FOLLOW {ANDY STANLEY}
INTRODUCTION:
There is a common misconception that the church is a gathering place for saintly, perfect people. Moreover, some think that being a Christian means observing a set of rules or commandments. The reality is that the Christian life is about a relationship with Jesus Christ. And at the heart of that relationship is an invitation that Jesus extends to people from all experiences of life: "Follow me."
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1.) Read Matthew 9:9-13. What did the general public think of tax collectors like Matthew?
2.) How have certain experiences in your life prevented you from developing relationships with other people? Can you imagine anything that might disqualify you from having a relationship with God?
3.) n this passage, Jesus seems to be comfortable in the company of tax collectors and sinners, while the Pharisees express considerable outrage. What standards did Jesus have for choosing his relationships?
4.) What does it mean to be "healthy" and "sick" as described in verse 12? Would you describe yourself as healthy or sick?
5.) How does following Jesus make you less critical and more gracious towards others?
6.) Are you willing to follow Jesus? What does it look like to follow Jesus in your life?
THINK ABOUT IT:
Jesus extends his invitation to people who know something is wrong but aren't sure what to do about it. He invites people who know they are not all they ought to be. He didn't ask Matthew to clean up his act before following him; and Jesus doesn't ask that of us. In time, within the context of his relationship with Jesus, Matthew would experience incredible life transformation. But Jesus' initial request and his request from there on out is simply, "Follow me." Will you follow Jesus Christ?
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Begin tomorrow morning with this prayer, "Lord, today I want to follow you."
CHANGING YOUR MIND:
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Are you Available?
INTRODUCTION
What kind of person does God use? As you read through the Bible it becomes clear that God doesn't usually use the smartest or the most sophisticated person. He doesn't often use someone who has all the answers or who knows what he is doing. In fact, when I read the Bible and see the people God used I can’t help help but think, how does God get anything done? But as we examine the story of Moses it will become clear the one characteristic that God does use, and how He can leverage this quality in you. When you think about the people God used, they have one very important commonality with us…they raised their hand one day and said, “I’m available.” I’m not necessarily capable, trained or sure things are going to go well, but if there is a gap, put me in coach as long as you are coming with me.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Read Exodus 3:1-11. Why do people tend to think that God can't use them? What are the excuses they give for not making themselves available?
God says He has seen the plight of his people. Well, it’s been 400 years. God is always late from our perspective and on time from his. (Like how our kids think we are late all the time.) Moses must be thinking, this is very encouraging, why are you telling me this? What does this have to do with me? Then God says GO. “Wait God, let’s go back to verse 8. I heard you tell me you were going to go, which is awesome, so I think you should go.”
2. Read Exodus 3:12-14. What does God give to those who make themselves available (i.e. "I will be with you," v. 12)?
3. When have you felt God use you?
4. How have you felt God use this COMMUNITY in your life? How have you seen God use this COMMUNITY in the lives of others?
5. What does it take (time, talents and resources) to make these aspects of COMMUNITY happen?
6. In what volunteer capacity do you plan to make yourself available for God to use this coming year?
THINK ABOUT IT
What are the consequences of saying no…not being available? Think about all that Moses would have missed out on?
Imagine a year from now…what impact will we have made on our community or church? What things are you imagining? What will it take to make this happen? Make a list of the results that you expect to see a year from now in both your life and in the lives of others. How will things be different?
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Seriously consider your level of involvement and investment into the community. If you are too busy to be involved, you’re too busy. You have to be available!
CHANGING YOUR MIND
And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain. " Exodus 3:12
What kind of person does God use? As you read through the Bible it becomes clear that God doesn't usually use the smartest or the most sophisticated person. He doesn't often use someone who has all the answers or who knows what he is doing. In fact, when I read the Bible and see the people God used I can’t help help but think, how does God get anything done? But as we examine the story of Moses it will become clear the one characteristic that God does use, and how He can leverage this quality in you. When you think about the people God used, they have one very important commonality with us…they raised their hand one day and said, “I’m available.” I’m not necessarily capable, trained or sure things are going to go well, but if there is a gap, put me in coach as long as you are coming with me.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Read Exodus 3:1-11. Why do people tend to think that God can't use them? What are the excuses they give for not making themselves available?
God says He has seen the plight of his people. Well, it’s been 400 years. God is always late from our perspective and on time from his. (Like how our kids think we are late all the time.) Moses must be thinking, this is very encouraging, why are you telling me this? What does this have to do with me? Then God says GO. “Wait God, let’s go back to verse 8. I heard you tell me you were going to go, which is awesome, so I think you should go.”
2. Read Exodus 3:12-14. What does God give to those who make themselves available (i.e. "I will be with you," v. 12)?
3. When have you felt God use you?
4. How have you felt God use this COMMUNITY in your life? How have you seen God use this COMMUNITY in the lives of others?
5. What does it take (time, talents and resources) to make these aspects of COMMUNITY happen?
6. In what volunteer capacity do you plan to make yourself available for God to use this coming year?
THINK ABOUT IT
What are the consequences of saying no…not being available? Think about all that Moses would have missed out on?
Imagine a year from now…what impact will we have made on our community or church? What things are you imagining? What will it take to make this happen? Make a list of the results that you expect to see a year from now in both your life and in the lives of others. How will things be different?
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Seriously consider your level of involvement and investment into the community. If you are too busy to be involved, you’re too busy. You have to be available!
CHANGING YOUR MIND
And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain. " Exodus 3:12
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
No Meeting this Week!
Due to a scheduling conflict with the Grange, JourneyMen will not be meeting this Thursday and will reconvene next Thursday, October 11.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
KING OF THE HILL – Pause Part IV – JourneyMEN 09-20-2007
INTRODUCTION
Somewhere along the way you will be presented with an opportunity to jump ahead, to take a shortcut, to move closer to that goal you are chasing. And the only catch is that you will have to temporarily abandon your values. So what will you do? It turns out that Jesus was made just such an offer in His third temptation. Examining His response will prepare you for your moment of truth.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.) Name some people in our culture who have taken unethical shortcuts in order to get what they wanted quicker. What were the results of their decisions?
2.) Read Matthew 4:8-9. What is it about shortcuts that make them so tempting that the devil though he could tempt Jesus with a shortcut?
3.) Read Deuteronomy 6:10-13. What does your response to the temptation to take shortcuts say about in whom you put your trust?
4.) Read Matthew 4:10-11. What did Jesus gain when he chose unbroken fellowship with the Father over instant authority over the kingdoms of the earth (cf. Matthew 28:18)?
5.) What do you stand to lose when you take a shortcut?
6.) Have you ever been faced with an opportunity to jump ahead, but it required you to temporarily abandon your values? What was your response? What were the results?
7.) What do you currently want to get so badly that you are set up to temporarily turn your back on God?
8.) In this area, how can you remind yourself to choose what is important over what is immediate?
THINK ABOUT IT
When you take a shortcut you miss out on an opportunity to experience God?s intervention on your behalf. In the area where you could see yourself being tempted to take a shortcut, how could God intervene to give you the results you want, without compromising your intimacy with Him? WHAT WILL YOU DO?When faced with the temptation to take a shortcut commit to pause...and say the following, "Temptation, you're not going to steal my future. You're not going to steal my family. You're not going to steal my faith."
CHANGING YOUR MIND
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Matthew 4:10
INTRODUCTION
Somewhere along the way you will be presented with an opportunity to jump ahead, to take a shortcut, to move closer to that goal you are chasing. And the only catch is that you will have to temporarily abandon your values. So what will you do? It turns out that Jesus was made just such an offer in His third temptation. Examining His response will prepare you for your moment of truth.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.) Name some people in our culture who have taken unethical shortcuts in order to get what they wanted quicker. What were the results of their decisions?
2.) Read Matthew 4:8-9. What is it about shortcuts that make them so tempting that the devil though he could tempt Jesus with a shortcut?
3.) Read Deuteronomy 6:10-13. What does your response to the temptation to take shortcuts say about in whom you put your trust?
4.) Read Matthew 4:10-11. What did Jesus gain when he chose unbroken fellowship with the Father over instant authority over the kingdoms of the earth (cf. Matthew 28:18)?
5.) What do you stand to lose when you take a shortcut?
6.) Have you ever been faced with an opportunity to jump ahead, but it required you to temporarily abandon your values? What was your response? What were the results?
7.) What do you currently want to get so badly that you are set up to temporarily turn your back on God?
8.) In this area, how can you remind yourself to choose what is important over what is immediate?
THINK ABOUT IT
When you take a shortcut you miss out on an opportunity to experience God?s intervention on your behalf. In the area where you could see yourself being tempted to take a shortcut, how could God intervene to give you the results you want, without compromising your intimacy with Him? WHAT WILL YOU DO?When faced with the temptation to take a shortcut commit to pause...and say the following, "Temptation, you're not going to steal my future. You're not going to steal my family. You're not going to steal my faith."
CHANGING YOUR MIND
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Matthew 4:10
Friday, September 14, 2007
Darrin Clock Fund
Hope everyone had a great week! I wanted to give you an update on Darrin Clock…
I have been in regular contact with him regarding his and his daughter's battle with Cancer. As you know, Katee's surgery went well and now she is undergoing Chemotherapy treatment along with Darrin.
It is hard to imagine having to fight your own terminal illness, but having it compounded by news that your daughter has cancer as well…it is almost unimaginable. We are however encouraged to hear news of progress in both of their treatments. Just weeks ago, Doctors gave Darrin little chance of survival past 6 months, but Darrin never stopped hoping. He notified me today that there was even a small shrinkage of the cancer when he visited his Oncologist yesterday. The Doctors are absolutely baffled! Praise the Lord and the glory be to Him!
So many of you have asked what can be done to help. Frankly, there is a financial need. With ongoing medical treatment there is mounting medical bills and a great deal of missed work. Even the most prepared person can find themselves in a situation where they need help financially because of circumstances way beyond their control. This is one of those times…
Imagine for a moment that you need to get several (highly priced) prescriptions filled per week. Now multiply it by two. Now factor in the fact that you need to miss one day per week because of Chemotherapy. This doesn't include the time you may miss because you feel so sick you can't work the following day. Bottom line is; it compounds and it is expensive.
Darrin has never asked for money, but I know it is rapidly becoming a concern. If you are able to help, I am asking for your support on Darrin's behalf. As Doug has said, we need to pray like it was us that were sick and I think we need to give that way as well. If it is in your heart to help, on Sunday, please put in the offering under benevolence "Darrin Clock" in addition to your regular tithe/offering and we will make sure it gets directly to him. There is a fund that has been established at Castle Rock Bank with full disclosure for contributors. It is important to Darrin that people can see where the money is going.
Thanks fellas! Talk to you soon!
Charles
Ps - if you would like to know more of the Clock family, please visit: www.darrinsday.com
I have been in regular contact with him regarding his and his daughter's battle with Cancer. As you know, Katee's surgery went well and now she is undergoing Chemotherapy treatment along with Darrin.
It is hard to imagine having to fight your own terminal illness, but having it compounded by news that your daughter has cancer as well…it is almost unimaginable. We are however encouraged to hear news of progress in both of their treatments. Just weeks ago, Doctors gave Darrin little chance of survival past 6 months, but Darrin never stopped hoping. He notified me today that there was even a small shrinkage of the cancer when he visited his Oncologist yesterday. The Doctors are absolutely baffled! Praise the Lord and the glory be to Him!
So many of you have asked what can be done to help. Frankly, there is a financial need. With ongoing medical treatment there is mounting medical bills and a great deal of missed work. Even the most prepared person can find themselves in a situation where they need help financially because of circumstances way beyond their control. This is one of those times…
Imagine for a moment that you need to get several (highly priced) prescriptions filled per week. Now multiply it by two. Now factor in the fact that you need to miss one day per week because of Chemotherapy. This doesn't include the time you may miss because you feel so sick you can't work the following day. Bottom line is; it compounds and it is expensive.
Darrin has never asked for money, but I know it is rapidly becoming a concern. If you are able to help, I am asking for your support on Darrin's behalf. As Doug has said, we need to pray like it was us that were sick and I think we need to give that way as well. If it is in your heart to help, on Sunday, please put in the offering under benevolence "Darrin Clock" in addition to your regular tithe/offering and we will make sure it gets directly to him. There is a fund that has been established at Castle Rock Bank with full disclosure for contributors. It is important to Darrin that people can see where the money is going.
Thanks fellas! Talk to you soon!
Charles
Ps - if you would like to know more of the Clock family, please visit: www.darrinsday.com
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Pause Part III - Proving Ground
JourneyMEN September 6, 2007
PAUSE Part III – Proving Ground
INTRODUCTION
Every day people fall into the temptation of presuming on God. You see it in the young couple that spends irresponsibly and then asks God to bail them out financially for example. But what's wrong with that? Hasn't God promised to take care of us? In this session we'll discuss the second of Jesus' three temptations in the desert and what it teaches us about presuming on God. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
When in your life have you had an idea, launched that idea, and then expected God to bail you out? What were the results?
Read Matthew 4:5-6. What was behind the devil's request? Why would it have been a sin for Jesus to throw himself down from the top of the temple?
Read Psalm 91:11-12. In these verses God promised to protect His Messiah. How can a promise be turned into presumption?
Read Exodus 17:1-7, the story of Israel at Massah referenced in Deut 6:16. How did the Israelites put God to the test? How did they try to manipulate God?
Read Deuteronomy 6:16. When do you find yourself breaking this prohibition by presuming on God?
Read Matthew 4:7. What do we learn from Jesus' response?
When do you find yourself trying to get God to adopt your agenda?
What do you miss out on when you continue to try and manipulate God?
How can you begin to stop trying to manipulate God and start cooperating with Him?
THINK ABOUT IT
This week evaluate your prayers, your excuses, your explanations, your decisions, through the lens of Are you cooperating with God, or are you trying to manipulate Him? Is your attitude more like "If I jump, He'll catch me," or "I'm here to cooperate, not manipulate"?
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
At the beginning of each day this week, pause...and say Matthew 4:7 to yourself. Surrender to God's will and choose to cooperate, not manipulate. CHANGING YOUR MINDJesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Matthew 4:7
PAUSE Part III – Proving Ground
INTRODUCTION
Every day people fall into the temptation of presuming on God. You see it in the young couple that spends irresponsibly and then asks God to bail them out financially for example. But what's wrong with that? Hasn't God promised to take care of us? In this session we'll discuss the second of Jesus' three temptations in the desert and what it teaches us about presuming on God. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
When in your life have you had an idea, launched that idea, and then expected God to bail you out? What were the results?
Read Matthew 4:5-6. What was behind the devil's request? Why would it have been a sin for Jesus to throw himself down from the top of the temple?
Read Psalm 91:11-12. In these verses God promised to protect His Messiah. How can a promise be turned into presumption?
Read Exodus 17:1-7, the story of Israel at Massah referenced in Deut 6:16. How did the Israelites put God to the test? How did they try to manipulate God?
Read Deuteronomy 6:16. When do you find yourself breaking this prohibition by presuming on God?
Read Matthew 4:7. What do we learn from Jesus' response?
When do you find yourself trying to get God to adopt your agenda?
What do you miss out on when you continue to try and manipulate God?
How can you begin to stop trying to manipulate God and start cooperating with Him?
THINK ABOUT IT
This week evaluate your prayers, your excuses, your explanations, your decisions, through the lens of Are you cooperating with God, or are you trying to manipulate Him? Is your attitude more like "If I jump, He'll catch me," or "I'm here to cooperate, not manipulate"?
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
At the beginning of each day this week, pause...and say Matthew 4:7 to yourself. Surrender to God's will and choose to cooperate, not manipulate. CHANGING YOUR MINDJesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Matthew 4:7
Saturday, September 1, 2007
GRACE!
I guess I am obliged to blog about the why the morning started...before the climb on Thursday.
I called Doug at about 6:00 am and asked if he thought it would be a good idea if I got doughnuts for the guys. He said, "yes, that's a great idea". So, I did. It takes way longer than it should buying the doughnuts (which by the way - I'm not allowed to even eat doughnuts - these are for my boys). Now I am running behind schedule (which by the way - I HATE). Driving to Rock Park and a Castle Rock Police Officer whips around and gets right behind me. "Oh crap", I am thinking. I am also thinking, "If you are going to pull me over, do it now so the guys don't see me." The squad car keeps following. I start thinking, "Heck, maybe I am going to get lucky".
As soon as I hit my blinker, BAM, the 'lights of the law' start circling. Now I am thinking, "Maybe the guys wont see me", e
xcept they were ALL RIGHT THERE...ALL 15 OF THEM, laughing, taking pictures. Talk about embarrassed...
xcept they were ALL RIGHT THERE...ALL 15 OF THEM, laughing, taking pictures. Talk about embarrassed...I couldn't believe it! What are the chances??
The officer gets out and sees all of the men in the parking lot, looking surprised, she says, "What's going on here?"
Someone says, "This is our Men's group and he is the 'Ring Leader', you gotta let him off". She then started talking to my pastor. Now how humiliating can it get? Then another friend of mine comes over, who happens to also be in Law Enforcement and tells the officer to 'ta
ke me in'. The only thing missing was my mother being there!
ke me in'. The only thing missing was my mother being there! Turns out, the Police Officer was incredibly cool about the entire thing and I will NEVER SPEED AGAIN!!!
And Fellas, Next time - GET YOUR OWN DOUGHNUTS!!!
This post is dedicated to the brave men and women of the Castle Rock Police Force
-Charles
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