes his blessing to the nations. 
NOTE: the word alms in the Bible means “to have pity or mercy on, to show mercy.”  The word tithe means “a tenth part.” 
1.  Read Matthew 6:1-4  and talk about “how” Jesus tells us to give our “alms” in response toward others in need.
2. Read Malachi 3:8-12.  Notice four things in verse 10
a. How much of and where God says to bring the tithe.
b. Why we bring the tithe there.
c. That God is challenging, even daring people to obey him in this.
d. And finally, notice the extraordinary promise God offers.
e. Notice the promise of protection in verse 11

Cheerful Giving Touches God’s Heart
Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 and notice that we are encouraged to give from the heart, not under religious compulsion. 
— Notice in verse 7 the heart attitude being encouraged and how it touches God’s heart. 
— Talk about the blessing represented in this passage, for those who give liberally.

ACTION ITEM:  Take time this week in prayer to evaluate the powerful kingdom principles of cultivating, maintaining and exercising a generous spirit.  Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and guide you as you apply these truths to your life and unleash the blessing of living a life of giving.
Ministry Time

Fearless Freedom

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Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship
 
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”   2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

OVERVIEW:  Think about that passage of scripture for moment.  Do you notice anything about the ease by which each spirit is manifest?  Notice that the spirit of fear and timidity are reactionary.  They are easy to slip into.  In stark contrast, the attributes of the Spirit God has given us are proactive: power, love and self-discipline.  Rather than being reactionary, these are initiated by faith and some determination.  In our LifeGroups this week, let’s talk about these three characteristics which the Apostle Paul identifies as qualities of the Spirit God has given to his children.   

DISCUSSION POINTS

ONE: You have the power to confront your fears.
In his message last weekend, Pastor Terry noted that there are 365 statements in the Bible that say “fear not” or “do not be afraid.”  That’s one for every day of the year.  The Bible reveals how we can live above our circumstances through Christ. 
Read 1 John 4:4 and talk about the powerful impact it can have if we get a hold of and appropriate this truth in our lives.  Discuss how this realization gives us power in our everyday lives.
Read Jeremiah 17:7-8 and talk about what powerful action is revealed in verse 7 that releases the fearlessness we see in verse 8.  Talk about your personal experience with this truth.

TWO: You have a love that calms your fears.
Read Galatians 5:6 and discuss the symbiotic relationship between faith and love.
Read John 4:18 and discuss how perfect love can only come from God.  How does a realization of God’s “perfect” unconditional love toward his children release us to trust him and conquer our fear of serving him with all our heart?

THREE:  You have a sound mind that takes captive your fears.
According to Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, the word for “self-discipline” in 1 Timothy 1:7 is – Sophronismos – meaning literally a “saving of the mind.”  This is interesting in that it reveals that instead having our minds imprisoned by fear, God gives us a spirit that “saves” and releases our minds from bondage.

Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-6.  Talk about this proactive exercise the Apostle Paul is encouraging here in order for us to “save our minds.”
Read Philippians 4:8-9.  Talk about how this passage requires the spirit of self-discipline and a sound mind.  Talk about the benefit of exercising this passage.  How does it benefit us?  How does it benefit the people around us? 

TAKING ACTION:  Take three consecutive days this week to meditate on and apply the truth found in 2 Timothy 1:7. 
Day One: do a Bible Study on the power of God (use your concordance). 
Day Two: Determine from the time you get up in the morning until bedtime, to go out of your way to love the people in your life (get creative, don’t forget the strangers you meet that day)
Day Three: Read Philippians 4:8-9 again.  Spend your entire day putting it into practice and watch the difference in your soul and in the people around you.
Ministry Time

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Series: Fearless

Lesson Two: Risky Living 

 Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

“Unless there is an element of risk in our exploits for God, there is no need for faith.”
—Hudson Taylor

“We walk by faith and not by sight.”
—Apostle Paul to Christians at Corinth and everywhere

SUMMARY:  Life is full of risks.  Every morning when we get out of bed, we are stepping into a day of multiple risks.  If we carelessly take risks, that is foolish.  Often, however, we try to keep our lives as risk free as possible in order to avoid the unpredictable.  When our desire is to live our lives for God, this learned tendency to avoid risk can cripple our faith and cause hearing loss when it comes to listening to the voice of the Lord when he is challenging us to step out in faith to advance his kingdom in the earth.  This is true whether it involves advancing our own personal life, or stepping out in faith for our family’s sake, or in our career, our neighborhood, our church or in our world.  Today, lets look at some thoughts about fear and faith, and allow the Spirit of God to “build us up in our most holy faith”  —Jude 20

OVERARCHNG STORY:  Read Judges 6:11-15 (NIV).
Talk about how the angel addressed Gideon.  What did the angel see in Gideon that Gideon didn’t see in himself?  Has God ever challenged you by seeming to be more confident in you than you were in yourself?  Talk about your experience, and what fear you have or need to overcome in order to live as difference maker for Christ’s sake.
Contrast verse 14 with verse 15.  What is the problem with Gideon’s argument?

DISCUSSION POINTS:
Things we battle in keeping a strong faith

1) Our faith is weakened by our sin.   Read 1 John 3:20-21 
Talk about the power that condemnation can have on stifling our courage.  What should we do when our heart condemns us?  Talk about the confidence we can have to follow Christ when our hearts are free from condemnation.

2) Our faith can be weakened by our beliefs.  Read Proverbs 23:7 
Talk about the ways that living in this world can influence our thinking in regards to being bold in our faith.

3) Our faith can be weakened by unhealthy relationships. Read Proverbs 13:20 
Discuss this statement: “You cannot get to where God wants to take you by hanging around people who are not going there. “

When we live by faith God things happen…   Discuss examples of the following:

1) We inspire others to greatness.  Read Matthew 5:15-16

2) We increase our own measure of faith.
Discuss how faith builds upon itself as we step out in it and see the faithfulness of God.

3) We defeat the enemies that dominate our families.

Taking Action: This week, prayerfully consider areas of your life that are being held back because of apprehension of the risks involved.  Ask the Lord to give you the faith to follow the path that you believe Jesus is laying out before you.

Ministry Time