Weekly Reading for March 17 – 23
Preparing for Next Week’s Message
Sermon Series: Tough QuestionsSermon Title: The Unexpected Adventure
This reading plan will get your heart and mind set for the next message on March 24, 2019:
- SUNDAY: Acts 2, Acts 2,
- MONDAY: Acts 17:16-34, Acts 17:16-34,
- TUESDAY: John 9, John 9,
- WEDNESDAY: Luke 5:27-31, Luke 5:27-31,
- THURSDAY: John 4:1-42, John 4:1-42,
- FRIDAY: Ats 9:36-42, Ats 9:36-42,
- SATURDAY: Matthew 5:13-16, Colossians 4:2-6, Matthew 5:13-16, Colossians 4:2-6,
Reflecting on the Most Recent Sermon
Sermon Series: No Is a Beautiful WordSermon Title: Epic Nos and the Joy of Yes
Delivered On: March 17, 2019
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Memorize and Reflect
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)Prayer Direction
Pray for wisdom and courage to know when you should say no so that you can say yes to what matters most. Thank God for giving you boundaries and “Thou Shalt Not” declarations to protect you from danger and unwise decisions.“Live It!” Challenge
Do’s and Don’ts: Read all ten commandments (Exodus 20) and identify one that you most often are tempted to break. Pray for God’s power to resist temptation so that you can honor God and live the best life possible. Then, turn that “don’t” into a “do”. If you are breaking the Sabbath (avoiding weekly rest), make a decision to rest deeply and be refreshed by God. If you struggle with lying, don’t just try to stop lying. Strive to speak the truth more and more. Avoid the bad and seek the good!Small Group Discussion
What are one or two big and epic Yeses you would love to say, but you have been too busy and just do not have the margin? What are some strategic nos you can say that might open your schedule and life to say yes to these things?
Why does God tell us no and why are heavenly nos so valuable (even life-saving)?
Read: Exodus 20:1-17. Look at one specific commandment where God says no (you shall not) and share why you think God says no. How is God’s no a pathway to a better and more full life and future?
What would happen in our lives and world if people simply ignored these heavenly nos? How are we seeing some of the consequences of people ignoring God’s firm and clear warnings found in Exodus 20?
Why is it helpful and valuable to prepare some automatic nos before you face certain temptations, enticements, and situations? What is one automatic no you need to be ready to speak and how can your group members pray for you as you seek to honor God by saying no every time this situation presents itself?
Sometimes we need to be firmly honest with our self and the people around us. “No Honesty” is telling our self (and others) the truth and preparing to say no to the lies we have been telling. Take 3-4 minutes of silence and pray this prayer, “Spirit of God, show me where I have been lying to myself and others. Help me speak the truth to myself and others.”
Read: Exodus 20:8-11. Why is it so important for us to say no to our work at least one day a week so we can say yes to the rest God wants us to experience? What happens to us when we work seven days a week and do not allow ourselves to experience the rhythm of rest that God calls us to accept?
What steps do you need to take so you can say yes to a weekly time of rest and no to working all the time? How can your group members pray for you and keep you accountable to take this step?
Read: Matthew 6:9-10. Take a few minutes and lift up this prayer. Ask God to accomplish His will in this world, in your life, in your home, in your heart. Truly surrender to Him. If you feel comfortable doing so, tell your group members about one area God wants to do His will in and through your life, but you have been resisting and saying no. Invite them to pray for you to fully surrender this area to Jesus’ leadership.
What are one or two big and epic Yeses you would love to say, but you have been too busy and just do not have the margin? What are some strategic nos you can say that might open your schedule and life to say yes to these things?
Why does God tell us no and why are heavenly nos so valuable (even life-saving)?
Read: Exodus 20:1-17. Look at one specific commandment where God says no (you shall not) and share why you think God says no. How is God’s no a pathway to a better and more full life and future?
What would happen in our lives and world if people simply ignored these heavenly nos? How are we seeing some of the consequences of people ignoring God’s firm and clear warnings found in Exodus 20?
Why is it helpful and valuable to prepare some automatic nos before you face certain temptations, enticements, and situations? What is one automatic no you need to be ready to speak and how can your group members pray for you as you seek to honor God by saying no every time this situation presents itself?
Sometimes we need to be firmly honest with our self and the people around us. “No Honesty” is telling our self (and others) the truth and preparing to say no to the lies we have been telling. Take 3-4 minutes of silence and pray this prayer, “Spirit of God, show me where I have been lying to myself and others. Help me speak the truth to myself and others.”
Read: Exodus 20:8-11. Why is it so important for us to say no to our work at least one day a week so we can say yes to the rest God wants us to experience? What happens to us when we work seven days a week and do not allow ourselves to experience the rhythm of rest that God calls us to accept?
What steps do you need to take so you can say yes to a weekly time of rest and no to working all the time? How can your group members pray for you and keep you accountable to take this step?
Read: Matthew 6:9-10. Take a few minutes and lift up this prayer. Ask God to accomplish His will in this world, in your life, in your home, in your heart. Truly surrender to Him. If you feel comfortable doing so, tell your group members about one area God wants to do His will in and through your life, but you have been resisting and saying no. Invite them to pray for you to fully surrender this area to Jesus’ leadership.