THE ART OF LIVING SERIES
WEEK 1 - OBEDIENCE:
OVERVIEW: In the last week of the art of living series Connor talked about Obedience, and how the most important thing we can do in our lives is say yes to Jesus.
QUESTIONS:
often times in our life God calls us to things that go against our cultures way of life or against the status quo- Do you feel like the thoughts of others and your own preferences stop you from obeying what God is calling you to?
Honestly- do you believe Gods plans are good for you- if you don’t believe god has good things for you, then its going to be harder to obey his callings.
Does anyone have something they feel like God is calling them to but either you aren’t sure, or you don’t want to?
Is anyone currently in a season where they have said yes to God and are being obedient , but don’t feel like anything has come from it? How can you support them as a group and encourage them to continue saying YES
ACTION:
Decision proceeds belief- today make a list of what you believe about God. Made the decision of what you believe and then start praying that God grown these beliefs!
WEEK 2 - FORGIVENESS :
OVERVIEW: this week Milanna talked about the heart of a forgiver and how important it is for us to forgive in our heart so that we can be free form the burden. Its christ like to be forgiving but its also one of the hardest things we can do as christians, this week we want to discuss why it’s hard and get reflecting on the burden unforgiveness has on you.
QUESTIONS:
Forgiveness is essential to our faith- if we don’t understand forgiveness we cannot understand why Jesus died on the cross for our sins- its honoring to God to forgive others- BECAUSE he first forgave us- how do you honestly feel about this statement
Is there anyone that you aren’t willing or quick to forgive? Without saying- take 5 minutes to reflect on why… maybe write down that you want to forgive or are open to forgiveness
Forgiveness is not just a one time event- what was the hardest I forgive you, you’ve been through
Misconceptions about forgiveness
ACTION:
Take a moment to think about who you need to forgive in your life, take the first step and just write their name down. Taking the first step is all God needs to push you through towards healing. Maybe you need to ask for forgiveness, consider asking that person to forgive you!
WEEK 3- ENDURANCE:
OVERVIEW: this week Conrad talked about how important endurance is for our faith. He explained how worth the journey of endurance is when we get to the harvest. He also said that the harvest is not the ending point its another starting point. He said that endurance reveals our hope and it gives us hope.
QUESTIONS:
Are you naturally someone who has endurance or is it more difficult and why? Naming things that are skills or are challenges can help you to use or overcome them.
What’s an area in your life that has you enduring the most? How can you look to Jesus and can you find hope in that situation?
Gods love has endured with you so consistently and so fully that, thats what can give you the strength to endure through everything. What do you think abut the phrase rejoice In endurance
Are you waiting to be done enduring- or are you expectant of what enduring can bring!
ACTION:
Take a worship song to just come to God with your burdens. Imagine taking them off your shoulders and giving them to God. Allow him to fill you with the strength needed to endure where you are at!
WEEK 4 - SEEING THE INVISIBLE:
OVERVIEW: when there’s not a guaranteed result we crumble. Moses heard from god and was able to see a promise who no one around him could. A nation was brought to its knees based off one man who had a promise and he was the only one who saw it. He had the faith to live out what no one else saw- its never a guarantee but is is that he will be with you
QUESTIONS:
Are you allowing your promises to just sit in hope and never building them and never believing in them
Are you listening to other people more than God? Are you seeing through other peoples life or your God
Do you believe God will be with you through your promise and through your act of courage
Are you seeing him who is invisible
ACTION:
Take a worship song to surrender what promises you feel on your life, and tell God that you're open. Being willing is sometimes all we can do!