Weekly Challenge -Isaiah 45

Life Group community:

Quick summary of the last few weeks:

Chapter 43 –God says you are my redeemed.  You are my witnesses.  Gave us a message of comfort, protection, hope, steadfastness.  We will be tested, but God will remain faithful.

·         The question to you is, are you a good witness for God?
·         If you were on trial, would you be convicted of being a Christian?

Chapter 44 –Idolatry is a lie.   Recognize that God is the Creator, and that He has not left His creation to determine its own path.  God is continually working within creation. Though the events, powers, and strategies of the world may hide God’s work, God has made promises to His chosen people Israel to remind them that God has not abandoned them.

Chapter 45 starts off with a big intro to Cyrus.  He was mentioned in 41 but now we see more detail.  The surprise to the Israelites is that Cyrus is called the Lords shepherd and his anointed.  For Cyrus himself was a pagan idolater!  God may disapprove of idolatry but use an idolater for some good purpose. The fact that he uses someone in a specific way does not mean that he approves of that person’s total lifestyle.   That is great news for me.  It means that He can still use me even though I have idols in my life!

In Isaiah 45, God is explaining why idols get in the way of allegiance to Him.  So my challenge to you this week is to repeat the challenge from last week.  Spend time identifying what you place more importance than your Creator.  Where is your security?  Where is your control?  What can you not live without?  Where, what, or who do you go to for rest, hope, security, etc.?

Be intentional.

Travis

Special Challenge for November 30th

Life Group Family:

We have decided to do something different during our Life Group time on Saturday, November 30^th.  We will NOT meet for LG on the 30^th.  Instead of meeting together, I have a challenge that you can accomplish during our normal Life Group hour. 

After the Lake Pointe church service on Saturday, I want you to choose either a date night or a family night.  During this time together, review the material below that is related to our Exodus study.   The main title is “No Other Gods”.

1.    Read Exodus 32: 1-8

2.    Read Exodus 34: 10-17

3.    Identify actual idols and gods that we place in front of the one true God.

a.    Examples: Family, work, money, kid’s activities or sports, golf, your iphone, TV, or other time related issues that do not leave room for God.

b.    Get real and relevant.  Don’t just tap the brakes and do a drive-by. 

c.    Talk about Hollywood making golden statues as awards that are worshipped.

d.    What fights for bandwidth or space in your mind/heart?

e.    When you make up your daily schedule, where does time with your creator rank in importance (this is my biggest struggle).

4.    If you are using this hour as family time, watch this clip on your smart phone: http://www.bluefishtv.com/Store/Downloadable_Video_Illustrations/5711/God_at_the_Center

a.    What were Kallie’s idols? 

b.    What are some steps that you can take to remove the idols make God the central figure in your life?

5.    If you are using this hour as date night, watch this clip on your smart phone: 

http://www.wingclips.com/movie-clips/fireproof/no-more-addictions

Caleb and Catherine have been married for seven years, but their marriage has spiraled down to the place where it seems divorce is inevitable. Caleb’s father, John, brought Caleb a 40 Day Marriage Restoration book that Caleb used, at first reluctantly, to restore his marriage.  In this scene Caleb confronts a destructive idol in his life – internet pornography – and decides “no more addictions!”

a.    Is this too extreme? 

b.    Read Exodus 32: 27-29.  Was Moses too extreme?

c.    Why do we fight God and then try to replace Him with other Gods?

d.    What extreme, radical steps can you do to eradicate idols/gods in your life?

e.    How could these radical steps make a lasting memory for your children and affect your legacy?

Be Intentional.
Travis