PREPARING FOR SUNDAY RAISED UP FOR CHANGE-June 2, 2019
Dear Friends,
Change seems impossible at times; we get in ruts in life and in our own heads.
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is. He says to you, “Eat and drink!” But his heart is not with you.
It doesn’t matter what you or anyone else says out loud it’s what’s going on in the mind that determines who we are.
The raised-up life of the spirit in you is not some act. It is the powerful living presence of God in you working from the inside out.
This Sunday we will learn how we are raised up not to act better but to be better. We are raised up for change, unexplainable, radical, counter-cultural change.
I really want to see your face this week. If there is no way you can come here is the link to my message this week. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCff252_Z_n14R41Lyd2cFOA Remember that watching online can’t fully replace the power of your presence with others nor theirs with you.
Gathering has a power all its own. Please come if there is any way you can. Be sure to invite someone to come along.
Pray before during and after the service. Please try out a small group at 9:30 AM
Read the following QUESTIONS and reflect on the scriptures as you get ready to come and share.
Can’t wait to see you.
Blessings,
Joe
STEPS TO PREPARE
PRAY FOR THE SERVICES AND FOR YOURSELF
AND ME AND THE OTHER TEACHERS.
PRAYERFULLY READ THE SCRIPTURES
AND CONSIDER THE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.
MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND A PREACHING SERVICE AND A SMALL GROUP.
INVITE SOMEONE TO COME WITH YOU.
PREPARING FOR SUNDAY: SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Read the following questions and reflect on the scriptures as you get ready to come and share.
Please share away your relationship with Christ has changed you.
What areas of your life are supposed to be changed by Christ?
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Why does this change often seem incomplete or rare?
What does “in Christ mean”?
How does the presence of the risen Christ change your mind?
Describe a way your mind has changed?
Colossians 3:1-2 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
Which one of these areas have you considered the need for deep change?
Colossians 3:5-6 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience.
Why do we ignore the evil of greed so easily?
How is it a form of idolatry?
Why are these changes a greater proof of Gods life-changing power than most religious activity?
Colossians 3:7-10 And in them, you also once walked, when you were living in them.8 But now you also put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.
How has Christ changed you in your anger and ways of speaking?
How has Christ changed you in your acceptance of people different from you?
Colossians 3:11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all and in all.
