Weekly Challenge

Last night we looked at the problem facing the readers of John's first letter in 1 John 2:18-27:  false teaching.  John laid out 3 things that remind us how to combat false teaching.
1) THE PROTECTION:  The Holy Spirit who seals and indwells us all.
2) THE DOCTRINE:  Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ and the Son of God.
3) THE DEFENSE:  Abide in the Truth, the Message, in the Spirit and in the Son.

As we discussed what it means to "abide" in all of these things we listed the following items:
Be a disciple
Continual learning
Pursue the Spirit
Read/Study the Word
Live what you learn
Communal study, worship and fellowship
Surrender
Be real and authentic

THE CHALLENGE:
1) Dwell on the fact that you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and have access to Him at all times.
2) Remind someone else his week that THEY are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and have access to Him at all times.
3) Determine what area above needs more attention in your life and prayerfully develop a plan to move to the next step in that area.

In Him,
Aaron

Weekly Challenge -Satan

Life Group Community:

Really enjoyed our discussions during LG.  Our thematic song was Sympathy For The Devil and our passage was 1 John 2:12-17.

John points out that we have overcome Satan due to the power of God, but our discussion focused on the reality and the schemes of the evil one.

In the great words of Verbal Kent (Usual Suspects), the greatest trick the devil if did was convince the world that he doesn't exist.  I believe most American Christians see Satan as the anti-Santa Claus.  Instead of "You better be good, or Santa won't bring you a present", it is "You better not be bad, or the devil is going to get you".

But 1 Peter 5:8 shows us a different picture. Predator, sneaky, on the hunt, intent to kill, vicious attack, etc. This is not a red skinned, long tailed, pitch fork holding, cartoon Satan. 

On way to counter the schemes of Satan is to be in a strong Christian community (ex. Our life group). As we saw on the Frozen Planet clip, you will still be attacked when in the herd (or community) but the goal is to separate you to make it easier to kill your marriage, testimony, faith, confidence in God, etc.

My challenge for you this week is to make a commitment to get in community and play a part in your community.  Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us to get back in community so we can encourage each other, urge each other on, support each other, and grow with each other.

Be intentional.

Travis

Weekly Challenge -Community

Life Group Community:

I have really enjoyed the beginning of this study of authentic community.  It has been a wonderful experience to think about all the things our LG community has done over the years and to see what we are doing and how we are growing now. 

But, are you ready for the next phase???  Then start praying for a God-size year.   John tells us to be a community.  Confess our sins to each other.  And live as Jesus did, to bring community with God and others.  I desire for our LG community to be unexplainable.  I desire for all of us to be in awe of what God is doing in our community.

My challenge to you this week involves reading the quote from Brennan Manning and then watching the clip from Francis Chan. 

1.          Brennan Manning was an author, priest and acclaimed public speaker.  He is probably best known for his book, The Ragamuffin Gospel.  Manning once said:

“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians:  who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle.  That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”

2.          Now watch this clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WasWIESzRhc

What do you desire out of your Life Group community?  Do you get angry and frustrated at other believers in our LG or do you “bear with one another in love”?  Are you denying Jesus with your lifestyle or are you sold out for Him?  Do you admire Jesus or do you live for Him?  Are you growing and participating in our LG community, or are you on the bench out of fear/apathy/safety?  Will you be a part of this next phase?

Be intentional.

Travis

Weekly Challenge -Confession

Confession.  In our lesson on Saturday, we learned how confession with God brings forgiveness, cleansing, fellowship with Him and with other believers.  I am very capable of confessing my sins to God the Father.  I have learned to confess sins to Bridgette, at times.  And I have no problem telling people that I am a sorry, worthless, bad decision making, easy to lose my temper, judgmental at times, lustful, prideful, impatient, recovering sinner.  However, I still find it very difficult to confess my sins to other believers, such as in our life group.  Why?  James 5:16 clearly states that we need to confess our sins to each other to be healed. 

Challenge:       Meditate this week on confession so we can continue our discussion next Saturday.  Ask God, ask your spouse, ask other believers, dive into the Word. 

Be intentional.

Travis

Life Group Weekly Challenge

Life Group Family and Friends:

We started a new series this weekend called Living in Authentic Community.  We will be studying 1, 2, & 3 John.  We had some wonderful discussion during LG about how we are called to community and different ways we can be a Community of Unity as described in Ephesians 4.

My challenge to you this week is to read Ephesians 4.  It would be cool if you read it as a family during devotion time or dinner time.  Write down words that describe community.

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

Weekly Challenge

Life Group Community:
Our passage in Exodus was 31:1-11.  We learned that God chose Bezalel and equipped him with skills, with understanding, and with knowledge.
Then we read several passages to see how we are equipped.  Every Christ follower...:
Created for ministry, to humbly serve and bless others, we are provided tools and gifts for our job, we are authorized for ministry, required to serve others, and we are needed as part of the team or body.

My challenge to you this week is to go over the handout from class with your spouse, or walk through it during a family meal.  (the material is also provided below).  I am very proud of Clay since he took the pink copy when he left!  Don't use this handout as a checklist as a Christian, but use it as a way to thank God.  Find joy in serving.

Be intentional this week.
Travis

Exercising Your Gifts and Skills

My Personal Plan for Service

 

1. Life Group involvement: “All to service; some to leadership”:

If God has gifted and called you to be a leader, where are you leading?

If God has gifted and called you to be a servant, where are you serving?

 

       Action Steps                                                                                                            

 

2. Participate in another church ministry:

 What is a need in your church that is important to you?

How can you passionately invest your time, energy, talents, resources, skills, personality, spiritual gifts, etc. to help meet this need?

 

 

        Action Steps                                                                                                            

 

3. Participate in a community service project:

What is a need in your community that is important to you?

How can you passionately invest your time, energy, talents, resources, skills, personality, spiritual gifts, etc. to help meet this need?

 

 

        Action Steps                                                                                                            

4. Participate in a mission trip:

What is an area of your world that is important to you (local, national or international)?
How can you passionately invest your time, energy, talents, resources, skills, personality, spiritual gifts, etc. to help meet this need?

       Action Steps                                                                                                            

5. Do an anonymous, random act of kindness for someone:

What can you do for someone in your family?
What can you do for someone in your neighborhood?
What can you do for someone in your workplace?
What can you do for someone in your church?

        Action Steps