Tag You’re it – part 1

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The definition of discourage is to deprive of courage or confidence: dishearten.  Contrasting that to the definition of courage which is mental or moral strength to venture, preserver, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.

Are you in a season where you feel encouraged or discouraged?

The “big idea” in this week’s message is that leaders speak courage.  Who are you leading?  Are you encouraging them and if so in what ways?  Who is encouraging you?  (use the scriptures listed below to be encouraged and encourage others)

Read James 4:1-2.  After considering this passage, what desires are you struggling with that has you in the field of discontentment?  Where are you directing that desire?

Speaking courage is reminding others of the confidence that we have in God.  At StoneWater, we call it “Godfidence”.  What do you think it looks like to speak “Godfidence” into someone’s life?

John 1:12

Romans 8:28

Ephesians 1:7

Jeremiah 1:5

1 Peter 2:9

Galatians 2:20

John 15:15

Ephesians 2:10

Philippians 3:20

Colossians 3:1-4

Romans 8:37

Psalms 139:14

2 Corinthians 5:17

2 Timothy 1:7

1 Corinthians 16:13

Old Testament Prophets – part 4

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This week’s message laid the groundwork for the first three chapters of the book of Daniel.  We didn’t hear the entire story but just enough to dive in and read it on our own and get the “rest of the story”. 

Go ahead and read the first three chapters of Daniel and consider the following:

What is the “big idea” from each of these chapters?  (If you get stuck you can review the notes from this week’s message that are posted on the “Notes” button)

The big idea in chapter 1 is:

The big idea in chapter 2 is:

The big idea in chapter 3 is:

Would you have responded to each of these situations like Daniel did or would you respond differently?

Old Testament Prophets (Week 3)

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This week we heard about King Jehoshaphat and the three wise decisions that he made – they are outlined below:

  1. He asked God for help (2 Chronicles 20:3-4)

King Jehoshaphat asked God for help when he face an insurmountable obstacle.  When you face significant obstacles, do you turn to God in prayer and cry out for help or do you typically try and solve the problem yourself?

2. He remembered God’s promises (2 Chronicles 20:6, 12)

What are some of the promises from God that are laid out in scripture that you hang onto?

3. He listened to counsel from a godly man (2 Chronicles 20:13-17)

Do you have someone in your life that you can turn to for godly counsel?  If not then what are some ways you can think of to establish that?

When King Jehoshaphat took action with humility (2 Chronicles 20:18), conviction (2 Chronicles 20:20) and leadership (2 Chronicles 20:21), what was the end result (2 Chronicles 20:22. 24, 27, 30)?  What conclusion can you draw from this in your own life?

Old Testament Prophets (week 2)

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This week we heard about 3 lessons that Jonah learned the hard way – they are outlined below:

  1. God Knows best (Jonah 3:10 – 4:1)

Jonah was angry that God did not take revenge on Nineveh.  Is there someone that you struggle showing mercy too?  What can you learn from Jonah’s situation

2. God’s purpose is better then our comfort (Jonah 4:5 – 4:9)

God provided the plant to provide shade, He then provided the worm that destroyed the plant and then He provided the scorching wind.  Are you in the midst of an uncomfortable circumstance or are you being led to step out and take some uncomfortable steps?

3. We are meant to carry a burden for others (Jonah 4:10-11)

Are you burdened for others that are in your life that are not walking in relationship with God?  Who are those people?  What steps is God prompting you to take?

Kings Family (week 3)

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What is the Kingdom of God?

Elements of a kingdom

  1. King (in order to have a kingdom, you must have a king)
  2. Rule (the king has to rule the kingdom)
  3. People (you cannot have a kingdom without people or citizens of the kingdom)
  4. Will (the king makes decrees or laws that the people follow)
  5. Land (in order for a kingdom to exist there must be a land that the king and the kingdom citizens posses)

Think about the elements of a kingdom, do you know your role in the kingdom and are you actively pursuing it?

Enemies of the kingdom

  1. World
  2. Devil
  3. Flesh (desires)

How have you seen the enemy of God’s kingdom at work around you recently?  What is your response to what you have seen or felt?

Edicts of the kingdom

  1. Love God (the King)
  2. Love People (citizens of the Kingdom)
  3. Expand the Kingdom (Fulfill the Great Commission)

Considering the edicts of the kingdom, how are you doing at loving God, loving people and expanding the kingdom?

In regards to expanding the kingdom, would you consider taking a step out as part of the King’s family and helping with the church planting efforts in Tyler?  Gather together as a family, a group of friends or your small group and sign up for one of the outreach weekends to serve and do your part to fulfill the Great Commission that God has called us all to.  (register at the link below)

https://stonewaterchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/795604

Kings Family (week 2)

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What do you treasure most in life?

How do your treasures align with the word of God? (Matthew 6:20-21)

What do you think when you consider the “Big Idea” from this week’s message, “I am God’s treasure”?

Read the account in Luke 21:1-4, how does this story of the poor widow relate to you?

If you believe that you are God’s treasure, how does that impact your life and decisions?

The King’s Family (Week One)

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This is the first week of our sermon series titled “The King’s Family”.  This first message that Pastor Jeremy brought is filled with significant foundational truths for this series.  Taking that into account, we would encourage to go back and listen to the message again to grasp these foundational truths and then process through the three questions below.

1 – If Jesus is my King, then He has ultimate authority in my life.  Does King Jesus have full authority in your life?  In all aspects of your life or is there a portion that you are holding onto?

2 – If Jesus is my King, then this world is not my home.  Do you live as though this world is not your home?

3 – If Jesus is my King, then I belong to “the King’s family”.  Do you live in a way that honors your Royal Family?

Are You Kidding Me (Week 1)

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This is the first week of our sermon series titled “Are you kidding me”.  When you think back, are there a couple of situations where God has shown up in a big way to see you through where it left you saying “are you kidding me” – God did that for me?

Pastor Jeremy outlined 6 things that Jesus did after the resurrection.  Look through each of these accounts and discuss your thoughts on each.

1 – appeared to women (Matthew 28:1-10)

2 – appeared to his disciples (Luke 24:36-48)

3 – appeared to Thomas (John 20:24-29)

4 – restored Peter (John 21)

5 – commissioned his disciples (Matthew 28:16-20)

6 – ascended to heaven (Mark 16:19)

Of the 6 things noted above, what do you feel is the most “are you kidding me” on the list?  Why?

Do you fully know and understand that God has a purpose for you today?  What are some of those purposes that God has called you to?

I am with Jesus (Easter Sunday)

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What in your life is broken that does not need to stay broken?

The big idea from his week’s message is that I am with Jesus in LIFE.

The word LIFE was used as an acronym as follows:

L – living not just existing

I – in relationship with Jesus

F – Freedom from brokenness

E – Eternal home

From the four letters in the acronym, which one can you currently relate to the most?  Is there one that you struggle with?

Did Jesus die for everyone? (1 John 2:1-2, John 3:16)

Have you placed your faith in Jesus?  Can you confidently say that “I am with Jesus”?

If you recently started your walk with Jesus, have you considered baptism? 

I am with Jesus (week 6)

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This week’s big idea is that we experience joy when we are with Jesus.  What is your joy level (percentage)?

Explain the difference between joy and happiness?

The three main points of this message were that JOY can be experienced in all situations, JOY is refined under pressure and JOY is awakened when victory is realized through loss.  From these three main points, is there one that you currently identify with?  Explain what that is and why.

How does joy come from hardships? 

What are some of the things that tend to steal your joy (joy robbers)?

Stick with Jesus, walk with Jesus and experience JOY. How is your JOY and how near are you to Jesus?